Advancing Manufacturing

The Manufacturing Toolbox: Showcasing Australian manufacturing to the world

THE Manufacturing Toolbox offers Australian manufacturers of all shapes and sizes one of the most comprehensive business capability building resources ever developed and it does so through the collaboration of its formation partners – the Australian science and research agency CSIRO, QMI Solutions and its subsidiary the Australian Institute for Commercialisation, the Manufacturing On The Move network, Regional Development Australia Brisbane, the Australian Computer Society (ACS), State Library of Queensland, Outsource Institute of Technology, Trade and Investment Queensland, and integrated national media partner, Business Acumen magazine.

The Manufacturing Toolbox operates as a knowledge resource hub – where business leaders can gather information and inspiration to set their businesses off in new directions. Here they can find experts and best-of-breed services to help achieve their goals.

The Manufacturing Toolbox has been developed over the last 18 months, based on over 15 years of research by Australian company Digital Business insights (DBi) and directly informed and shaped by its collaborative partnerships. 

Why the Manufacturing Toolbox?

“Manufacturing is probably the sector most able to understand what the Toolbox offers and derive benefits from it in a short time frame,” DBi chief executive John Sheridan said.

“Our work over many years in researching digital disruption and technology adoption has shown us that manufacturers are early adopters of new technologies and they are among the most innovative people in this country. Now we need to showcase our manufacturers to the world, and that is what the Toolbox is designed to do.”

“We hear in the general media all the time that ‘manufacturing is dead’ in this country,” he said. “Well, our partners in the Manufacturing Toolbox beg to differ.

“Manufacturing in Australia faces great challenges, for certain, but Australian manufacturers bring enormous creativity, resilience and determination to succeeding in their fields. They are among the world’s best innovators – and we believe all they need is some help.

“What the Manufacturing Toolbox does is give manufacturing business leaders information, knowledge, advice – in some cases inspiration – and support networks to help them succeed.

“And beyond that, through our communication and media channels, we offer a great catalyst for success and outreach: targeted information sharing and publicity.”

The networks being brought to the Manufacturing Toolbox by its collaborative partners are extraordinary. CSIRO’s own research and commercialisation is world-leading, and it also provides a conduit to university research.

The Outsource Institute of Technology is recognised as a national leader in technology and engineering qualifications, already offering world-leading courses in robotics and 3D printing, among other cutting edge areas of education.

QMI Solutions is probably Australia’s leading technology diffusion organisation and manufacturing educator. QMI Solutions was the first organisation in Australia to use a 3D printer for component prototyping – 20 years ago – and it also pioneered such programs as Lean Manufacturing and Core Value assessments in Australia. Through its Australian Institute for Commercialisation it has also assisted some of Australia’s most successful manufacturers to develop.

The State Library of Queensland offers regional reach to manufacturers and is a learning resource network in its own right. For example, many manufacturers are learning 3D printing techniques through local library courses.

“The Manufacturing Toolbox is a hub where business leaders can learn from people like them who are at the cutting edge,” Mr Sheridan said.

“More importantly, they can then get on and do something about improving their organisation and actively seek out new markets and potential customers. This is the start of something unique. It is the result of an extraordinary collaboration among organisations offering knowledge and their networks with a view to energising manufacturing.

“We hope the Manufacturing Toolbox will help create an unfair advantage for Australian manufacturers – and that’s got to be good for everybody.”

http://manufacturing.digitaltoolbox.org

ends

Australia’s Manufacturing Toolbox: welcome to a unique business resource

THIS IS THE SECOND e-Newsletter from the Manufacturing Toolbox –

The Toolbox is a new and unique digital platform, designed to help Australia’s manufacturing business leaders develop their companies, build capability and showcase their products and services to new markets, both local and overseas. 

The Manufacturing Toolbox is free to join. You can then upload introductory information on your business into the Manufacturing Showcase – an online catalogue where Australia’s manufacturers can present their products nationally and to the world. 

