ISO - Identifying companies that may not have been...
ISO is an independently managed non-profit organisation financially supported by State, Territory and Commonwealth governments to assist purchasers identify the supply capability of local manufacturers and service providers for the purposes of import replacement and export.
The ISO network covers Australia and New Zealand, and is staffed by experienced technical people with extensive knowledge of the capability and resources of local industry.
The organisation helps customers find competitive local sources to meet procurement and project needs.
Supplier Access to Major Projects (SAMP) Program
The SAMP Program aims to maximise Australian industry participation in major projects of national significance. It started in 1997-98 and has been allocated $2.5M over 4 years. The Program is funded through the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources and is administered by ISONET which co-ordinates the activities of State and Territory Industrial Supplies Offices (ISO's).
ISONET manages SAMP on behalf of the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources. The program funds dedicated ISO research staff into major project teams to identify opportunities for Australian and New Zealand industry, and assists the project to source plant and equipment from the most cost effective local supplier.
Together, these groups link developers of major projects with capable, credible and competitive Australian suppliers.
Australian Industry Participation
The Commonwealth Government is committed to the adoption of a proactive, entrepreneurial approach to improving Australian industry participation in major projects both within Australia and overseas.
The ISO network is the recognised authority on Australian industry capability and with Commonwealth assistance can apply the resources to facilitate Australian suppliers bidding to enter the supply chains of project developers.
Major Projects
BHP Billiton approved the development of the Mount Arthur North Coal mine Project at South Muswellbrook in NSW. The project was for an open cut mine and coal processing plant. The detailed design and management was conducted as a joint venture between Sinclair Knight Mertz (Queensland) and Robertson-Schaeffer US.
The mine and plant were designed to mine 15 million tonnes/year with associated processing, washing, stockpiling and handling as well as the associated electrical plant. In order to ensure they maximised Australian industry involvement, and minimised their exposure to import duties, BHP Billiton requested ISO Queensland to assist them with the project.
As a result of assistance from the ISO network the project has created significant opportunities for Australian industry to assist with a range of supply contracts.
Australian industry participation in the project has been given impetus by the dedication of an ISO consultant to the project, funded through the SAMP Program.
By supporting placement of a specialist ISO consultant, the SAMP Program has enabled Australian firms to secure initial contracts worth $32 million, with the prospect of a further $60 million in the future.
The ISO Queensland Consultant utilised the information and expertise of the ISO National Network, in particular, the ISO NSW Hunter Region Consultant to ensure both a National and Regional response. As a consequence, a range of Australian companies across Australia who could meet the project time, cost and quality were contracted to supply products and services. Of the initial $32 million, contracts over $25 million were won by companies in states other than Queensland, which highlights the national impact of the benefits from the SAMP Program. This has created or retained 160 direct manufacturing jobs, and a further 416 indirect jobs across Australia.
Why Use ISO?
- Services are confidential and generally free
- Available to both private and public sectors
- Price, quality and delivery are prime factors when ISO is seeking products and services for clients
- ISO gets results: a total of $3 billion in redirected purchases to date
- ISO is easily accessible through offices located throughout Australia and New Zealand
For further information, please contact ISO on 02 6285 2033.
