AMGC launches Ten Ways to Succeed in Australian Manufacturing report

The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre has released a new research report including a list of ten ways manufacturers can position themselves for future success.

According to the AMGC, it comes at an important time for the industry, which has demonstrated a high level of capability in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, earned significant public appreciation, and needs to be nurtured to help it drive future prosperity.

“Australia remains very much a manufacturing nation, reliant on global trade. We must take decisive action to reduce our dependence on the export of primary raw materials and transition from being a lucky country to a smart country, by adding value and advancing our onshore capabilities,” said Dr Jens Goennemann, Managing Director of AMGC.

“We must expand our understanding and look beyond the outdated view that manufacturing is just production. Manufacturing is a capability, an enabler and a vital component of our economy.”

The report finds that manufacturing had a high degree of support even before the pandemic, with 65 per cent of Australians ranking it as important or very important.

The Ten Ways report report identifies the industry’s “pain points and opportunities as a result of expansive industry consultation,” said the AMGC, with these “stress-tested against industry peers, the public and over 1,000 students to gauge where Australian manufacturers can focus to better align their practices, to increase positive perception, and to grow their overall business impact.”

The full report can be accessed here.

The pain points and their solutions are listed below (Source: AMGC)

• Australia needs to recognise its manufacturing strength:

– 60% of Australians believe manufacturing is changing, becoming safer and more innovative

– Youth see potential in manufacturing careers, rate job security and career progression highly

– Industry and media have an active role to play in addressing common industry myths (page 12)

• Manufacturers should focus on good leadership:

– Local management skills rate average when compared to countries with similar GDP (page 15)

– Good leadership is crucial to success and practical steps can be taken to address leadership issues

– Business culture, self-confidence and leading by example are vital for innovation and growth

• Change has to be planned for:

– 88.2% of business do not have a strategic plan, while 42% do not monitor KPIs (page 19)

– AMGC found business owners and operators worked ‘in’ rather than ‘on’ the business

– Manufacturers are encouraged to make time to plan, seek advice and engage with industry or governmental support agencies to unlock potential

• Build a network and collaborate:

– The 12% of Australian manufacturers that collaborate are more successful

– ‘Zero-sum’ thinking is a barrier to growth. Collaborating with peers and research institutions can unlock productivity, quality and product gains while delivering 8% in revenue gains (page 25). 

– Australian manufacturers’ competitors are not the businesses next door, but the businesses overseas

• Work with Australian research institutions:

– 81.4% of small and 75.4% of medium-sized enterprise do not engage with research institutions

– Manufacturers that invested in collaboration are more successful than those that do not

– It is a two-way street: Researchers gain practical experience, industry gains expert insight (page 32)

• Adopt technology

– Far from being a ‘job-killer’, technology is an enabler and equaliser, it can lead to productivity, quality and upskilling opportunities

– Australian manufacturers lag other industries in adopting advanced technologies (page 36)

– Some manufacturers are ‘put-off’ by a lack of understanding or misconceptions about the cost of investment, these businesses should seek expert advice (page 37)

• Accessing capital

– One in five Australian businesses have stated difficulty accessing finance and 45% of SMEs do not use accountancy software

– 17.6% of respondents cited access to capital as an obstacle. 15.8% also cited cost inputs as a barrier and 18.6% listed overdue accounts as a handbrake on capital (page 43)

– Accessing capital should not be onerous. Having an up-to-date business plan (Way 3), accessing grants and talking to your financial institution are good places to start

• Hire the right people 

– Manufacturing suffers from one of the highest skills shortages at 17% (page 49)

– Just 3% of students considered a career in manufacturing, and many were advised to seek careers elsewhere

– Two-thirds of the public recognise that manufacturing is evolving and will become more innovative

– Talent can be sourced by engaging with local schools, providing internships, and using technology to recruit

• Build your workforce culture 

– Building a healthy workplace culture can lead to a ready talent pool and an engaged workforce

– In-house upskilling, job shadowing and mentoring lead to better performing and more productive teams

– Culture is not a nice to have, it is a must-have and can impact retention and innovation

• Extend your market reach

– Just 5% of Australian manufacturers account for 99% of the industries’ total export value (page 68)

– 80% of Australians recognise that trade and export of Australian goods benefit the economy

– Companies that export demonstrate growth, productivity, profitability and wage benefits and more should take active steps to increase their reach and customers

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