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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-02-25 Daily Xml
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Manufacturing Industries

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (15:03): My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation. Can the minister inform the chamber about the recent Baxter industry event and what impact it will have on manufacturing in South Australia?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:03): I thank the honourable member for his question and, yes, I can inform him in relation to that.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: As it happens, I can inform him.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: It took me some time, but I do have that information here. There is no doubt that the uptake of new technologies is one of the most crucial factors in business innovation. Cutting-edge technologies offer manufacturers the ability to create new and better products, to reduce costs and improve productivity and efficiency. Technology is fundamentally changing the value proposition of manufacturing in South Australia, and we now find some of our greatest successes competing on global markets through the value of our products, services and solutions.

As the honourable member alluded to in his question, I recently had the opportunity to attend the Baxter industry event at SAGE Automation in Melrose Park, to launch a new robot, Baxter the robot, which is designed to work safely alongside people and undertake a wide range of tasks. SAGE Automation is a proud South Australian based automation and control services company and is the Australian integrator of Baxter the robot.

This is the first of this type of robot in Australia and, with the support of the state government through a grant of $50,000 as part of the business innovation voucher program, it will be used by Haigh's Chocolates, our iconic South Australian chocolate manufacturer. Through the state government's business transformation voucher program, manufacturing firms in South Australia are assisted in developing and implementing new activities or improving existing operations to enhance their profitability and productivity. The voucher program in this instance has enabled Haigh's to engage outside expertise, in this case the rather brilliant minds at SAGE Automation, to assist them in enhancing their profitability and competitiveness.

The success of this robot, Baxter the robot, has been proven on the factory floor in the United States and in Europe in a wide range of tasks, and I am confident that, once the SAGE team completes Baxter's programming, it will significantly increase Haigh's manufacturing efficiency. This is expected to be completed this year and installed at Haigh's after Easter, which understandably is a very busy time for that company.

Baxter the robot will be located within Haigh's Chocolates' Greenhill Road facility and will be visible to the over 34,000 visitors each year who take part in the free factory floor tour, which will also offer an opportunity for industry to gain exposure to this potentially transformative piece of technology. While this is a very advanced robot, I still don't think we are in a position to say that we welcome our new robot overlords, but I congratulate Haigh's Chocolates on their willingness to embrace new technology and their willingness to embrace change. It is little surprise that they have been innovators and stayed ahead of the curve for the last 100 years.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Did you get a sample bag? It's important stuff.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: It is important stuff. No, I plan to visit after it is installed, in April, and avail myself of some of the chocolates then. The industry day held at SAGE Automation was an excellent opportunity to introduce this new Baxter the robot, the first of its kind in Australia, to a wide range of South Australian manufacturers who were at the open day. Like many others who were there, I look forward to learning how Baxter is integrated into manufacturing processes throughout South Australia in the years to come.

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