Celebrating the people behind the sector
From cheese and chocolate to seafood and precision engineering, manufacturing across our region takes many forms. What began as a conversation about launching our Manufacturing Profile grew into something bigger.
CEO, Steve Shotton, wanted to bring the people behind that work together, give their contribution more visibility and make time to celebrate it. That idea became RDA YAY.
The scale of manufacturing in our region
On 24 September, close to 100 invited guests joined us at Lloyd Brothers in McLaren Vale for the launch of our Manufacturing Profile.
Prepared by REMPLAN, it brings regional and council-level data together, identifying 609 manufacturing businesses, 3,189 jobs and $2.17 billion in revenue.
The profile reinforces the sector’s importance to our economy. The data gives businesses, councils and regional partners a better view of manufacturing across the Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island, and a starting point for conversations about what it needs to grow.
“Manufacturing is a critical sector with nearly one fifth of the region’s gross revenue and almost 40% of its exports. As well, it contributes nearly one fifth of local expenditure, helping money circulate through our regional economy, and supports almost one in ten local jobs.
Steve Shotton, CEO, RDA AHFKI
Those figures may surprise some people, but shows why manufacturing is one of our region’s three key industries driving economic growth.”
Backing local businesses
We also had six reasons to celebrate: the recipients of the 2026 Hills & Coast Business Grant. Now in its sixth year, the grant helps regional manufacturers invest in their next stage of growth.
Support from corporate partners – Thomas Foods International, Fleurieu Milk Company, Community Bank Fleurieu, and Neutrog Australia – doubled the funding pool, allowing us to award $90,000 across six local businesses.
2026 Hills & Coast Business Grant Recipients
Their projects reflect the different challenges and opportunities facing manufacturers across our region. Funding will help businesses upgrade equipment and processes, increase production capacity, improve efficiency and food safety, and develop value-added products.
During the presentations, corporate partners told us why they chose to back regional business. Recipients then spoke about their plans for the funding, giving everyone in the room a clearer sense of the work ahead and what that support could make possible.
Building connections
Networking was a central part of RDA YAY, adding another dimension to the Manufacturing Network we established to connect businesses, skilled people and funding opportunities.
This event expanded local manufacturers access to people from business, industry and government, with guests including Regional Development South Australia Executive Chair the Hon. Rob Kerin, SA Small Business Commissioner the Hon. Dan van Holst Pellekaan, Federal RDA Liaison Officer Lee Gagliardi, Lou Nicholson (Member for Finniss), Jenni Mitton (Member for Mawson), and mayors and council representatives from across the region.
Between the formal parts of the evening, guests could put faces to names, compare experiences and make new connections.
Manufacturers also had the chance to speak directly with council and government representatives about the opportunities and challenges they see. For us, those conversations help reveal where businesses share common needs and where collaboration or better support could make a difference.
Success through collaboration
This night was a success not only because of the efforts of the RDA AHFKI team, but many others behind the scenes. Our thanks to Lloyd Brothers for hosting and to Steve Davis of Talked About Marketing for bringing warmth and energy to the evening as MC. The manufacturing quiz and prizes gave attendees plenty to talk and laugh about.
We’d also like to acknowledge the work of Inside Out Print & Signage, a 2025 Hills & Coast Business Grant recipient, for producing our main stage banner, printing copies of the Manufacturing Profile and making the presentation cheques. And we’d like to give a shout out to Ellis Butchers of McLaren Vale for supplying a meat tray used for our door prize, featuring Thomas Foods International produce.
The night gave us a reason to celebrate what regional manufacturers are doing now, and more ways to support what they do next.