At a briefing arranged by the Geelong Defence Alliance in conjunction with the Victorian Defence Alliances on Wednesday local suppliers learned how to turn defence business opportunities into reality.
The event, held at CSIRO in Waurn Ponds, involved a tour of the host organisation’s worldleading fibre research facilities, and targeted businesses currently working in the sector and seeking to secure contracts in defence supply chains.
Attendees heard about the successes achieved by local advanced engineering firm, FibreTech Solutions, and leading defence supplier, Marand.
Marand, a proven supplier in the Aerospace and Defence domain, recently entered into a partnership with BAE Systems, one of the two shortlisted contenders for the Army’s Land 400 program.
The BAE Systems team recently announced $200 million of work with Victorian Defence industry if successful. Teaming partner Marand will manufacture the hulls of the combat proven AMV35 vehicle.
Marand has a successful history in launching vehicle production solutions and Defence serial production in Australia. In Geelong, Marand already has 45 employees manufacturing over 6,000 JSF Engine Trailer components every month.
Representatives from the Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC), the Victorian Defence Alliances, and the Geelong Defence Alliance, were available at the forum to advise on business growth in the defence sector, and to discuss related initiatives, including the Victorian
Government’s new defence supply chain program, announced by Minister Noonan in May.
This new program will provide funding for eligible Victorian SMEs to enable them to take key steps to become ‘defence-ready’.
Geelong Defence Alliance Chair, Clive Pugh, said the event was a great opportunity to work with stakeholders in Defence and provide information and support to SMEs looking to develop or enter into Defence supply chains.
“The GDA was developed to support and assist the defence related capabilities of the region and leverage potential opportunities for business and industry.”
Victorian Defence Alliances Manager, Charlotte Morris, said many Victorian SME enterprises hold significant technical expertise but often lack the contacts or the know-how to get a seat at the table in defence programs.
“The stories we’ve heard today, one from a genuine small business and the other from an established Tier One defence supplier, is a testimony to the individual capabilities that Victorian defence suppliers bring to the table.
“The Victorian Defence Alliances have been established to promote the achievements of individual companies like FibreTech and Marand, strengthen the collective voice and profile of the industry sector and to encourage prime contractors to engage with us here in Victoria.
”The Alliances are a powerful tool to connect businesses that might have complementary skills and capabilities, and to keep them informed of major developments in the Defence sector.”