The Toolbox includes a resource centre featuring partner programs, plus video workshops, news, events, insightful blogs from industry experts, and – uniquely – a Showcase of Australian manufacturers. In the future, we will promote virtual manufacturing trade shows into targeted local and overseas markets, and industry sectors.

And you can subscribe to receive 10 Business Acumen magazines with features from partners, news and events, plus be able to showcase your products or services to markets within Australia and overseas - $199 per annum.

So, give yourself an unfair advantage and join the Manufacturing Toolbox today.

For more information, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ends

Behind the Manufacturing Toolbox: 15 years of research, 50,000 business surveys

THE Manufacturing Toolbox offers Australian manufacturers of all shapes and sizes one of the most comprehensive business capability building resources ever developed.

It does so through the collaboration of its formation partners - the Australian science and research agency CSIRO, QMI Solutions and its subsidiary the Australian Institute for Commercialisation, the Manufacturing On The Move network, Regional Development Australia Brisbane, the Australian Computer Society (ACS), State Library of Queensland, Outsource Institute of Technology, Trade and Investment Queensland, and integrated national media partner, Business Acumen magazine. 

The Manufacturing Toolbox operates as a knowledge resource hub – where business leaders can gather information and inspiration to set their businesses off in new directions. Here they can find experts and best-of-breed services to help achieve their goals.

The Manufacturing Toolbox has been developed over the last 18 months, based on over 15 years of research by Australian company Digital Business insights (DBi) and directly informed and shaped by its collaborative partnerships.

DBi researches and analyses the digital revolution and has surveyed more than 50,000 Australian and multi-national businesses. DBi has conducted in-depth case study analyses on more than 500 organisations and digital entrepreneurs.

Now DBi is turning that research into action through a series of digital business development platforms, the first of which is the Manufacturing Toolbox.

Why the Manufacturing Toolbox?

“Manufacturing is probably the sector most able to understand what the Toolbox offers and derive benefits from it in a short time frame,” DBi chief executive John Sheridan said. “Our work over many years in researching digital disruption and technology adoption has shown us that manufacturers are early adopters of new technologies and they are among the most innovative people in this country. 

“We hear in the general media all the time that ‘manufacturing is dead’ in this country,” he said. “Well, our partners in the Manufacturing Toolbox beg to differ. 

“Manufacturing in Australia faces great challenges, for certain, but Australian manufacturers bring enormous creativity, resilience and determination to succeeding in their fields. They are among the world’s best innovators – and we believe all they need is some help. 

“What the Manufacturing Toolbox does is give manufacturing business leaders information, knowledge, advice – in some cases inspiration – and support networks to help them succeed.

“And beyond that, through our communication and media channels, we offer the great catalyst for success and outreach: targeted information sharing and publicity.” 

The networks being brought to the Manufacturing Toolbox by its collaborative partners are extraordinary. CSIRO’s own research and commercialisation is world-leading, and it also provides a conduit to university research.

Australian Computer Society is not only the nation’s most recognised information technology educators and certifiers, it is also exporting those courses and providing Australian-standard qualifications to institutes throughout Asia and the Sub-Continent.

The Outsource Institute of Technology is recognised as a national leader in technology and engineering qualifications, already offering world-leading courses in robotics and 3D printing, among other cutting edge areas of education.

QMI Solutions is probably Australia’s leading technology diffusion organisation and manufacturing educator. QMI Solutions was the first organisation in Australia to use a 3D printer for component prototyping – 20 years ago – and it also pioneered such programs as Lean Manufacturing and Core Value assessments in Australia. Through its Australian Institute for Commercialisation it has also assisted some of Australia’s most successful manufacturers to develop.

The State Library of Queensland offers regional reach to manufacturers and is a learning resource network in its own right. For example, many manufacturers are learning 3D printing techniques through local library courses.

“The Manufacturing Toolbox is a hub where business leaders can learn from people like them who are at the cutting edge,” Mr Sheridan said.

