THE evolution of Geelong as a global leader in cutting-edge advanced fibre manufacturing has entered a new phase.
Already home to world- leading carbon fibre research facility Carbon Nexus, the appointment of a new industry leader is expected to accelerate the growth of opportunities in advanced fibre and carbon fibre manufacturing in the city.
The former executive director of the Australian Advanced Manufacturing Council, Jennifer Conley, has been appointed the inaugural CEO of Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong, which aims to identify and foster opportunities for collaboration among its members.
Ms Conley will be based at Deakin’s ManuFutures in the heart of the university’s advanced manufacturing and research precinct.
She said the city’s expertise in carbon fibre and other advanced fibres had the potential to be engaged across a range of growing industries such as defence, space and electric vehicles and there were opportunities to work with the dominant players in those areas.
“It’s a good thing for Geelong to enter those higher value global supply chains,” Ms Conley said.
An initial two-year appointment is supported by commitments from Deakin University, City of Greater Geelong, Geelong Manufacturing Council and a Victorian Government grant.
Ms Conley is also charged with growing the member base from 10 and creating a sustainable future for the cluster. Internationally, clusters have been shown to be highly successful in facilitating the commercialisation of new technologies and generating revenue for companies closely located in regions.
“The concept of a cluster is that companies working in proximity have planned running into each other. They start to share ideas, share knowledge and there is a bit of capability transfer,” Ms Conley said.
Geelong Manufacturing Council CEO David Peart said the opportunities for the cluster and the region on the back of the appointment were “enormous”.
“The members of the group are dynamic companies and Jennifer’s appointment as a senior leader in this field will help accelerate their efforts to become world leaders,” Mr Peart said.
The Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong chair, Professor Derek Buckmaster, said companies with operations outside of Geelong might also see the benefits of the cluster and its collaborative approach to research and development.
“Jennifer’s credentials as a leader in the field of industry and research collaboration, and her work boosting innovation and Australian success in advanced manufacturing, are well known,” he said.
Source: Geelong Advertiser, May 20, 2019
Sep 2019