Gases and engineering company BOC has increased its investment in regional Australia opening a $3.7 million dollar facility upgrade in the Queensland township of Gladstone today.

The investment comprises a major refurbishment of the company’s Gas & Gear retail outlet in Red Rover Road, operations centre and warehouse storage facilities to meet growing customer demand.

BOC’s Managing Director for the South Pacific, Colin Isaac, said today’s launch was a significant milestone.

“As one of Australia’s leading gases and engineering companies, BOC is very proud of its investment in local and regional economies,’’ Mr Isaac said.

“The upgrade has been executed to maintain security of gas and equipment supply to the LNG mega projects and to service the greater Gladstone community which is experiencing strong economic growth through manufacturing, construction, mining and other sectors.

“We have significantly expanded our warehousing space to store high turnover safety and welding equipment, as well as adding more office space and new work stations,’’ Mr Isaac said.

Mr Isaac said the upgrade had also improved overall access to the gas yard to accommodate volume growth in cylinders and gas packs into the future, helping BOC to continue to meet its supply commitments to Curtis Island and other customers.

BOC has been operating in the Gladstone community since 1969.