“More importantly, they can then get on and do something about improving their organisation and actively seek out new markets and potential customers. This is the start of something unique. It is the result of an extraordinary collaboration among organisations offering knowledge and their networks with a view to energising manufacturing.

“We hope the Manufacturing Toolbox will help create an unfair advantage for Australian manufacturers – and that’s got to be good for everybody.”

http://manufacturing.digitaltoolbox.org/index.php/uncategorised-publisher/112.

ends

 

Welcome to a unique business resource: Australia’s Manufacturing Toolbox

THIS IS THE FIRST e-Newsletter from the Manufacturing Toolbox.

The Toolbox is a new and unique digital platform, designed to help Australia’s manufacturing business leaders develop their companies, build capability and showcase their products and services to new markets. 

The Manufacturing Toolbox is free to join. You can then upload introductory information on your business into the Manufacturing Showcase – an online catalogue where Australia’s manufacturers can present their products nationally and to the world. 

The Toolbox includes a resource centre featuring partner programs, plus video workshops, news, events, insightful blogs from industry experts, and – uniquely – a Showcase of Australian manufacturers. In the future, we will promote virtual manufacturing trade shows into targeted local and overseas markets, and industry sectors.

So, give yourself an unfair advantage and join the Manufacturing Toolbox today.

For more information,

e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

http://manufacturing.digitaltoolbox.org

ends

 

Australian Innovative Systems’ new ‘onshore’ plant wins international clients

WATER purification specialist Australian Innovative Systems (AIS) has backed its locally-manufactured technologies to win over international clients – and is winning big time.

AIS CEO, Elena Gosse explained how Australian manufacturers with best-of-breed products can win major international contracts to Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop and Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, during their recent visit to the AIS base in the eastern Brisbane suburb of Tingalpa. 

AIS has the runs on the board with its advanced water purification and electrolysis systems utilised not only for drinking water purification but also in many of the world’s most prestigious pools and water features. These export successes include the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa, Providence Bay pools in Hong Kong, Czech Republic municipal pools, the Kuta Waterbom in Bali, Azure Urban Resort Residences in the Philippines, as well as high profile Australian water parks such as the Esplanade Cairns. 

Ms Gosse said AIS exports its chlorine generators and water disinfection technology to over 55 countries world-wide with its key products; AutoChlor, ChloroGen, EcoLine, MineralChlor and Chrome well respected in the home and commercial pool and leisure industries.

“Minister Bishop praised our long term history and commitment to Australian manufacturing and ownership,” Ms Gosse said. “This is particularly important at a time when so many small businesses and manufacturers are taking production off-shore due to the rising costs of labour and production.

“We are certainly bucking the trend after recently investing heavily in a new manufacturing facility with the potential to triple our production capacity and create an additional 40 jobs.”

As well as economic benefit, Ms Gosse told the politicians she believed AIS was benefiting Australia’s reputation as a place where innovation, ideas generation and quality production thrived.

“We are fortunate to have our own in-house research and development team whose primary focus is on continuous innovation to improve our existing products and create new ones,” Ms Gosse said.

“Our staff has expertise in micro-electronics, chemistry, power systems, electrical and mechanical engineering, water system design, assembly, metalworking, plumbing, administration and management. This whole of product lifecycle and dedication to excellence is what makes our business such a success.” 

Mr Vasta said that as a family business with two generations now working in the company, AIS was a shining example of a business that celebrated multiculturalism and diversity. 

Of the 50 staff that work at AIS, 14 nationalities are represented, along with mature aged people and people with disabilities.

Ms Gosse also pointed out many of the issues affecting small business in Australia to Ms Bishop and Mr Vasta.

The said these included the high cost of labour and production, the low Australian dollar and its impact on the purchase of production materials, and the need for government to provide additional exposure and support for local, innovative businesses and products.

“We are grateful to the current government for advocating for small business including its recent decision to allow small to medium-sized businesses with an annual turnover of up to $10million to qualify for a lower company tax rate,” Ms Gosse said.

