Free business reviews and supporting grants are now being offered to defence industry SMEs through the Federal Government’s $50 million-a-year Enterprise Connect Initiative.
Mr Tony Quick, Director of the Defence Industry Innovation Centre (DIIC) briefed defence industry SMEs on the new services available to them last week at a breakfast held by the Australian Industry & Defence Network Victoria (AIDN-Vic) in Chadstone, Victoria.
Mr Quick told attendees the new Centre would help SMEs become more competitive both in Australia and internationally and enhance their efficiency, productivity and responsiveness.
“Eligible SMEs are matched with an experienced Business Advisor who will help them identify strengths and opportunities, assess potential areas for growth and improvement and access world-class business tools, processes and technology. This is provided at no financial cost to the firm.
“Following this process, Enterprise Connect will encourage SMEs to implement the findings of the Business Review by providing financial support. Enterprise Connect contributes half the cost of approved advisory projects, up to a maximum of $20,000.”
Enterprise Connect would also help SMEs access opportunities available at the Defence Materials Technology Centre, Mr Quick said.
DMTC is a joint venture between defence industry, universities and government research agencies focused on enhancing Australia’s defence capability through the development of new materials and manufacturing technologies.
It offers SMEs a clear path to delivering on the specific needs of the Australian Defence Force through a collaborative and integrated supply chain model.
Mr Quick said key elements of DIIC’s strategy were to:
· assist SMEs to enter the Defence supply chain
· increase the productivity of SMEs in the Defence supply chain
· increase the productivity of the Defence supply chain
· assist SMEs to diversify within Australia
· assist SMEs to become ready for export
“Defence is a global business – the US obviously has a dominant role, and overseas-sourced equipment dominates Australian defence purchases,” he said.
“Anyone who supplies to DMO knows that demand comes in lumps and if you were relying on that as your only order it would be a long time between drinks.
“Defence export helps smooth Australian Defence demand and in some instances is the major route for defence manufacturers.
“Defence are supportive of export needs and have various programs, including DEU, AIC and JSF IT. Our role at here at DIIC is to help Defence SMEs to be export-ready.”
Mr Quick said support was gathering among prime Defence industry players to bring a industry wide continuous improvement program based on a similar UK initiative known as SC21 (Supply chain 21st Century) to Australia. He said Enterprise Connect would help SMEs implement the program, which is designed to accelerate the competitiveness of the aerospace and defence industry by raising the performance of its supply chains.
He noted that while supply chain improvements inevitably required financial commitment by SMEs, the return on investment was always worthwhile and critical to the long term viability of the company.
For support from the centre, a Defence SME is defined as an Australian-based company (ACN) with turnover less than $100m, which is providing or has the capacity to provide defence specific goods or services in a supply chain which leads to a department of Defence.
Posted by DMTC on September 13th, 2009 While they rarely get the limelight, Defence scientists are critical to Australia’s security, the Federal Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, The Hon Greg Combet AM MP told Parliament today.
Mr Combet said the Federal Government was placing increased emphasis on the ability of Defence scientists to innovate and design new technologies and to apply and adapt existing technologies.
“Australia was one of the first nations in the world to recognise the importance of applied science and dedicated scientific research in sustaining a credible national defence effort. For more than a hundred years, science has been an integral part of Australia’s defence. From beginnings that were built around the technologies of the day – principally explosives and munitions – Australia’s defence science now covers the spectrum of our national defence capabilities.
“From kinetics to electro-optics, from metallurgy to adhesives, from aeronautics to nutrition, our scientists are fundamental to the technological edge that is essential if our defence force is to deliver the level of security that the Australian people expect of Government.
“With strategic responsibility for a disproportionate share of the earth’s surface, but with a small population, Australia has to be both agile and smart if it is to maintain an adequate defence capacity. Defence science provides the ultimate force multiplier.
“While our scientists are largely unseen, they are in fact our secret weapon. Their contribution is critical.”
