NMW 2013: Helping ready manufacturers for ‘rich opportunities’

National Manufacturing Week (NMW 2013) returns to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 7-10 May 2013, focusing on helping industry leverage what the Prime Minister’s Taskforce calls “critical challenges” and “rich opportunities” ahead. In particular, NMW 2013 will present solutions that help manufacturers target new, higher value sectors as well as boosting productivity in their day-to-day operations.

Co-located with Austech, NMW 2013 will feature - for the first time in Victoria - two new product zones: Sustainable Manufacturing and Metals & Composites. The Sustainable Manufacturing Zone will focus on opportunities for reducing industry’s environmental footprint, while Metals & Composites presents new developments in industry’s quest to develop reliable, lightweight, easily moulded manufacturing materials.

With the two new zones, NMW 2013 will present a total of 12 product zones; a clearer segmentation aimed at helping buyers and sellers easily find each other.

Event organiser Reed Exhibitions comments that - in addition to its showcase of products and services that help manufacturers strengthen existing operations - NMW 2013 will introduce solutions for manufacturers seeking a toehold in emerging industries.

The NMW team is also working on presenting products, services and solutions that help manufacturers gear up to service fast-growing sectors including aerospace, mining, biotech, sustainable and food packaging.

NMW 2013 Exhibition Director Paul Baker commented, “There has never been a more important time for industry to come together.

“Despite all the competitive pressures facing it, manufacturing remains a vital part of Australia’s economy: contributing some 8% of GDP, employing nearly one million Australians and helping underpin commercial R&D, transport and logistics and the broader Australian economy.

“As the Prime Minister’s Manufacturing Taskforce recently concluded, to ensure a vibrant future, Australian industry needs to focus on being smarter: especially by becoming known the world over for high-quality solutions, for innovation and design.

“NMW 2013 will be the forum for companies who want to become part of this push: who want to boost their productivity or gain new capabilities. More than ever, it will also be a forum in which manufacturers can see and talk about possible next steps for their businesses.”

Details of NMW 2013 exhibitors, features and parallel events will be posted at www.nationalmanufacturingweek.com.au in coming months.