The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) marks its second decade of operations, celebrating ten years of industry led impact that has helped transform Australian manufacturing through commercialisation, collaboration, and global competitiveness.

Since its establishment, AMGC has supported 170 co-invested projects involving more than 500 collaborators across industry and research institutions. These projects have delivered more than $170 million dollars in combined funding and are expected to return over $1.72 billion dollars to the national economy.

AMGC has demonstrated that when solid Australian ideas are backed by industry leadership and targeted investment, they generate resilient jobs, export opportunities, and more prosperity. From concept to commercial success, AMGC has been central to turning Australian innovation into globally competitive businesses.

Among its many achievements, AMGC projects have played a role in the creation of two Australian unicorns. Alpha HPA Limited has added value to critical minerals and built advanced materials capability for batteries and electronics. Gilmour Space has taken Australian rocketry and space systems onto the world stage.

More broadly, AMGC projects have created or upskilled more than 4,400 advanced manufacturing roles in Australia, in turn strengthening local communities, and building long term industrial capability.

Dr Jens Goennemann, Managing Director for AMGC said, “Over the past ten years, our engagement model has shown that when good ideas are backed by well-informed knowledge and rather modest funding, we can create manufacturing jobs and prosperity. From critical minerals to space, health to clean energy, we can build, scale, and sell Australian innovations to the world.”

The diversity of AMGC-supported projects is unmatched. Projects have ranged from autonomous waterway mapping vessels, hydrogen powered aerospace systems, advanced medical diagnostics, renewable energy components and high-performance composite manufacturing. Every AMGC project shares one common outcome, Australian inventions have been commercialised to serve local and export customers.

The return on investment is meaningful and measurable. For every one dollar of taxpayer funding entrusted to AMGC, approximately twenty-five dollars has been returned to the Australian economy.

Beyond project delivery, AMGC has become a trusted advisor to governments and industry. The organisation has advised Australian Governments at a Federal, State, Territory and local level on manufacturing policy, advocated strongly for small-to-medium sized manufacturers, and overseen programs to strengthen manufacturing ecosystems.

This trust was proven at the height of the COVID pandemic, when AMGC was tasked by the Australian Government’s Department of Health and Department of Industry to lead the rapid development of a locally made invasive ventilator by mobilising its deep and highly capable manufacturing network.

Working with Grey Innovation and an industry consortium of 35 manufacturers, AMGC co-ordinated the delivery of Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved ventilators on time, on budget, and to specification for the National Medical Stockpile. The program proved that with the right guidance and coordination, Australia can be a nation that makes critical technology when it matters and when it wishes.

Paul Cooper, Chair of AMGC said, “Australia has more than 47,000 manufacturers, yet 90 per cent employ 20 or fewer people. That is enormous latent potential. Our goal is to further unlock that potential, help businesses scale and innovate so they can become the next big Australian companies. Doing so is about nurturing the missing middle and helping advance our economic future.”

In the Northern Territory, AMGC has managed initiatives to build advanced manufacturing capability and attract investment. In Western Australia, AMGC oversees the Wind Energy Manufacturing Co Investment Program which is already delivering new supply chain capability and economic uplift for the state economy.

Nationally, AMGC is also a partner organisation in the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Program. In less than twelve months, it has mentored over 120 manufacturers, delivered capability building workshops and helped break down barriers between firms to lift competitiveness.

AMGC is clear about its purpose and ambition. Australia must be a nation that makes more things. With the right support and settings, capable but subscale manufacturers can grow, employ more Australians, add value to our natural resources onshore and compete in global markets. Such feat will only be achieved with industry leading the way.

Kelly Godeau, Chief Operating Officer for AMGC said, “For ten years, AMGC has put industry first and delivered tangible results. We have worked side-by-side with manufacturers to turn smart ideas into world-class products, create thousands of jobs, and add over a billion dollars to the Australian economy. Our role is to bring industry and government together to translate policy into practical outcomes and keep Australian manufacturing growing.”

Ten years on, AMGC now represents the interests of more than 4,500 network members. Over this period, the organisation has conducted ~5,000 on site visits, facilitated international delegations, delivered 500 industry events, produced more than twenty major research reports and participated in over one hundred government advisory sessions.

About Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC)

The purpose of the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) is to transform Australian manufacturing. It is an industry-led, not-for-profit organisation committed to assist manufacturers to become more globally competitive. AMGC works hands-on with more than 4,400 manufacturers to lift capability, build advanced skills and strengthen links to international supply chains.

Entrusted by government, the private sector and industry to build sovereign capability in priority areas, AMGC delivers world-leading advice, research, workshops and ground-breaking projects that translate innovation into commercial outcomes. Its programs have helped create more than 4,500 new local manufacturing roles, added $1.7 billion to the Australian economy, in turn returning over 25 dollars for every dollar of public funds invested.

 A complete suite of image and video assets available at: https://www.amgc.org.au/media-releases/advanced-manufacturing-growth-centre-marks-ten-years-hundreds-of-projects-thousands-of-jobs-created-and-billions-in-economic-impact/