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Top right and middle: The "Enterprise Connect" Manufacturing Centre at Dandenong, Victoria (Photos by: Kristian Hetyey)
Bottom right: Mark Dreyfus MP (left) and the Hon Senator Kim Carr (right) at the Launch of the Dandenong Manufacturing Centre
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MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE IN VICTORIA
$32m Dandenong Manufacturing Centre opens for business
Victoria’s 4,000 small and medium manufacturers now have ready access to world-class services to help them become more productive and internationally competitive through the new $32 million Victorian Enterprise Connect Manufacturing Centre at Dandenong.
At the opening ceremony in October last year, Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, said the Centre is an integral part of the Rudd Government's $251 million Enterprise Connect – a national network of manufacturing and innovation centres designed to help build businesses and create a higher skilled workforce by focusing squarely on innovation, creativity and excellence.
"Victorian firms can now tap into the latest ideas and technologies by accessing a network with local roots and a global reach," Senator Carr said. "In this turbulent economic environment, the need for firms to innovate, improve productivity and find new efficiencies is more pressing than ever."
The Dandenong Centre will act as a hub for Enterprise Connect services in the state, offering companies free business reviews, tailored assistance through existing government programs, client management support and other relevant services, as well as discretionary grants of up to $20,000 for business improvements. It will also work closely with the Enterprise Connect Innovative Regions Centre in Geelong. Senator Carr said an added feature of the Centre is that it will incorporate the Industry Capability Network of Victoria.
Mark Dreyfus MP, Federal Member for Isaacs, invited local manufacturers to become involved: “This is an exciting opportunity for local businesses to benefit from business advice, mentoring and financial grants,” he said.
“The Centre, and the Business Advisers, will help our businesses succeed, providing specialist advice about strategies and operations, benchmarking in business and manufacturing processes, and access to latest research and technology.”
For more information on Enterprise Connect: Call the Enterprise Connect hotline on 131 791 Or visit: www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au
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