Good signs in Ballarat: IBM chief
For Ballarat, there was good news this week.
“We live in an internationally competitive world and if cities, countries and companies can’t compete they die. But I haven’t seen any sign of that here.”
They were the words of IBM Asia Pacific global investment executive Dr John Harvey, the brain child behind the move of IBM to the Ballarat Technology Park at the University of Ballarat.
Dr Harvey addressed the round table dinner of the Committee for Ballarat on the story behind moving IBM to Ballarat, and how the city could stay competitive in difficult economic times.
IBM, when seeking their location to relocate from Wangaratta, had five sets of criteria that included population, a university, reliable telecommunications infrastructure and proximity to Melbourne.
After two years of work and negotiations a partnership was struck and IBM moved to the site.
Later this year the company will expand its staff of about 800, to more than 1000 with the opening of a new building.
“We have far exceeded our expectations,” Dr Harvey said.
While IBM is continuing to grow, and is still attracted to Ballarat, the challenge for the city will be ensuring it can change its plans when needed Dr Harvey said.
“It needs to continually update that plan.
“The challenge the city keeps its city plan of where it is and where it wants to go and keeps it current and does not lapse into a situation where it allows the status quo to exist.”
Dr Harvey also said close collaboration between the city, and university, would be critical to ensuring there is enough of the right amount of skilled workers.
The Courier, 13 June 2009
