Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading.

5) LESSONS FROM AUSTRALIA’S MOST INNOVATIVE MANUFACTURERS

On the opening day of Australian Manufacturing Week, @AuManufacturing and the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre held a special event: Lessons from Australia’s most innovative manufacturers.

This is the introduction speech from the event, covering some of what we’ve learned so far from @AuManufacturing’s ongoing search to identify and celebrate Australia’s 50 most innovative manufacturers. By Brent Balinski.

4) MCDOWELL’S MOVE TO TOP NAVAL JOB BODES WELL FOR SMES

A vigorous campaigner for truly sovereign, Australian defence SMEs, Nova Systems Chief Executive Officer Jim McDowell, is to leave his job for a new role with the Department of Defence that will help shape the future of industry.

McDowell will leave the largely consulting services company to take up the appointment of Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment at the Australian Department of Defence.

3) INFANTRY VEHICLE MANUFACTURING TO BE SCALED BACK ‘SHORTLY’ – CONROY

The Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy will move ‘very shortly’ to action plans to cut back on Army purchases of infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) as foreshadowed in the government’s response to the Defence Strategic Review.

The review, which emphasised long-range strike capabilities and naval reform over the land army, called for the Land 400 phase 3 contract to be scaled back to 129 vehicles as opposed to 450.

2) INDUSTRY GROWTH PROGRAM ‘MODEST BUT WELL CONSIDERED’

Budget 2023 provided $392 million for an Industry Growth Program to maximise the return on taxpayers’ investments and provide a clearer pathway for entrepreneurs to develop businesses for later consideration by the government’s $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund. By Roy Green.

1) INDUSTRY GROWTH PROGRAM FEATURES IN BUDGET NEWS NOT PREVIOUSLY LEAKED

In a budget the government characterised as prudent – it predicts a rare surplus not achieved by the Coalition in its nine years in power – there was little new for industry and science.

However, writes Peter Roberts, industry funding included a few surprises such as an investment of $392 million in an Industry Growth Program to maximise the return on taxpayers’ investments and provide a clearer pathway for entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into businesses.

And in case you missed our podcast…

In episode 60 of @AuManufacturing Conversations With Brent Balinski, XFrame CFO Simon McKean tells us about the company’s story so far, distributed production, looking towards large-scale residential projects, and more.

Picture: Hanwha Defense Australia/Hanwha is offering its Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle to the Australian Army.