Is this the beginning of a Manufacturing revival?
Okay, let’s rewind... it’s 1993 and I am in my second week of work experience at the GMH plant in Port Melbourne. I was in the middle of year 10 looking to make a decision about my future career, I thought at the time that I was going to be mechanical engineer within the automotive industry. I was handed a bike by an engineer and told “don’t worry about the tour this is the best way to see the site”. So, this became my everyday lunch time ritual to explore a new part of this large manufacturing site always making sure to stop by the finished V8 engine line to hear the operators start every V8 engine.
Fast forward to 2020, gone are the days of Holden manufacturing as since its closure in 2017, there is no longer a GHM plant or locally made V8 engines.
However, what has risen in its place is a local industry that is agile, innovative and more tech savvy then ever. An industry that has over, and over again survived adversity, has both triumphed and prospered, and within it employs close to 1 million people nationwide.
As global supply chains implode due to the COVID -19 shutdowns around the world, the chorus for Australian made is growing louder and louder.
The importance of a local industry that can continue to keep our shelves full of basic food, personnel care, pharmaceutical and safety items - including gloves, masks and hand sanitiser - in a time of crisis cannot be understated.
It’s also important to remember the packaging required for each of these products, not to mention the production of life-saving medical devices and also vaccines to fight the deadly virus.
But how do we revive an industry that for years has been tainted with all too often belief, that it’s cheaper to get it made overseas.
What we need first, and most importantly is government intervention, which seems to be occurring with a new task force being established to explore ways to rebuild local manufacturing capabilities.
Secondly and just as important, is the creation of talent pathways for young graduates to enter into the industry. There is no doubt the exiting and offshoring of global automotive manufacturers has greatly dampened the enthusiasm of those wanting to enter the industry.
However, there is endless opportunities with the introduction of new innovation and technology within this highly automated industry, especially for those tech-skilled graduates.
The answer is not to return manufacturing to where it was within Australia, but instead to find balance within the industry, especially with our offshore counterparts. Let’s use this time to rebuild, and capitalise on the opportunity at hand, restoring balance to an industry that can create 100’s of local jobs, stimulate the economy and strengthen our local manufacturing capabilities.
- Peter Cirillo, Managing Director of Segen