Manufacturing opportunities

From TSBE CEO, Ali Davenport: COVID-19 has brought about changes in the way that businesses operate and we’ve seen many industries pivot rapidly to remain operational. The pandemic has highlighted the risks of relying on off-shore manufacturing.  Our local manufacturers could be the real beneficiary from these international supply chain disruptions.

Last year, the World Economic Forum (WEF), which is an internationally recognised organisation designed to improve the world’s business sector, toured Toowoomba and other parts of Queensland to investigate manufacturing capability. As part of this tour TSBE arranged a roundtable discussion with the WEF to highlight successful manufacturers, the capability of the region and opportunities for the future. Last month, the WEF recognised Queensland as a global Advanced Manufacturing Hub which will connect Toowoomba’s manufacturing sector with a global network. 

This is good news for Toowoomba’s already strong manufacturing sector. Helping our local manufacturers access new opportunities is a major focus for TSBE now and in the future. Being part of the WEF’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub will open doors. We need to ensure the manufacturing sector links to the newly created demand but also ensure that this demand is long-term for sustainable business growth.

There are new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics which will enable local manufacturers to potentially lower their costs over the longer term. There are organisations such as the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Hub (ARM) and the AI Hub that can link businesses to the latest in technology with an added benefit of creating high-tech jobs. 

One thing is certain, our local manufacturers need to continue to be globally competitive and adopt leading-edge design, innovation, technologies, processes and practices. Our region is well placed to encourage the development of profitable new products, services and industries, and to capitalise on the trends in advanced economies towards advanced manufacturing. 

Whilst COVID has caused a huge disruption for so many of businesses, we do need to look at the opportunities for jobs and growth in our economy.  Supporting our manufacturing sector is certainly an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.