Alice Springs business boosted by Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund 

21 September 2022

The Territory’s investment in expanding advanced manufacturing opportunities is gathering pace, with the announcement of the latest recipient of the Northern Territory Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund (AMEF), awarded to Alice Springs business, AirTip.

AirTip will scale up its design, manufacture and commercialisation of a world-first, air powered, side tipping haulage trailer in the Red Centre, accelerating advanced manufacturing capabilities and bolstering local workforces.

The bespoke haulage trailer will be used for bulk transport, pastoral and mining operations and will reduce emissions and operating costs, while increasing fleet flexibility and payload capacities.

The fully-integrated trailer makes use of the truck’s standard pneumatic system, removing the need for the fitment of expensive hydraulic systems – which can run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

The company is partnering with local businesses, Ross Engineering and the Complete Group, to scale up manufacture of the trailers. This collaboration will not only improve local manufacturing efficiency and empower innovation, but it will remove the need to source similar services from interstate.

The design will reduce the number of haulage trips, save on fuel, tyre usage, trailer wear and carbon emissions, and produce an innovative product for the national and potentially international customer.

AirTip has been awarded $276,500 through the AMEF, bringing the total co-investment into the project to over $550,000. AirTip is the fourth recipient of the AMEF, which is administered by the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre. (AMGC).

The co-investment into AirTip will create an additional 10 jobs over 5 years. 

Quotes from Minister for Advanced Manufacturing, Nicole Manison:

“Advanced manufacturing is creating the jobs of the future, right here in the Northern Territory.

AirTip will grow Territory-based design and engineering capability in Alice Springs.

By making these important investments, the Northern Territory Government is growing industries, expanding exports, creating new opportunities for investors and securing exciting local jobs for Territorians.”

Quotes from Major Projects Commissioner Jason Schoolmeester:

“Through partnering with local companies, AirTip is creating a word-class product in Alice Springs, which will bolster the Territory’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, and service our mining industry.

The Northern Territory Government is driving investment to grow a $40 billion economy by 2030 – and advanced manufacturing is playing a critical role in getting us there.” 

Quotes from AirTip Founder and Managing Director Clarke Petrick:

“This co-investment will have broader implications across the Territory, giving AirTip, Ross Engineering and the Complete Group the capability to design, engineer and fabricate componentry in Alice Springs – a capability once outsourced interstate.

The addition of new robotic laser cutting and CNC capabilities will allow enable us to test, develop and commercialise the AirTip system in shorter timeframes, reducing the lag effect of having to outsource core manufacturing processes.”

Quotes from AMGC NT Director, Charmaine Phillips:

“AirTip is proof that we have highly capable manufacturers in Central Australia willing to invest to grow their local, national and potentially international impact.

Co-investment in AirTip’s haulage solution will ensure that an innovative product moves to commercialisation, while also building key manufacturing capability and services in Alice Springs, and the Territory.”

Northern Territory Government