The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) essentially grants PMG to locally-manufacture Probatec brands such as parts, tables, and seats for railway projects across Australia and Asia-Pacific countries creating about 15 new jobs for Australians.
PMG chief executive Jason Elias and Probatec chief executive Stephan Kopp recently signed the MOU, both companies also agreeing on long-term manufacturing technology education and training exchange program for current and future production workforce.
Due to international travel restrictions in Australia due to COVID-19, training programs will be conducted online but it will be moved to face-to-face as restrictions are eased.
“We have an existing agreement with Defence and now we’re working on rail program as both companies having international industry certification at the highest level,” Mr Elias said.
“What PMG is achieving through the agreement is to bring the Australian industry’s capability and sovereignty into play by knowledge transfer from European companies like Probatec so we can make export products here.”
The federal government has called for broader Australian industry participation to increase the production of materials for defence, rail, and infrastructure projects rolled out across the country, Mr Elias said.
Generational skill sets
“The defence and infrastructure program are calling for more Australian contents and while international supply chain companies are winning these works, the Australian supply chain has to evolve with the European techniques to deliver for the programs,” Mr Elias said.
“Everyone has to step up and raise the bar, so we are partnering with international companies to have that technology knowledge brought into PMG and send our guys there for training while they send their people here for training.”
Last year, PMG began manufacturing high-quality seating for military vehicles including the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV), partnering with Probatec to deliver export-quality products for the Commonwealth government’s Land 400 Phase 2 program.
Mr Elias said the military-grade seats that PMG produced under the program was critical for the protection of troops and crew in armoured combat vehicles to prevent spinal compression injuries.
PMG is also working with other European companies involved in the defence, rail, and infrastructure supply chain.
A recent domestic contract for PMG is the manufacture of road signage and structure for the $1.6B Northern Road Upgrade in NSW.
Mr Elias said industries are focused on upskilling the Australian workforce and PMG is leading the way with expanding the Australian Industry Certification qualifications through successful training programs.
To move forward in the international supply chain network, Mr Elias emphasized Australia’s small and medium size enterprises “must upskill and sustain its workforce to be compliant and pass the correct knowledge needed for the future.”
“We definitely have skills shortage but with the right company, certification, passion and mentoring programs, companies like PMG are able to sustain the skills set of the new generation.”
