Firms enter Hall of Fame

By Shaun Inguanzo
A RECORD six manufacturers from the Greater Dandenong and neighbouring regions were inducted into the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame this week.
And the president of a local manufacturing group was inducted into an honour role.
Lumen Australia, Hilton Manufacturing, Injectronics Australia, Armstrong Industries, Ecotech and SGE Analytical were inducted, drawing attention to Greater Dandenong’s claim as the manufacturing hub of Australia.
South East Melbourne Manufacturers’ Alliance (SEMMA) president Doug Maxwell was inducted into the Manufacturing Hall of Fame Honour Roll for his contributions to manufacturing.
The event was held at the Palladium at Crown with 900 guests in attendance.
The inductions fall in line with news from Greater Dandenong council this week that a property boom in industrial and commercial sectors, generated by the city’s proximity to Eastlink and news of an impending revitalisation headed by VicUrban, has given residents one of the lowest rate rises in the state.
In some cases, industrial property has increased in value by 1000 per cent after being rezoned from rural to industrial.
Todd Hartley, managing director at Hilton Manufacturing, said he had always believed that Greater Dandenong had potential to become a manufacturing hub.
“The induction was a great result for us,” he said.
“Obviously we are thanking SEMMA for nominating us.
“We’ve been around for over 35 years now and have been based in the Dandenong region.
“We are a family business supporting the local area.”
Mr Hartley said he had watched Dandenong’s industrial sector grow, and he credited the Eastlink tollway for attracting more businesses to the region.
“Ten or 15 years ago if you looked at Dandenong there were 3000 and 2000- square-metre sites everywhere.
“But now, especially where we are, there are a lot of 5000, 10,000 and 15,000-square-metre buildings going up.
“There are larger international, and I guess, global companies moving into the area, and with Eastlink being introduced in the next few months or so that will be better for us.”
SEMMA executive officer Paul Dowling said manufacturing was alive and kicking in the south-east of Melbourne.
“Melbourne’s south east region has again confirmed its status as the manufacturing heartland as six local manufacturers, including two SEMMA companies, were inducted with five others from throughout Victoria into the 2008 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame,” he said.