Industry Focus Groups
Focus Groups comprises representatives of companies operating within the manufacturing sector. Each group is led by a convenor usually an expert from the academic/research world under contract with the AMC.
The aim is for these groups to agree on macro industry technology problems that need to be addressed to find solutions for each Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
To work on projects which have industry-wide benefits for operating costs and international competitiveness by address common needs such as:
- Reduction of packaging costs through co-operative design and purchasing,
- Assuring continuity if Australia's micro-electronic chip design capability
- Developing co-operative and cost effective approaches to quality assurance in the supply chain.
At present, a number of Industry Focus Groups have been established and projects selected which are being undertaken by the AMC. Through this approach, AMC provides assurance that its projects:
- Have the support of industry leaders,
- Are directed at practical solutions,
- Will be tested and implemented, and
- Will have the new technology transferred to industry.
The achievements made by these groups can be attributed to the collaborative effort of the group and the ability to exchange ideas without any loss of confidentiality or commercially sensitive information being passed on. This type of group environment has allowed for sharing of existing solutions along with jointly developing new solutions and developing a common approach to eliminating/modifying materials & procedures that do not add value to the company.
