1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,880 Speaker 1: Darwin Steel Company has been awarded eight hundred thousand dollars 2 00:00:03,920 --> 00:00:08,399 Speaker 1: through the Northern Territory government's Advance Manufacturing Fund to expand 3 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:13,160 Speaker 1: its operations, upskill staff, and remove the need to outsource work. 4 00:00:13,400 --> 00:00:17,000 Speaker 1: The project will provide a local source of high quality 5 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:22,320 Speaker 1: steel with process and capability to support the gas, oil, maritime, minerals, 6 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: construction and defense industries. Now joining me on the line 7 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:30,960 Speaker 1: to talk more about this is Advanced Manufacturing Growth Center 8 00:00:31,200 --> 00:00:34,199 Speaker 1: Director for the Northern Territory Charmaine Phillips. 9 00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:37,280 Speaker 2: Good morning, Charmaine, Good morning Katie. 10 00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for your time this morning. Charmaine, 11 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:43,200 Speaker 1: can you firstly explain this project for us? 12 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:48,720 Speaker 3: This project is a real increasing capability here in the 13 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 3: Northern Territory. So up till now, the NP didn't really 14 00:00:52,800 --> 00:00:56,800 Speaker 3: have the capability to access equipment or the skills for 15 00:00:56,960 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 3: advanced metal product manufacturing. And I guess with the amount 16 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:06,040 Speaker 3: of projects that are coming on our on the forecast, 17 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:10,759 Speaker 3: this is an area that they in DC brought good 18 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:15,840 Speaker 3: investments into steel Line to increase the capability of a 19 00:01:15,920 --> 00:01:19,320 Speaker 3: local manufacturing processing business was required. 20 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:22,480 Speaker 1: And so charmame, what's the situation now like if we're 21 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:26,200 Speaker 1: not actually manufacturing here in the Northern Territory. Where are 22 00:01:26,200 --> 00:01:28,000 Speaker 1: we having to get those materials from. 23 00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:32,399 Speaker 3: So a lot of this specialist material is being brought 24 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:37,040 Speaker 3: up from interstate, or process interstate, or in from overseas. 25 00:01:37,160 --> 00:01:40,880 Speaker 3: So we're really going to see the creation of new 26 00:01:42,640 --> 00:01:46,000 Speaker 3: revenue streams here for all manufacturers, not just steel Lines 27 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:50,480 Speaker 3: processing the material, but for our fabricators, for our manufacturers 28 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:53,320 Speaker 3: that can now say yes to those contracts where traditionally 29 00:01:53,320 --> 00:01:55,640 Speaker 3: they've had to say no because we didn't have that 30 00:01:55,720 --> 00:01:57,240 Speaker 3: capability here to process to it. 31 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:00,560 Speaker 1: So this is a real first for the Northern terra trade. 32 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:05,760 Speaker 3: It is absolutely and this investment will really underpin substential 33 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 3: infrastructure projects that are coming in because of the increased 34 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:13,960 Speaker 3: process in capability. As the media said, steel On will 35 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:16,280 Speaker 3: be investing in a long reach robot, a router and 36 00:02:16,320 --> 00:02:19,239 Speaker 3: a beamline. There is no beamline in the Northern Territory 37 00:02:19,600 --> 00:02:24,320 Speaker 3: and that allows business or that allows that heavy Perlin 38 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:26,960 Speaker 3: material to be processed. 39 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:30,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, right, So what kind of projects you know might 40 00:02:30,760 --> 00:02:31,720 Speaker 1: it be used for? 41 00:02:33,760 --> 00:02:38,440 Speaker 3: Well, the ship lift is one, so processing that steel 42 00:02:38,520 --> 00:02:41,920 Speaker 3: that's required for that that would have previously been done 43 00:02:41,960 --> 00:02:44,520 Speaker 3: inter state. Now we do have the capability if that's 44 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:48,320 Speaker 3: something that can be tended locally, we have the capability 45 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 3: to process that. But going into defense, even local shipbuilding. 46 00:02:52,639 --> 00:02:55,120 Speaker 3: So you'll see that Custom works with a collaboration partner 47 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:58,600 Speaker 3: on the project. Previously they were probably sourcing their metal 48 00:02:58,680 --> 00:03:02,760 Speaker 3: from Westness, so they will now be able to process 49 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:06,000 Speaker 3: that here in the territory to save time, to save money, 50 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:11,120 Speaker 3: to save delivery costs as well. So it's a real positive. 