Tasmanian advanced manufacturing credentials have been showcased to some of the largest companies in the world following a mission to Europe to promote our defence supply capabilities.
Led by Tasmanian Defence Advocate, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Steve Gilmore, the delegation included CBG Systems, Direct Edge Manufacturing, Pivot Maritime International, Taylor Bros and the University of Tasmania’s Australian Maritime College.
Tasmania’s reputation for high-quality products and services in the defence supply market is continuing to grow, and these missions are vitally important to secure more defence contracts for Tasmania and build awareness and confidence in our ability.
Since the Government launched Tasmania’s first ever defence industry strategy two years ago, we have already seen several Tasmanian companies score multi-million dollar supply contracts, supporting the next generation of advanced manufacturing jobs around our state.
The centrepiece of the recent mission was the largest military exposition in Europe, Euronaval in Paris, to show off our latest home-grown technologies, innovations and emerging trends across the maritime sector. Euronaval attracts more than 400 exhibitors from 34 countries with some 23 000 high-level decision makers in attendance.
We will continue to do everything possible to promote Tasmania’s capabilities in defence products and services to the world as we deliver on our long-term plan to improve the lives of every Tasmanian.
What delegation members said…
Rear Admiral (Rtd) Steve Gilmore – Tasmanian Defence Advocate
Missions like these provide the chance to demonstrate Tasmanian products and services to major international defence organisations, buyers and decision makers.
Events like Euronaval provide a chance to come face-to-face with some of the biggest players in the military world. You can’t beat direct contact and the relationships it builds.
It is about long-term investment in the sector to keep delivering economic returns for our state.
Javier Herbon, Managing Director – CBG Systems
These trade missions represent an invaluable opportunity for Tasmania’s businesses like CBG systems to promote our state of the art capability to world leading contractors in the naval shipbuilding sector.
Being part of the Tasmanian delegation is an unparalleled opportunity at times of high levels of investment in this sector.
Diane Edgerton, Chief Executive – Direct Edge Manufacturing
Joining the delegation was an opportunity to be able to build first-hand contacts for the future as defence supply is a long-term proposition.
Sometimes the opportunity arises by being in the right place at the right time and if relationships are not built now you have little to no hope of being in defence. Being here helps you understand what the market wants and how they operate so you can plan for the future.
Jeff Hawkins, Director – Pivot Maritime
Pivot Maritime has had an extremely successful trade mission to Euronaval 2018 with opportunities that would not have been possible sitting in Tasmania. We were able to demonstrate our products on the world stage. It really made the difference.
We have already sold a million dollar simulator to a foreign navy and have commenced very constructive ongoing discussions with both the Australian and UK navies and companies like Raytheon Anschutz.
Associate Professor Michael Woodward – University of Tasmania/Australian Maritime College
Euronaval has been a hugely positive opportunity for the AMC that has served to showcase our competencies and innovate new directions. It has enabled AMC to build on our trusted relationships that are so vital when working in the defence sector.
We have established the building blocks to form a maritime defence network that has the very real potential to benefit significantly the national effort in naval shipbuilding.
Some highly significant opportunities have arisen that could not have happened without being there.
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