ManuFutures hub opened after $20 million expansion

Five years after its original launch, the recently-expanded ManuFutures hub at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus has been officially opened.

The $20 million “ManuFutures 2” was announced as completed in February this year, and is located behind the original ManuFutures building 

According to a statement from Deakin, 14 companies are now based at ManuFutures, with four of them in the new building. 

According to the university’s website, the second building includes a new Product Engineering Development Laboratory, six adjustable-sized expansion bays, and offices.

New “manufacturing incubator programs, training, and product engineering services” would be added through the expansion, according to the statement on Tuesday.

“Our new ManuFutures building includes collaborative working spaces and further rental tenancy bays for manufacturing businesses,” said Deakin Research Innovations Regional Manufacturing Director Mark Curnow. 

“It also has an Innoveering Centre that boasts product engineering and development capability, as well as opportunities for research collaboration and integration.”

Victorian manufacturing minister Ben Carroll opened the expanded facility on Tuesday morning, 

“Victoria is the advanced manufacturing capital of Australia and the expansion of ManuFutures will help local businesses to innovate and create jobs,” he said.

The expansion was funded by $10 million through the Victorian government’s ($10 million) Higher Education State Investment Fund (VHESIF) and the same amount from Deakin.

Picture: supplied

Further reading

Geelong to get a ManuFutures sequel

Deakin calls for startups to join new mentoring program at Manufutures