SEMMA says action needed on cheap imports following Oceania Glass collapse

Industry association the South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) has blamed factors including “poor policy, cheap imports, government over-taxing businesses and crippling union agreements” for Dandenong-based architectural glassmaker Oceania Glass falling into administration this week.

In a statement on Wednesday, following news of Oceania’s collapse on Monday, SEMMA said it was “shocked” at another manufacturer going bust. 

It said the glassmaker had come under the same pressures as Keppel Prince and 346 other manufacturers around Australia which had collapsed recently.

SEMMA CEO Honi Walker asked in a statement: “When will the Federal Government reinstate anti-dumping laws and stop these cheap, poorly made products being dumped in Australia and used on vital public projects?

“When will the Victorian Government start applying their own Local Content Jobs First policy? When will they cut business costs and taxes and give manufacturers surety of a stable cost-effective energy supply?

“Victoria’s manufacturers are at a crossroads. We simply can’t compete on price from China and other Asian countries.”

Walker cited a lack of state government concern for safety, with imported Chinese steel that was not up to Australian standards “the reason the new stand at GMBH Stadium collapsed in 2023 and the Kew Recreational Centre’s roof caved in.”

The comments had similarities with those made by the Australian Workers’ Union on Wednesday, noting that the situation highlighted a broader crisis. 

Both contrasted the news with the federal Future Made in Australia economic plan, and the AWU also blamed an “influx of cheap imported” products undermining national manufacturing capabilities.

Oceania Glass employs approximately.260, and is reportedly the only maker of architectural glass in the country. 

The float glass, coated glass and laminated glass specialist was formerly part of CSR and has been owned by private equity firm Crescent Capital since 2018.

Three Grant Thornton partners were appointed as administrators on Monday, and an initial creditors’ meeting is scheduled for February 14.

Picture: credit Oceania Glass

Further reading

AWU urges support for sector following Oceania Glass collapse

Oceania Glass enters voluntary administration amid financial review