Alan Steber to head new Manufacturers Association

by Jeni Bone on 10 Jul 2008 BIA NSW will add a new division, known as the Boat Manufacturers Association with Alan Steber nominated as its inaugural Chairman.

In past decades the Association had a strong and active Boat Manufacturers Association and the BIA Board of Directors recently revived it, endorsing a proposal from Alan Steber to establish a new Division to represent the interests of the manufacturing sector in NSW.

It is intended that in addition to boat manufacturers the division will also recruit other operations engaged in the manufacturing, construction, assembly of vessel hulls, materials, components and associated equipment.

Alan Steber of Steber International, BIA member number 20 joining in 1970, has accepted a Board nomination to stand as the inaugural Chairman and has also been appointed a BIA Director for 2008/09. A set of by-laws has been distributed to potential members setting out the objectives of the new division.

The inaugural general meeting will be held following the boat show breakfast, Friday 1 August.

This new division has been formed in order that manufacturers’ issues can be more effectively disseminated and promoted to government and the boating community. Some of the initial matters to be canvassed include:

• Ensure Maritime’s NSW Builders Group continues its reform on commercial vessel survey procedures. Proposal for privatisation of survey and new processes will require close scrutiny and input to ensure NSW is not out of step with other states.

• The National Marine Safety Committee continuing its relentless push for a comprehensive set of manufacturing standards and a re-write of AS 1799.2-1989 “Small Pleasure Boats Code”.

• Issues arising from Boat Share discussion paper from Marine Queensland and forthcoming paper from NSW Maritime on the same issue.

• Skills shortages, group and regional apprenticeship schemes and TAFE training.

• ACCC Franchising Code.

According to Chairman elect, Alan Steber, the new division will be “an arm under the umbrella of the BIA NSW” and will fill the need for all members involved in any kind of manufacturing to voice their opinions and lobby as a unified entity.

“This all eventuated because many member say they continue their membership to get a better rate at boat shows, but what else do they get for their membership? I initiated the idea which is to cater to manufacturers alone. We are a specific breed. Importers are essentially our competitors. Manufacturers have to deal with production, all the additional taxes, we wear the cost of fuel increases, freight and all the different government departments, we employ people and train apprentices. We all have common interests and common challenges whether we make propellers, paint, windows or boats.”

Steber’s main focus will be to get all members on side and establish a consensus on priorities for the new division.

“Once we know what the main issues are, we can act on them – whether that’s tax, training or exporting.”

If you are involved in any form of manufacturing and want to participate at the inaugural meeting on 1 August 2008 please register your interest by emailing Roy Privett on privett@bia.org.au