The Greater Hunter Makers Festival is a celebration of 150 years of engineering and technical skills and capability in manufacturing and related fields. With the falling fortunes in the coal mining industry, local manufacturers have had to diversify into other markets, look at exports and transform into higher technology products.
The Festival brings together the established world of manufacturing and its knowledge of materials and processes, with the younger generation who have the knowledge of new technologies and applications. It is a perfect mix – both need each other. STEM high schools are also seen as knowledge partners.
Third generation metal fabricator Tom Woods, MD of TW Woods Construction at Tomago, is a living example. As well continuing their core competencies of Specialised Manufacturing for Bulk Materials Handling, they have also branched into offering the complete Turnkey solution from initial Diagnostics, Design and Computer Flow Modelling, Engineering and Manufacture. From this they have a number of patented materials handling designs which have increased efficiencies by 30 %
They are also investing in the Manufacture road side maintenance equipment SLASHERTECK which involves a advanced technology in Slashing under roadside guard rails and around posts.
They are currently assisting in the development of Autonomous Drone technology for Road side Traffic Control for DRONE TECHNOLOGY
The Makers Festival will highlight why the Hunter Region is an excellent location to start-up a technology and manufacturing business – plenty of land, highly skilled workforce, excellent talent pipeline, great TAFE and engineering Uni, and supportive Local Government.
For information please visit www.makersfestival.com.au
