This morning, SEMMA were pleased to collaborate with member Open Welding to host an informative breakfast session for members and local businesses at Hilton Manufacturing Dandenong South. The event provided a fantastic opportunity for manufacturers to gain insight to the quality market and optimise their offering to prime contractors, and was tailored to manufacturers engaged in metal fabrication who wanted to enhance their welding quality.
Expert speaker Malcolm Rigby, Technical Director of Open Welding, shared his knowledge on the quality market, supply chain requirements, and current welding technologies that could optimize welding processes for greater efficiency and quality. Attendees had the opportunity to learn how an optimized welding system could help them recover profits and gain access to markets where quality standards are mandatory, such as defence. Following the presentation, attendees engaged in a lively Q&A session and discussed their shared experiences in the welding industry.
SEMMA President and Managing Director of ABECK Group, Peter Angelico, said “It’s important for local manufacturers to gain insight into the quality market and optimize their offerings to prime defence contractors as local Manufacturing provides opportunities for Australians from all walks of life and at SEMMA, we’re doing our bit to ensure that sovereign capability is maintained.”
In addition to the informative presentation, SEMMA member David Murphy, Managing Director of TRJ Engineering addressed the audience and shared his experience in improving welding quality through collaboration with Open Welding. Alex Hurcombe, Investment Lead at the Victorian Government Defense, Aviation, and Aerospace, was also present to discuss the current grant opportunities available to manufacturers, including programs available which fund developments/upgrades for Industry 4.0 and defence supply chain. Long-time SEMMA collaborator ODIS (Office of Defence Industry Support) was represented by Frank Kelloway, Stephen Harvey, and Mark Cowan-Aston, who were available to discuss how SME manufacturers could engage with the defence supply chain.
Several esteemed guests and representatives were also present at the event, including:
- David Murphy (Owner of TRJ Engineering and SEMMA member): David shared his own experiences of increasing welding quality through collaboration with Open Welding, offering practical insights and lessons learned.
- Alex Hurcombe (Investment Lead at the Victorian Government Defence, Aviation, and Aerospace): Alex was available to discuss grant and funding opportunities available to manufacturers, particularly in the defence sector. Alex informed interested members on the open programs which fund developments/upgrades for Industry 4.0 and defence supply chain.
- Office of Defence Industry Support (ODIS) representatives: Frank Kelloway, Stephen Harvey, and Mark Cowan-Aston from ODIS actively participated in the event. They consistently made themselves available to discuss how manufacturers can engage with defence-related projects and initiatives.
The event provided an excellent opportunity for manufacturers to gain a competitive advantage by learning how to increase their quality. By collaborating with industry experts and fellow members of SEMMA, attendees had access to valuable insights, experiences, and knowledge that could help them enhance their welding processes and grow their businesses.
SEMMA continues to provide valuable events and collaborative opportunities to its members, fostering growth, innovation, and industry advancement. The alliance remains committed to supporting local businesses and manufacturers in the South East Melbourne region, equipping them with the knowledge and resources needed for success in a competitive market.
