By CASEY NEILL
TONY Eichstadt and a business partner started Fineweld Stainless Steel in 1988.
He was 19 and had only recently finished his sheet metal apprenticeship.
“It was a struggle,” Mr Eichstadt said.
“But I wouldn’t have done it any other way.”
The Carrum Downs business is now leading the innovation, design and manufacture of stainless steel tanks and processing equipment in the state.
And it can now add the 2013 Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award to its list of achievements.
The chamber has elevated the award to near-equal footing with the top prize, the Premier Regional Business Award, so small businesses could compete on a level playing field.
Awards chairman James Sturgess said the company now had more than 20 years of manufacturing experience through a 16-strong team that had “been there and done it”.
“Nearly 50 per cent of those employees have more than 15 years’ service,” he said.
“This is a remarkable achievement and Tony puts it down to some very simple philosophies.
“Fineweld Stainless Steel is seen as a really good place to work with interesting and challenging jobs on a variety of different projects.
“The camaraderie and culture within the business has bonded the team together, and the fact that they have worked through tough times as well as good times means their understanding of the challenges of the business is very high.”
Fineweld started off building stainless steel tanks, particularly for the wine industry, in the early 1990s.
“It was a booming industry at the time and although seasonal, it provided great opportunities for this new fledgling business,” Mr Sturgess said.
The growth was consistent throughout the ’90s, but Mr Eichstadt’s partner left the business in 2005 and a decline in the wine industry followed.
“The next few years were particularly tough and required resilience and energy to find the new opportunities that could deliver growth,” Mr Sturgess said.
Fineweld prides itself on being up to date with the latest technology and “pushing the boundaries”.
The company recently achieved registration for hydro static testing and is a certified testing agent, and also has a fully automated robotic welding cell.
“The welding cell enables Fineweld Stainless Steel to produce welded components accurately and to budget,” Mr Sturgess said.
“These innovations and experience have led the company to having customers such as Sandvik, Wormald, Chubb Fire, Mining Giants, well-known wine industry names and even yoghurt manufacturers like 5AM and Chobani.”
Fineweld was also a nominee for the Innovation, Manufacturing, Service Excellence and Premier Regional Business awards.
