The South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) has joined the Australian Made Campaign (AMCL) as a campaign associate to support the continued growth of local manufacturing in Australia.

One of Australia’s peak independent industry groups, SEMMA represents over 200 leading manufacturers in Melbourne’s South East. Through the promotion of its members’ capability and potential, SEMMA plays a critical role in keeping the region’s manufacturing sector vibrant and sustainable.

The partnership supports the continued growth of local manufacturing on the global stage, says Australian Made chief executive Ben Lazzaro.

“These Australian manufacturers produce some of the best products in the world, celebrated both here and overseas. Melbourne’s South East produces everything from yoghurt to trains to buses, bolts and everything in between,” he says.

“When you buy Australian Made products, you know what you’re getting – products made to the highest of safety and manufacturing standards. At the same time, you are supporting Australian industry.”

Melbourne’s South East is one of Australia’s most dynamic manufacturing regions contributing to almost half of Victoria’s manufactured products, so says SEMMA.

“Australian local manufacturers are exactly that, local,” says SEMMA CEO Vonda Fenwick.

“They use local suppliers and create local jobs. We proactively represent our local manufacturers on matters of importance to the industry and the region, and are excited to partner with Australian Made.”

Lazzaro says it’s crucial to nurture Australian manufacturing, and looks forward to supporting SEMMA and its members with improved access to Australia’s most recognised, trusted and widely used country of origin symbol – the Australian Made logo.

“It’s essential that we foster a manufacturing environment that encourages and assists manufacturers to innovate and build on their success, as well as providing pathways to new markets,” he says.

“The result is a healthy manufacturing sector, job creation and better access to markets.”

For more information on SEMMA, visit www.semma.com.au. For Australia’s biggest online directory of genuine Australian Made products, visit www.australianmade.com.au.