By CASEY NEILL
THE region’s manufacturing mouthpiece plans to grow its non-Dandenong membership.
South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) held its AGM at Sandown Racecourse on Thursday 30 July.
President Simon Whitely told the 150-strong crowd that SEMMA had about 200 member companies, only 40 per cent based in Dandenong.
“With support from a number of regional councils we are seeking to reposition SEMMA beyond the boundaries of our historical Dandenong base, with the ambition to unite the manufacturing sector of the entire region,” he said.
Executive officer Adrian Boden encouraged members to inform SEMMA of the issues they were facing and possible solutions.
“I am always ready to meet with any company looking to extend its network,” he said.
“Collaboration among our members will not only increase the local pie but improve our capabilities.
“Between our companies, we have an incredibly diverse range of capabilities and technologies that could only benefit from more collaboration.”
Mr Boden said SEMMA was in the past year instrumental in securing a bi-partisan pre-election commitment to 50 per cent local content in Victorian trains and trams.
SEMMA doubled its presence at this year’s AusTech expo during National Manufacturing Week, hosting 13 manufacturers plus City of Greater Dandenong, CSIRO and Swinburne.
It took part in automotive industry discussions and continued to advocate for the Port of Hastings.
“This whole region is a significant player in that sector and we have to think 20, 25 years ahead, not five to six years ahead,” Mr Boden said.
SEMMA is speaking out against the State Government’s two new public holidays – on Easter Sunday and Grand Final Eve – after surveying members.
“We can only see a negative. We cannot see a positive in this,” he said.
SEMMA last September participated in a City of Greater Dandenong business delegation to China.
“It is clear that China must be seen as a clear opportunity for future sales as they require more expertise and their costs escalate, particularly in the health care, pollution and high-tech, low-volume areas,” Mr Boden said.
SEMMA has forged a new partnership with the CSIRO and Swinburne University that has facilitated more than 30 researchers visiting seven small to medium enterprise (SMEs) members.
“Both sides are hopefully much more open and understanding of each other’s issues and of possible opportunities,” he said.
SEMMA also announced new deals for members from Nissan and 1st Contact Foreign Exchange at the event.
