Australian manufacturing companies responding to COVID-19 will have greater access to potential partners and customers through an industry matchmaking site, backed by the Morrison Government.
Developed by the Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC), the COVID-19 Manufacturer Response Register will bring together manufacturers, suppliers and customers through a self-managed platform.
The platforms aims to connect local supply and demand for personal protective equipment, unlocking collaboration across the manufacturing sector and boosting domestic capability by creating and expanding local supply chains.
The capability matching feature of the platform allows companies to post a need, solution or capability online, which would be shared on a live community feed. The supply matching feature helps suppliers connect with organisations looking for crucial supplies across the manufacturing value chain, be it research, design, production or service and support.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said, “Importantly, the platform can be used by hospitals, GPs and community groups to find Australian suppliers of essential products such as hand sanitiser, ventilators and PPE - not just now but into the future as well.
“I have said right throughout this pandemic that I don’t want Australian production of essential medical supplies to be a flash in the pan. This needs to be capability that industry maintains well after we come out the other side.”
The platform will initially combine AMGC’s COVID-19 Manufacturer Response Register database of 2,500 submissions with a further 600 local businesses identified through the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources’ recent Request for Information on PPE production capability.
Access the COVID-19 Manufacturer Response Register platform here.