Region. Skoda to sponsor Giants

Skoda Auto is the premier partner of the Western Sydney Giants AFL team for three years and naming rights sponsor of the Sydney Showground, which will be called Skoda Stadium, in a deal worth in excess of $1.5 million a year. Skoda, a car manufacturer based in the Czech Republic, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. Skodas were last sold in Australia in the 1980s, The brand returned to Australia in 2007. Western Sydney dealership are in Penrith and Bl;acktown.

Prestons. Consolidation of activities

Industry & Investment NSW has assisted HPM Legrand with a $36 million package to establish a 23,000 square-metre, purpose-built facility, at Prestons, to consolidate its manufacturing, research and development, supply chain operations, warehousing and head office functions. Legrand had been looking to consolidate its major operations in either Sydney or Melbourne following its acquisition of electrical manufacturer HPM Industries in 2007. HPM Legrand currently employs 291 people in NSW. Another 37 new jobs will also be created as a result of the consolidation bringing the company’s NSW workforce to 328. As well as the 328 direct jobs, the new facility will support additional work for sub-contractors and suppliers during its construction phase. HPM Legrand is part of the French-based Legrand Group

Top Ryde. Shopping centre is on the market

The Top Ryde City Shopping Centre, opened in August 2010, is for sale with expectations of about $700 million. The 78.100-square metre (GLA) centre, which contains a Myer department store, a Big W and dozens of other specialty stores, was said to be worth $840 million three years ago. The centre, owned by the Beville family for a decade, was substantially redeveloped and expanded in the past three years. It was developed as an alternative to the Macquarie Shopping Centre in North Ryde and the Rhodes Shopping Centre.

Holroyd. Boost to WesTrac's activities

Western Australian-based earthmoving company, WesTrac, which has exclusive rights to represent Caterpillar in several states and has its NSW main office in Holroyd, will be able to offer a broader range of mining equipment following the US-based Caterpillar’s takeover of its rival, Bucyrus International. WesTrac’s MD, Jim Walker, said the deal would benefit the company’s activities in NSW.