While many of the 120 redundant staff smiled and waved as they left the Kaitlers Road building, others, including Irene Wojtkowski, shed tears.

Ms Wojtkowski joined the business aged 18 while the factory was still being constructed.

Now 63, the company has been all she has known for a job.

“It’s very sad, it really is,” she said.

“We’ve all got families.

“I started right back in 1970, I didn’t even have a resume.

“It’s a sad day.”

The final transmission rolled off the assembly line on Wednesday.

Staff spent yesterday cleaning the factory before sharing memories over a barbecue.

Australian Manufacturing Workers Union representative Warren Butler said the plant had produced 4.5 million transmissions and played an important role in the manufacturing industry.

Employee Wayne Crowther said while there was some sadness during the final shift, staff had seen the closure coming.

He said people were generally in high spirits yesterday.

“The atmosphere was pretty sad because it’s ended, but everyone is catching up with each other and talking about their memories,” Mr Crowther said.

“We’ve got to push on and do what we can.”

Thongsy Sourivong, who migrated from Laos in 1986 and joined the company in 1995, said she had made good friends during her time there.

Plant manager Howard Morey said staff should be proud of what they had achieved and look back with fond memories.

“We had a good day getting together, talking about the history of what’s happened and some of the great highlights of the place,” he said.

Photos and memorabilia were taken to keep the history of the factory alive in the future, Mr Morey said.

More than 20 people had found new employment and others would be supported in their job hunt.

All staff would be paid their full entitlements.