ManufactureLink Report Card 2010

6 Jan 11

2010 was a big year for ManufactureLink and down below is the report showing how we went. But first a few words as we head into 2011.

March 2011 represents 5 years since we first launched the ManufactureLink website. So this year we are planning some low-key celebrations with our suppliers and we will inform our manufacturing network what is happening over the next couple of months.

The way the site works and how ManufactureLink in general operates has changed dramatically since we first launched. We must be doing something right because so many manufacturing networks come and go yet we have managed to get stronger the longer we operate. We have also continually adapted to what our users are telling us they want and need. So as part of our 5 year anniversary we are giving our supplier members in particular the chance to tell us what we should be doing moving forward into the future. We have plenty of ideas but before we finalise our planning we want to give you a chance to have your say. Although we have already started on some new developments to reduce the amount of email the system generates, provide more power to promote your capabilities, improve the buyers experience in locating suppliers quicker, and automate many of the admin tasks we have to perform each month. Over the coming months we will be trying to get out and visit as many of you as possible and discuss how we operate now and what our future directions should be. We would also welcome any invitations to discuss what we do from businesses who are not current ManufactureLink users.

We also realise the industry is lacking real representation for the advanced manufacturers and as an organisation with one of the largest memberships of advanced manufacturers, we will also be looking for ways we can provide a bigger voice to our members wherever it is required. Currently our main role is in providing linkages between those needing manufacturing or technology solutions, and those who can provide it. We do this both through the regular ManufactureLink operations, and our role as the technical advisers to the Enterprise Connect program. In 2010 we also represented the advanced manufacturing industry in the development of the Victorian Government's 'Solar State' policy. But we will be looking to do more in 2011.

We also encourage anyone attending Austech 2011 in Melbourne this year to come and visit us at the Manufacturers Showcase and have a chat. For those who are unaware of what the Manufacturers Showcase is, this is a joint initiative between AMTIL and ManufactureLink to provide a low-cost way for precision manufacturers to showcase their capabilities to attendees of Austech. The 2011 packages will be released soon. Please contact us for more information on the Manufacturers Showcase

Now to the 2010 report.

This year we increased our site traffic considerably. There were 362,775 unique visitors to the ManufactureLink website in 2011 who viewed over 1.25 million pages. This was a 30% increase over our traffic figures for 2009.

Our supplier showrooms (profiles) were viewed 305,244 times which was a whopping 77% increase over 2009.

There were 66,556 requests for supplier contact details which equates to the number of effective sales leads generated. This was a very robust 58% increase on 2009 figures.

In 2010 we also executed over 200 individual projects for Enterprise Connect clients assisting them overcome a very, very broad range of technical barriers they faced.

Other than our Enterprise Connect work, some of the highlights for this year included beginning a relationship with Onesteel's Group Procurement for their industrial spares sourcing, assisting Australia Post to consolidate their industrial spares sourcing into their newly formed National Engineering Unit, forming closer ties with many of the leading Defence primes, assisting several very large offshore buyers to connect with Australian manufacturers, establishment of the first Manufacturers Showcase at Austech, being engaged to develop an advanced manufacturing capability map for Victoria's solar industry and delivering the presentation to Minister Allen.

The following are some more statistics that will give you a good idea of what the users of ManufactureLink are generally looking for:

The Top 50 Manufacturing Categories for 2010

3 Axis CNC Machining
Screw Cutting/Threading
Thread Rolling
Medical Device Manufacturing
Electroplating
Aluminium Material Supply
Aluminium Fabrication
5 Axis CNC Machining
Sheet Metal - Piercing, Punching, Blanking
Certified Welding
CNC Mill-Turn Machining
Sheet Metal - Bending, Forming, Rolling
High Energy Rate Forming
Hard Anodizing
Plastic Injection Molding
Fabrication - Punching
Gear Lapping
Sand Casting
Small Spring Manufacturing
Plastic Pour Molding
Liquid Silicon Rubber (LSR) Molding
Custom Aluminium Extrusions
Hot Dip Galvanizing
Toolmaking - Plastic Molds
Worm Gear Cutting
Internal Gear Cutting
Aluminium Anodizing
Manual Machining
Rapid Prototyping - 3D Printing
Spline Cutting
Metal Stamping and Metal Pressing
Steel Fabrication
Waterjet Cutting
Stretch Forming
Structural Fabrication
CNC Routing
Custom Surgical Instruments
CO2 Laser Cutting
Sheet Metal - Guillotine Shearing
Foam Molding
PTFE Teflon Coating
Die Casting
Plastic Co-Molding
Near-Net-Shape Casting
Flat Spring Manufacturing
Rapid Prototyping - Wax Printing
CNC Turret Punching
Rapid Prototyping - FDM
Compression Spring Manufacturing
Titanium Medical Component Manufacturing

The Top 20 Search Terms That Brought Visitors to the ManufactureLink Site in 2010

High energy rate forming
Manufacturelink
Manufacturing
Australian manufacturing
aluminium fabrication
cnc machining
laser cutting
linishing
aluminium extrusions
cnc milling machine
teflon coating
stretch forming
laser milling
anodizing
aluminium sales
small springs
near net shape casting
chrome plating
gear lapping
fusion bonding
sheet metal guillotine
linishing process
australian manufacturing technology
aluminium bar stock
punching and blanking
thixomolding
cold galvanizing process
blanking and piercing
black chrome plating
3 axis cnc milling machine
foam moulding
anodic bonding
wax printing
rapid prototyping
sand casting
spline cutting
3d wax printing
internal spline cutting
vertical boring
aluminium fabricators
brass suppliers
hard anodizing
metal cutting
aluminium toolboxes
ultrasonic milling
metal pressing
thread rolling
foil packaging
zincanneal
centreless grinding

We no longer track the dollar value of opportunities due to lack of resources (it is very labour intensive to do). But historically we used to track at about $2.5 million per month and we would expect this has increased significantly as our site traffic has increased. Also as not all enquiries are reported to us, the actual figure would be much, much higher.

Thank you for your support and we look forward to another big year in 2011.

George Pofandt
Managing Director