WA drilling equipment manufacturer Metzke will invest $22 million in a new advanced manufacturing facility in East Rockingham, more than doubling its current footprint.
L to R, Ian Figueiredo (CEO), Simon Burt (DIRECTOR), Sheldon Burt (CHAIRMAN)
The family-owned business – founded by Bruce Metzke in 1978 and now stewarded by the Burt family across three generations – is relocating in 2027 from its Canning Vale base after more than 40 years, having outgrown the site.
Metzke is a globally recognised leader in reverse circulation (RC) drilling equipment and technology, with its products used on drill rigs across Africa, North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia.
The new East Rockingham facility will sit on a 20,000sqm site – more than 2.5 times the size of its current operations and will include a 3,500sqm state-of-the-art warehouse purpose-built for fabrication, machining and assembly at scale.
Render Concept New Metzke Advanced Manufacturing Facility in East Rockingham
Chairman Sheldon Burt said the investment marked a significant step change for the company as it looks to expand its manufacturing capability and scale for future growth.
“We’ve reached the limits of what we can do at our current site. This investment is about building a larger, more advanced operation that can support our next phase of growth,” Mr Burt said.
The East Rockingham location will see Metzke situated within the newly announced Western Trade Coast (WTC) – a priority State Development Area – alongside critically significant projects including Westport and the Henderson Defence Precinct.
Sheldon Burt (L), Simon Burt (R) alongside a grade control rig integrated with Metzke Sampling System (shown in red and grey cones)
While drilling will remain central to the business, Mr Burt said the expanded facility would open the door to broader manufacturing opportunity.
“Drilling will always be the heart and soul of what we do. That’s not changing,” Mr Burt said.
“But this gives us the platform to do more. We’ll have the space, the capability and the infrastructure to potentially expand into new applications and new industries.”
Mr Burt said the investment was a clear vote of confidence in the future of the business and the family’s commitment to manufacturing in Australia for the long term.
Company Wide Briefing March 2026
“We’re investing here because we believe in the future of advanced manufacturing in this country,” he said.
“In an increasingly uncertain global environment, maintaining and growing Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability is critical. We’re proud to design and build our products here in Western Australia and export them to the world.”
Metzke are partnering with national construction, development and investment firm, Commercial & General Group for the development of the facility.
Mitch Stone, Fund Manager for the Group said the development project reflects the confidence they have in the WA industrial Market:
“We are delighted to be supporting Western Australian industry in partnering with market-leader Metzke to expand its capabilities in what will be a cutting-edge facility. The Western Australian market continues to demonstrate strong fundamentals, and we are actively pursuing opportunities that align with our integrated delivery model and capital partnership capabilities across our vertically integrated platform”
Commencement of operations at the new premises is set for quarter two of 2027.
For more information, visit metzke.com.au
