Brisbane’s AIS Water defies COVID-19 trend
Brisbane’s AIS Water defies COVID-19 trend and increases business by 30% while calling for more support for local manufacturing.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare how susceptible Australia can be when we rely on overseas producers for goods, it has also done a great deal to highlight the benefits of manufacturing in Australia. Brisbane based AIS Water, designs and manufactures water disinfection technology for commercial and residential swimming pools and has bucked the COVID-19 trend to record a 30% increase in sales while other businesses have sadly been decimated.
AIS Water’s co-owner and CEO, Elena Gosse is now calling on increased government support to help support and promote local manufacturing.
“We have seen time and again, when countries do not manufacture their own goods, they are left susceptible not just to what is happening in the Australian economy, but also the world economy,” Elena explained.
“As a country impacted by COVID-19, Australia quickly found itself in a position where we needed face masks, sanitizer, resuscitators and a host of other products which were being manufactured overseas. Then there was a rush to find ways to manufacture these products locally so they could get to market efficiently and quickly.
“Surely the need has now been clearly established for us to further support and develop our manufacturing industry in Australia.
“Rather than bail out foreign owned businesses, all levels of government must now focus on supporting local manufacturing. Without this, manufacturers in many sectors will not survive or will continue to compete with low-cost, overseas producers which in many cases, generate inferior products.”
Last month (April), the Australian Industry (AI) Group recorded a 17.9 point drop in its Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) taking it to a 28-year low of 35.8. A PMI above 50 shows manufacturing is increasing while a PMI below 50 shows a decrease.
https://www.aigroup.com.au/policy-and-research/mediacentre/releases/PMI-April-2020/
Elena Gosse admits that AIS Water was in a strong position leading into the pandemic having manufacturing facilities in Queensland and supplies and stock in place, and is working with commercial pool operators during this period of Aquatic Facility closures to upgrade their pool facilities and water disinfection technologies.
“We weren’t preparing for a pandemic, but we were certainly well placed when it did hit,” she continued. “AIS Water has operated debt-free for more than 25 years and we own all of our facilities.
“As an essential business we are very proud to play a role in supporting our customers and the Australian economy to recover through this fragile period
“As the world’s economy continues to recover and demand for our product grows globally however, we must be ready to meet this demand.
“We have the capacity to triple our production capacity and create new jobs right now, but we need help to do it. There has never been a better time for the Australian manufacturing industry and government to work hand in hand.
“This time in history will help to reinforce the importance of choosing Australian made goods to keep the Australian manufacturing industry strong.”
