Press Centre

The Open IIoT group – a cohort of Australia’s most prominent automation brands – has been hard at work since their last showing at Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW) Melbourne in 2019. Most notably they have launched the ‘Industry 4.0 and Beyond’ Podcast, featuring the group’s signature style of ‘cutting through the jargon’ as they discuss the latest trends in IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) and advanced manufacturing. The podcast releases episodes monthly and features Jozef Ceh of SMC Corporation ANZ and Wade Leslie of KUKA Robot Automation as hosts. Representatives from Open IIoT member companies (Beckhoff Automation, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS, Balluff, and ZI-Argus) appear as member guests. To ensure a diverse range of perspectives and expert industry insights, the members are regularly joined by partners and industry experts from a multitude of manufacturing sectors, as they discuss new technologies and the unique challenges and benefits of Industry 4.0 implementation. Episodes to date approach a diverse range of topics, including how Industry 4.0 can help Australia get back on track to meet its recycling goals; the role of IIoT in creating ‘smart’…

The MHGP gives local manufacturers a new opportunity to get financial help for business-expanding initiatives, which will create more good jobs and better services in the region. The funding boost, which was secured in the 2022/23 Queensland Budget, meant even more manufacturers would have financial support as they modernised and transitioned to manufacturing 4.0 processes. These grants are an opportunity for manufacturers to become more productive, build advanced manufacturing capabilities and create the jobs of the future through: technology adoption skills and training business development advanced robotic manufacturing hub services. Grants between $10,000 and $500,000 are available for eligible manufacturing small to medium enterprises in the Cairns, Townsville, Central Queensland, Mackay and the Gold Coast regions. To date, the MHGP has awarded more than $13 million to co-fund 49 projects in regional areas, including for business development, technology adoption, skills and training across the five eligible regions throughout Queensland. Following a review of Rounds 1 and 2, the application process for Round 3 has been simplified to ensure as many people as…

The highly anticipated National Reconstruction Fund has passed the upper house, passng the Senate after many hours of debate, with the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling it “one of the biggest ever investments in Australian manufacturing.” The Greens agreed to back the legislation after they struck a deal with the government earlier this month to include amendments that explicitly rule out using the fund to invest in coal, gas and native forest logging. Independent senators David Pocock and Lidia Thorpe as well as the two senators from the Jacqui Lambie Network also agreed to back the Fund. "Australia's commitment to industrial transformation received a boost this week with the passage through Parliament of the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) Bill," Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group said. "The NRF is a vehicle that could help position Australia to benefit from the digitalisation, automation, artificial intelligence and the clean energy revolution that is remaking global industry. It could be used to seize emerging opportunities in areas where we have demonstrated or potential competitive advantages. "The…

What would be better than having a mobile App on your phone with you on the AMW2023 show floor with all your selected companies, their stands, where they are and what they are showing. Registrations are now open for Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2023), held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023. Organised and run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will occupy more than 10,770 square metres of exhibition space at the MCEC, with over 340 organisations taking stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. Don’t miss out!  Register online now at australianmanufacturingweek.com.au First of all, Download the AMW Expo mobile app for your device from your preferred store, and log in using the same details you used to create your MyShowPlanner profile as the show approached. You can now log in to the App and everything will be there for you on your phone or your networked iPad or tablet. Search products that are of specific interest to you. View the entire Exhibitor list. Research relevant Product Zones. Navigate the Show…

Bonfiglioli signaled new investment into Australia with the opening of its new regional office in Cranbourne West, Victoria recently. The special event saw key customers, local staff, and company leaders from Bonfiglioli’s head office in Italy all in attendance. The premises is fitted with 40kW of solar power and covers an expansive 1,800m2, of which warehousing and production make up 1,400m2. The new premises will facilitate the local assembly of all light and medium-duty products, freeing the Sydney factory up to concentrate on heavy-duty products. “This allows us to expand our stock holding locally and to better serve our customers across the local regions,” comments Martin Broglia, Managing Director for Bonfiglioli Australia. Closer to our customers Broglia explains that this strategic move brings the company closer to its customers and is largely underpinned by the need to continue decentralising its assembly facilities, following significant growth over the COVID-19 pandemic. “We continue our upward trajectory and are hyper-focused on offering local assembly and support around the country. Our investment in product innovation and customer relations is what truly sets us apart.” Products in…

Registrations are now open for Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2023), held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023. Organised and run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will occupy more than 10,770 square metres of exhibition space at the MCEC, with over 340 organisations taking stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. Don’t miss out!  Register online now at australianmanufacturingweek.com.au There are also two co-located shows alongside AMW 2023.  Deeply related to the manufacturing industries, namely Plastics and Electronics. The Plastics and Medical Applications is a one-day conference held by the Society of Plastics Engineers Australia-New Zealand Section on Wednesday 10th May. This One-Day Conference is in collaboration with AMTIL, AMW2023, BioMelbourne Network and the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA). To register for the One-Day Conference, go to: plastics.org.au Make use of the Early Bird fees for this One-Day Conference before 1st April 2023! ElectroneX is a two-day electronics show being held alongside the AMW exhibition. Visitors are now able to see…

