Make Australia Make Again: expanding the value of the manufacturer response register
A manufacturing industry with an appropriate bandwidth is best placed to respond to changing market demands, whatever they may be. Whether those changing needs are manufacturing different types of products in response to a crisis like COVID-19, or a sound long-term business venture, a broad, well-established manufacturing industry is essential to capitalising on any opportunities.
The more manufacturing capability a country has, the better it can pivot in any type of crisis.
AN Opportunity to Ignite Australia’s Manufacturing Capability
The COVID-19 crisis has presented the Australian manufacturing industry with the opportunity to further ignite the country’s capabilities, add more value onshore, create jobs, and become more globally competitive.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an impressive response from Australian manufacturers, many of whom are AMGC members. Manufacturers stepped up to help, focussing on areas of critical need such as ventilators, hospital beds, and PPE manufacture. The dedication and enthusiasm of manufacturers across the nation in reacting to the crisis underlined the strength and collaborative nature of our manufacturing industry.
COVID-19 Manufacturer Response Register
The dedication of Australian manufacturers was evidenced in the overwhelmingly positive reception AMGC received on launching the COVID-19 Manufacturer Response Register in late March. Since then, over 2,500 manufacturers have registered and are using the Response Register to match supply with demand.
For example, four Australian manufacturers teamed up with one of the world’s leading medical technology companies—in record time—to map a local supply chain, adapt design specifications, create prototypes, and begin production of an Emergency Relief Hospital Bed. Mattress manufacturer A.H. Beard, wheel and castor maker Fallshaw, vehicle conversion specialists AmTek Australia, and fabrication and engineering company Varley Group all signed up to help Stryker South Pacific get production moving as quickly as possible.
Expanding the Value of the Manufacturer Response Register
To expand the value of the Manufacturer Response Register beyond COVID-19, AMGC and the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER) have added two key functionalities to the Register:
- Matching capability with supply
- Allowing users to search and filter listings
The capability matching feature of the platform allows companies to post a need, solution, or capability online, which is then shared on a live community feed. The supply matching feature helps suppliers connect with organisations looking for crucial supplies across the manufacturing value chain, be it research, design, production, or service and support.
AMGC’s objective is to ensure that the overwhelming offers of support from manufacturers, suppliers and individuals live as a resource and continue to provide solutions long after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed.
The Manufacturer Response Register can be reached via: https://connect.amgc.org.au
Source:
‘Make Australia Make Again’, by Greg Bearup, Weekend Australian, 23 May 2020