Aerospace Industry News

A real highlight was the cooperation between Australians. Many companies joined together to mount combined displays – many passed prospective customers from one-to-another, while industry, Commonwealth and State Government officials escorted numerous visitors through the Australian exhibits. There were many eye-catching and educational displays. The demarcation between Defence and aerospace hardly seemed to matter – neither did the demarcation between the information, communication and aerospace industries. All worked together for the benefit of Australia. Although it was often hot and dusty – particularly on the last trade day (Friday 14th), the estimated 300,000 who attended the show left delighted and impressed. They were unanimous in their praise of the organisers led by Ian Honnery – of the volunteer helpers from the Schofields Flying Club – of the RAAF – of the major commercial sponsors Qantas, Ansett and Mobil and of the Australian aerospace industry. It was indeed a job well done.

Paris Air Show

The Bicentennial Air Show focussed the attention of many within the world aerospace industry on the potential of Australia as a source for both aerospace ‘manufacturers’ and technology. We now need to build on this experience by ensuring Australia puts on its very best front at the next major events on its aerospace industry promotion calendar – the Paris Air Show in June 1989 and Asian Aerospace in Singapore early in January 1990.

Austrade provides substantial financial and manpower support at both these shows. In both cases, AAAI has agreed with Austrade that the display areas should be substantially increased and that the Australian chalet at Paris should be upgraded.

For the Paris Show, Austrade has agreed to oversee the whole of the Australian stand and provide corporate support to properly present and underline the Australian industry identity and -capabilities. In the remainder of the Australian area, each participating company will be expected to design and present its own display

to project its own image, whilst meeting minimum specifications to fit the Australian image.

Those companies who may wish to be independent and arrange their own stands, are to be located in the same area as the Australian stand, so that a significant area is identifiable as being ‘Australian’.

There will also be no limit on the space each company may obtain (other than the amount remaining unallocated in the designated Australian allocation), but when all is allocated (in terms· of both space and position), there will be no rearrangement to fit in others.

There will be much stricter control of entry to the chalet so that only those who contribute to the overheads have access or can authorise entry. In addition, use of the chalet will be allowed in proportion to each company’s share of those overheads. Consumables will be charged on the basis of consumption. Only those executives nominated from companies who have contributed to the payment of the chalet overheads will be allowed to order food or drink.

Participation at Paris ’89, although expensive,. is likely to provide a popular way for companies to build on the marketing advantages and accesses provided by the Bicentennial Air Show. Companies are therefore advised to decide quickly on their proposed involvement and place their bookings with the Austrade Marketing Officer (Brian Usback (062) 76 5267) or the AAAI Executive Director (Ian Meibusch (062) 47 2233) as soon as possible.

Australian Aerospace Industry Growth

The world bank recently reported that, in relation to world trade, offsets growth was substantial and heading towards the 50% level.

Commenting on this,  the Chairman of the Association of Australian Aerospace Industries, Mr Peter Lister, has noted that in the highly competitive international aerospace industry, offsets contracts are universally applied and the Australian Aerospace Industry is benefiting due to its ability to compete in the international marketplace.

He also noted that over the last four years manufacturing output by the industry in Australia had doubled to close to half a billion dollars annually and that the current rate of increase in order intake was substantial. This is aside from the substantial income generated from international servicing and engineering development contracts undertaken by the industry.

In recognition of the significance of the aerospace industry as a growth industry, involving high technology spin-offs to industry in general, and with the capacity to generate exports income, the Australian Government has in place a number of measures to strengthen the export marketing thrust of association member companies. For example, the recent appointment of a specialist trade commissioner jointly funded by the Government and industry. Similarly, initiatives taken by the Department of Defence and the Department of Industry Technology and Commerce in restructuring offset policies has caused overseas aerospace related suppliers to pay greater attention to placing high technology workload with the Australian industry.

The industry itself has accepted the challenge by introducing advanced processes and management systems, eg: quality systems management directed at preventing faults in the production of high added value, high technology components (see story elsewhere in this issue). However, the chairman did observe that workload acquisition was the key which in turn generated funds for technology acquisition or enhancement. In fact; the very nature of aerospace production demanded continual update of the techniques employed. Australian companies have introduced improvements in product design and in their production methods. This updated the products and maintained Australian competitiveness in international markets.