51 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:13,160 Speaker 1: And will see an increase in jobs. I mean you 52 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:15,920 Speaker 1: sort of touched on this before, but do we anticipate 53 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 1: that there will be more jobs created as a result. 54 00:03:19,840 --> 00:03:23,680 Speaker 3: Oh? Absolutely, This is a new capability. So the jobs 55 00:03:23,680 --> 00:03:26,720 Speaker 3: that have been in the media are just steal lines 56 00:03:26,760 --> 00:03:31,840 Speaker 3: forecast of that capability. It's not including all those peripheral 57 00:03:31,919 --> 00:03:37,240 Speaker 3: jobs in the manufacturing ecosystem. So the manufacturers or the 58 00:03:37,320 --> 00:03:39,920 Speaker 3: still suppliers that can bring you more work elf need 59 00:03:39,960 --> 00:03:43,120 Speaker 3: more people. So absolutely, it's going to be a huge 60 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:47,640 Speaker 3: investment in the church in massive skill jobs as well. 61 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:48,840 Speaker 2: And Charmaine. 62 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:51,040 Speaker 1: From what I've seen as well, or certainly what I've heard, 63 00:03:51,080 --> 00:03:54,080 Speaker 1: there'll be a bit of a collaboration with charles Dale University. 64 00:03:54,160 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 2: What exactly is that going to involve? 65 00:03:57,520 --> 00:04:01,240 Speaker 3: So CDU will assist in facilitating the pathway for students 66 00:04:01,240 --> 00:04:04,920 Speaker 3: into the STEM focused roles created by this project in 67 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:09,320 Speaker 3: this new equipment, So they're really bringing in new skills 68 00:04:09,320 --> 00:04:13,400 Speaker 3: such as robotic programming, CNC, milling, and advance machine operation 69 00:04:13,600 --> 00:04:17,680 Speaker 3: which doesn't currently exist in the MP. So CDU is 70 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:22,040 Speaker 3: collaborating with them to develop short training courses and where 71 00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:27,039 Speaker 3: the university's KP and skills overlap, they can start creating 72 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:31,720 Speaker 3: those pathways for these new apprenticeships traineeships in those advanced. 73 00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:35,120 Speaker 1: It seems like it does seem like it's a pretty 74 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:38,240 Speaker 1: significant step for the Northern Territory when it comes to 75 00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 1: advanced manufacturing. I suppose for some of us listening, we're like, 76 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 1: I don't really understand, you know, what advanced manufacturing is 77 00:04:45,600 --> 00:04:47,440 Speaker 1: or what it means for the Northern Territory. 78 00:04:47,480 --> 00:04:49,200 Speaker 2: But how significant is this? 79 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:56,039 Speaker 3: It's very significant. It's really about listing the ability for 80 00:04:56,200 --> 00:05:00,599 Speaker 3: NT's ecosystem to support economic development. So advanced manufacturing isn't 81 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:05,160 Speaker 3: just the production of something, the final product. It's about 82 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:08,200 Speaker 3: the R and D, the design, the sales and service. 83 00:05:08,279 --> 00:05:11,719 Speaker 3: How can we as an ecosystem really start to look 84 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:14,440 Speaker 3: at how we make things and how it can make 85 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:17,320 Speaker 3: things smarter here in the territory. I mean, everyone got 86 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:21,360 Speaker 3: caught out in COVID nineteen not being able to access 87 00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:26,880 Speaker 3: the supply chain. So how can AMGC help businesses to diversify, 88 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:31,600 Speaker 3: commercialize new innovations. Start looking at how we can manufacture 89 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:35,160 Speaker 3: things differently. And that's across numerous disciplines, not just your 90 00:05:35,200 --> 00:05:38,960 Speaker 3: metal manufacturing, which is what's known as the traditional manufacturing, 91 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:44,680 Speaker 3: but through electronics, through construction, through agriculture, everywhere or anywhere 92 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:48,279 Speaker 3: that something is being made that is manufacturing. So this 93 00:05:48,400 --> 00:05:51,159 Speaker 3: is where agency wants to invest this money. It's open 94 00:05:51,240 --> 00:05:55,520 Speaker 3: to all manufacturers. I want to invest it in the industry. 