Aerospace manufacturing business Toolcraft Australia receives export funding grant

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Image from Toolcraft Australia Website

Precision aerospace manufacturer Toolcraft Australia is one of 95 South Australian businesses to receive funding as part of the Marshall Liberal Government’s new eCommerce Accelerator Program (eCAP).

Toolcraft has been awarded a $10,000 grant to expand their presence in high growth supply chains in North America, North Asia and Europe – the companies’ newest target markets. The Holden Hill-based company is an Approved Supplier for Defence, Science and Technology (DST) Group and many defence primes, including BAE Systems, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Thales and Rheinmetall.

Toolcraft General Manager, Innovation and Aerospace, Greg Stevens said the grant would enable Toolcraft to expedite the development of a new export focused eCommerce platform.

“This new platform will target international defence and aerospace companies through the implementation of SEO and new content,” Mr Stevens said.

“It will also assist in improving Toolcraft’s first impressions, provide an interactive online mechanism to engage new customers, plug into a customer relationship management tool, and drive marketing endeavours through linking to professional social media platforms such as LinkedIn.”

“Toolcraft will also look at using this opportunity to setup Google Analytics and Tag Manager to generate useful data and facilitate the undertaking of more useful export market research.”

Other businesses will share in more than $930,000 in grants that are designed to help exporters sell more of their products or services digitally through channels both here and abroad, by embracing and leveraging eCommerce.

In a statement Minister for Trade and Investment, Stephen Patterson, said there has never been a more important time to support our local exporters to grow their businesses, particularly following the challenges of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

“Each successful recipient will use the grant funding to diversify their business model and boost their e-commerce capability. This will help them promote and sell more products, generate more revenue, create new jobs, and tap into new export markets,” Mr Patterson said.

281 applications were received, covering a broad cross-section of high growth industry sectors including food, wine and agribusiness, tourism, hi-tech, and defence.

Mr Patterson acknowledged the ‘overwhelmingly high’ response for the new program, prompting them to increase the allocated funding from the initial $500,000. Congratulating all the recipients of the eCAP he said his department will continue to provide support in assisting exporting companies to grow their eCommerce capability.

“I am looking forward to seeing each of these businesses adapt their business models to drive new leads from across the globe in this digital landscape.”

“Looking through an eCommerce lens, this position will aid the department’s efforts in supporting businesses to connect with the Chinese market, create strong international relationships and capitalise on export opportunities.”

Read the full media release here. 

Image: Toolcraft Australia Website