$14M technology centre for furniture industry

25/3/94

Western Australia's furniture manufacturing industry is set to be among the most technologically-advanced in the world.

The industry - which employs about 10,000 people in this State - will be helped into the 21st century by a unique $14 million technology centre, at the Balga campus of TAFE.

Employment and Training Minister Norman Moore today launched a new concept of industry liaison through the Furnishing Technology Enterprise Centre.

The centre was the only organisation in the State using leading edge computer software for furniture production.

Mr Moore said the concept heralded a new era for the State's furniture manufacturing industry, which involved about 2,000 WA companies.

Access was provided to the latest production technology and furniture production companies could evaluate equipment without risking capital expenditure.

The Balga Centre - part of the North Metropolitan College of TAFE - was an innovative training and service establishment to ensure the transfer of the latest technology to industry.

A high priority was given to training, to obtain new skills, and retraining at regular intervals, which were essential to maintain quality and to improve productivity.

The centre was the only WA organisation capable of producing (and sanding) the backs of chairs in one operation, using solid timber.  One WA company was working with the centre to begin production of chair backs which previously had been imported.

"This new facility has already helped local companies with production problems, and in one case, was able to reduce a job which normally took up to ten days, to just six hours," Mr Moore said.

"This will open the doorway to the latest technology for what was once a very traditional manufacturing industry and is a strong example of co-operation between a training institution and local companies."

With the support of the Furnishings Industry Employment and Training Council, the centre will also offer services in consultancy, business planning, management training, design, prototyping, research and development.

Media contact:  Ross Storey 321 1444 / 222 9595