27th Annual Technologists' Picnic

27^th Annual Technologists’ Picnic

Friday 14th November 2025

The Charlie Napier Hotel within the grounds of the Sovereign Hill Outdoor Museum

Guest Speaker: Peter Veal

Manufacturing Productivity in Ballarat and Australia
 

Gold mining in Ballarat was attractive to many Cornish tin miners and Peter is a 4th generation Ballaratian. After attending schooling as an expat child in India, Peter started his degree in mechanical engineering at the Ballarat Institute of Advanced Education. The name changed a few times before he completed his Diploma in Engineering and in time graduated with a degree.

Peter commenced his career at Amcast Engineering working in both the foundry and machine shop before setting up a division to supply finished engine parts to Toyota.

Amcast was owned by Tubemakers and over 10 years tripled its productivity with some capital upgrades, but more importantly great leadership, teamwork and a constant focus on process improvement.

After moving to Bendix Mintex (now FMP), Peter lead developments in brake and clutch systems in both Australia and Asia.

He then joined Norton Villiers Australia, learning to apply Lost Foam Casting technology. He became an equity shareholder and Director. He was responsible for a significant global technology transfer largely funded by federal grants to grow capability and then disseminate it back to industry.

After 25 years working as an employee, Peter, 24 years ago, sold his interest in Norton Villiers, and commenced his own practice. Mindshop showed how to become a better facilitator, and then he joined the Victorian based High-Performance Consortium gave Peter an insight into Lean Thinking and how to develop improving cultures. A 5-year engagement with AusIndustry and the Entrepreneurs’ Programme gave a deep insight into nearly 150 companies in our region.

These days, Peter contracts to help companies focus on Operations Excellence using Lean methods and finds manufacturing operations a very stimulating world to be in.

Peter’s presentation will give a positive insight to manufacturing and explore
• The state of manufacturing in this country and how productivity is growing
• The exciting impact that manufacturing industry is making in our region
• The presentation will share relevant data from a range of sources
• Briefly point to future directions

Date:  Friday 14th November 2025

Time:  6:30pm for 7:00pm

Venue:  The Charlie Napier Hotel within the grounds of Sovereign Hill Outdoor Museum

Cost:  $65 for a two course meal. Drinks at bar prices.

RSVP:  Friday 7th November 2025 

These annual dinner-meetings have customarily been supported by members of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, the Australian Foundry Institute, Materials Australia, Engineers Australia, and the Australasian Corrosion Association. Interested members of the general public are also encouraged to attend.