AI Group

Whenever there are calls for governments to divert our fragmented industry policy efforts and to concentrate their attention on “what we are really good at”, alarm bells should ring. It is true that governments have important roles to play in fostering the development of Australian industries. It is also true that our industry policies are … Continue reading Growing manufacturing: what role for industry policy? →

The Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI) rose by 2.0 points to 53.5 in July, the first time since October 2019 that a positive result was recorded for two consecutive months. The expansion was driven by the machinery and equipment sectors (up 3.2 points to 54.3) and the food and beverage … Continue reading Australian PMI records first two-month positive streak since 2019 →

A new Diploma of Applied Technologies will help train the skilled workers NSW needs to continue building its advanced manufacturing economy. Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said it was critical for businesses to embrace technology to stay ahead of the curve. “Our manufacturing industry in NSW is undergoing a transformation … Continue reading New advanced manufacturing diploma launches in NSW →

The Energy Efficiency Council and Australian Industry Group have welcomed a new report Pivot – Rebound – Transform that sets out a practical plan for rapidly transforming Australia’s energy and carbon management market. The report highlights the crucial role of a vibrant energy and emissions management sector that supports Australian industry to build a new energy … Continue reading New roadmap supports emissions reduction journey for Australian industry →

The Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI) recovered by 5.8 points to 41.6 in May, after experiencing the largest single-month drop in the index’s history in April (readings below 50 points indicate contraction in activity, with lower results indicating a faster rate of contraction). The manufacturing industry remained in deep contraction … Continue reading Australian PMI: Manufacturing contraction eases in May →

Ai Group chief executive Innes Willox has welcomed the federal government’s call for a greater emphasis on manufacturing to reboot the Australian economy. Willox said manufacturing had gained unprecedented public and political attention in recent weeks. He believes the shortage of vital equipment has raised an important debate about Australia’s management of global supply chains. … Continue reading Ai Group welcomes federal government call for more manufacturing →

The Ai Group Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) has jumped 9.4 points to 53.7 after four months of contraction, led by shopper demand for food, personal care and other essential household goods. Local businesses that manufacture items such as processed food, toilet paper, cleaning products were recognised as key contributors to the overall improvement in … Continue reading Food stockpiling sees April PMI surge →

The Australian Workers Union (AWU) and Ai Group have united to call for continued domestic manufacturing to support households, business, community organisations and health providers. In a joint statement, Ai Group CEO Innes Willox and AWU national secretary Daniel Walton said it was “crucial” that businesses, particularly in the food processing, packaging, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and … Continue reading Industry calls for continued manufacturing during COVID-19 →

National employment association Ai Group has welcomed the federal government’s latest stimulus package to boost job prospects for Australians affected by the coronavirus. The announcement comes as a relieve for manufacturers and is expected to alleviate concerns for businesses during the next six months. The funding will provide $130 billion in wage support for six … Continue reading Ai Group welcomes federal government wage subsidy →

National employer association Ai Group has called on Australian governments to consider wage support mechanisms in response to escalating impacts of the coronavirus. Ai Group CEO Innes Willox said Australia should investigate new methods to mitigate further economic losses. “To cushion the broader impacts of the virus, a common goal in Australia and other countries … Continue reading Wage support worth considering, Ai Group says →

The Ai Group has urged governments to help reduce cross-border chaos for businesses involved in the movement of goods. Ai Group CEO Innes Willox told Radio National is it “essential” for governments to act to prevent the economy from quick “atrophy”. “We have to have continuity around what is happening at our state borders to … Continue reading Movement of goods across borders must flow, Ai Group says →

National employer association Ai Group has welcomed the Victorian government’s survival packages to support businesses and jobs. A $500 million Business Support Fund has been established by the government to assist the hardest hit sectors. Ai Group will help administer the funds. Victorian head of Ai Group Tim Piper said discussions with treasurer Tim Pallas … Continue reading Ai Group welcomes Victorian government stimulus →

Goods and services for food production and hygiene are no less important than the industries that support and distribute them, and it is “vital” that they are able to operate, Ai Group CEO Innes Willox said. A clear and consistent definition of essential services for manufacturers is needed as the country prepares for lockdown. “As … Continue reading Essential services “vital” for manufacturers →

Retail sales are expected to boost for machine and equipment manufacturers under the federal government’s $1.3 billion stimulus package, Ai Group CEO Innes Willox said. The extension of instant asset write-off provisions and temporary measures to accelerate depreciation deduction on new investments for SMEs are particularly welcome by the Ai Group. “Both these measures will … Continue reading Manufacturers to benefit from government stimulus packages →

The Queensland government has announced increasing employment for women in the manufacturing industry as a key priority for the state. Queensland Women’s Week celebrations have begun, with state development, manufacturing, infrastructure and planning minister Cameron Dick encouraging more women to consider manufacturing as a career at the first Women in Manufacturing industry event for 2020 … Continue reading Women in manufacturing a priority for Qld government →

Businesses are sure to welcome the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) having slashed interest rates to a record low of 0.5 per cent, however, the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) and Business Council of Australia are calling for this to be supplemented by other measures. “Businesses will welcome (the) interest rate cut, which may make … Continue reading Industry calls for RBA rates cuts to be reinforced by action →

The Ai Group has issued a statement suggesting a review of the Australian Industry Capability (AIC) program, in light of Naval Group’s announcement that it was investigating Australian industry capabilities for the manufacture of the Attack Class submarine fleet. Ai Group’s chief executive, Innes Willox, on Friday said that “while the foundations are sound, the AIC … Continue reading Ai Group issues statement on local shipbuilding capacity →

The manufacturing sector’s resilience will enable it to bounce back despite the bushfire crisis and ongoing drought contributing to the sector’s contraction and the lowest Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) results since 2015, according to Ai Group.  However, things are unlikely to improve as the coronavirus outbreak threatens to dent demand for Australian exports. “Many … Continue reading January PMI sees resilience of Australian manufacturers put to test →

The performance of the Australian manufacturing sector improved slightly in December, but remained in negative territory. December was the second month in a row of contraction in the Australian manufacturing sector, with the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) recording a figure of 48.3 points. This marks the first time since … Continue reading December PMI shows impact of economy on manufacturing →

The jittery national economy has led to a downturn in manufacturing productivity. In the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Statement on Monetary Policy, the bank outlined how GDP and employment levels have played out in each industry, up to June 2019. While employment has continued to grow, at between 2 and 3 per cent throughout 2018 … Continue reading RBA figures point to productivity challenges →