Manufacturing is in Geelong’s lifeblood. A decade ago, the closure of iconic factories and large employers was the equivalent of a heart attack for the city. Uncertainty followed, and, for some of our community, hardship.
Once it became apparent manufacturing would survive, that it had a life of its own, Geelong’s people got to work. The resilience and adaptability of this city’s manufacturing communities is a force to be reckoned with.
This week the Geelong Manufacturing Council (GMC) proudly celebrates 25 years’ advocating for manufacturing in one of Australia’s most important industrial centres. We will honour our long-standing members and supporters, and warmly welcome Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP, and other VIPs for a Celebration during the Avalon Air Show.
2023 marks a milestone for the GMC and our members, but this decade is also witnessing early signs of a Geelong manufacturing renaissance.
Companies previously dependent on Ford and Alcoa have introduced new business models, have stabilised, and are positive about their prospects. Led by research and industry collaboration, as well as new growth in food processing, Census data shows the region’s manufacturing employment grew for the first time in recent memory. The region will also be home soon to Recharge Industries’ new battery gigafactory, one of several important clean energy developments, plus new investments in defence capability with the $170 million Hanwha Defence Australia plant.
The question “Does manufacturing matter?” is not a new one. There are still misperceptions about what happens inside manufacturing companies, the extent to which R&D and innovation drive sophisticated processes and products, and the multitude of skills needed to lead a globally relevant business.
COVID19 also taught us an important lesson: we need manufacturing, and we need a level of self-sufficiency in Australia in case of supply chain disruption.
Challenges for Geelong manufacturers remain. Anxieties following the closures have been replaced with concerns about being able to attract sufficient staff and the fear that industrial “habitats” are shrinking. Regional cities must plan carefully to preserve industrial zones so we can better design and build sustainable products, locally, to support a cleaner economy.
GMC collaborates with research and education organisations, and fosters specialised technology and advanced manufacturing clusters to address a range of challenges.
In one GMC program, we work with Skilling the Bay to raise awareness of the rewarding careers offered by manufacturing. Each year local students see inside a series of facilities and hear from leaders about what it takes to design, test, build, commercialise and improve products and processes. The response from the Year 9 and 10 has always been wide-eyed surprise at the variety of jobs available. In coming months, with support from the Federal Government, and in collaboration with our colleagues in Ballarat and Bendigo, we will be expanding the activity to encourage more regional women and girls into manufacturing careers.
This article by GMC CEO Jennifer Conley was printed in the February 28 Geelong Advertiser special edition celebrating GMC’s 25th anniversary.
