Success stories

The Essential Goods and Supply Chain Program played a vital role in Queensland’s economic recovery. Learn more about the Queensland companies that joined the global pandemic response and helped Queensland’s ability to respond to COVID-19 and be prepared for future pandemics.

ARM Hub

The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub worked with two Queensland businesses with support from the Essential Goods and Supply Chain Program. The north Brisbane based not-for-profit is a world leading technology centre in robotics and design led manufacturing.

The ARM Hub worked with Spinal Life Australia and Consolidated Linen Service to develop effective robotics and advanced manufacturing technologies for use in response to the impacts of COVID-19. Spinal Life Australia’s project focused on developing remote care solutions for people with spinal injuries, and Consolidated Linen Service’s project  developed automated laundry solutions to reduce worker exposure to infectious diseases.

The $18 million ARM Hub is a joint initiative of industry, the Innovative Manufacturing CRC, CSIRO, QUT and the Queensland Government.

Crystalaid

Tingalpa-based Crystalaid gained the relevant certification needed to produce medical devices including ventilators.

The 70-year-old Queensland micro-electronics company is part of the Grabbas Group and currently employs 42 staff, with 20 involved in hands-on manufacturing.

Crystalaid originally focused on medical device manufacture and is best known for manufacturing the Cochlear device up until the mid-2000s.

The company used funding from the Essential Goods and Supply Chain Program to gain the relevant certification needed to produce medical devices including ventilators.

Flowtech

Assistance from the Essential Goods and Supply Chain Program allowed Logan-based Flowtech to expand its business to provide PPE testing and certification.

A leader in certifying clean rooms and hospital operating theatres, the company now has the capabilities to test and certify the surgical face masks made by local manufacturers.

Prior to COVID-19, only 5% of Australia’s medical masks were made domestically. The start of local face mask manufacture required testing facilities that could provide National Association of Testing Authorities certification. Flowtech’s unique air-conditioning compliance skills were well-suited to pivot to include PPE.

MCP Australia

Support from the Essential Goods and Supply Chain Program assisted MCP Australia to accelerate production of critical personal protective equipment. Building upon existing expertise in fabric and textile fabrication, the Logan City-based manufacturer began manufacturing essential niche face mask products.

Products included masks for children and masks with visors and anti-fog measures. These products were not manufactured elsewhere in Australia and are much needed on the healthcare front line. The program also assisted MCP to automate face mask packaging and to start local production of disposable medical gowns, headwear and shoe covers.

In addition to creating 40 new jobs, the program helped deliver expanded and upgraded capabilities, including the purchase and installation of new equipment.

WearOptimo

WearOptimo will establish a Queensland facility to produce world-leading, lifesaving wearable medical technology.

The facility will be the first of its kind in Australia and will manufacture ‘sticker-like’ Microwearable^TM sensors for domestic and global distribution. The health devices are inexpensive, painless and give fast and accurate results in real-time. The new technology deployed across a range of sensors can detect dehydration, could replace frequent blood testing for various diseases, and help with the early detection of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease.

WearOptimo expects more than 90 direct, high-value jobs will be created over the next five years with the potential for many more in the future.