The Engineering Employers Association South Australia (EEASA) has officially merged with the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) to become the Ai Group South Australia Branch.
According to Ai Group chief executive, Heather Ridout, both of the two organisations will benefit from the merger with better representation and access to a larger network of industry.
EEASA and Ai Group have been working together for almost 70 years and the decision to merge received overwhelming support, Ridout said.
“Members across both memberships will benefit from the merger through a wider representational reach, a broader depth of services and industries covered by the organisation, and the opportunities for existing members to build on national networks and infrastructure,” she said.
“We’ve always been on the same side and now we’re on the same team. As a national organisation, many Ai Group members are already operating in South Australia and they will join together with former EEASA members to create an even stronger local organization.”
Former EEASA director, Stephen Myatt, will become director Ai Group South Australia. According to Myatt, Ai Group is committed to delivering its national business expertise and comprehensive industry knowledge locally in South Australia.
“EEASA has been strongly committed to the interests of the metal and engineering manufacturing industries in our state and this will continue under the new Ai Group banner,” he said.
“Ai Group has a strong membership base in these areas as well as others including construction, defence, ICT, call centres, labour hire, transport, utilities and infrastructure.
“New Ai Group South Australia members will be able to access more professional advice and information on issues affecting business today including workplace relations, climate change and the push towards a national occupational Health and Safety system.”