February 23, 2018
In this report, certain generic words such as product and others are used. However it should always be understood that, while manufacturing terminology may be used, the ideas described are equally applicable to service organisations. They may also cover specific elements of a business process, rather than simply the whole business. Many people have the impression that mass customisation is about mass production, and through some magical process allows an unlimited number of variations to be offered to the customer. This is wrong. Mass customisation is about tailoring the offering to the customer, while retaining the lower costs per item that are offered by mass production. This allows SMEs to complete with larger enterprises. Mass customisation is also highly data-driven. Consequently, it is relevant to the ongoing developments in the field of Industry 4.0. From pull to push, and back again Before industrialisation, everything was craft production,…
February 16, 2018
Set to run well past 2040, the three-part, continuous build program will include 12 submarines, nine frigates and 12 offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). Canberra hopes it will do away with the cyclical, feast/famine nature of the sector, allowing it to build up muscle tissue, target export markets, and improve the digital literacy of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) involved. As Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull put it, when the winning Future Submarine bid was finally announced in 2016: “The spin-offs to the rest of the economy will be immense.” The nature and magnitude of spinoffs from this “generations-long national endeavour” of naval work will be known later. However, the efforts needed to grow the SMEs (there are an estimated 3,000 SMEs in the sector, according to the Defence Industry Policy Statement) that will support the endeavour are already underway. The Australian Manufacturing Growth Centre has described the submarine project, properly approached, as offering a “moon-shot opportunity” for…
February 1, 2018
The plan is designed to boost Australian industry, increase investment, and create more jobs for Australian businesses. According to the Government, a strong, exporting defence industry in Australia will provide greater certainty of investment, support high-end manufacturing jobs, and support the capability of the Australian Defence Force. The Defence Export Strategy includes several new initiatives and investments, including: A new Australian Defence Export Office, which will work hand-in-hand with Austrade and the Centre for Defence Industry Capability to co-ordinate whole-of-government efforts, providing a focal point for defence exports. A new Australian Defence Export Advocate, who will provide high-level advocacy for defence exports and work across industry and government to ensure all efforts are co-ordinated. A new $3.8bn Defence Export Facility administered by Efic, Australia’s export credit agency. This will help Australian companies get the finance they need to underpin the sales of their equipment overseas. According to the Government, it will provide confidence to the Australian defence industry to identify and pursue new export opportunities…
January 18, 2018
Many of us have experienced that nervous feeling you get when you’re following a trailer that has begun to sway and it would appear that at any moment it could fishtail out of control. Worse still is the feeling of a loss of control while negotiating the twists and gradient of the road with a trailer in tow. Both circumstances can be stressful, and for both driver and surrounding traffic, potentially very hazardous. Trailers can easily become unstable and cause accidents when braking, swerving, overtaking, driving in high winds or on difficult roads. In 2016, loss of control accounted for 30% of caravan accident claims, with oversteering and fishtailing among the main causes. The need for a solution to this problem was identified by Bosch’s Australian Vehicle Safety Systems engineering team. This prompted an innovation idea and subsequent R&D project in 2014. The parent company acknowledged the local engineering capability and market opportunity, which led to the establishment of a Bosch global Centre of Competence for…
August 12, 2016
The funding is part of the Labor Government’s Future Industries Manufacturing Program, which is supporting Victorian-based manufacturers grow and create jobs. LTA will use the money to invest in new equipment, create five new full time jobs and boost its exports by more than $4m. It builds on recent announcements, including grants to: Guala Closures in West Footscray; Southern Cross Ceramics in Mulgrave; CE Bartlett in Wendouree; Medical Developments International in Scoresby; and Fitmycar in Ravenhall. “We are helping Victorian manufacturers like Lovitt Technologies invest in new technologies to help them grow and create new jobs,” said Minister Noonan. “As car manufacturing winds down it’s important we support those businesses that will transition Victoria towards an advanced manufacturing economy.” Established in 1954 as George Lovitt Manufacturing to manufacture cutting tools for the Australian automotive industry, LTA has evolved continuously over the subsequent six decades. Quick to anticipate the decline of Australian car-making, it branched into fields as diverse as…
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
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…
June 12, 2015
The Entrepreneurs’ Infrastructure Programme (EIP), 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 forms a part of the Australian Government’s Economic Action Strategy and will deploy more than 100 experienced Advisers and Facilitators, offering support to businesses through three elements: Business Management Business Evaluations – A business assessment resulting in a detailed report and recommendations for improvements. Supply Chain Facilitation – A practical approach to assist companies in interacting with, and supplying into, new and existing markets. Business Growth Services – Access for eligible businesses with high growth potential to specialist advisers, services and connections aimed at accelerating their growth. Business Growth Grants – Small, co-funded grants to…