Move towards consolidation

The national president of the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group), Trevor Carroll and the president of the Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (AEEMA), Ken Bridges have announced moves towards the consolidation of the two associations.

Ai Group's national executive and the AEEMA board have agreed to commence a process that will consolidate the operations of AEEMA members within Ai Group.

A key outcome of the consolidation will be to create a substantial national grouping of both large and small technology driven companies in the electrical manufacturing, electronics and ICT industries.

The move will deliver enhanced and more effective services to companies who are currently joint members of Ai Group and AEEMA as well as to those AEEMA companies who would come into Ai Group for the first time.

AEEMA currently has some 300 members in the electrical manufacturing, electronics and ICT sectors and around a third of these companies are also Ai Group members.

Following a period of consultation, confirmation will be formally sought from AEEMA's membership at the October AGM, with the objective of completing the consolidation process by the end of November.

Carroll and Bridges said that the incorporation of AEEMA into Ai Group would represent a strengthening of shared capabilities in public advocacy and representation, business networks and business development and specialised technical and business services.

"Within the cross sectoral umbrella grouping of Ai Group member companies, the new organisation will include a core high technology group of some 1000 members," Carroll said.

"An enhanced ICT Australia grouping will provide substantial leadership to the further development of Australia's information and communication technology (ICT) industry, with a particular focus on growing Australia's digital suppliers industry."