Industry Growth Program taps AMCN to boost AU manufacturing

The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Hub has embraced the Australian Manufacturing Capability Network as a key Industry Partner Organisation for the Industry Growth Program.

Minister for Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic unveiled the selection of several not-for-profit organizations, including the AMCN, to collaborate with the Industry Growth Program.

Their primary objective will be to assist participating SMEs in launching new products and services into the market, ARM Hub stated in a media release.

In particular, the Industry Growth Program is designed to furnish startups and high-growth SMEs operating within the priority sectors of the National Reconstruction Fund with expert advice on commercialization and early-stage business expansion. This counsel is dispensed by Industry Growth Program advisers.

In its capacity as an Industry Partner Organisation, the AMCN will complement this advisory framework, enhancing the support extended to SMEs by delivering specialized advisory services drawn from its wealth of sectoral expertise.

Expressing her enthusiasm, ARM Hub Founder and CEO, Professor Cori Stewart, emphasised the significance of this collaboration in empowering SMEs and startups to emerge as global innovation frontrunners.

“On behalf of the AMCN, we are thrilled to be partnering with the Industry Growth Program. I would like to thank the Australian Government for this opportunity as well as our network partners for their commitment to strengthening sovereign manufacturing capability and growing the national economy,” stated Professor Stewart.

She continued, “Australian industry has a scale-up challenge resulting in a ‘missing middle’ of ambitious export-orientated SMEs and startups. Small business – which accounts for 93% of all Australian business – have low levels of free cash flow and human resources that limit their capacity to invest in adopting and scaling innovation.”

Under the leadership of the ARM Hub, the AMCN aims to alleviate these challenges by facilitating access to a comprehensive network of technology experts, cutting-edge manufacturing facilities and equipment, and invaluable commercialisation services.

“We complement the role of the Industry Growth Program by offering deep technical support across the spectrum of ‘enabling capabilities’ such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems,” Professor Stewart added.

The AMCN, a collaborative effort between industry, government, and universities, boasts a roster of members, including the ARM Hub, Core Innovation Hub, CSIRO, Flinders University, Swinburne University of Technology, Queensland Government, University of Technology Sydney, and Western Sydney University.