Weld Australia and the Australian Stainless Steel Development Association (ASSDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise a new partnership aimed at strengthening collaboration across Australia's welding, fabrication and stainless steel sectors. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to supporting members, championing local procurement, and building sovereign industrial capability.
Signed by Ben Mitchell, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Weld Australia, and Lissel Pilcher, General Manager of ASSDA, the MoU establishes a reciprocal membership arrangement that will expand access to events, technical resources, education and networking opportunities for members of both organisations.
Ben Mitchell said the partnership brings together two organisations with complementary strengths and a common interest in lifting capability across Australian industry.
"This partnership is about bringing more of Australian industry together around the things that matter most: capability, standards, skills and sovereign manufacturing," said Mitchell. "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."
According to Lissel Pilcher, "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, underpinning the safety and quality of life Australians rely on."
Under the agreement, members of both organisations will gain access to a broader range of benefits, including discounted events, professional development opportunities, technical resources, industry publications, and expanded networking opportunities. The partnership will also improve access to training, certification, and other services designed to support capability development across the stainless steel, welding and fabrication sectors.
Mitchell said the agreement is deliberately practical in its focus. "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."
"There is enormous value in aligned industry bodies working together rather than in isolation," said Mitchell. "When we pool knowledge, broaden access and reinforce each other's efforts, the ultimate beneficiaries are our members and the wider Australian manufacturing sector."
The MoU also reflects a broader alignment between the two organisations on the importance of local capability and resilient supply chains. The signed agreement states that both parties aim to strengthen their respective industries, support their members, and champion local procurement and sovereign capability.
"Australia needs stronger industrial collaboration if we are serious about building sovereign capability," Mitchell said. "Partnerships like this help connect expertise, expand networks and improve access to the tools, training and resources that industry needs to grow."
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ABOUT WELD AUSTRALIA
Weld Australia represents the welding profession in Australia. Its members are made up of individual welding professionals and companies of all sizes. Weld Australia members are involved almost every facet of Australian industry and make a significant contribution to the nation's economy. The primary goal of Weld Australia is to ensure that the Australian welding industry remains locally and globally competitive, both now and into the future. Weld Australia is the Australian representative member of the International Institute of Welding (IIW).
