OneSteel meets the buyers and suppliers at key event
Our brand gains timely traction during key gathering
This year’s Meet the Buyer procurement event was the perfect opportunity for OneSteel Manufacturing to reaffirm its position as the only producer and supplier of long steel products in Australia and a key iron ore mining operation.
More than 80 businesses (including OneSteel), government departments, industry associations and peak bodies set up stands at the Adelaide Convention Centre on August 19 for a half day of networking, business awareness and key-note speeches.
Head of Sales Ashleigh Williams was joined by Sales Manager Dylan Barker, Procurement Excellence Manager Amy Burnell and Sourcing & Procurement Manager Oliver Gibson to represent OneSteel Manufacturing (Administrators Appointed) (OneSteel) at the annual event.
We spoke to new suppliers and businesses that just wanted to know how they start working with us and being a part of what is happening in Whyalla at the moment
Amy Burnell
Ashleigh said it was a unique opportunity to showcase OneSteel to a wide range of buyers and suppliers interested in our products and operations.
“It was timely to be invited to this key South Australian government event that has been expanded to private industry with a notable rise in attendance,” Ashleigh said.
“We were able to put our OneSteel brand out there which created a lot of awareness about where we are at as an operation and what we have to offer.
“There was a lot of positivity as we made it clear that we are still a fully operational mining and steelmaking business in Whyalla and very much open for business.”
Ashleigh said the event set up was the perfect chance to connect with buyers and suppliers in the same room.
“We were well positioned to see a lot of the foot traffic and as a result we had a lot of engagement at our OneSteel Manufacturing stand,” he said.
“We took a number of enquiries from different businesses, some of them major construction companies, that we can now follow up for the supply of our steel and products,” he said.
Meet the Buyer was also a great opportunity for our procurement team to connect with the multitude of supply companies.
We were able to put our OneSteel brand out there which created a lot of awareness about where we are at as an operation and what we have to offer
Ashleigh Williams
Amy Burnell said the engagement with existing and potential suppliers was invaluable.
“It was a really positive exercise, having the ability to talk to suppliers about what they offer, how they’ve worked with us in the past and what they have to offer going forward,” she said.
“It was amazing to have this opportunity to connect with so many of our suppliers, and connect with many new ones, in one venue.
“The vibe was extremely positive as suppliers expressed understanding in the challenges we have experienced while conveying an overriding message that they are committed to working with our business and supporting Whyalla going forward.”
Amy said the range of businesses at the event varied greatly with everything from industrial suppliers, manufacturers, builders, accommodation providers, employment agencies and training partners.
“So many people we spoke to are keen to get involved in our operations,” Amy said. “We spoke to new suppliers and businesses that just wanted to know how they start working with us and being a part of what is happening in Whyalla at the moment.
“Speaking face to face with people allows us to convey directly how we work and how they can work with us.”
Hosted by the Office of the Industry Advocate, Meet the Buyer is an event designed to connect businesses with buyers and decision makers throughout industry and the government.
Main picture and top right: Oliver Gibson, Ashleigh Williams Dylan Barker and Amy Burnell at the OneSteel stand. Above middle: The OneSteel crew fields enquiries from suppliers and buyers. Bottom right: The big crowd at Meet the Buyer.
