Six SMEs share grants to boost defence export potential

Six Australian small businesses have shared in more than $1.3 million in federal government grants designed to boost their export potential.

Defence industry Melissa Price today announced the latest recipients of grants under the Defence Global Competitiveness Grant Program.

Price said: “We are helping businesses around the country to upgrade their manufacturing processes and equipment to increase access to international markets and overseas revenue streams.”

New South Wales business Blueprint Lab, with support from the Australian Defence Export Office, has grown from a robotics hardware start-up to a company exporting to more than 11 countries.

Its latest grant will help commission a new deployable test vehicle which they will use to certify equipment to international standards.

Queensland-based Crystalaid Manufacture will use its grant to purchase an automated optical inspection machine to increase the quality and export capacity of its surface-mounted technology boards.

WA business Orbital Corporation will purchase testing equipment to increase the quality control and production capacity of its unmanned aerial vehicle propulsion systems.

Orbital is principal engine supplier to Boeing subsidiary, Insitu.

The Defence Global Competitiveness Grants announced today:

• Blueprint Lab, $198,613 to develop a deployable test vehicle to test the Reach Bravo subsea robotic arm for export
• Crystalaid Manufacture, $207,684 to increase the export capacity of surface mounted technology boards
• Frontline Manufacturing, $240,000 to upgrade computer numerical control (CNC) machines.
• Orbital Corporation Limited, $223,324 to acquire testing equipment to increase quality control and production of integrated propulsion systems and flight critical components
• Ryan Aerospace, $240,000 to purchase a high-end 3D scanner and 3D printer
• And Defendtex Military Products, $240,000 to acquire and install an Injection Moulding Line.

Picture: Crystalaid Manufacture

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