There is little difference between being at the leading edge, and being on the knife edge, and it is those innovators with steely resolve who are most likely to survive the rigours of breaking with convention.
This is the view of Frank Seeley, AM, founder and chairman of Seeley International, Australia's leading manufacturer of heating and cooling systems.
Despite the current outlook, Seeley has an optimistic view of local manufacturing but believes that to be successful industry must innovate.
"Contrary to almost all conventional thinking, we believe there is a huge future for Australian manufacturing, provided we do two things: we have to innovate, and we have to automate," he said.
"We need to go on doing both as if there is no tomorrow. If we do then we can, and we will, prevail."
Seeley's comments on innovation are just part of a presentation he will deliver on local manufacturing at the CCN Live Conference which will be held at Doltone House in Sydney on August 8, 2013.
This is a man committed to the rebirth of consumer products manufacturing and keeping all operations here in Australia.
Seeley International employs more than 300 staff with manufacturing operations in South Australia and NSW, and exports to more than 120 countries.
