S4 the vital thread for industry

By Shaun Inguanzo
MANUFACTURERS have praised Greater Dandenong’s network of business advocates as world class and a key to the region’s economic success.
Local organisations South East Networks (SEN), South East Melbourne Manufacturers’ Alliance (SEMMA), South East Development (SED) and South East Local Learning and Employment Network (SELLEN) work under the combined umbrella of ‘S4’.
In addition, the City of Greater Dandenong’s Business Development Unit and the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce provide further support and host awards ceremonies to foster manufacturing and business development.
SEN, the primary networking organisation for all businesses, holds seminars and events throughout the year.
SEMMA represents manufacturers in the region and has undertaken initiatives with a “bulk buy” philosophy, using its membership numbers to negotiate better deals for its members, the most notable being its WorkCover scheme.
It is also a valuable lobby group for manufacturing in Greater Dandenong.
SED is an area consultative committee that helps link the Federal Government to either metropolitan or rural regions.
It identifies opportunities for regional development by working with business, government and community.
SELLEN is part of a series of local learning and Employment Networks that in a business context aims to strengthen links between employers and young people leaving school.
This ensures that local students become local employees.
The four south-east groups combine their efforts on certain projects under the umbrella of S4 and work in partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong’s Business Development Unit.
The Business Development Unit focuses on developing and fostering business on behalf of the City of Greater Dandenong council.
It functions as an advocate for local business and also a funding source for groups such as SEN.
The Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce provides networking opportunities that allow all types of businesses within Greater Dandenong to mingle.
These range from golf days through to networking lunches.
The chamber hosts the Premier Regional Business Awards annually and those awards are considered the pinnacle of business recognition within the Greater Dandenong region.
The strong presence of these groups in Greater Dandenong has provided opportunities otherwise unattainable for local manufacturers.
One of Greater Dandenong’s three 2007 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame inductees, TriMas Corporation, praised the business network and also the support of local government.
TriMas managing director Robert Saunders said the set-up was unique to Australia.
“I think the thing that strikes me most about doing business in Greater Dandenong is the support we get from local government, particularly the City of Greater Dandenong,” he said.
“I’ve not come across it anywhere else in Australia, for that matter.
“It is reminiscent of industrial parks I’ve seen in other parts of the world but is administered by government rather than private business.”
Uneek Bending business development manager John Lovell said the company’s contact with SEMMA gave it confidence it could remain competitive at a global level while remaining in Dandenong South.
“Organisations like the Industry Capability Network (ICN), funded by state and federal governments, try to help companies find local manufacturers to do business with rather than going overseas,” he said.
“But I have had much more success with SEMMA and its networking power than I’ve ever had with the ICN.”
Southport Engineering managing director Peter Smith said SEMMA had helped the company find partner the ARM Group to co-bid for – and win – a $22 million contract to build the State Government’s VLocity fast-train shells.
If not for the partnership, Mr Smith said Southport Engineering would have had much less chance of winning the contract.