By CASEY NEILL
MANUFACTURING’S voice in the south east has added more than 40 new members over the past year.
And South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) is hoping to grow even more in the coming 12 months.
Executive officer Adrian Boden spoke at the group’s annual general meeting at Sandown Racecourse on 30 July, following his first full year in the job.
“Talk to your neighbours. If you believe SEMMA has value, tell them to talk to us,” he said.
“Let’s grow SEMMA to be an even bigger voice.”
The alliance is entering its 12th year and has just moved into its own base on Bangholme Road in Dandenong South.
Mr Boden said SEMMA was working on a brand.
“We need to have an identity and we all need to buy into that identity,” he said.
“The perception is that manufacturing is dying.
“We’re still making things, and making them well.
“We’re not dead, we’re just changing.”
SEMMA treasurer Todd Hartley said membership fee income was 32 per cent higher than the previous year and sponsorship income had increased to $20,000. Total income was up $45,000.
“We also increased the spend on our website from $2000 in 2013 to $15,000 following a decision to develop a new site,” Mr Hartley said.
“The board is seeking in the coming year to increase membership and seek a greater level of corporate sponsorship to further improve our balance sheet.
SEMMA president Simon Whitely said the group had been actively engaged in the Southern Melbourne Regional Development Australia (SMRDA) Future of Manufacturing project.
“Work to date has been focused on leadership and good management practice towards defining regional capability,” he said.
“Its next phase is moving to regional branding and forging an identity to capture the essence of what we can do and putting the south east manufacturers at the forefront.”
Mr Whitely said the past year had included the announcement that the car industry would close.
“We’ve been supporting our members affected by these large plant closures in their transition to adapt their businesses and grasp new opportunities in the economy,” he said.
“For many, this has been a tipping point to undertake rapid change or face imminent failure.
“We act as the voice of manufacturers in the south east to advocate our interests by seeking to influence stakeholders from government, media, multinationals and councils to ensure our voice is heard.”
