July 31, 2015
With Austech 2015 over and done with, we’ve been hard at work on the program for the coming year. Along with regular features such as the Annual General Meeting (AGM), our ever-popular Golf Day, and our usual Christmas get-togethers, we are planning a rich and diverse array of additional activities. Branded under the name AMTIL Connections™, these events and activities will be aimed at helping AMTIL members to learn ways to improve their business, gain access to valuable industry information, have their say on the issues affecting them, and simply to network and socialise with their peers in the sector. Our 2015-16 Events program will include: Plant tours – There are few better ways to improve your business than through learning first-hand from your peers. AMTIL is planning visits to the facilities of several major manufacturing companies and research organisations, where members can learn about new technologies and processes. Networking functions – Members will have the chance to share ideas, develop essential business relationships, and simply relax and socialise…
July 24, 2015
The Entrepreneurs’ Programme, developed from the Enterprise Connect initiative of the previous Government, is a flagship initiative focused on raising the competiveness and productivity of eligible companies at an individual level. The Programme will deploy more than 100 experienced Advisers and Facilitators, offering support to businesses through three elements: Business Management, Research Connections, and Accelerating Commercialisation. AMTIL is a partner organisation in the Programme. Under Enterprise Connect and throughout the transition to the Entrepreneurs’ Programme, AMTIL employed a team of six people across Australia. Of that group, Bruno Bello, Neil Clarke, Michael Fetherstonhaugh and George Pofandt have remained on board to implement the new Programme on behalf of AMTIL. In addition, five new faces have been added to the team, with the appointment of Vineet Ahuja, Mal Clark, John Lochery, Rob Murphy and Richard Penman. Vineet Ahuja Business Adviser, Victoria Tel: 0418 566 381 Email: vahuja@amtil.com.au Vineet has a passion for supply chain continuous improvement, with over 39…
July 10, 2015
EMO runs every two years and covers the following product sectors - metal forming and metal cutting machine tools, machines for welding, for thermal and surface treatments, robots, mechatronics, additive manufacturing technologies, automation hardware and software, assembling, tools, parts, components, accessories, metrology, quality control, systems for safety and environmental protection. The AMTIL stand will be part of the International Association Pavilion and provides an opportunity for us to promote our members’ capabilities to an expected audience of over 100,000 visitors. Australian visitors can also have access to our meeting room, bag storage and, of course, a cold refreshment. Shane Infanti and Greg Chalker will be attending on behalf of the Institute. In addition, we are planning a site visit or two depending on interest, so please let us know if you are attending and would like further information. Accommodation is very scarce and AMTIL does not have any further rooms available, so if you are planning on attending and have not booked accommodation yet, we suggest you go to http://www.emo-milano.com/en/visitors/hospitality For…
July 10, 2015
AMT: What is the Entrepreneurs’ Programme and what is it aiming to achieve? Deborah Anton: I’m really excited to be a part of the Entrepreneurs’ Programme, which aims to improve business competitiveness and productivity at the firm level. It is the Australian Government’s flagship initiative that drives business growth and competitiveness by supporting business improvement and research connections in targeted growth sectors and through the commercialisation of novel products, processes and services. Based on my experience managing this programme, I can say that it is very business-orientated. It uses experienced Facilitators and Advisers drawn from industry to help small-to-medium-sized organisations develop the skills and knowledge they need to advance and grow. It also focuses on providing access to quality advice and established expert networks to meet business needs, and the programme delivers this objective through three distinct programme elements. AMT: What are those three elements? DA: ‘Accelerating Commercialisation’ helps entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized businesses, and researchers to address the commercialisation challenges…
July 3, 2015
Of the seven activity sub-indexes, only manufacturing exports expanded in June, but at a mild pace (down 8.1 points to 50.3) and largely concentrated in the food and beverages sub-sector. The new orders (down 10.6 points to 42.2), production (down 9.3 points to 43.5), employment (down 5.9 points to 44.9) and supplier deliveries (down 9.7 points to 44.3) sub-indexes all failed to maintain last month’s brief expansion, and a 13th month of decline in manufacturing sales (down 6.9 points to 41.1) signalled continued weakness in local demand. Readings below 50 indicate a contraction in activity, with the distance from 50 indicative of the strength of the decrease. However, four of the eight manufacturing sub-sectors still managed to expand in June, led by food, beverages & tobacco (up 0.7 points to 60.5) for a 13th month. The wood & paper products (up 4.5 points to 63.8) sub-sector also maintained recent strong performance, while textiles, clothing & furniture (up 5.8 points to 52.5)…
