Successful SA Industry Leaders

As the Founding President of the Industry Leaders Fund, and before Colin Peters supported the next generation of South Australian business people, Colin never go caught up in nostalgia surrounding the industry he spent his entire working life within. Instead, he was busy building future prosperity for the state.

Mr Peters was awarded a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia, predominantly for his years of service to the automotive manufacturing sector on 25 January, 2016.

He spent 40 years at Castalloy, ultimately becoming the company’s managing director. During this time the company became an industrial force, with an annual turnover of $600 million and 2500-strong workforce.

Mr Peters also held a variety of board positions, including national vice-president and state president of the Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers, chair of the SA Automotive Industry Advisory Board, and member of Austrade’s Automotive Export Advisory Board.

Given his background, you would be forgiven — and wrong — for thinking that Mr Peters was resentful of the auto industry’s departure from Australia.

“Anyone with any sense of economic reasoning would know that Australia is no longer a country where cars can be made,” he reminded those who would listen.

Through the Industry Leaders Fund and other connections he mentored and supported many aspiring and high achieving business leaders by mentoring and advising them.

He said “The future of SA won’t be found in a car factory in Elizabeth. The future is in innovation, and I’m very gung-ho about it — it’s fascinating and exciting to be a part of.”

Mr Peters’ citation also highlights his service to lacrosse in SA, through both the SA Lacrosse Association and North Adelaide Lacrosse Club.