Bosch opens manufacturing automation centre

Bosch Australia’s bold experiment in creating a new manufacturing business in Australia out of the ashes of its automotive operations has demonstrated its success with the opening of a new $17 million Manufacturing Automation Centre in Clayton, Victoria.

The purpose-built facility (pictured) now houses Bosch Australia Manufacturing Solutions (BAMS) and the Rexroth Drives and Controls businesses.

Bosch formerly supplied vehicle computers to the Australian automotive industry as well as exporting systems to Asia.

Instead of closing the operation with the demise of Holden and Toyota, the company retained a 200-strong engineering workforce and created a manufacturing automation and specialised machine building business on its built up manufacturing expertise.

President of Bosch Oceania, Gavin Smith, said: “Manufacturing automation is now the fastest growing part of our business.

“We are leveraging our more than 50 years of manufacturing experience and factory automation know-how and drawing on the global expertise within the Bosch group, to help Australian manufacturers become fit for the future.”

BAMS is now being seen by Bosch operations overseas as a potential new business model to take advantage of its in-house automation skills, and is a feather in the cap of the Australian-led business.

The establishment of the new centre also completes the consolidation of all Bosch’s businesses in Victoria at its Clayton campus, boosting strategic collaboration and innovation.

Victorian industry minister Martin Pakula said: “Victoria is the place for innovators like Bosch Australia to grow and thrive, due to our skilled workforce, established supply chains, engineering expertise, education excellence, and research and development capability.

“We will continue to support businesses to capitalise on the opportunities and talent available in Victoria, ensuring we remain at the forefront of advanced manufacturing, innovation and technology.”

BAMS has become one of the country’s leading factory automation companies, working with a diverse array of blue-chip, mid-tier and start-up manufacturers to automate their manufacturing.

Most recently, BAMS was engaged by digital diagnostics company, Ellume, to automate the high-volume production of its rapid COVID-19 tests.

BAMS will build and install state-of-the-art automated assembly lines to increase production capacity.

The manufacturing lines, which will provide Ellume with one part per second capacity, are built onsite in Clayton, for installation at Ellume’s Richlands facility in Queensland.

BAMS is also building a further 16 lines for Ellume’s production facility in the United States.

BAMS is also working with CSL to create a high-tech automatic materials handling line for their manufacturing facility in Broadmeadows.

BAMS was also part of the industry consortium led by Grey Innovation that built ventilators in the fight against COVID-19.

Picture: Trif Visuals

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