Contracts follow Boeing-led actions in SME capability uplift 

Australian small businesses participating in Boeing Australia’s first Capability Up-Lift Program have graduated with seven Boeing contracts, incorporating concurrences with three new providers. 

VP and managing director of Boeing Defence Australia Scott Carpendale said, “SMEs bring significant value to the Defence industry including agility and innovative technologies in key areas such as manufacturing, cybersecurity and extended reality products.” 

The year-long program intended to help organisations who might not have experience working in a defence environment was conveyed with accomplices by the Office of Defence Industry Support from the Department of Defence, AusIndustry and Defence Jobs Queensland. 

“The programme participants have graduated with tools they need to increase business maturity and improve overall program performance and we are looking forward to growing real capability for our industry with the contribution of our diverse suppliers,” said Carpendale. 

Among the organisations that secured an agreement with Boeing are HINDSITE Industries and Raytracer, which got $2.8 million in grants and funding to deliver their technologies for aviation, in the areas of virtual reality innovation and on-orbit vehicle servicing, assembly, and manufacture, as a component of Australia’s Moon to Mars Initiative. 

Three organisations, in particular HINDSITE Industries, LOGiT, and JRS Group, got their initial Boeing contracts through the program. 

HINDSITE Industries managing director Liam Scanlan said, “The Boeing Capability Up-Lift programme has exposed us to the defence and aerospace industry and provided a greater understanding of how we can ensure our business is best placed to compete and win on contracts.” 

In the meantime, seven SMEs got 10 industry awards at both state and national levels. 

“Our participation broke down barriers to entry, and we were delighted to secure multiple contracts, including with Boeing, and federal grants – all made possible through access to key training and events where we could build and foster relationships with other participants and industry experts,” said Scanlan.