Australia's leading manufacturing technology show defies economic downturn

Austech 2009, Australia’s leading trade show for manufacturing technology and advanced manufacturing will be held from 12 to 15 May at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. A good three months ahead of this date, 103 exhibitors from around the country had registered, occupying some 6000m² of the exhibition area.

Despite these uncertain economic times, event organiser AMTIL expects more visitors than in the previous year, and is extremely pleased with the Senate having passed the Labor government's $42bn stimulus plan after the bill was blocked during an earlier vote.

“We have been lobbying the government for a long time now to invest in our manufacturing future by offering incentives to invest in technology and equipment, so we are very pleased with the recent announcements and commend the government on the position they have taken,” comments AMTIL CEO and Exhibition Director Shane Infanti. “We believe that visitors to Austech will be buoyed by this commitment and will have the same positive outlook that they have had when visiting previous shows.”

The government’s 30% in every dollar investment tax break for small and general businesses buying eligible assets until 30 June 2009 - and installed by 30 June 2010 - will help Australian businesses boost investment and bolster economic activity. The investment allowance will help reduce the cost of new equipment purchases for manufacturers, workshops and suppliers, and gives everyone in the manufacturing sector another compelling reason to attend the show.

“I have a strong belief that now more than ever before we need to become globally competitive and you cannot do that with old technology,” Mr Infanti says. “Using technology to improve productivity and efficiency, reduce costs and become more competitive should be viewed as an investment, not a cost. In many cases, with changes to interest rates and depreciation allowances, it can be even more cost effective to invest in technology now than it was a few years ago.”

The presentation of innovative products, solutions and services from exhibitors will be supplemented by a number of new initiatives designed to increase the profile of Austech and National Manufacturing Week (NMW). New features introduced by exhibition partners Reed Exhibitions and AMTIL will include NMW’s new dedicated Logistics and Materials Handling section, Austech’s Technology Demonstrations and Austech’s Manufacturers’ Showcase.
Funded by AusIndustry and a consortium of manufacturing technology companies, the Technology Demonstrations will cover over 500m² of floor space, and will feature the very latest in fully automated laser-controlled machine tools, separate ‘cells’ demonstrating robotics and laser technology, as well as design and prototyping. Austech will also feature a  Manufacturers’ Showcase, highlighting the capabilities of our precision component and advanced manufacturing providers.

“Manufacturing Walk” is another new feature of the show, which showcases organisations providing support to the advanced manufacturing industry.

For Australian production experts, a visit to Austech 2009 offers the opportunity to learn extensively about new manufacturing technology from all over the world, from a simple machine right up to a complex installation.

For more information and to register visit www.amtil.com.au