GMC members Think Fencing and Farm Foods stood tall at the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame awards last night, each taking out a major award at the event which recognises outstanding achievements in Victoria’s manufacturing industry.
Think Fencing founder and CEO, Jack Fitzgerald accepted the Leader in Manufacturing award with team members Ben Zappia and Elise Vella. Jack acknowledged the importance of his team, telling the 1000 strong audience that his people were the reason for Think Fencing’s success. Elise, he said, had built an extruder in her bedroom while still at school, while Ben joined the Bellarine Peninsula based business when he saw Jack “looked like he needed help”.
Farm Foods, an innovative and fast growing company supplying major supermarkets around Australia and an expanding international market, won the Manufacturer of the Year – Medium Business. The Breakwater based business has grown from humble origins in a Birregurra shopfront in 2003, to become one of Australia’s leading meat and plant-based manufacturers and co-packers. The Farm Foods award was accepted by CEO, Greg Hughes, and Directors Simon Kerr and Nick Kerr
GMC CEO, Jennifer Conley, presented the Manufacturer of the Year – Regional Business award, sponsored by Geelong Manufacturing Council, to AME Systems of Ararat. AME produce complex cabling solutions for heavy transport, military, medical and special purpose vehicles and machinery.
The Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards are an initiative of the State Government. Now in its 21st year, the awards recognise the achievements of businesses and individuals at the pinnacle of manufacturing excellence.
