Australian Industry Group to absorb AEEMA

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 30 October 2007 12:09

IT Industry - Deals

She said that: "Bringing the organisations together will provide a boost to AEEMA's advocacy effort on core policy issues such as delivering fast, reliable broadband, addressing the challenges of a global market, supporting innovation across the whole value chain, and developing cleaner, greener and smarter manufacturing."

Robinson added: "My personal view is that we will see more consolidation taking place as people realise it is better to be part of a large group with more clout and more opportunity to compete for our industry in global markets...People will realise that what we have done is step in the right direction as Ai Group continues to grow particular in th high technology space."

AEEMA itself is the product of several prior consolidations. It was formed in 1969 as The Australian Electrical Manufacturers' Association and became Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association in 1978. In 1983 it absorbed the Australian Electronics Industry Association (AEIA), a body formed in 1934 as The Australian Telephone Development Association.

AEIA's Sydney office was closed in 1986 to overcome logistical problems and generate cost savings. Then it was reborn in 1994 with creation of the Australian Telecommunications Industry Association, to replace the AEIA. This body lasted only six years before being re-absorbed. Then in 2003 AEEMA absorbed the Asia Pacific Smart Card Forum and in 2004 The Automatic Data Capture Association. These were followed in 2005 by the Australian Microelectronics Network and the Electronic Components Association of Australia and New Zealand.