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New group promotes local manufacturing

Industry Minister Mark Birrell has announced the formation of the Food Industry Machinery Manufacturing Association (FIMMA), a new industry group to promote the sale and use of Victorian-made food processing machinery.

At present 70% of the food processing machinery used in Victoria is imported.

FIMMA has been set up by industry representatives in partnership with Business Victoria, the State Government’s business development arm.

FIMMA Chairman Bryant Ham said Victoria’s industry was mainly composed of small and medium-sized companies that would now work together under the FIMMA banner to compete against major overseas companies.

"Establishing FIMMA included creating an import replacement strategy, setting up a cooperative relationship between companies, and re-investment in the industry," Mr Ham said.

FIMMA members are now exchanging ideas on industry development including training and networking.

FIMMA’s first initiative, with the assistance of Business Victoria, is the production of the Victorian Food Machinery and Services Directory. More than 80 Victorian food and machinery companies are listed in the publication, which includes contact details, company backgrounds and the services they provide.

(News Release, Office of the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, July 15, 1999)