The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has announced the official opening of the Melbourne-Based Auto Innovation Centre (AIC) to the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Industry.
The establishment of two Auto Innovation Centres, in Victoria and South Australia, has been a highly anticipated addition to support automotive parts manufacturing in Australia. The state-of-the-art facility in Mulgrave, Melbourne, will assist Australian manufacturers in continuing to develop world-class products.
On Thursday, Dec. 12 in front of 200 industry representatives, sponsors, dignitaries and media, Senator Rex Patrick cut the ribbon to open the AIC facility. Sen. Patrick spoke to the assembled audience on the importance of a facility like the AIC that will support the Australian automotive and manufacturing sector and the aftermarket companies contributing in a meaningful way to the Australian economy.
Joining the Senator in welcoming those in attendance and discussing the vision of the AIC was Luke Truskinger, AIC managing director, and Stuart Charity, CEO of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association.
“The Auto Innovation Centre was the fruition of over five years work by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association and was modelled on the SEMA Garage in the U.S.,” said Charity. “With thanks to both the Federal and Victorian Governments, their investment has assisted in bringing this incredible facility to reality, and now it is up and running it will enable the industry to utilize the technologies, services and training and development opportunities for their direct benefit.”
The Auto Innovation Centre offers a mix of key services to the automotive industry.
State-of-the-art robotic equipment is already delivering premium vehicle testing services for product manufacturers, including Swine-with-Dwell testing (ADR35/88) to validate ESC performance, as well as brake performance testing (ADR31/35).
With access to key new target vehicles, the AIC will obtain important vehicle data, use 3-D scanning to assist aftermarket companies’ product development and allow developers to get ‘hands on’ with these vehicles.
The advanced workshop equipment and technology will be accessible to the industry and this includes the AIC’s investment into additive manufacturing through 3-D printing equipment and training modules.
The Centre of Excellence will be a hub for automotive training and education, playing a key role in inspiring the next generation of automotive industry workers. There are multiple meeting and training rooms open to industry to book and utilize within the facility, with a dedicated 100-person capacity training room overlooking the AIC workshop space. The AIC offers the perfect venue to ensure industry personnel can maximize their potential.
“This is a fantastic new facility for the industry, so we welcome companies contacting us to discuss how the centre can directly assist their business,” said Truskinger.
Another welcome development for the industry was the recent announcement by the Hon. Karen Andrews, Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Technology of a second round of Automotive Innovation Lab Access Grants for companies in the automotive industry. For more information and applications, go to www.business.gov.au/AILAG before they close on Feb. 24, 2020.
