Invest Australia
Australian tooling technology is world class, with more than 600 companies employing up to 7000 skilled people in design (CAD/CAM), manufacture and operation of CNC precision machining, milling, drilling, forging, pneumatic, welding, cutting and grinding, moulds and dies, robotic and automated equipment.
The tooling industry supplies the automotive, aerospace, metal products, electronics, consumer goods, construction and mining sectors. Emerging opportunities include the shipbuilding, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and renewable energy industries.
Commitment and support to the sector includes through TIFA, Austool, AMTIL, and the Australian Government's Advanced Manufacturing Action Agenda and Automotive Competitiveness Investment Scheme (ACIS).
Performance
Industrial machinery and equipment manufacturing in Australia grew 10% in 2002-03, with sales of A$12.1b and value added of A$4b.
Annual tooling exports have grown to more than A$150m of high tech equipment to China, Asia, Europe and the USA.
Free Trade Agreements currently in place with the USA, Thailand, NZ, Singapore and in progress with China, Malaysia and ASEAN position Australia to take advantage of rapid growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
Innovation
Australian manufacturers are adept at using new business models and production techniques, working with new materials and in collaborative networks.
Innovation in the sector is driven by the Cooperative Research Centres for Intelligent Manufacturing Systems, CSIRO, Austool Australian Centre for Toolmaking Innovation (AACTI), QMI Solutions, Australian Technology Showcase, Centre for Advanced Manufacturing Research and Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing.
Successes
US crushing and sizing machine manufacturer McLanahan Corporation found the combination of skilled people, quality local suppliers and strong transport links made Australia the ideal base from which to serve Asia.
HuaGong Farley Laserlab conducts design, manufacture, R&D, sales and export of its cutting systems to Asia and the USA from Melbourne due to Australian brand strength and engineering quality.
Swedish Group Sandvik manufactures and distributes tools, and materials handling system components for the mining industry in Australia and exports to Asia.
There are also many leading Australian tooling companies supplying overseas customers such as Lockheed Martin, Lufthansa, Mercedes Benz, Alcatel, Airbus and British Medical Laboratories.
