The recently-announced manufacturing centre in Victoria will have a positive influence on the 2009 National Manufacturing Week (NMW), raising awareness of small and local businesses in manufacturing and processing, and positioning Victoria as a centre of excellence in the field.
The Federal Government’s Victorian Enterprise Connect Manufacturing Centre in Dandenong will offer around 4,000 small and medium Victorian businesses access to information services which will boost their positions in the industry, said the organisers of NMW.
To be held between 12th and 15th May 2009, NMW gathers together world-class manufacturers to share ideas and technologies.
Together with the new manufacturing centre, National Manufacturing Week 2009 will put Victoria on the map as one of the manufacturing centres of Australia.
“NMW is a well-established event, especially in Victoria where there is a strong manufacturing base, and it is good to see that the Federal Government is encouraging the manufacturing sector to ‘think smarter’ in terms of how they operate,” said NMW exhibition manager, Paul Baker.
“In today’s uncertain economic climate, it is critical that businesses invest in technology, systems and services to increase productivity and efficiency — and this is an excellent example of government support for our vital manufacturing sector.
The new $32 million manufacturing centre is part of a national network of manufacturing and innovation centres designed to help firms become stronger by focusing squarely on innovation, creativity and excellence.
Opening the facility, Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, said it was an integral part of the government’s $251 million Enterprise Connect initiative.
“Victorian firms can now tap into the latest ideas and technologies by accessing a network with local roots and a global reach,” Senator Carr said.
Senator Carr said officers from the Industry Capability Network of Victoria would also be based at the centre.
Baker said that NMW organiser, Reed Exhibitions, along with its exhibition partners, have been working on a number of new initiatives designed to increase the profile of NMW so it becomes a destination for manufacturers from around the country.
“New features at next year’s NMW in Melbourne will include Austech’s ‘Factory Of The Future’ and a dedicated Logistics and Materials Handling section,” said Baker.
“These two sections will add new and exciting dynamics to next year’s event.”
Coordinated by AMTIL, Factory of the Future will cover over 750 sq m of floor space, and will feature the very latest in fully automated laser-controlled machine tools, separate ‘cells’ demonstrating robotics and laser technology, as well as design and prototyping.
“Seminars are planned alongside the feature exhibits so visitors can learn about the latest technology and manufacturing techniques — and then be able to see it operating,” said Baker.
“This will allow visitors to tap into the very latest developments and technologies, and see how they can have an impact on increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and raising their profits.
Baker said that NMW’s Logistics, Materials Handling & Distribution (LMHD) pavilion is set to grow dramatically.
“Companies are looking at ways to increase productivity and efficiencies throughout the entire supply chain and the efficient movement of finished products is an integral discipline.
“So LMHD will feature the latest in forklift developments, storage and racking solutions as well as new technologies in radio frequency-controlled warehousing and RFID.”
For more information about NMW, contact Reed Exhibitions, John Delpech, ph 02 9422 2568, email john.delpech@reedexhibitions.com.au, website www.nationalmanufacturingweek.com.au