Registrations are now open for Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2023), held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023. Organised and run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will occupy more than 10,764 square metres of exhibition space at the MCEC, with over 330 organisations taking stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. Don’t miss out!  Register online now at australianmanufacturingweek.com.au The AMW Future Solutions Speaker Program rolls out through the week, a free Conference within AMW2023, covering major topics within the industry. On Tuesday, the special focus is Digital and Additive Manufacturing. Richard Elving from Markforged reveals how Australian businesses are using 3D Printing to bring manufacturing back home.  Later in the day, Cherry Chen from CSIRO speaks about the research into functional materials for space, biomedical, and hydrogen storage applications. The second day of Australian Manufacturing Week has a special focus on our crucial assets. Wednesday 10th May features Women in Manufacturing. As part of the Future Solutions Speaker…

Registrations are now open for Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2023), held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023. Organised and run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will occupy more than 10,764 square metres of exhibition space at the MCEC, with over 330 organisations taking stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. Don’t miss out!  Register online now at australianmanufacturingweek.com.au The first day of the Australian Manufacturing Week Melbourne 2023, has been aptly titled The AM Hub Digital and Additive Manufacturing Day and is part of the Future Solutions Speaker Program. Tuesday 9th May at AMW2023 will celebrate the innovations and constant developments sweeping this segment of the manufacturing industry in Australia. Led by AMTIL, and generously supported by the Victorian Government, the Additive Manufacturing Hub has been established to grow and develop Additive Manufacturing capability. The AM Hub will be the first port of call for any companies looking to explore the potential of additive manufacturing, or further expand their…

Victorian Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty Ben Carroll has announced nominations are open for this year’s awards, which is the state’s biggest celebration of Victoria’s leading manufacturers. Established in 2001, the awards recognise individuals and companies that embrace new technologies, excel in business innovation, drive exports and boost the state’s economy. Victoria’s $31bn manufacturing industry is made up of more than 23,000 businesses, employing more than 260,000 people – providing around 30% of Australia’s manufacturing output. “The awards recognise our top manufacturers that are leading from the front – cementing our status as Australia’s manufacturing state,” said Ben Carroll, the Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty. “We’ll continue to back our manufacturers so they can create more local jobs, drive innovation and power our economy – ensuring more products are made in Victoria.” Nominations are open for 15 categories including ‘Young Manufacturer of the Year’, ‘Woman Manufacturer of the Year’ and ‘Honour Roll for Services to Industry’. Nine new awards have been introduced this year including ‘Manufacturing Apprentice’, ’Regional Manufacturer’, as well as leaders…

The Made in Victoria – Manufacturing Growth Program aims to support small and medium sized manufacturers to: — Expand their capacity and capability by implementing new manufacturing technologies. — Improve productivity and competitiveness in local and global supply chains. — Create new jobs and upskill and/or reskill workers. — Support the transition to a low carbon economy. What funding is available? Grants of between $50,000 and $250,000 are on offer on a 2:1 basis (i.e. applicants must contribute $2 for every $1 of funding from the Victorian Government). What are the eligibility criteria? To be eligible, applicants must: — Have an ABN. — Employ at least 20 FTE or have an annual turnover of greater than $1.5m. Note that preference will be given to applicants with less than 200 employees and annual turnover less than $100m. — Be able to demonstrate financial viability to undertake the project and be able to provide three years’ worth of audited financial statements. — Be currently engaged in manufacturing…

The Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) aims to support Australian SMEs to expand Australian products and services to foreign markets by providing funding for promotional activities and development of marketing skills. What are the eligibility criteria? Applicants must: — Have a turnover of less than $20 million in the prior financial year. — Be exporting or ready to export eligible goods, services, events, IP or know-how, and/or software that is of substantially Australian origin. — Be intending to incur eligible expenditure on promotional activities undertaken for the purpose of marketing eligible products overseas (excluding New Zealand). — Be able to match the grant amount awarded at least on a 1:1 basis. Important to note: The EMDG program is an eligibility-based program, which means that all eligible applicants will receive a grant from the available funding pool ($157.9 million per year). This means the grant amount an applicant receives depends on the number of eligible applications in the grant round…

Registrations are open NOW for Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2023), being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023. Organised by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will occupy more than 10,000 square metres of exhibition space at the MCEC, with almost 300 organisations taking stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. Don’t miss out!  Register online now at australianmanufacturingweek.com.au There are seven Zones on the vast floorspace of Australian Manufacturing Week, which takes up almost of the MCEC. Each zone focuses on particular aspects of manufacturing in Australia. These include: Austech Machine Tools, sponsored by ISCAR; Additive Manufacturing Zone; Australian Manufacturers Zone, sponsored by Sutton Tools; Manufacturing Solutions Zone, sponsored by Adobe; Robotics & Automation Zone; Weld and Air Solutions Zone, sponsored by AtlasCopco; and the Plastic Technology Zone. WELD & AIR SOLUTIONS ZONE The Weld & Air Solutions Zone will highlight advanced welding processes and provide high-quality interactive experiences that demonstrate developments and applications in the welding sector. Welding is critical in metal fabrication…