By Cam Lucadou-Wells
HALLAM automotive supply chain company Ace Wire Works has had to be as flexible as its wire product to survive.
According to managing director Sam Harris, the company has successfully begun to find new markets before the automotive industry grinds to a complete halt.
When it comes to new business possibilities, its motto seems to be ‘how long is a piece of wire’.
Once firmly enmeshed as an automotive supply chain company, Ace Wire Works supplied thousands of wire parts for car seats and headrests for Ford, Holden and Toyota.
It now depends on them for just 15-20 per cent of its business.
Mr Harris said the 62-year-old company was well-placed for the auto industry’s ‘ground zero’ having just prospered in one of its most successful years in 2015-’16.
“The downturn in automotive in years past would have been significant, but we’ve diversified over the past five to 10 years.”
Its new, growing vistas include designing and making high-end wire furniture, tree guards, commercial oven racks, farm gates and retail display stands.
Mr Harris said its high-tech plant with a 40-strong workforce was still capable of supplying overseas car-makers at a competitive price, but for the high cost of shipping from Australia.
Instead, the firm would focus on new markets and invest in new technology and machinery at its Abbott Road factory.
It’s a long way from the inner Melbourne shed where the business started making milk bottle carriers and display stands in 1954.
Founder Albert Blashki OAM, 97, shifted the family business to a Springvale property with initially two army huts and then to its current Hallam factory.
He still holds more than a passing interest in the firm, Mr Harris says.
The company has benefited from a $16,000 grant from the State Government to help further develop its transition plan with advice from Pitcher Partners consultant Robert Tigani.
It would help Ace Wire Works not only retain staff but grow the business, Mr Harris said.
Grants of up to $55,000 are available for companies affected by the auto-industry shutdown under the state’s $5 million Automotive Supply Chain Transition Program.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan, who visited the plant on 19 August, said the funding would help Ace Wire Works identify and target new markets.
“We are helping them… put themselves on a strong footing in the future.”
