8 CENTRAL COAST INDUSTRY Connect (CCIC) hosted its third Women in Manufacturing event in early November at Protective Fencing’s Somersby facility. Protective Fencing is Australia’s Leading manufacturer and supplier of perimeter fencing and industrial mesh. This family business was established by Craig Gibbens in 1975 and over the years has become a trusted supplier to the industry expanding its capacity and establishing sales and distribution centres interstate. Mr Gibbens eldest daughter, Samantha Swain, joined the company in 2018 and brought with her years of commercial experience in construction management. She is now the company’s Managing Director, and she led the Women in Manufacturing event that brought together women from across the sector. The event was motivational and inspirational but also provided a chance for women attendees to connect with each other. Mrs Swain spoke about the importance of fostering a positive workplace culture and her focus on lean, efficient operations. Her leadership has positioned Protective Fencing as a model of excellence within the industry, setting a high standard for others to aspire to. With Protective Fencing’s 50th anniversary just around the corner, this Central Coast icon is looking forward to celebrating this impressive milestone. As a region we are fortunate to have such a manufacturer committed to the region. Women in Manufacturing is led by CCIC Director Gail Cottrill with assistance from event coordinator Amy Scurr-Smith Commenting on the success of the event MANUFACTURING NEWS Executive Director Frank Sammut said”The energy and enthusiasm from this event highlights the importance of supporting and empowering women in manufacturing on the Central Coast. We’re excited to continue building on this momentum! “ Planning is already underway for a series of WIM events. Women in Manufacturing visit Protective Fencing Somersby Manufacturers visit Parchem Central Coast Women in Manufacturing group at Protective Fencing facility in Somersby Central Coast Industry Connect (CCIC) ran its second last networking session for the 2024 year on the 24th October at the Parchem Construction Supplies site in Wyong. Parchem is part of the Dulux Group and is a leading manufacturer and supplier of products to the Australian and New Zealand concrete and construction markets. It is one of two factory sites that the Dulux Group run on the Central Coast. The second site is the Yates facility in Wyong, which manufacturers a range of garden products including propagating mixtures to fertilisers like Dynamic Lifter. The history of Parchem site in Wyong dates back to 1980 when it was then called Expandite-Rawlplug. From then to 2012 the company grew through acquisition, and in 2012 it was acquired by the Dulux Group. In more recent times the site has had some major expansion projects implemented. Parchem Site Manager, Dominic Cresta took the visiting group through the history of the site and spent time explaining the recent plant upgrades that have taken place to improve productivity. These upgrades included expansion of the silo system that handles the cementitious materials used in their grouts and other products, automation of their mini bulk handling and dosing system and robotics in their palletising system. The group was then taken on a site tour of the facility where the capital improvements were shown as well as other processes that are conducted on the site including the mixing and filling of their silicone products and warehousing facilities. CCIC Executive Director, Frank Sammut, said ”The range of products manufactured surprised our group and again demonstrated the capability of our Central Coast manufacturers. It’s great to see a large company like the Dulux Group continuing to invest in their Central Coast facility” CCIC members October Networking event was held at Parchem’s Wyong facility CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW DECEMBER 2024
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