published November 15, 2021 on The West Australian
Thirty years ago, KIC was incorporated as an industry association by the industrial companies located in the Kwinana Industrial Area (KIA). The fi rst person employed was a technician, whose job was to carry out air quality monitoring on the members’ behalf. Incorporation necessitated the establishment of a board of members and, when business managers who share an industrial cluster get together, they talk about issues and opportunities.
KIA continues to punch well above its weight
Over the years of my association with industry in Kwinana, I have always been inspired by the determination of its industries to innovate, adapt and remain relevant. The Kwinana Industrial Area (KIA) has punched well above its weight and is recognised internationally for its growth, longevity and the 170-plus cross boundary process flow synergies between the businesses. These synergies offer considerable competitive advantages to participating companies, providing a means of essential connectivity and continuity across several sectors of our Western Australian economy.
Kwinana is a major employer of skilled workers, apprentices and trainees, and is also responsible for around $16 billion of the State’s economic activity. Many lives, livelihoods, families, businesses and communities are connected to and are highly reliant on these activities occurring.
Albert Romano
Kwinana Industries Council President
The KIA provides locational strength. Nestled on the coast within the Perth metropolitan area, protected by an industrial buffer zone and with the enhanced port infrastructure promised by the McGowan Government due to the relocation of the freight task from Fremantle, the KIA is set to expand. This means more employment opportunities will abound and our economy further strengthening. read more in the article
Perseverance key to KIC success over past 30 years
As the Director of Kwinana Industries Council (KIC), it gives me an immense sense of pride to be leading our small team in the 30th year of incorporation as an industry association, and further – unbelievably – to have been in the role for almost half that time. Where did the years go?
KIC is a small but effective organisation set up to advocate in the collegiate interest of its members, and there are many to keep us busy.
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Thirty years ago, KIC was incorporated as an industry association by the industrial companies located in the Kwinana Industrial Area (KIA). The first person employed was a technician, whose job was to carry out air quality monitoring on the members’ behalf. Incorporation necessitated the establishment of a board of members and, when business managers who share an industrial cluster get together, they talk about issues and opportunities. Soon the KIC was taking on responsibilities to tackle advocacy work on behalf of the broader membership, and it is on that basis that KIC has grown into what it is today – an infl uential and respected industrial advocacy organisation working towards resolving an impressive array of key strategic issues.
Perseverance is the key to KIC’s successes over the years, with some wins taking a decade or more to achieve. There are many still on the table but each and every one of them has the backing of the Board.
Chris Oughton
Kwinana Industries Council Director