Mr Combet detailed the activities and accomplishments of DSTO, the lead agency charged with applying science and technology to protect and defend Australia and its national interests. He noted that DSTO’s track record in rising to the challenges of increased deployments of Australian the increased deployment of Australian troops overseas, the current global security environment, new advances in technology and the multi-billion dollar Defence acquisition program was impressive.
“To deliver on its research program DSTO continues to forge closer links with industry and the science and technology community both here and overseas. These links enable industry to better support the capabilities needed to defend Australia,” said Mr Combet.
He highlighted the successful establishment of the Defence Materials Technology Centre as distinct form of collaboration between Defence and industry.
“The DMTC aims to leverage the expertise and resources of DSTO, industry, universities and other public research bodies to develop leading-edge materials-related technologies for the ADF,” he said.
“The Rudd Government intends to promote further joint ventures in high technology areas of interest to Defence. Accordingly, DSTO will expand its engagement program with its industry and overseas partners to stay ahead of the technology curve.”
Posted by DMTC on September 8th, 2009 The Defence Materials Technology Centre (DTMC) has welcomed today’s launch of the $21.2 million Enterprise Connect Defence Industry Innovation Centre.
Enterprise Connect, a national centre based in Dandenong, Victoria will assist Australian defence sector businesses respond to the unique challenges they face, including the very high demand for technological innovation.
DMTC CEO Dr Mark Hodge welcomed further strengthening of Australian Defence industry.
“DMTC programs provide a mechanism for defence industry businesses both large and small, and the research sector, to work closely with their primary end user – the Department of Defence – to develop and supply valuable technological and manufacturing advancements that are consistent with ADF requirements,” explained Dr Hodge.
“As such, Enterprise Connect will provide a real additional benefit to DMTC partners and non-partners alike. The connectivity and benchmarking services in particular will be of undoubted benefit to the sector.”
The Centre will be under the expert stewardship of Tony Quick, Centre Director and Chris Jenkins, current Managing Director of Thales, as Interim Advisory Board Chair. Mr Quick is also a Director of DMTC.
Enterprise Connect was launched by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr and the Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, Mr Greg Combet AM MP.
“The Government recognises that businesses across Australia operate in an increasingly integrated international marketplace. A key challenge in responding to this is their capacity to develop strategies to become more competitive in the global community,” Senator Carr said.
“Through this Centre, the Rudd Government is working with defence industry businesses to provide the tools and advice they need to become more productive, innovative and dynamic.”
Mr Combet said that the Department of Defence developed the Centre with the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.
“The new Centre offers a range of hands-on services for small to medium enterprises in the defence industry sector, including free business reviews and supporting grants to help boost productivity and support the Australian Defence Force (ADF),” Mr Combet said.
“The total Defence investment of $21.2 million shows the Rudd Government’s strong commitment to supporting Australia’s defence sector.
“It will help support defence small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to produce innovative products for the ADF and break into global supply chains.”
The Centre is part of the Rudd Government’s Enterprise Connect network that helps Australian SMEs boost their productivity, innovation and competitiveness.
Posted by DMTC on September 2nd, 2009 An Australian Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle struck by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) to the north of Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan has been credited with protecting Australian troops travelling in the vehicle.
The soldiers, from the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF), were operating north of Tarin Kowt when the incident occurred on Thursday, 27 August 2009.
The Department of Defence issued a media release stating that while the vehicle was damaged, Australian troops within escaped injury.
“This incident is a reminder of the ongoing danger that IEDs pose to local nationals and ADF personnel in Afghanistan. It also highlights the outstanding protection provided by the Bushmaster vehicle,” said the Department.
The Bushmaster vehicle is manufactured by Thales Australia’s Bendigo facility. Thales is a core participant of the Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC), active in the Armour Applications program. It is involved in a project focused on evolution of vehicle armour requirements and development of improved systems and manufacturing techniques.
DMTC is a private joint venture between defence industry, universities and government research agencies focused on enhancing Australia’s defence capability through the development of new materials and manufacturing technologies.
Posted by DMTC on August 31st, 2009