You can make it! Making Dreams Tangible Through Manufacturing
Samantha Massey
At her fibreglass composite panel manufacturing facility, Samantha Massey helps transform raw materials into the vehicles that carry people’s dreams of adventure and exploration across Australia.
“I tell them I make people’s dreams come true,” Samantha says of her work. “We manufacture fibreglass composite panels for the transport industry, but we also supply DIY customers. So if you wanted to build your own caravan or RV, you can come to us, and we basically can provide you with a big kit like an IKEA kit.”
From Receptionist to Manufacturing Leader
Samantha’s manufacturing journey began in 2003. “I started as a receptionist and someone identified my ability for systems and organisation. I started working in their quality assurance team, and that kickstarted my career in manufacturing.”
Her path wasn’t straightforward. “I started as a receptionist. Someone identified my ability for systems and organisation, started working in their quality assurance team, but then I left the business and went and worked for another manufacturer.”
She discovered a passion for the transformation process. “I really enjoyed that process of raw material becoming a finished good. And then I went and worked in a service based business and it was terrible. It was boring. Because the problems didn’t seem real.”
The Human Side of Manufacturing
For Samantha, manufacturing is about more than just production—it’s about creation. “When I talk to young people — we do a lot of workshops and school tours here. When we talk to students about what manufacturing is, we’re essentially taking raw material and turning it into finished goods, whether we’re adding labour or additional raw materials to it.”
She emphasises the creative aspects often overlooked. “I think one of the downsides when people think about manufacturing is they think they’re going to be on a production line, pushing a button. Look for creation. Manufacturing has that really human component to it.”
Fulfilling Dreams and Solving Problems
The most rewarding aspect of Samantha’s work is seeing their products in use. “Aside from all the mum and dads who get to live out their dream, the next biggest one would be getting back to the community and seeing your products in those remote locations.”
Problem-solving presents both satisfaction and challenges. “Problem-solving is both the most enjoyable and the most challenging. In Australia, issues like shipping delays and labour shortages make it hard to solve problems quickly.”
Confronting Bias in Business
As a business owner, Samantha has faced gender-based assumptions. “It’s very condescending to be told, ‘Oh, you actually do know what you’re talking about.’ Or being asked, ‘Is there someone technical who can help me?’ when I own the business. I own the business, you’d want to think I know what I’m talking about.”
Expanding Manufacturing in Australia
Looking ahead, Samantha has ambitious plans. “We’ll be bringing injection moulding into Australia… we’re planning to expand our manufacturing here. That’s the exciting part as an entrepreneur, you just never know what tomorrow is holding.”
Advice for Aspiring Manufacturers
Her advice centres on persistence and networking. “Don’t take no for an answer…anything is possible. I had about 50 manufacturers telling me that what I wanted was not possible to do. Keep every contact detail of the person you meet. Contacts are the most important part of a business journey. Ask for help and be kind.”
Through her business, Samantha shows how manufacturing can combine technical expertise with human aspirations, creating products that enable people to fulfill their dreams.