Industry News

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…

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…

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…

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)…

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…

AMT: Firstly, what is the AAMC and why was it set up? John Pollaers: The AAMC is essentially CEOs of advanced manufacturing businesses or multi-national corporations with operations in Australia. We started our effort back in 2013, but really formalised ourselves about 12 months ago. Our focus is firstly on shifting the understanding of what advanced manufacturing is. That’s about education, and consistency of understanding – that it’s not just a sector but a series of capabilities applicable to all industry sectors. That’s why it’s so important. Second is to look at the ecosystem and identify where the gaps are, who’s accountable, and encourage them to step into that accountability and deal with the issues. We’re not about creating lots of new things, we’re not about new money; there’s plenty of money in the system. It’s about making sure the gaps get addressed. The last one is to understand where the policy settings, if adjusted, would support that ecosystem. We don’t start with the premise…

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,…

Running alongside Austech at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, NMW 2015 will be laid out in 12 Product Zones to help visitors navigate the range of products and services on offer. A key focus will be to introduce updates in sectors and technologies that are driving industry growth: Digital Manufacturing, CleanTech/Sustainable Manufacturing, Engineering Services and more. In line with the changing face of Australian manufacturing, there will be a large number of new exhibitors and new capabilities on display. Among these will be KPMG, with an update on government grants and research incentives, alongside internationalisation consultants Baden-Württemberg International and dozens of international specialist suppliers. In addition, some of industry’s established leaders – including the likes of BOC, BAC, Lincoln Electric, Klingspor, Supagas, Stratasys, Telstra – will bring new and innovative solutions to the event. Demonstrations bring new technologies to life NMW visitors will be able to see and try new technologies like never before, with this year’s event including live demonstrations of innovations…

AMT: Let’s start with Austech - what can visitors expect this year? Shane Infanti: 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. 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. AMT: Do you think that’s indicative of a renewed confidence in the market here and in Australian manufacturing in general? SI: For Austech it’s more based on the decision we took to go to a two-year cycle. Technology suppliers recognise that Austech is still the major means for them to promote their technology out to the industry. Major shows are still a good way of getting the message out to potential customers. AMT: The decision to hold Austech every two years rather than…

Located right at the heart of this year’s Austech exhibition, the Manufacturers Pavilion highlights the capabilities of Australia’s precision engineering and advanced manufacturing industry. The Pavilion provides Australian component manufacturers, precision engineering firms, toolmakers, advanced manufacturers and general engineering companies the opportunity to exhibit their unique capabilities to an expected audience of more than 10,000 visitors. “The importance of our precision engineering and advanced manufacturers in this country having the opportunity to promote the capabilities and capacity they have to offer is critical in view of international competition,” explains AMTIL’s CEO and Exhibition Director Shane Infanti. “The Manufacturers Pavilion provides the perfect forum for these companies to put themselves in front of Austech visitors, many of whom outsource and contract out their work.” Among the manufacturers participating in the Pavilion this year are such highly respected companies as Ultimate Laser, Barden Fabrications, Hardman, Fountainline IMS, Bennett Precision Tooling and Harrop Engineering. The Manufacturers Pavilion will help these companies to promote their capabilities and connect with organisations…

AMTIL has been involved in this Programme and its predecessor - Enterprise Connect - for the past six years and are looking forward to continuing our engagement with the Commonwealth. The EIP is the Australian Government’s flagship initiative for business competitiveness and productivity at the business level. It forms part of the Australian Government’s new industry policy outlined in the Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda. This Agenda is a business-focused element of the Australian Government’s broader Economic Action Strategy and brings together and builds upon other economic reforms to make the most of Australia’s strengths and business opportunities.   With a national network of more than 100 experienced private sector Advisers, the EIP offers support to businesses through three elements:   Business Management, providing support for business improvement and growth. Research Connections, helping small and medium businesses collaborate with the research sector to develop new ideas with commercial potential; and Accelerating Commercialisation, helping entrepreneurs, researchers, start-ups and businesses address…

There have been a number of events over the past six months including: The launch of 3D Central, an Advanced Manufacturing Centre located at the head office of Objective 3D in Carrum Downs. A 3D Printing Overview presented by 3D Printing today held at the Mulgrave Country Club. A Forum on Medical Manufacturing held at RMIT’s Advanced Manufacturing Precinct in Carlton and focused on additive manufacturing in the medical devices sector. The Opening of the Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Research Hub at the Monash Centre for Advanced Manufacturing. The AusBiotech Advanced Manufacturing Summit held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney. VCAMM event on “Practical Engagement with Additive Manufacturing” held at RMIT’s Advanced Manufacturing Precinct. All of these events were supported by AMTIL and promoted through the Network. I would be interested on any feedback from people who attended any of these events. You may recall that AMTIL is a Core Participant and Portal Organisation for the proposed Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC). We have committed (along with…

AMT: Firstly, tell us about this year’s Australian Technologies Competition. John O’Brien: Certainly. We’re into the fifth year of the Competition, and the aim is that we find, mentor and celebrate the best emerging technology companies from around Australia. There are two benefits: growing emerging technology businesses, but also finding solutions for industry to help them be more efficient and competitive. This year we’ve got the categories of Food & Agritech, Energy Technologies, Advanced Manufacturing, Mining Tech and the Built Environment. We’ve also got prizes for Global Development, for solutions for the developing world, and one for the best region in Australia that supports technology. In terms of the Advanced Manufacturing category, the focus is “How do we help the manufacturing industry become more efficient and more competitive?” One previous winner was BluGlass, a Sydney company which designed a new way of manufacturing light emitting diode (LED) cells that uses less energy, operates at lower temperature, is cheaper and delivers better-quality LED cells. They’re commercialising that right now. And last year’s…