EEASA merges with Australian Industry Group

Submitted 9/07/2009

www.southaustralia.biz

 

 

The Engineering Employers Association South Australia (EEASA) has  merged with the Australian Industry Group to become the Ai Group South Australia branch.

Ai Group Chief Executive Heather Ridout says the two organisations have been working together for almost 70 years and the decision to merge received overwhelming support.

"Members across both organisations will benefit from the merger through a wider representational reach, a broader depth of services and industries covered by the new body, and the opportunities for existing members to build on national networks and infrastructure.

"We've always been on the same side and now we're on the same team. As a national organisation, many Ai Group members are already operating in South Australia and they will join together with former EEASA members to create an even stronger local organisation," Mrs Ridout says.

Former EEASA Director Stephen Myatt becomes Director Ai Group South Australia.

He says that Ai Group is committed to delivering its national business expertise and comprehensive industry knowledge locally in South Australia.

"EEASA has been strongly committed to the interests of the metal and engineering manufacturing industries in our State and this will continue under the new Ai Group banner.

Ai Group has a strong membership base in these areas as well as others including construction, defence, ICT, call centres, labour hire, transport, utilities and infrastructure.

"New Ai Group South Australia members will be able to access more professional advice and information on issues affecting business today including workplace relations, climate change and the push towards a national Occupational Health and Safety system," Mr Myatt says.

SAGE Group Holdings Ltd Managing Director, Andrew Downs, is the New Ai Group SA President.

"With offices nationally I see great opportunities to leverage local industry knowledge and I think this will definitely help local business understand the market better.

The merger is a positive move for all business, not just EEASA's traditional areas of metal and engineering manufacturing, but right across the business spectrum," Mr Downs says.