95 00:05:55,600 --> 00:05:59,200 Speaker 3: So far we've invested about two just over two million 96 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:02,440 Speaker 3: of the seven half million of the AMES grants and 97 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 3: it's a five year program. So I couldn't only encourage 98 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:08,200 Speaker 3: industry to come and have it talk to me, see 99 00:06:08,200 --> 00:06:09,800 Speaker 3: what their plans are, and see if we can get 100 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:13,360 Speaker 3: your money invested in and really strengthen our local manufacturing ecosystem. 101 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:16,119 Speaker 1: And it's such an important discussion to have I reckoned, 102 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:18,880 Speaker 1: like you'd said there, You know, throughout COVID, I don't 103 00:06:18,920 --> 00:06:22,080 Speaker 1: think a lot of ossis realized just how much we 104 00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:26,160 Speaker 1: are sort of reliant on outsourcing and not manufacturing here 105 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:30,359 Speaker 1: in Australia or in the territory anymore in some different areas. 106 00:06:30,360 --> 00:06:33,680 Speaker 1: So it does seem as though this is investment that's 107 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:37,039 Speaker 1: going to make a real difference in terms of, you know, 108 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:40,560 Speaker 1: like looking after ourselves and being a bit more self sufficient. 109 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:46,039 Speaker 3: Absolutely, and I guess AMGC being here in the territory 110 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:49,120 Speaker 3: is in partnership with anty government, so they made a 111 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:53,160 Speaker 3: budget call in twenty twenty one to establish AMGC here 112 00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:56,200 Speaker 3: to invest. I've been in the territory for nearly twenty 113 00:06:56,279 --> 00:06:58,120 Speaker 3: years and I think this is the first amount that 114 00:06:58,240 --> 00:07:03,080 Speaker 3: I've seen specifically for manufacturing. So once we start, I 115 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:06,520 Speaker 3: guess understanding that manufacturing is more than just production. There 116 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:09,880 Speaker 3: is so much opportunity and innovation out there and I'm 117 00:07:09,960 --> 00:07:11,400 Speaker 3: keen to get this money invested. 118 00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:14,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, good stuff. What other areas or what other things 119 00:07:14,360 --> 00:07:16,040 Speaker 2: do you want to say? Get going? 120 00:07:16,160 --> 00:07:20,200 Speaker 3: Charmain Well, as the media said, this is a sixth 121 00:07:20,280 --> 00:07:23,440 Speaker 3: project that we've invested in. The first project that we 122 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:28,880 Speaker 3: invested was corrosion Instruments, so they designed a remote monitoring 123 00:07:29,320 --> 00:07:33,960 Speaker 3: corrosion system, so we supported them with a local production 124 00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:37,560 Speaker 3: testing an optimization facility here in the territory so they 125 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:40,440 Speaker 3: can actually print their OWNPCB electronic boards, which is a 126 00:07:40,440 --> 00:07:44,680 Speaker 3: new capability. We've supported a project down in Airtibe who 127 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:48,440 Speaker 3: in our spring three Airtip who have designed a new 128 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:52,560 Speaker 3: air kicking pneumatic system to replace hydraulics on the side 129 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:56,200 Speaker 3: tippers for the mining trucks or designed R and D 130 00:07:56,280 --> 00:07:59,000 Speaker 3: and built in our Springs. So this is where we 131 00:07:59,040 --> 00:08:03,120 Speaker 3: want to pay these ideas innovations and take the journey 132 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:08,480 Speaker 3: through to commercialization so we can start creating more revenue 133 00:08:08,520 --> 00:08:11,520 Speaker 3: for the territory, more jobs for the territory and really 134 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:13,360 Speaker 3: start strengthening out each system. 135 00:08:14,120 --> 00:08:14,720 Speaker 2: Good stuff. 136 00:08:14,760 --> 00:08:17,280 Speaker 1: I really appreciate your time this morning, Charmaine. It's good, 137 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:20,160 Speaker 1: you know, to hear a good news story and to 138 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 1: hear of a Northern Territory company doing something innovative that's 139 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:27,160 Speaker 1: going to benefit hopefully more territory and so I think 140 00:08:27,160 --> 00:08:29,040 Speaker 1: it's great to have a catch up this morning and 141 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:30,320 Speaker 1: find out a bit more about it. 142 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:32,960 Speaker 3: No, you're welcome, It was a pleasure, Katie. 143 00:08:32,960 --> 00:08:34,760 Speaker 2: Thank you very much. Appreciated.