New program to prepare SA SMEs for shipbuilding projects

Joint-capabilities

15 November 2017

By: Reporter

The South Australian government and the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre have announced a partnership to support French software firm Dassault Systèmes’ virtual shipyard development program, which will help prepare SA manufacturers for lucrative opportunities on the upcoming Defence shipbuilding projects.

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The project, which will involve 16 South Australian SME manufacturing companies, will identify and help to bridge the capability gaps of the first 16 SMEs, bringing each up to world-class levels of industry 4.0 maturity, getting them ready for Defence's naval projects.

South Australia will be home to the build of the 12 Future Submarines, nine Future Frigates and two Offshore Patrol Vessels.

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Managing director of the AMGC Dr Jens Goennemann said the project will support Australia's manufacturing sector in improving their ability to compete globally on value.

"This project is a significant investment from all involved, not only in lifting the overall global competitiveness of Australian manufacturing sector, but also to successfully bid for manufacturing work in naval shipbuilding opportunities," said Dr Goennemann.

"As detailed in our Sector Competitiveness Plan, there is a real opportunity to do this through higher participation in global value chains and through increasing productivity through industry 4.0 processes. It takes our core message that Australian manufacturers need to compete on value not on cost to the coalface of industry."

The goal of increased digital supply chain literacy will see each Australian SME meet a checklist of up to 12 key digital requirements needed to supply tier one defence companies in projects, such as the upcoming Future Submarine program. In addition, it will open up opportunities to collaborate with global companies in sectors such as mining, energy and water and health.

Dassault will develop a six-month intensive education program to deliver digital skills to Australian SMEs, followed by a six-month period mentoring each company in applying these new skills and new technologies within their own manufacturing projects. Skill retention will be assisted through future subsidised software from Dassault and ASG Group, an Australian business IT specialist.

The AMGC, which has contributed $534,152 in co-funding to the project, believes it will lift the international competitiveness of the first round of Australian manufacturers involved. It will also qualify them to deliver solutions within the digitally-modelled global supply chains of multinational companies.