A defence supplier engagement day hosted by Babcock Australasia (Babcock) will act as a launch pad for Australian small businesses to export their products and solutions overseas.
More than one hundred representatives from new and existing domestic suppliers, which are yet to break into international markets, came together at Henderson in Western Australia yesterday for the inaugural event, which provided them with a comprehensive overview of how to progress their global ambitions.
Participants heard directly from Ann-Maree Palmer, the Director of the Global Supply Chain (GSC) Program – an initiative bringing together a select group of the country’s leading defence primes to identify opportunities for suppliers to diversify their work and revenue streams across all technological readiness levels.
There are currently 13 defence primes, including Babcock, which participate in this collaborative endeavour. Primes at the event each outlined the capabilities being sought by their respective global supply chains.
Small businesses also had the opportunity to form connections with key Australian agencies that assist the export process including the Office of Defence Industry Support (ODIS), Team Defence Australia, Austrade and Export Finance Australia.
The interactive networking event follows Babcock’s recent signing of its first contracts facilitated through the Global Supply Chain Program.
Quotes attributable to Babcock Australasia CEO Andrew Cridland
“At Babcock, we are committed to developing ongoing linkages between our suppliers and initiatives that will further strengthen sovereign capability.”
“This event is designed to be a how-to guide for small and medium enterprises wanting to pursue export opportunities, along with a chance to ask questions and establish preliminary business connections and relationships with the primes in attendance.”
Quotes attributable to Babcock Australasia Global Supply Chain Program Manager Kellie Jenkins
“The event provides an opportunity to boost awareness of the GSC Program in the West and offers suppliers a starting point to build on their successes locally and add resilience into their businesses by creating alternative income opportunities overseas.”“It also allows us to identify new suppliers to meet the need of our international customers.”
“The GSC Program is a collaborative program so it’s great to see representatives from the other primes in attendance, which WA suppliers have the opportunity to engage with.”
“Babcock is uniquely positioned with a dedicated team based in the West, so we are pleased to be able to act as host and hopefully create some meaningful opportunities and connections.”