For industrial automation specialist for the food and beverages sector, Foodmach, 2013 marks four decades of business, a milestone the company says is a positive sign for the local manufacturing sector despite a challenging economic climate.
While the company is planning a number of events to celebrate the milestone, including hosting a special 40th anniversary customer appreciation day, the company's director of sales and marketing, Dr Robert Stojanovic, says its continued resilience since its foundation in 1972 is perhaps its greatest anniversary tribute.
"Although the general economic situation for Australian manufacturing is tough, it remains a very important sector to our economy, and Foodmach is a proud and resilient Australian company," Dr Stojanovic explains.
"There has been much negative press about the state of manufacturing in Australia; hopefully we can present a positive Australian manufacturing news story."
Today, Foodmach has grown to employ a team of 100 staff servicing customers across Australia, with a turnover of over $25 million.
Dr Stojanovic says the key to Foodmach's success has been a consistent strategy to work in close partnership with its customers and suppliers to deliver profitable business outcomes.
Over the years Foodmach has built an impressive customer portfolio in the beverage, beer, wine, dairy, bakery, snackfood, packaging and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) market segments.
"In a tough market, mandatory business basics such as efficient cost management, attention to cash flow, brand positioning and new product development have all played an important part in maintaining a sustainable and profitable business," he says.
"Some consider innovation a high risk strategy particularly in a market which sources most original design and finished equipment offshore. But it can also be a distinct point of differentiation and provide a competitive advantage."
He points to the company's award-winning Robomatrix palletising system as an example of Foodmach’s innovation strategy. It was developed in response to an industry-wide need for increased flexibility.
"Many production lines in Australia are simply not geared or designed to readily handle the introduction of new products.
"Foodmach's approach is to give a new idea the green light based on its potential, rather than necessarily meeting strict financial criteria or a business case. Robomatrix would never have been developed or found its way to market if it had been judged on its apparent feasibility at the outset."
He says this strong solution culture allows Foodmach to tailor solutions.
"The ability to custom design, test and conduct product trials at manufacturing sites provides customers with confidence," Dr Stojanovic says.
