WA manufacturers given helping hand

Federal Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr has officially launched a new centre to give Western Australia's manufacturing companies practical help in improving day to day business.

The Western Australian Manufacturing Centre employs business advisors to visit workplaces and conduct free business reviews.

It has already advised 100 clients in manufacturing, a sector that employs around 103,000 workers and is worth $11.29 billion per annum to the state economy.

Full announcement

Western Australia's manufacturing businesses received a boost today with the launch of the Western Australian Manufacturing Centre by Innovation Minister, Senator Kim Carr.

The centre will provide business services to assist Western Australia's manufacturing sector - a sector that employs around 103,000 workers and contributes $11.29 billion to the economy annually.

The centre is about real and practical assistance to help manufacturing companies do business better.

Business advisors will visit workplaces to conduct free, onsite business reviews for eligible companies.

While many companies excel at the creative, innovative and product-based aspects of their work, they often lack both the time and resources to look at improving day-to-day business processes.

This is where the centre will be a real value-add for business. In the midst of this global economic crisis, the centre could not come at a more important time.

The detailed advice from the business review process is backed up by funding of up to $20,000 to make the improvements identified.

This centre is already providing services to over 100 clients.

The centre is working closely with partners including the Coastal Business Centre, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia, CSIRO, Austrade and links to Enterprise Connect's Mining Technology Innovation Centre launched in Mackay yesterday.