MHD STORAGE SOLUTIONS
SAFER MEASURES AND STRONGER SYSTEMS Matt Bell, Safer Storage Systems Managing Director shares the importance of local manufacturing and how business operations can be sustained during COVID-19.
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housands of Australians and businesses have shifted to homeworking, grappling with IT systems, video conferencing apps and adjusting to the new psychology of remote working. However, for warehouse workers and the supply chain industry, most daily duties can’t be switched to a home working model. In fact, warehouse workers are having to work harder than ever. Warehousing and logistics workers are essential in keeping Australian supply chains operational. Due to the nature of the work, many workers must continue to interact with workers and other persons in their workplace. It has taken the Covid-19 pandemic for many supply chains networks to realise the nations reliant on export of low-value commodities and the import of high-value and skillintensive manufactures. With local manufacturers rising to the challenge to support essential services and supply chains within the Australian economy, it is clear the country has enormous opportunity to leverage local manufacturing. Safer Storage Systems is based in Dandenong South in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Last year the company commenced the local manufacture of some components in Melbourne. Matt Bell, Safer Storage Systems Managing Director says the company is proud to be manufacturing in Australia and is passionate about growing Australia’s manufacturing presence through the company’s new global partnership with Gonvarri Material Handling (GMH). Since the partnership 12 months ago, Safer Storage Systems has become GMH’s biggest export partner outside Europe. Trade and exporting challenges will slowly be overcome as the pandemic curve flattens. Whilst growing local capabilities, it has been
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From left to right: Matt Bell, Tony Bell and James Hardy. apparent that global partnerships are important to maintain during this unprecedented economic nature too. Partnership is highly valuable for Safer Storage Systems, which is why they teamed up with GMH last year. This provides Safer Storage Systems with a strong supply of customised solutions, including market leading shelving systems, mobile racking, pallet shuttle systems, crane racking and vertical lift machines, all year round.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA Just in the last decade the Australian manufacturing sector has seen a significant reduction in its workforce. Many businesses have been forced
to rethink its industrial policy after realising dependence on China and other global manufacturing hubs. As part of the country’s effort to tackle its coronavirus outbreak, Canberra has promised to nurture local manufacturing to ensure it is less reliant on global supply chains. More companies are looking at onshoring key capabilities as the manufacturing reboots in Australia. For local businesses such as Safer Storage Systems, they’re one step ahead of the pack by already having an established manufacturing presence. “A lot of customers and businesses alike across the nation have committed to projects months in advance prior to
