From 26 to 29 May, the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre will be the place to be for anyone with an interest in manufacturing, as Austech - Australia’s premier advanced manufacturing and machine tool exhibition - returns.
Australian manufacturing has gone through some difficult times in recent years, and conditions are undoubtedly still tough out there for many Australian manufacturers. However, there are signs that we’re beginning to turn a corner, with evidence emerging of a cautious optimism taking hold across our industry.
Against this backdrop, Austech is set to make its return, and as preparations for the show have proceeded, the sense of renewed confidence has been evident. The enthusiastic response from exhibitors, as well as the early interest from those planning to attend the show, have provided a robust affirmation of the enduring importance of Australia’s advanced manufacturing industry.
Co-located with National Manufacturing Week (NMW) and Safety First Expo, as well as the Inside 3D Printing conference, Austech 2015 will be a must-attend event for manufacturing professionals from around Australia. More than 10,000 industrial decision makers are expected to visit the show, taking the opportunity to interact and see the latest technology, and find answers to their manufacturing problems and challenges.
“Being present at Austech is an absolute must for all manufacturers,” says AMTIL Event Manager and Austech organiser Kim Warren. “Now that we see a first positive trend towards onshoring, this is an event not to be missed by owners and managers of job shops, manufacturing facilities or research departments. In order to be competitive, they require efficient manufacturing technology, comprehensive engineering skills and good service.”
More than 120 organisations will be exhibiting at Austech with most of the key industry players and major machine tool companies gearing up to have a presence at the show. Austech will once again host all the world’s leading machine tool builders under one roof, showcasing the latest machine tool configurations. All areas of manufacturing are covered, including tooling, workholding, software and systems integration. Those who walk through the doors of the exhibition will have a world of manufacturing opportunities open before their eyes.
“What we’re very pleased about with Austech this year, is the presence of all of the major machine tool dealers, and that’s the first time for a long time that we’ve had every one present,” says AMTIL CEO Shane Infanti. “And in talking to those companies, what they’re anticipating on bringing out from a technology point of view is potentially equipment that hasn’t been seen in the country before, so that’s been pleasing.”
Austech 2015 marks the first time the event will be held since the decision was made to shift from an annual event to one staged every two years. According to Infanti, it was a decision that was not taken lightly, though he’s confident that it was the right choice to make.
“It was primarily driven by our members: that a show of this type is really only warranted every two years,” he explains. “The rate of technological change doesn’t advance that much. There’s lower levels of investment in technology over the last five years compared to 10 or 15 years ago. So the return on investment for doing the show really only warrants it being every couple of years. And when you look around the world, most of the major machine tool and manufacturing technology shows are on two-year cycles, so it makes sense to fit into that schedule.”
One of the highlights of the show promises to be the Manufacturers Pavilion, which was first held as part of Austech 2013. The Pavilion will highlight the capabilities of Australia’s precision engineering and advanced manufacturing industry, providing component manufacturers, precision engineering firms, toolmakers, advanced manufacturers and general engineering companies the opportunity to exhibit their unique capabilities. The Pavilion will also be the venue for a comprehensive four-day speaker program – for details turn to page 54.
Moreover, Austech will once again welcome students and educators, giving them first-hand exposure to the career opportunities in manufacturing by networking with and learning from industry professionals. Young people are as much the future of our industry as the cutting-edge technology and processes on display at stands throughout the exhibition, and looking to the future is what Austech is fundamentally all about.
“Be sure to put Austech in your diary, and join us in Melbourne,” says Warren. “You will meet the people that are moving Australian manufacturing forward.”