The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) has invested $500,000 into Geelong to advance Australia’s manufacturing industry.
The AMGC on 20 February announced project funding of $250,000 for Quickstep Holdings, a manufacturer of advanced carbon fibre composites. This investment will aid in the development of a competitive carbon composite fender for the European automotive market. The project has the potential to generate export revenue in excess of $25m and see the increase in demand for more high-value jobs in the Geelong area.
Previously, the AMGC had announced $250,000 in project funds for the Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong. The funding will directly support the Geelong Manufacturing Council working in collaboration with Carbon Nexus, a research facility located at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds Campus.
“To make these kinds of significant investments in the region of Geelong sends a clear signal that our manufacturing industry has a strong future in Australia,” said Dr Jens Goennemann, AMGC’s Managing Director. “We are convinced to have the raw talent to compete globally and offer a unique point of difference, and that’s through our technology leadership and value-added services. When we have solutions that global customers want and when our manufacturers offer something different and compete primarily on value, not on cost – then those customers are willing to pay a good price for that product or service.”
A core tenet of the AMGC strategy is to fund projects that demonstrate Australia’s manufacturing competitiveness. These projects will serve as catalysts of best practice and pave the way for other manufacturers to replicate.
The AMGC’s recently released Sector Competitiveness Plan shows that the Australian manufacturing sector along with its supporting industries can add up to $36bn to the national economy over the next ten years. Findings show that the majority of this lift in revenue comes from providing ‘value differentiation’ through innovative product design and technical edge.
“The days of competing on cost are gone,” added Dr Goennemann. “Today, to remain competitive and be part of the lucrative global supply chain, we must look to the full width of what our manufacturers offer. This can be in the areas of R&D, design, logistics and distribution to pre- and post-sales support. This is where the future lies and why we continue to support the Geelong region in its journey as a leading manufacturing centre.”