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A new group has been established to drive defence industry growth and bolster opportunities across Adelaide.
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A number of defence industry organisations have teamed up to form SA-based Edinburgh Industry Alliance, supported by the City of Playford in North Adelaide.
The alliance has been set up to support jobs growth and generate work opportunities in the defence space.
Specifically, members are expected to work with government and industry stakeholders to help address supply chain challenges and the need for onshore sovereign industrial capability.
Members of the alliance include:
- Century Engineering – selected by BAE Systems Australia as a participant on the strategic supplier pilot program and to help digitise its supply chain for the $45 billion Hunter Class frigates program.
- Eptec Group — selected by ASC to deliver the $66 million contract for the blast and paint on the Collins Class full cycle dockings.
- Levett Engineering — a precision component manufacturer.
- Lionsgate Business Park, South Australia's largest industrial park.
- Sonnex — sheet metal engineering and profile cutting company.
- Williams Metal Fabrication — metal fabrication solutions provider for defence, marine, civil and construction companies.
- XTEK — supplier of protective equipment for government and military agencies.
- BiORG — provider of integrated logistics support, project management, engineering management and software development services to Defence.
- Aimpoint RPL — a defence industry services provider.
The members are based near the Edinburgh Defence Precinct, which houses the Defence Science and Technology Group, BAE Systems Australia and the future location of Boeing Australia's $160 million defence aircraft maintenance facility.
The Edinburgh Defence Precinct is also close to the northern suburbs of Adelaide, where defence primes, including SAAB Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia, Raytheon, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman, operate facilities.
Craig Schmidt, the chair of the alliance and head of armour and composites at XTEK Limited, commented: "This is exciting on many levels, including the opportunity presented to government and primes to come into an area and be confident that industry will collaborate to ensure the best outcomes for a customer.
“This includes providing total product and service solutions for their needs.
“All nine members will seek to ensure the maximum utilisation of our industry capability in advanced engineering, manufacturing and supply chain programs for defence and specialised areas in Australian and international markets.”
Matt Burnel, federal member for Spence noted the benefits for the local community.
“This local capability ensures the Edinburgh Industry Alliance can take advantage of opportunities, build capacity and innovation,” Burnel said.
[Related: BMT, CASG’s ships division launch new graduate development program]
