- Published:
- Wednesday 27 May 2015
Minister for Industry, Lily D’Ambrosio, recognised 16 outstanding individuals and businesses of Victoria’s manufacturing industry at a ceremony in Melbourne last night.
The Manufacturing Hall of Fame awards were established in 2001 to celebrate manufacturing excellence in Victoria.
The awards acknowledge those individuals and companies whose innovation, creativity and drive helps to make Victoria’s manufacturing sector competitive.
Carl Bizon, President of Cequent Asia Pacific, Europe and Africa (APEA) was recognised as a new member of the Hall of Fame’s Honour Roll.
Mr Bizon has firmly established the Australian operation as a Centre of Engineering Excellence, following a heavy investment in efficiency, technology, and productivity.
Anna Reid, Victorian Operations Manager of Asahi Beverages, was named Young Manufacturer of the Year. Ms Reid is site manager of factories at Laverton and Tullamarine.
Australian Precision Technologies was named Small Manufacturer of the Year, GP Graders Medium Manufacturer of the Year, and Hickory Building Systems Large Manufacturer of the Year.
Six new award categories were introduced this year to reflect the Andrews Labor Government’s plan to boost sectors which have the potential for extraordinary growth.
The new sector categories and their winners are:
- Medical technology and pharmaceuticals - Fairmont Medical Products
- New energy technology - Millennium Electronics
- Food and fibre processing - LangTech International
- Transport, defence and construction technology – Alstom Transport Australia
- International education - RMIT Advanced Manufacturing Precinct
- Professional services - Dairy Innovation Australia Limited.
Archiblox, Carbon Revolution, Duratray International, Keech Australia and Mobil Refining Australia (Altona) were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry, Lily D’Ambrosio:
“Victoria has a long and proud history in manufacturing and our highly skilled workforce provides a strong base for our economy.”
“The Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame awards recognise the challenges ahead for the manufacturing sector by promoting innovation, growth and excellence in manufacturing.”