By CASEY NEILL
FAMILY-OWNED Berwick business Australian Precision Technologies (APT) was named Victoria’s Small Manufacturer of the Year.
“It’s recognition for all our hard work and commitment in a challenging manufacturing industry,” co-director Ron Weinzierl said.
“With government and industry support we’ll be able to develop into a world class manufacturer.”
Ron said the gala event was a valuable networking opportunity.
“I had a gentleman come up to me and say he had some work that he wanted us to look at it straight away,” he said.
“It’s about working collectively and using innovation to secure manufacturing in Australia.”
He said a record 800 guests attended, up from 600 the previous year.
“We need to get together as a group and support manufacturing,” he said.
APT was last year inducted into the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame and also picked up the Manufacturing Award at the inaugural Casey Cardinia Business Awards.
Ron said the company had become a world-standard manufacturer since his brother and co-director Richard founded it in 1992.
He came on board in 1998 and said APT was now leading the market on national and global fronts with clients in aerospace, defence, automotive, biomedical, telecommunications and more.
It uses the latest technology to make anything from simple to highly complex precision components, instruments and assemblies.
“As a component manufacturer we’re known for precision engineering – we make stuff that people can make into products,” Ron said.
“Flexibility is the key for our future business.”
He takes pride in APT providing components for a range of purposes such as equipment for soldiers, Boeing planes and medical devices.
APT has also developed components for automotive assemblies, railway applications and security, telecommunications, mining and water control.
The company has defied the doom and gloom surrounding Australian manufacturing.
Ron attributed the company’s competitiveness to seeking “profitable opportunities” across the globe.
“It’s all about how your business uses innovation and how you run efficiently in day-to-day business practices,” he said.
