ASI Launches Campaign to Save the Australian Steel Industry

Steel is the backbone of every innovative and modern economy in the world. For Australia, steel bolsters our construction, infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, with some of our most iconic images displayed in the bridges, structures and motorways we interact with every single day. It is vital for nation-building and essential for economic growth.

To protect our local steel industry during these times of economic and health crisis, the Australian Steel Institute has launched a campaign to support local steel and its workers. The steel industry employs over 110,000 Australians – welders, engineers, fabricators and architects just to name a few – who generate $29 billion in annual revenue and are an essential part of the Australian economy. The states with the largest proportion of workers in the steel industry are New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, though there are people in every state and territory across Australia.

The Australian Steel Institute have released a comprehensive report showcasing the competitive advantages of the Australian steel industry and the capability of each industry sector, offering solutions for local participation that would normally be outsourced internationally.

A report on the future of the steel industry released by Arrium listed the core reasons for maintaining a domestic industry as economic development, national security, and increasingly, environmental protection. An investment in local industry reduces the dependency on imports for iron ore and coking coal for infrastructure and construction projects, while boosting our local manufacturing industry by increasing innovation skills to support industrial and economic development.

According to the report, it’s been estimated that every dollar of steel production generates an additional gross output of $2.30 across the wider economy. Additionally, securing a local supplier mitigates many of the risks in terms of surety of cost and supply, not to mention local standards compliance. This means it’s easier and safer for Australian companies to commence developing new building projects, and with over two million tonnes of steel waiting to be deployed at any time these can be started immediately.

ShapeCUT has been a locally owned and operated business for over 25 years and boasts an accomplished team of experienced steel crafters and engineers. We have the largest range of stocked plate on the market, with more steel stock available than any of Australia’s steel merchants and at our specialist steel cutting facility. Contact the team at ShapeCUT today to find out more.