Iveco lauded

Iveco Australia has been recognised for its manufacturing expertise, with the Melbourne-based brand being shortlisted in the category of '2015 Large Manufacturer of the Year' at the 2015 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards.

The awards were announced at a gala ceremony held on Tuesday, May 26.

The event was attended by Victoria's Minister for Industry, Lily D'Ambrosio, who said the awards served as official recognition for excellence in local manufacturing.

"The 2015 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards presents an opportunity for all manufacturers to be recognised for their industry success," she said.

"Manufacturing contributes $25 billion to the Victorian economy. The awards recognise forward-thinking manufacturers who are raising the bar in the industry, to help ensure the future of manufacturing in Victoria."

Falling under the corporate umbrella of the massive CNH Industrial group, Iveco Australia has been manufacturing a number of models at its plant in Dandenong, in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, since 1992 – when it acquired the facility from International Trucks.

Five models are currently manufactured or assembled there, with their proportion of locally sourced components ranging between 55 and 85 per cent.

Around 300 people are employed by Iveco at the Dandenong plant, with roughly half of them involved to some extent in the manufacturing process. CNH Industrial says it employs 600 people across Australia, with its broader nationwide supply chain helping to support hundreds more.

The Managing Director of Iveco Australia, Michael Jonson, said the nomination served as worthy recognition for an extremely dedicated workforce.

"Iveco is extremely proud to be manufacturing in Australia," he said.

"From those carefully constructing the vehicles on the assembly line to our engineers planning, designing and developing the trucks and buses, the whole process is a team effort.

"I know that I speak for all Iveco employees when I say that seeing our vehicles on the road, filling the task for which they were designed to do, brings a tremendous feeling of achievement and pride.

"As well as the many benefits that our customers enjoy from buying locally manufactured products such as an Australian fit-for-task build and improved parts availability, our local know-how is supported by the immense knowledge and resources of CNH Industrial.

"The combination bodes well for Iveco Australia, local manufacturing and, of course, our customers. We remain focused on cementing our manufacturing presence here and continuing to develop innovative and solutions-focused products well into the future."