For nearly 21 years, the Australian Industry & Defence Network (AIDN) has assisted Defence SMEs to maximise defence and security related business. Since 1995, AIDN has grown to represent in excess of 800 member companies across Australia with a prime focus on SME organisations in the defence industry.
Alan Rankin | Sydney
In 1994 a group of SMEs, with the assistance of the NSW Industrial Supplies Office (ISO) – now the Industry Capability Network (ICN) – convinced the NSW Government and the Chamber of Manufacturers – NSW (now Australian Business Ltd) to facilitate and support an SME group to address communication difficulties between Defence and SMEs and to gain more business for Australian SMEs from Defence. The Australian Small Business Defence Network was formed in November 1994.
In mid-1995, it was determined that if a National Network was to become a reality, existing State Defence business groups would need to be co-ordinated under a National Board/Executive.
The name Australian Industry Defence Network was chosen. Over the years the State & Territory chapters have adopted the name AIDN except in South Australia where the Defence Teaming Centre is undertaking the dual role of AIDN-SA.
The initial funding was provided by the NSW government with further grants and funding provided by Federal agencies including over $400,000 from the Australian Government. AIDN National is now funded from State Chapter membership subscriptions.
The AIDN National office, located in Mona Vale NSW, was formally opened by the Hon Bronwyn Bishop in 1999 and it transferred to Melbourne in 2003, where it remains today.
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In 2010, Defence recognised that more than 3,000 SMEs work in the defence sector in Australia. These SMEs employ more than 50,000 people and, in conjunction with Prime contractors, play a crucial role in providing Defence with new and sustained capability Those employed in the defence and security industry SME sector are highly skilled, many with a high level of dedication to the support of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), and Australia’s defence. The most established of these SMEs are AIDN members.
AIDN Chapters have over 800 SME member companies. AIDN’s chapter structures are optimised to work for each State and Territory, which ensures that our national direction is informed by a full range of industry and state views. Nationally, AIDN represents over 20,000 staff working in the defence industry and is growing strongly.
AIDN National is an Executive Committee of Chapter representatives, led by a National President, focused on lobbying and consultations to influence policy and industry programs. AIDN consolidates member views into submissions to government and Defence.
Via our National Young Achiever Award, Chapters recognise their Young Achievers annually and the Finalists compete at the National level. The National Finalist receives a number of accolades and awards, including a place on the Defence Industry Study Course (DISC).
In March 2012, I released an updated SME Participation Plan to include a more focussed approach to Value for Money and a Strategic Sourcing Program (SSP). We canvassed industry’s Fundamental Input to Capability (FIC) and are very pleased to see large elements of this SME PP now being adopted.
In recognition of the significant and exciting changes in Defence, AIDN is conducting its own “First Principles Review” of our Strategic Plan, SME Participation Plan and other core plans. This review will conclude in late January 2016 in time to release our views to the State Chapter memberships. All member companies have the opportunity now to influence the shape and purpose of AIDN as it needs to align to our rapidly changing customer. Please send your views to your Chapter representatives.
Each State Chapter will be planning their own annual celebrations in this 21st year, however AIDN National is planning a few overarching events as well.