The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, guarantees his support to manufacturers at the Endeavour Awards held during National Manufacturing Week 2008.
“Soon after the budget, we had one financial journalist arguing “it’s ludicrous to … prop up failing manufacturing industries across the south-east quarter of the country when the growth is actually taking place in the north and the west,” recalled Senator Kim Carr.
“The journalist asked “what’s the point of throwing more money” at manufacturing “when it’s eventually going to close anyhow because it’s going to be killed by Chinese imports?” Unfortunately, this short-sighted and defeatist attitude is all too common. It overlooks the enormous importance of manufacturing to our economy, society, innovation capacity, trade balance, and national security,”
“Manufacturing contributes 10 per cent to GDP, employs 1.1 million people, accounts for two-fifths of business
spending on R&D and generated more than $87 billion worth of exports last year,” he said.
Speaking at the award ceremony, Senator Carr congratulated the winner of Manufacturer of the Year, Marand Precision Engineering, for their contribution to Australian manufacturing.
“The Rudd Labor Government recognises the value of the highly innovative manufacturing sector to Australia’s economy and society,” Senator Carr said.
“Manufacturing underpins all other economic activity and a strong manufacturing industry is essential to Australia’s future prosperity.
“It is a key driver of innovation, responsible for almost 40 per cent of business expenditure on research and development, more than any other sector.
THE ENDEAVOUR AWARDS HONOUR ROLL
Manufacturer of the Year
Marand Precision Engineering
Technology Application of the Year
Winner — CaromaDorf
Highly Commended — BHP Billiton/Mitsubishi Alliance and Marand Precision Engineering
Australian Industrial Product of the Year
Winner — Thompson Couplings
Highly Commended — JNI Pallet Systems and Peacock Bros
Australian Consumer Product of the Year
Winner — Ronstan International
Highly Commended — Davies, Craig
Australian Steel Innovation Award
Winner — JNI Pallet Systems
Highly Commended — Ron Clarke & Sons
Exporter of the Year Award
Winner — Marand Precision Engineering
Highly Commended — Noja Power Switchgear and Peregrine Semiconductor Australia
Global Integration Award
Winner — Marand Precision Engineering
Highly Commended — CST Composites
Safety Scheme of the Year
Winner — Australian Synchrotron Company
Highly Commended — Amcor Beverage Cans
Environmental Solution of the Year
Winner — Symbion Consumer
Highly Commended — CaromaDorf
Young Manufacturer of the Year
Winner — Heidi Edmiston from Kraft Foods
Highly Commended — Benjamin Trager from Residential Truss Systems