Boeing awards seven contracts to Australian SMEs

Australian small businesses participating in Boeing Australia’s first Capability Up-Lift Program have graduated with seven Boeing contracts, including agreements with three new suppliers.

The year-long Capability Up-Lift Program, designed to support companies who may not have experience working in a defence environment, was delivered with Defence’s Office of Defence Industry Support (ODIS), AusIndustry and Defence Jobs Queensland.

“The program builds on Boeing’s commitment to fostering a diverse, resilient and sustainable sovereign supply chain, and has resulted in Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) awarding contracts to both new and existing SMEs including veteran, women and Indigenous-owned businesses,” said Scott Carpendale, vice president and managing director, BDA.

“SMEs bring significant value to the Defence industry including agility and innovative technologies in key areas such as manufacturing, cyber security and extended reality products.”

“The program participants have graduated with tools they need to increase business maturity and improve overall program performance and are we are looking forward to growing real capability for our industry with the contribution of diverse suppliers,” he said.

Together, they shared resources and access to industry experts to provide SMEs with advisory services, mentoring and major event access to enhance business readiness and Defence maturity.

At the time of graduating, participants have received the following grants and awards:

• Two businesses, HINDSITE Industries and Raytracer received $2.8 million in federal Moon to Mars Initiative grants to productise their technologies for aerospace, in the areas of virtual reality technology and on-orbit vehicle servicing, assembly and manufacture
• Three businesses, HINDSITE Industries, LOGiT and JRS Group, received their first Boeing contracts – no contract value has been released
• Seven SMEs received ten industry awards at both state and national levels.

“The Boeing Capability Up-Lift program has exposed us to the defence and aerospace industry and provided greater understanding of how we can ensure our business is best placed to compete and win on contracts,” said Liam Scanlan, HINDSITE Industries managing director.

“Our participation broke down barriers to entry, and we were delighted to secure multiple contracts, including with Boeing, and federal grants – all made possible through access to key training and events where we could build and foster relationships with other participants and industry experts.”