Weld Australia and the Australian Stainless Steel Development Association (ASSDA) have formalised a new partnership aimed at strengthening collaboration and capability across Australia’s manufacturing, welding and stainless steel sectors.
The organisations announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise a partnership aimed at improving access to shared resources, training and industry engagement, while promoting local procurement and capability development across the manufacturing sector.
The agreement, signed by Ben Mitchell and Lissel Pilcher, establishes a reciprocal membership arrangement that will expand access to events, technical resources, education and networking opportunities for members of both organisations.
Mitchell said the partnership brings together organisations with complementary strengths and a shared focus on advancing industry capability.
“This partnership is about bringing more of Australian industry together around the things that matter most: capability, standards, skills and sovereign manufacturing,” he said.
“Weld Australia and ASSDA both play an important role in supporting high-quality, technically capable industries, and this agreement creates practical value for members while strengthening our shared voice.”
Pilcher said the collaboration aligns with both organisations’ focus on supporting members and local industry.
“We’re excited to be working more closely with Weld Australia to support their advocacy efforts, which align with our collective focus on members, local manufacturing and the stainless steel industry—a vital sector that delivers critical infrastructure and hygienic applications,” she said.
Under the MoU, members will gain access to a broader range of benefits, including discounted events, professional development opportunities, technical resources, industry publications and expanded networking opportunities. The agreement is also expected to improve access to training, certification and services aimed at strengthening capability across welding, fabrication and stainless steel industries.
Mitchell said the partnership has been designed with practical outcomes in mind.
“This partnership is designed to deliver real benefits to members on both sides,” he said. “It will make technical knowledge, professional development and industry engagement more accessible, and help both organisations support businesses that are operating in a highly competitive environment.”
He added that closer collaboration between industry bodies could deliver broader benefits for the sector.
“There is enormous value in aligned industry bodies working together rather than in isolation,” Mitchell said. “When we pool knowledge, broaden access and reinforce each other’s efforts, the ultimate beneficiaries are our members and the wider Australian manufacturing sector.”
According to Weld Australia, the agreement reflects a shared emphasis on strengthening local capability and improving supply chain resilience, with both organisations aiming to support industry growth and promote sovereign capability through coordinated efforts.
