Contracts follow Boeing-led efforts in SME capability uplift

Australian small businesses participating in Boeing Australia’s first Capability Up-Lift Program have graduated with seven Boeing contracts, including agreements with three new suppliers.

Vice president and managing director of Boeing Defence Australia Scott Carpendale said: “SMEs bring significant value to the Defence industry including agility and innovative technologies in key areas such as manufacturing, cyber security and extended reality products.

“The programme participants have graduated with tools they need to increase business maturity and improve overall program performance and are we are looking forward to growing real capability for our industry with the contribution our diverse suppliers.”

The year-long programme designed to support companies who may not have experience working in a defence environment was delivered with partners the Office of Defence Industry Support from the Department of Defence, AusIndustry and Defence Jobs Queensland.

Together, they shared resources and access to industry experts to provide SMEs with advisory services, mentoring and major event access to enhance business readiness and Defence maturity.

At the time of graduating, participants have received the following grants and awards:

• Two businesses – HINDSITE Industries and Raytracer – who received $2.8 million in grants and funding to productise their technologies for aerospace, in the areas of virtual reality technology and on-orbit vehicle servicing, assembly and manufacture as part of Australia’s Moon to Mars Initiative
• Three businesses – HINDSITE Industries, LOGiT and JRS Group received their first Boeing contracts
• And seven SMEs who received ten industry awards at both state and national levels.

HINDSITE Industries managing director Liam Scanlan said: “The Boeing Capability Up-Lift programme has exposed us to the defence and aerospace industry and provided greater understanding of how we can ensure our business is best placed to compete and win on contracts.

“Our participation broke down barriers to entry, and we were delighted to secure multiple contracts, including with Boeing, and federal grants – all made possible through access to key training and events where we could build and foster relationships with other participants and industry experts.”

Picture: Boeing/Boeing and programme participants at Capability Up-Lift graduation event