By Casey Neill
South-east manufacturers are battling rising energy prices but have unique access to opportunities for innovation.
The South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) held its 14th AGM at the Australian Synchrotron in Clayton on Tuesday 1 August.
It welcomed a new president in Greg Northrop from AFL Telecommunications, ABeCK Group’s Peter Angelico as its new vice president, and David Collomb from Bombardier as a new board member.
“I strongly believe that together we are more,” Mr Collomb said.
The outgoing president and vice president, Simon Whiteley from Corex and Hilton Manufacturing’s Todd Hartley, will stay on the board.
“The beginning of supply chains on-shoring that arose in the previous year has improved the outlook of many local businesses,” Mr Whiteley said in his address.
He said that colloquially, data was emerging as the “oil of the future”.
“To meet this development, an improvement in internet connectivity is essential,” he said.
“The continued bias in the south-east NBN rollout towards residential over business continues to undermine our potential.
“It is essential that the next generation of employees are upskilled to support the innovation and keep our overseas rivals at bay.”
The Casey and Cardinia councils were among SEMMA’s new members in the past 12 months.
Executive officer Adrian Boden said there were now six councils on board.
“We are now a truly regional organisation representing manufacturers across the region,” he said.
Mr Boden said skyrocketing electricity prices was a key issue that SEMMA was raising on behalf of its members.
The cost for its negotiated group purchase deal had gone up 250 per cent from its previous three-year deal.
Mr Boden said there was a need for a national structured energy policy.
“It’s a prime example of where politicians must work together for the greater good,” he said.
“We need a quick and collaborative solution.”
SEMMA and other regional groups will present information session The Future is Now and Always has Been at Dandenong’s Drum Theatre from 1.30pm to 3.30pm on Tuesday 12 September.
“Innovation is not something that’s going to happen in five years’ time. It will happen today,” he said.
He said the research and development capabilities and knowledge available to manufacturers in the area was better than anywhere else in the world.
He pointed to CSIRO’s Lab 22, Swinburne’s Factory of the Future, the Synchrotron and Chisholm
“We continue to believe that the incredible resources at each of these institutions are underutilised by manufacturers,” Mr Boden said.
“Call us if you need to find a solution to any problem. We have help you find the right person or facility to help you.”
Treasurer Markus Oswald said SEMMA was developing sustainability and continuing to grow.
It increased membership and income in the past 12 months, turning a $20,269 profit following losses the previous two years.
