Opening the doors to Inside Advanced Manufacturing Week

Eighteen leading advanced manufacturers will open their doors and share their experience in adopting world-leading technologies, processes and practices, as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s roadmap to cement Queensland’s position as Australia’s leading manufacturing state.

As part of Inside Advanced Manufacturing Week – running from today until 20 May – manufacturers from the Gold Coast to Cairns will offer a glimpse into how introducing advanced manufacturing into their business has reduced costs, increased competitiveness, grown their business and created jobs.

Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher launched Inside Advanced Manufacturing Week at SimTech Creations in Yatala, this morning.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s Inside Advanced Manufacturing initiative is designed to help manufacturers across the state get first-hand, practical information from businesses who have successfully transitioned to advanced manufacturing and drive economic growth,” Mr Butcher said.

“This week is about manufacturers and supply chain partners getting behind-the-scenes, expert-guided facility tours and real-life examples of how Industry 4.0 techniques, technologies, systems and services, have transformed businesses and made them national and global market leaders.”

Minister Butcher said the insights from the program were invaluable for manufacturers, as they faced a rapidly changing business landscape.

“Through Inside Advanced Manufacturing, these community-minded manufacturers are supporting Queensland to become an international market leader in the delivery of advanced manufacturing technologies.

“Seeing businesses supporting their peers is truly the Queensland spirit and I’m so grateful to everyone who is stepping up this week,” he said.

Speaking at today’s launch, SimTech Creations General Manager Daniel Egar said the Inside Advanced Manufacturing initiative was a powerful tool for bringing together industry, government, and educational institutions, to collaborate and grow manufacturing in the state.

"We participated last year, as delegates, and appreciated being able to connect and discuss the opportunities and issues around industry 4.0 with others in the sector.

"We are thrilled to have been invited to be an exhibitor this year and look forward to sharing our own experiences to help other manufacturers modernise and grow," he said.

Yeppoon-based manufacturer All Industries Group is another business throwing their doors open this week.

Company Director Trent Miles said they were proud to be invited to participate in the program.

"The information exchange at the event will be a confidence boost for those manufacturers considering ways to future-proof their business by adopting the technologies transforming manufacturing globally. 

"We look forward to sharing with others how embracing Industry 4.0 processes and LEAN manufacturing principles helped us to optimise productivity, reduce waste, and improve our project delivery times."

Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions (RNM) Project Manager Jeff Crabtree said RNM looked forward to showcasing their purpose-built facility in Maryborough and sharing how technology and training ensured they met the exacting demands of the global marketplace.

"Knowledge-sharing initiatives like this are vital in understanding the seismic shift happening in manufacturing and our tour will demonstrate how investment in best practice manufacturing can deliver world class capability and capacity,” Mr Crabtree said.

"We look forward to hosting manufacturers to support the transformation of Queensland manufacturing capability and support the strengthening of our sovereign defence industry.”

Banyo’s Watkins Steel R&D Manager and Robotics Engineer Vitor Bottazzi said that State Government investment in the sector created tangible opportunities for businesses looking to build their portfolios. 

"We look forward to opening our doors and sharing how investing in market-leading machinery, helped by government grant money, has transformed our workforce, made us more competitive with overseas companies, while improving safety, sustainability, and helping to build a strong circular economy,” he said.

Queensland’s manufacturing sector contributes more than $22 billion each year to the Queensland economy and provides jobs for more than 192 000 people.

The Queensland Government is building the state’s manufacturing industry through the Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan and initiatives such as Made in Queensland, Industry 4.0 programs, Design in Manufacturing and Women in Manufacturing events and workshops.

Minister Butcher said the week of collaborative learning was in its third year and growing bigger and better every year. 

For more information on Inside Advanced Manufacturing or to register for a tour visit: www.rdmw.qld.gov.au/manufacturing/assistance-programs/inside-advanced-manufacturing

ENDS