Star

Locals join state’s best

- Shaun Inguanzo

18th May 2006 09:24:25 AM

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NeoProducts managing director Peter Stone with the innovative kiosks which have seen the company inducted into the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame.

TWO Greater Dandenong businesses will be inducted into the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame tonight (Thursday).

NeoProducts from Noble Park and Volgren from Dandenong South will be recognised by the State Government as two of 10 Victorian businesses worthy of joining 48 other present and past inductees as local companies with globally innovative ideas.

Manufacturing and Export Minister Andre Haermeyer will officially induct the two companies into the hall of fame at a gala dinner where entertainment will be provided by Kate Ceberano and Doug Parkinson.

Touch screen kiosk manufacturer NeoProducts has been in operation since 1987 and since 1992 has been producing touch screen products geared at customer self-service.

Managing director Peter Stone said he was delighted with the company’s induction.

“It’s great. I think I made the comment before that we have put in a huge amount of work over the years and it is great to get some recognition,” he said. “We are getting to a point where we feel we are one of the world’s well-recognised companies.”

The Grenda Corporation-developed Volgren will also be inducted, following on from the parent company’s induction into the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame earlier this year.

Volgren is Australia’s largest bus and coach manufacturing business, and has expanded to include kit supply to the Asian market and other Australian states.

Mr Haermeyer said all inductees were ‘the most innovative’ companies and he hoped their induction would encourage other businesses to follow in their footsteps.