A Geelong healthcare manufacturer, Care Essentials, took out Manufacturer of the Year medium business at the recent 2022 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards.
GMC CEO, Jennifer Conley, congratulated the local company on the State-wide recognition.
“We have a world-class, innovative manufacturing ecosystem in Geelong, and this award to Care Essentials is testament to that. The Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards are a terrific avenue for recognition of the thought-leadership, skills and expertise we have, and we’re looking forward to growing the Geelong contingent at future awards.”
After a two year hiatus, the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards was a welcome event on the manufacturing calendar. GMC Directors and guests attended the event celebrating the “Made in Victoria” theme, which highlighted the breadth of products, machinery and equipment produced in Victoria, and recognised the people and businesses that are driving the sector’s success and growth.
Newly appointed Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Ben Carroll addressed the gathering, congratulating winners and finalists at the ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the awards.
“These awards recognise the contribution of our leading manufacturers that are developing new technologies and processes that help to create jobs throughout Victoria,” Carroll said.
Industrial design and advanced manufacturing business Integra Systems was named this year’s inductee into the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame.
Awards were presented across 14 categories including three new awards for Leader in Low Carbon Economy, Outstanding Responsiveness to COVID-19 and Leader in Diversity and Inclusion.
Integra Systems, which manufactures light metal products, also took out the award for Leader in Workforce Skills Development.
Health technology company Planet Innovation was awarded Manufacturer of the Year for large business and Outstanding Responsiveness to COVID-19 for its work in producing critical health products throughout the pandemic, including surface sterilisation and portable ventilators.
3D printing company, Amaero Additive Manufacturing in Notting Hill was the Manufacturer of the Year small business winner.
NCI Packaging received the inaugural Leader in Low Carbon Economy award for reducing its energy output by installing solar power across its Australian sites, while the Leader in Diversity and Inclusion award went to Elastomers Australia for providing more employment opportunities for Indigenous employees and women.
Victoria’s manufacturing industry contributes around $30 billion to the local economy each year, supports around 260,000 jobs and provides more than 27 per cent to the nation’s manufacturing output.