The Illawarra Industry Network (i3net) is holding a two day industry showcase of Wollongong’s manufacturing and engineering capabilities on Thursday and Friday.
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The 2017 Illawarra Industry Showcase highlights the ongoing significance of industry in the region.
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It has been held annually during the last decade to help attract work to local businesses with highly skilled workforces and many capabilities.
The Illawarra Industry Showcase has become i3net’s premier event to inspire industry growth and sustainability.
It promotes the capability of engineering and manufacturing firms to state, national and international markets.
Delegates are visiting from many companies and organisations such as Snowy Hydro, Lend Lease Bouygues NorthConnex Project, Boeing/HATS, Navantia Australia, BAE Systems and its global access program as well as BAE Systems and its industry strategy division.
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They have also come from Prysmian Australia, Boral Southern Highlands, Woodlawn Mine and the Centre for Defence Industry Capability.
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The two day program started with an industry tour on Thursday morning that took in Ringway, Klondu Group, TAFE Illawarra, R-Stahl Group Australia and Fibre Optic Design and Construct at Bulli.
Klondu Group general manager Robert Donsante said it was always great to host a tour of visiting delegates.
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The business wanted to do it again because of the positive experience in 2016.
“What we found was there was a lot of interest,” Mr Donsante said.
“It is actually a way for us to show our wares and the capabilities. There is not another facility as big as Klondu in the Illawarra. We have 90 people on site. They are permanent employees. We are on a 50,000 square metre block. We have just under 19,000 square metres under roof. We are capable of performing any size job from your small overhauls to your major construction work here.”
i3net executive officer Tony Green said the industry tour is always followed by an industry dinner and expo on the Thursday night where Illawarra Industry Network president Emilio Salucci introduced the delegates and Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery gave them an official welcome to the city.
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Advantage Wollongong presented its new video promoting the city and visiting delegate Darren Davis, from Snowy Hydro, gave a presentation.
An industry breakfast and expo is always held on the Friday morning with i3net stakeholders and i3net members delivering presentations providing a broad glimpse of the many capabilities in the region.
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