The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) has marked ten years of operations, pointing to its role in supporting Australian manufacturing projects that it says have generated jobs, commercial outcomes and economic returns.
In a media release, AMGC said it has co-invested in 170 manufacturing projects since its establishment, involving more than 500 industry and research collaborators.
The projects represent more than $170 million in combined funding and are expected to return over $1.72 billion to the Australian economy.
The organisation said these activities have contributed to the creation or upskilling of more than 4,500 manufacturing roles nationwide.
AMGC Managing Director Dr Jens Goennemann said the centre’s approach focused on backing industry-led ideas to strengthen manufacturing capability.
“Over the past ten years, our engagement model has shown that when good ideas are backed by well-informed knowledge and rather modest funding, we can create manufacturing jobs and prosperity,” he said, adding that projects have spanned sectors including critical minerals, health, space and clean energy.
The organisation said some AMGC-supported projects have contributed to the growth of companies such as Alpha HPA Limited and Gilmour Space, which it described as examples of Australian manufacturing innovation reaching global markets.
AMGC also highlighted its work during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it coordinated an industry consortium to deliver locally made, Therapeutic Goods Administration-approved ventilators for the National Medical Stockpile.
AMGC Chair Paul Cooper said the centre’s focus has included supporting smaller manufacturers to scale. “Australia has more than 47,000 manufacturers, yet 90 per cent employ 20 or fewer people,” he said.
“Our goal is to further unlock that potential and help businesses scale and innovate so they can become the next big Australian companies.”
Chief Operating Officer Kelly Godeau said AMGC’s role has been to connect industry and government to support manufacturing growth.
“For ten years, AMGC has put industry first and delivered tangible results,” she said. “Our role is to bring industry and government together to translate policy into practical outcomes and keep Australian manufacturing growing.”
AMGC said it enters its second decade with a network of more than 4,500 members and continues to work with governments and industry on manufacturing capability, collaboration and export growth.