“This recent visit to our company helps to acknowledge the important role that small businesses like ours play in Australia. It also provides our team with a real sense of pride and accomplishment about what we do.”

www.aiswater.com.au

 

ends

Collaboration secures Australia’s defence industries.

DEFENCE  industries can be one of Australia’s catalysts for national innovation and collaboration.

That was the verdict when senior leaders from across Australia’s industry, defence and academic communities met at the inaugural Securing Australia’s Defence Industry Forum in Melbourne recently. They confirmed the need for greater collaboration to unlock the full potential for defence as a driver of innovation, employment creation and growth. 

The Securing Australia’s Defence Industry Forum, co-convened by innovative technology leader Lockheed Martin and Ai Group, addressed key challenges in transforming Australia’s industry base. The forum highlighted opportunities to build Australia’s sovereign capability through an emphasis on technology transfer, local participation and exporting innovation.

“The identification of the defence industry in the 2016 Defence White Paper as a Fundamental Input to Capability, coupled with the release of the National Innovation and Science Agenda, were strong, welcome signals to industry,” Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand chief executive Raydon Gates said.

“But they also require a concerted focus on our capability challenges and the role of the industry sector to confront them. The defence industry is centre-stage as a driver of innovation-led industry employment and economic growth.

“As a defence industry leader we felt it was important to kick-start that conversation by bringing together industry and academia to collaborate on the significant potential for defence to transform the Australian economy,” Mr Gates said.

Ai Group Victoria president Ross Pilling said the forum was timely in addressing critical questions for industry “that have far reaching consequences for the health and future well-being of our nation”.

“Our economy is in transition from the mining investment phase to the new economy – which will have a high reliance on advanced technology capabilities,” Mr Pilling said. “Defence, as an outlier of cutting edge innovation and technology, has a critical role to play in that new economy, so it is imperative industry works together to address any challenges and unlock its full potential.”

The Securing Australia’s Defence Industry leaders forum featured keynotes from: Leonie Walsh, Victoria’s inaugural Lead Scientist; Tony Peacock, the chief executive of the Cooperative Research Centres Association; and Jens Goennemann, the managing director of the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre.

www.lockheedmartin.com.au

www.aigroup.com.au

ends

Patrol boats contract to Austal Ships

AUSTAL Ships Pty Ltd has won the Australian Defence contract to build and sustain up to 21 steel-hulled vessels, replacing the existing fleet of Pacific Patrol Boats as part of Australia’s new Pacific Maritime Security Program.

Within the $280 million contract, Austal will design and construct the first 19 vessels in Henderson, securing more than 120 jobs for Western Australia. The deep maintenance portion of the contact will be staged in Cairns, Queensland. 

“Two vessels have also been offered to a new member of the program, Timor-Leste, with an option for these additional vessels to be constructed by Austal at an agreed fixed price should Timor-Leste accept the offer,” Defence Minister Marise Payne said.

Austal has also been awarded a $24 million contract to provide support services to the replacement vessels for an initial seven-year period. The total investment in support and sustainment of the vessels, including the conduct of deep maintenance in Cairns, is estimated at more than $400 million across the life of the vessels.

Construction of the new vessels will start in mid-2017, with the first vessel to be delivered in late 2018.

“The gifting of these larger and more capable replacement vessels will build on the success of the current Pacific Patrol Boat Program to assist our Pacific Island partners to protect their maritime resources and security interests,” Ms Payne said.

“The existing fleet is approaching its end of service life, and will be replaced with a fleet of new Australian-built vessels to assist our Pacific Island partners to continue to take an active role in securing their extensive exclusive economic zones.

“After years of Labor inaction in which they failed to order a single naval vessel from an Australian shipyard during their six years in office, the Turnbull Government is getting on with the job of providing long-term security for the Australian shipbuilding industry.”

www.defence.gov.au

 

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