Left: Crane Aid apprentice Matthew Cole tells students from across the south-east about his success and how he has achieved it.By Shaun Inguanzo
THE world is your oyster but don’t forget manufacturing.
That was the message to 140 students, teachers and business people from across the south-east as they heard the success stories of Greater Dandenong business people at the South East Networks (SEN) and South East Melbourne Manufacturers’ Alliance (SEMMA) lunch with the winners event last Friday.
The Sandown Racecourse committee room hosted the function that showcased the success stories of Porter Davis Homes director Anthony Roberts, Hilton Manufacturing managing director Todd Hartley and outstanding Crane Aid apprentice Matthew Cole.
SEN and SEMMA organised the function with an emphasis on youth, creating a point of difference from last year’s event that focused on the wisdom and advice of some of Greater Dandenong’s fathers of local industry.
Mr Roberts wooed the crowd with the impressive story of Porter Davis Homes’ eight year rise to success, from a small business building just 35 homes in 2000, to an expansive household name that builds up to 1000 houses a year.
“Polish the surfboard and catch the waves when they come rather than just looking out for the waves,” Mr Roberts told the youthful audience.
It was that philosophy that helped Mr Roberts move out of his general manager position with Henley Properties and begin Porter Davis Homes with two business partners.
Mr Hartley spoke about Hilton Manufacturing and its metalwork and fabrication business, including fuel tanks for trucks and buses.
He said the company employed about 170 people and was experiencing a period of rapid growth, during which it had taken on 20 new employees within the past eight weeks.
Mr Cole was this year announced as the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce’s Young Enterprise Award winner, giving him the credibility as one of the hardest working young apprentices in the region.
He is a fitter and turner with Crane Aid and described his role as transforming engineering designs into reality using specialist machinery.
Jamie Sturgess from the legal firm Macpherson and Kelley in Dandenong was master of ceremonies for the day.
