Many of the challenges impacting Australian manufacturing today are not new – high costs, rigid industrial relations laws and, of course, the enormous growth in competition from off-shore manufacturers.
Offshore fabrication is one of the biggest issues affecting the manufacturing industry in Australia today – Australia’s manufacturing industry is being savaged by project owners and managers who outsource to cheap overseas fabricators.
However, overseas manufacturing is often not of the same quality as projects built in Australia.
There are many examples of offshore projects costing more than those built in Australia because of the level of re-work required to bring structures and pressure equipment up to an acceptable standard.
Australia has a highly skilled and competent workforce in Australia but without fabrication projects onshore we will lose the capability to deliver major steel infrastructure projects.
In order to secure the future of manufacturing in Australia, we need determined action from our Government, from industry leaders and from the communities and regions who depend on the strength of the manufacturing sector for their own future.
Australia needs to reduce the burden of regulation and the cost of doing business in the country if manufacturing is to survive.
The Welding Technology Institute of Australia’s mission is to promote the interests of its members in Australia.
We will continue working with business sectors and governments towards securing Australian industry, as we have done for the last 25 years.
I hope you’ll join us.
For more information on the Welding Technology Institute of Australia visit www.wtia.com.au
