Research & Development, Safety, Standards & Regulation, Technology and IT

Research Centre to boost industry’s competitiveness

Bombardier FLEXX bogie. Photo: Bombardier

The new Rail Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (RMCRC) was launched on Tuesday, with its new chairman saying it aims to broaden ties between the rail industry and leading R&D providers.

Chairman Paul Johnson said the RMCRC aims to facilitate collaboration between industry bodies, universities, the CSIRO and businesses.

So far the new Centre has attracted French manufacturer Faiveley, Canada’s Bombardier, Australian businesses Downer, OneSteel  and Simplex CNC Systems, Knorr-Bremse subsidiary Sigma, and Chinese rolling stock manufacturer China Rail Rolling Stock Corp.

The RMCRC was established as a result of the ‘Technology Roadmap’ with the Federal Government pledging $31 million over six years to create it. That figure has been more than matched by industry contributions.

“Collaboration between industry and R&D providers is a result of having a shared agenda driven by the ‘On Track to 2014 Technology Roadmap’ aligned with national research priorities in advanced manufacturing,” Johnson said.

“This launch comes at an important time when global supply chains are at a turning point and where innovation is allowing rail manufacturers to access new and emerging projects with local and international partners.

“There is little doubt that Australian rail manufacturers will reap the benefits of innovative funding and commercialisation models offered through the RMCRC.”

Johnson was joined in launching the Centre by parliamentary secretary to industry and science Karen Andrews, Victorian minister for industry Lily D’Ambrosio, acting Australasian Railway Association chief operating officer Phil Allan, and industry chief executives.

Allan said the industry supports the establishment of RMCRC and believes it will lead to increased capability and a global competitiveness for the Australian rail industry.

“Australia’s geography and geology lends itself to requiring world class rail capability, one that is economically efficient and environmentally friendly and that improves urban amenity,” Allan said.

“The Australian rail industry can demonstrate world’s best practices in terms of design, innovative technologies, signalling, and the infrastructure that underpins it; however in order to impact the supply chain, industry must engage in collaborative research to generate innovative outcomes in technology and to address its advanced manufacturing requirements.

“The RMCRC presents a significant opportunity for the industry to bridge this gap, providing a clear direction to build capability and avoid duplication, therefore strengthening the overall performance and productivity of our local manufacturing industry.”