Manufacturers line up for design tips

Queensland manufacturers are picking up expert design tips in a statewide seminar series to make their businesses more competitive and grow jobs.

State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham told Parliament today that south-east corner manufacturers were first off the mark tomorrow in the first of a seven-seminar Design in Manufacturing series.

“More than 70 per cent of the cost of a manufactured product is influenced by design – the choice of materials; the processes used; how things are assembled,” Dr Lynham told Parliament.

“The greater use of design in manufacturing will help our manufacturers lower costs, bring their product to market faster, be more competitive and, in turn, grow and employ more Queenslanders.

“This Government wants to see jobs and business opportunities growing in our $20 billion manufacturing industry.”

Up to 25 South East Queensland manufacturers will be at a seminar at Mount Gravatt East tomorrow (Eds: Wednesday), learning how and why design can benefit their businesses.

In early June, 25 Toowoomba businesses will have the same opportunity, and a further five seminars will be held over the next two years.

“Dozens of Queensland manufacturers will be armed with the expert design knowledge they need to be world leaders,” Dr Lynham said.

The seminar series is part of a suite of Palaszczuk Government measures to help the manufacturing industry to innovate, grow and become internationally competitive.

These include the Queensland Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan and the Made in Queensland program, which is distributing $20 million to manufacturers who have put their hands up to take their business to the next level.

Dr Lynham said more than 160 Queensland companies had completed the first stage of the Made in Queensland program and more than 20 were being assessed for grants of up to $2.5 million to increase their productivity and international competitiveness.

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Media inquiries: Jan Martin 0439 341 314

Eds: Visit the Department of State Development media centre and search for manufacturing to download generic manufacturing images.