More than 650 manufacturers, industry bodies and agencies have come together at the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna South for the 2019 Victorian Manufacturing Showcase, celebrating the state’s established and emerging manufacturing success stories.

Held annually, the Victorian Manufacturing Showcase promotes the state’s exceptional manufacturing capability. The Showcase provides attendees and exhibitors with connections to strengthen their networks and find new ways to grow locally and internationally. Victoria’s high-growth manufacturing sectors are represented, including construction, defence, transport, food and fibre, medical technologies and pharmaceuticals.

Hosted in partnership with the Industry Capability Network (Victoria), this year’s showcase attracted the highest number of exhibitor and attendee registrations in its six-year history. The event included a speaker program featuring presentations by some of Victoria’s most successful and innovative manufacturers, including the likes of Trajan Scientific and Medical, PACCAR Australia and DuluxGroup Australia.

The event also included a sizeable exhibition space, with stands from companies across sectors ranging from medical & pharmaceuticals, to transport, and food & beverages – as well as manufacturing technology. AMTIL also was an exhibitor, as were several AMTIL members such as Amiga Engineering, Balluff, Catten Industries, Eci Solutions, Hi-Tech Metrology, Integra Systems, Mobile Automation, New Touch Industries, Nukon, Rae-Line, Successful Endeavours and Zeal 3D.

Among the speakers was the State Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade, Martin Pakula, who commented on the impressive line-up of companies showing off their capabilities in the exhibition space or discussing their businesses as part of the speaker program. Pakula also announced that nominations for the 2020 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame would open on 1 November and encouraged Victorian businesses and individuals to nominate.

“It’s great to see such an array of companies showing off their capabilities at this year’s showcase – it speaks volumes for the strength and promise of the sector,” said Minister Pakula. “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. Manufacturing is the top sector for research & development spending in Victoria and that will ensure we continue to lead the field.