Another big day for the show, and the industry, with a little bit of help from Women in Manufacturing
From down on the show floor, as the clock whizzed past 10am on Wednesday, the hall was swamped, and the pressure didn’t stop all day. Exhibitors I managed to speak to were impressed by the numbers in the aisles as well as the quality of their visitors. Walking from one end of the show floor took about an hour if I tried hard to not talk to anyone. And for me, that’s not easy to do.
There was quite a thorough assessment of the Federal Budget on offer by the crew at William Buck with an online meeting that covered many areas of business. Click through HERE to access the recording of the presentation if you have time later.
Today’s theme in the Future Solutions Featured Speaker Sessions involved the industry women in Australia and their place in manufacturing. The CEO of SEMMA (South East Melbourne Manufacturing Association) dismissed the label of ‘Pale, Male and Stale’, and introduced two women working and succeeding in the field of manufacturing, one an Apprentice of the Year. Their stories both spoke of breaking through not conscious sexism but finding confidence in themselves. What they grew into has been a testament to self-belief and is of benefit to the whole Australian industry.
Up in the side halls of the MCEC was the SPE-ANZ Society of Plastics Engineers. Many of the speakers brought research, hinting at solutions and compromises but it is clear the plastics industry is at a crossroads. Long-time event coordinator Han Michel told the close-knit crowd of engineers and technologists they’ll have to, “change the industry, significantly. We cannot escape the issue of plastics waste.”
Further along the upstairs halls, the Vernier Organisation was hosting school groups with some research students’ work in STEM and Medical research into Artificial Heart-Lung Therapy, or (ECMO). Avishka Wickramarachichi is a PhD student at the Cardio-Respiratory Engineering And Technology Lab, or CREATE, part of the Victorian Heart Lab. He has built robots, worked on human-powered vehicles and is now creating computer simulations of how blood flows through tubes during heart-lung surgeries. Astonishing work. Creating these as virtual models before manufacturing helps minimise the risks when they are put to the ultimate test during surgeries.
Almost every exhibitor I spoke to on my second or third lap in the afternoon, were ready with stories of interesting customer queries, real sales, orders and questions about new applications for the machines they were selling. None are sure whether the halfway point of the end of Wednesday is the busiest, or will Thursday out-perform the usual hump day? I have a mission here, like many of the AMTIL crew, to visit and meet everyone at their stands during the show, but you guys are so busy, and I’m not going to interrupt a sale.
At the end of another brilliant day, we staged the Women in Manufacturing Networking Event, sponsored by the Queensland Government, with Bernadette Zerba, Deputy Director General at the QLD Govt giving a solid to the women in the industry, especially those who have brought something extra to the table.
You can still register and come on down for Thursday (we’re open until 7pm) and Friday (Show closes at 4pm).