The Australian Industry Group began in 1873 as the Metal Trades Industry Association (MTIA) when a group of nine ‘iron trades’ employers in NSW faced a serious industrial dispute and saw the need to adopt a concerted approach to their common problem. The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) was formed when the MTIA and the Australian Chamber of Manufacturers merged in 1998. These organisations have been helping Australian businesses for more than 130 years.