Victorian manufacturers on show
Victoria’s manufacturing entrepreneurs took centre stage this month, providing insights into their businesses at the Victorian Manufacturing Showcase (VMS) 2019, which took place at the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna on October 22.
Matthews Steer Accountants and Advisors was a platinum sponsor at this year’s Showcase, themed ‘Engage. Innovate. Create,’ with Matthews Steer Partner and Director Adrian Misiano addressing guests at the launch event on October 21.
Misiano said sponsorship of the Showcase was an extension of Matthews Steer’s commitment to partnering Victorian innovators and manufacturers to success through sound financial and business decision making.
“The Showcase drives enthusiasm for innovation, and gives Victorian entrepreneurs the opportunity to come together and learn from each other,” said Misiano. “It attracts the elite in Victorian manufacturing and demonstrates the importance of manufacturing, and retaining it here in our State."
The Showcase gives people the opportunity to learn from one another, manufacturer to manufacturer, and through its sponsorship, Matthews Steer aims to contribute to that from a business advisory point of view.
“We’ve seen that some Victorian manufacturers are facing tough times,” said Misiano. “Some of them haven’t built their competitive advantage – and haven’t
known how to build their competitive advantage – and we’ve enabled them to extract that through our strategic workshops, which are about helping them find focus and get their whole team on the one path.
“We’ve helped a number of local manufacturers obtain grant funding, improve, and realise the full potential of their businesses. The Showcase is an opportunity for us to share that with the wider world, meet some of the businesses at the cutting edge of Victorian manufacturing, and see how we can help.”
Celebrating its sixth year, the VMS is hosted by the Victorian Government in partnership with the Industry Capability Network (Victoria) and six local councils. The annual event showcases Victorian manufacturing businesses, giving attendees the chance to network with successful Victorian businesses - innovators and established
industry players - and gain best-practice industry insights.
Victorian Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade, Martin Pakula, said it was great to see the array of companies showing off their capabilities at this year’s Showcase.
“It speaks volumes for the strength and promise of the sector,” said Pakula.
“Manufacturing is the top sector for research and development spending in Victoria (and) there are more than 11,800 manufacturing firms employing more than 270,000 people in Victoria. We are a leader in Australian manufacturing and getting stronger.”
Manufacturers segments represented at the Showcase included construction, defence, transport, food and fibre, medical technologies and pharmaceuticals.
Exhibitors included Yarra Trams, Four Pillars Gin, Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, Hydro Australia and BlueGas Technologies.
A number of Matthews Steer clients were involved in the Showcase again this year, including Barker Trailers, a local business that turned to Matthews Steer in 2016
seeking a better grasp of their financial forecasting and strategies to help them build on their strong financial foundation located in North West Melbourne, the heart of Victoria’s manufacturing zone, Matthews Steer is well placed to advise clients who include some of Victoria’s most innovative manufacturers in technology, transport, food and engineering.
“We’re committed to supporting innovation in the region as a whole, through organisations including NORTHLink, Melbourne North Food Group and the Caravan
Industry Association of Victoria, and to help the clients we work with to build their competitive advantage,” said Misiano.
“The most enjoyable part of my job is going into local businesses and finding solutions that help them to maximise their potential, and I know I’m not alone at
Matthews Steer in feeling that way.”
To speak to Matthews Steer about growth strategies and your business advisory needs, or to book in a MS Business Risk Health Check, contact Adrian Misiano on
03 9325 6300.
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