AMTIL recently held it’s Annual General Meeting and as a result has appointed two new Directors and reappointed Brigitte Stavar as President for the coming twelve months.
Brigitte Stavar, Managing Director of Sheetmetal Machinery Australia, has held the position of President of AMTIL since October 2019 and has helped guide the Association through some interesting times. COVID caused the postponement and subsequent cancellation of our flagship exhibition, Austech, along with many other events we run. This provided many challenges to us in not only meeting the needs of our members but also the financial implications of not running a show. We also purchased new offices with a fit-out and move in September 2021 followed by the announcement that Austech and the Reed Exhibition-owned National Manufacturing Week would evolve into one new show, Australian Manufacturing Week, owned and organised solely by AMTIL.
Our thanks go to Brigitte and our current Board for the direction and guidance they gave our body during those times. We are pleased to say we have come through it with flying colours and are in a strong position to move forward.
Along with Brigitte, our existing Board comprises Annaliese Kloe – Group Managing Director of Headland Technology; Mark Dobrich – General Manager Machine Tools at John Hart Pty Ltd; Pat Green – Manager Director of Automated Solutions Australia; Paul Philips, Managing Director at Benson Machines Pty Ltd and Peter Sutton, Managing Director of Sutton Tools Pty Ltd.
At the AMTIL Annual General Meeting in October we also appointed two new Directors and I take the opportunity to welcome them here and introduce them to our readership.
Phil Bowles is currently Chief Operating Officer (COO) at SPEE3D Pty. Ltd., a leading innovator in metal cold spray additive manufacturing machines, revolutionising the field of 3D metal printing.
Phil’s journey in the manufacturing industry began in 1981 with a four-year apprenticeship as a Fitter and Machinist at Repco Clutch Company in Bentleigh East, Victoria. Over the years, he honed his expertise, becoming a qualified toolmaker and working within the metallurgy department where he remained for an additional two years after his apprenticeship. With over four decades of experience in manufacturing, 31 of which were dedicated to ANCA Pty Ltd, Phil made significant contributions to the company. His journey at ANCA began in the role of a Machine Tool designer, where he played an instrumental role in creating numerous cutting-edge ANCA machine tools. As his career progressed, Phil’s dedication and skill propelled him into executive leadership, eventually holding the position of Global Engineering Manager. In this capacity, he led a team of over 120 engineering professionals worldwide as well as spearheading the growth of ANCA’s business in Thailand where he worked for three years. His experience living and working in Thailand broadened his global perspective, fostering his passion for diverse cultures and exploring new destinations.
Phil’s professional journey extends beyond his operational roles. He possesses extensive skills and experience in strategy, management, leadership, and operations, and has completed the Director’s course at the Australian Institute of Company Directors, attaining the GAICD nominal. This experience further enriched his understanding of corporate governance, finance, strategy, and risk from a strategic perspective.
Phil’s love for old motorcycles drives his passion for restoration, and his dedication to health, fitness, and good nutrition underscores his balanced approach to life. Phil is a devoted family man, happily married with two adult children. He and his family reside on Phillip Island, Victoria, alongside their delightful companion, Basil the pug.
Johanna Boland is the Group Strategy and Communications Manager at ANCA and came to manufacturing and the family business, after working for entities including large multinationals, Melbourne City Council, PR firms in London and not-for-profits. ANCA specialises in designing and manufacturing high precision CNC machine tools primarily for international markets.
Johanna is a public relations, brands, marketing and communications ‘all rounder’ with over twenty years’ international experience in-house and agency side across multiple sectors. Curious by nature she thrives in a dynamic environment to develop and drive ideas. Specialties include: Branding, social media, media relations, B2B, internal communications, crisis management, change communications, written communication and collateral development, social marketing, stakeholder relationship management, marketing, campaigns, strategic integrated campaign management, web management and budgeting.
Phil and Johanna bring unique skill sets to the existing Board and will be great additions as we progress through the next few years of business. I am sure you will all join me in welcoming them both to the AMTIL Board.