VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone has welcomed today’s announcement by the State Government that will see the continuation of Avalon Airport’s passenger operations and the expansion of Jetstar’s services at the airport.

"We are delighted that the agreement will see 200 jobs saved, as well as an increase in the number of Jetstar flights from five to seven daily and the introduction of flights to two new domestic destinations," Mr Stone said.

"Avalon Airport supports tourism and business travel in Victoria, particularly to our state’s drawcard tourist destinations such as the Great Ocean Road and Bellarine Peninsula.

"The expansion will see the arrival of approximately 700 more visitors in the region each week which will be a positive for the local tourism industry.

"We commend the State Government for working together with Jetstar to reach this outcome and deliver a win for Victorian business."

The Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

vecci.org.au

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THERE's only one week until CeMAT, the global intralogistics and materials handling event, hits Australia for the first time at Sydney Olympic Park, 5–7 May 2015.

The three day exhibition, conference, workshops and site tours promise to inspire the industry and offer solutions to improve all elements of the supply chain.

Here’s a list of the top 5 things that are not to be missed at CeMAT AUSTRALIA:

1. See the industry’s best on the show floor

With five specialist exhibition zones including Store & Load, Move & Lift and Logistics IT; the 100+ exhibitors will showcase a huge range of products and services, some of which have never before been seen in Australia. Highlight exhibitors include Adaptalift Hyster, SeaBox International, Knapp and Dematic.

2. Learn from those who’ve already implemented game-changing solutions

There are sessions and workshops that offer real world solutions to improve processes, including gathering a solid business case for automation, with speakers from Australia Post, Linfox, NICTA, Coles Australia, Foodstuffs NZ and Speedshield Technologies.

3. See the newest products which will set the industry’s trends for the next year

There will be over 33 product launches and demonstrations at CeMAT including the Albany RR3000 ISO which is set to revolutionise the rigid high-performance door market; the Combilift Walkie Reach which is the only pedestrian reach stacker able to work in an aisle width of 2000mm pallet to pallet; and Hyundai’s latest 9-series electric and diesel forklifts.

4. Get a feel for it with product demonstrations

Adaptalift Hyster will be demonstrating their state of the art fleet management and safety system, ForkTrack so attendees at CeMAT will be able to interact with the system to see how it can improve safety and provide greater fleet visibility.

ZiPline Conveyors will be showcasing the Belted Zero Pressure DC Conveyor that provides zero pressure accumulation of products. The model will show how easy it is to convey small cartons due to the small transition gaps between the belted zones.

The new and innovative Tennant T17 battery-powered ride on scrubber is designed to tackle the harshest of environments whilst reducing the cost to clean, the scrubber will be showing attendees its power, with the largest battery capacity in its class.

5. Win a trip to CeMAT Hannover

CeMAT AUSTRALIA is offering all confirmed visitors who attend, the chance to win a trip to CeMAT Hannover including accommodation, airfare and event pass valued up to $10,000 + GST.

Register now: http://www.cemat.com.au/register-expo-conference/

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REPRESENTATIVES from one of Europe’s leading aerospace regions are touring Australia this week to build links with Australian industry.

The delegation from Poland will meet business leaders from the local aerospace sector and conduct site visits to manufacturers and suppliers in both Sydney and Melbourne.

Austrade Senior Trade Commissioner in Warsaw Steve Rank said Poland was a significant player in global aerospace supply chains.

“There are opportunities for Australian companies to form partnerships with Polish firms, accessing wider networks in Europe and the United States,” Mr Rank said.

“There are also opportunities for Australian firms and research institutions to join cooperative R&D efforts to develop new technologies.”

Poland has a long tradition of aerospace manufacturing dating back to the early 20th Century and was a leading force in the development of helicopters.

Today PwC ranks Poland’s aerospace industry among the world’s top-ten. It includes significant manufacturing and assembly operations, including the Sikorsky Black Hawk S-70i helicopters and Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines.

The delegation includes representatives from Poland’s Aviation Valley, an industry cluster created in 2003 that now employs 20,000 workers and generates sales of A$1.5 billion, 80 per cent of which are exports.

This week’s visit follows a joint business event promoting Australian and Polish capability and collaboration at the last Paris Air Show held in 2013.

“Poland may seem like a distant market to many Australians but the growing importance of global supply chains, particularly in the aerospace sector, makes it impossible to ignore,” Mr Rank said.

"Australia’s manufacturing and technologies are world class but need to be integrated with global networks to reach their full potential.”

http://www.austrade.gov.au/

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IMPROVING small business skills, strengthening innovation and leveraging new export opportunities must be the priority of governments to keep small business competitive and create jobs.

These are the key findings of VECCI’s Small Business Taskforce report, “Small business. Big opportunities”, released today.

“Small business is important business. Ninety eight per cent of Victoria’s businesses are small. Though small in size, they are big on innovation, major employers and key drivers of economic activity, investment and trade,” said VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone. 

“In recognition of this vital contribution, VECCI’s Small Business Taskforce has developed a series of policy recommendations to drive further small business growth and success through 2015 and beyond.” 

The report outlines priority areas for policy makers including reduced red tape and cuts to direct business costs, improved small business access to competitively priced finance and new initiatives to raise the skills of small business operators and their workforces.

Governments must also work harder to improve small business access to government purchasing and more effectively leverage public and private sector partnerships to strengthen small business innovation.

In light of the exciting growth opportunities presented by the Asian Century and recently signed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), it is more important than ever that we get more small businesses into exporting.

The report’s priority areas include:

Skills: Support the skills growth of small business workforces and management.

Costs: Lower small business direct and indirect costs. 

Exports: Get more small businesses into overseas markets. 

Innovation: Encourage more small business innovation and entrepreneurship. 

Finance: Improve small business access to competitively priced finance. 

Procurement: Provide small business with greater opportunity to sell goods and services to government.

“We seek a commitment from governments at all levels to make small business a priority by taking up the recommendations contained in our agenda.”  

The Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

vecci.org.au

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