AIS leader Gosse discusses jobs with PM Turnbull and exports with Minister for Foreign Affairs
The new Australian Innovative Systems facility has been a hot destination on the federal election campaign trail, last week receiving visits by the Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop. Later last week the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also caught up with AIS CEO Elena Gosse to discuss policy issues relevant to the industry.
On Tuesday May 24, Gosse hosted the Minister for Foreign Affairs and discussed a range of topics including the company’s innovative technology, culture and local and export markets, followed by a tour of AIS’s newly expanded manufacturing facilities.
The Minister was impressed that AIS exports its chlorine generators and water disinfection technology to more than 55 countries worldwide through key products AutoChlor, ChloroGen, EcoLine, MineralChlor and Chrome.
Gosse says Minister Bishop also praised their long history and commitment to Australian manufacturing and ownership.
“This is particularly important at a time when so many small businesses and manufacturers are going off-shore due to the rising costs of labour and production,” she says. “We are certainly bucking the trend after recently investing heavily in a new manufacturing facility with the potential to triple our production capacity and create an additional 40 jobs.”
As well as economic benefits, Gosse says she believes AIS helps Australia’s reputation as a place where innovation, idea generation and quality production thrived.
“We are fortunate to have our own in-house research and development team whose primary focus is on continuous innovation to improve our existing products and create new ones. Our staff has expertise in micro-electronics, chemistry, power systems, electrical and mechanical engineering, water system design, assembly, metalworking, plumbing, administration and management. This whole of product lifecycle and deducation to excellence is what makes our business such a success.”
Local member, Ross Vasta says that as a family business with two generations now working in the company, AIS was a shining example of a business that celebrated multiculturalism and diversity. Of the 50 staff who work at AIS, 14 nationalities are represented, along with mature aged people and people with disabilities.
Gosse discussed a range of issues affecting small business in Australia with the elected representative, including the high cost of labour and production, the low Australian dollar and its impact on the purchase of production materials, and the need for government to provide additional exposure and support for local, innovative businesses and products.
“We are grateful to the current government for advocating for small business including its recent decision to allow small to medium-sized businesses with an annual turnover of up to $10 million to qualify for a lower company tax rate.
“This recent visit to our company helps to acknowledge the important role that small businesses like ours play in Australia. It also provides our team with a real sense of pride and accomplishment about what we do.”
Then on Friday May 27, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull met with Gosse and other Queensland business leaders to discuss youth employment and other job-related issues. Following the chat with Gosse and a photo op, he headed back on the campaign trail.
