The official opening of Ceramet Technologies in Ballarat last week was a significant development for Ballarat.
While the statistics in terms of dollar investment and jobs might not signify a sudden, major impact on the economy, the arrival of Ceramet is nevertheless a genuine boost to the region with its ground-breaking technology that
has massive potential.
In simple terms, its product of metal and ceramic injection moulding, using powdered metal to form alloys, can replace the far more expensive process of machined metals.
In more recent years, through the work done by Ceramet managing director and inventor Dunstan Peiris, the process has been developed to the stage that it has multiple and ever-growing applications, notably in the vehicle
car component sector.
And it was the vision and drive of Ceramet owners Rick and Lynda Schulz to not only invest in the technology, but also to bring it to Ballarat, that has delivered to the region a genuine boost to the manufacturing and export
sectors.
Already Ceramet has clients such as BMW, Mercedes and Apple. Within a year, it expects employment levels to quadruple to about 100.
Ceramet also has the financial backing of the State Government, and the Treasurer and Regional Development Minister, John Brumby, was appropriately on hand last week to officially open the plant.
It is a success story with the best yet to come. But don't think this has happened overnight.
It was back in 1998 that Rick Schulz could see the potential. It was then that he first asked Dunstan Peiris, who was based with his Singapore operation, to visit Ballarat, and held discussions with then premier Jeff Kennett and
state officials.
Since then, it has been much hard work and belief in the technology that has finally got it to a grand opening. This included Mr Peiris and many of his staff moving to Ballarat where they have, from all reports, settled extremely
well.
It is appropriate, however, to pay particular tribute to the drive, the commitment and the persistence of Rick and wife Lynda in an era when the manufacturing sector has experienced a difficult period, particularly in the vehicle
component industry.
But then, anyone who can sell horseshoe nails to the Americans - and they do - is likely to be innovative, entrepreneurial and prepared to take risks and take on challenges.
As a result, it is Ballarat and indeed the nation that will be the better for it.