South Australian Manufacturing Industry Receives a Boost

20 Aug 08

The first of six manufacturing centres designed to boost productivity and competitiveness was opened in South Australia yesterday.

The $20 million Enterprise Connect Mawson Lakes Manufacturing Centre is part of the Rudd government’s plan to form a national manufacturing network at a total cost of $251 million.

Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Kim Carr said the centre would support companies by providing prototyping and testing facilities to shorten the path between concept and application.

"It will also help companies cut through red tape to get to other government programs and act as a gateway to Australia's integration infrastructure in universities, public research organisations and the rest of the private sector,” he said.

Up to 150 firms in SA would receive direct assistance with 101 out of 104 applications already approved, Senator Carr said.

Seventy firms had completed their business review and 26, mainly in manufacturing, had already received a tailored advisory services grant (dollar-for-dollar; valued at up to $20,000).

Senator Carr said $434,000 had been granted to date which would generate almost $900,000 worth of new investment in innovation and enterprise improvement.

The grants fund strategic planning, operational changes, marketing plans, and measures to boost productivity. The Enterprise Connect program will directly help 1,000 firms nationwide with around 2,000 benefiting indirectly each year, Senator Carr said.

He added that 887 companies had applied for Enterprise Connect business reviews, four-fifths of them manufacturers.

In addition, a $40 million South Australian Innovation and Investment Fund was established by the federal and SA governments to create sustainable, full-time jobs, strengthen the capacity of the state’s manufacturing and industry sector, and to introduce new technology and innovations.

For more information on Enterprise Connect visit www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au or phone 131 791.