LOCALISED machinery manufacturing is something Hyden farmer Paul Green is passionate about.
And it was this passion that led him to participate in the Nuffield Scholarship program.
Mr Green was awarded the Nuffield Scholarship last year and, sponsored by GrainGrowers Limited, hoped to further study the economics of machinery manufacturing around the world.
He would then look to translate his findings into successful manufacturing in WA.
Mr Green wanted to gain a better understanding of the business models of overseas equipment manufacturers, the economics of factory lines as well as material sourcing techniques.
Developing his own local business would ensure WA farmers had access to the latest technology at a reasonable cost as well as creating employment opportunities in rural communities.
Mr Green said his interest in on-farm machinery building came out of necessity.
"We had a lot of trouble sourcing skilled labour for the farm and consequently we ended up with large machines with the latest technology, which all costs a lot of money," he said.
"And after a number of tough years out in the Eastern Wheatbelt it was getting to me just how much we had to fork out at the end of each year for equipment.
"But when you look at the actual machines, they are just made up of steel, welding and a little bit of paint - so we started building."
Mr Green said they began with the simple things first, such as chaser bins, and found that it wasn't too difficult, but just took time.
"It is time consuming, but it all comes down to what you want to spend and what you want to save," he said.
"If you can build something for 50 per cent of the costs it isn't hard to find that time."
Due to his insight into manufacturing costs, Mr Green said he could not understand why machines are so expensive.
"Part of the trip will hopefully be finding out where the costs are coming from and why even the simple agricultural equipment is so expensive," he said.
Mr Green leaves on the Global Focus trip in a few weeks and hoped to visit the major agricultural equipment suppliers to Australia in North America, Europe and Asia.
