"Missing puzzle piece" for Australian manufacturing collaboration announced

A national “matchmaking platform” originally developed for manufacturers and others to respond to the Covid-19 outbreak has been expanded, with a goal to “continue to provide solutions long after this pandemic.”

The popular Covid-19 Response Register would build on the impressive response of Australian manufacturing to the crisis, according to those behind it, and help companies collaborate and find customers. It now includes a supply and capability matching function, and the ability for users to search and filter through listings.

The platform had led to companies pivoting and working together to supply medical goods and PPE, said industry minister Karen Andrews, and could be used at the demand end by “hospitals, GPs and community groups” to source supplies.

“This digital platform is the missing puzzle piece that will unlock widespread collaboration across the manufacturing sector and boost domestic capability by creating and expanding local supply chains,” she added.

Dr Jens Goennemann, managing director of AMGC, said the local manufacturing response to the pandemic demonstrated the sector’s strength and resilience, and “this enhanced platform allows them to continue to support the COVID-19 response while offering their services to a broader range of potential customers.

“Collaboration is key to the manufacturing industry’s continued success and we encourage manufacturers, suppliers and customers to leverage the platform to benefit all participants.

“We want to ensure that the overwhelming offers of support from manufacturers, suppliers and individuals live as a resource and continue to provide solutions long after this pandemic.”

The register was developed by the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre, launched on March 25, and grew to include 2,000 participants in under a month. There are currently over 2,500 registrants, with a further 600 local businesses identified through the federal department of industry now added.

More information on the register can be found at this link.

Subscribe to our free @AuManufacturing newsletter here.