Evolution of an Engineering Intensive Industry

Speaker: Peter Bradley, EM Solutions


When: 3 July, 6:15pm

Venue: Hawken Auditorium, Engineering House, 447 Upper Edward Street

 
Abstract:

 

In 1981, a three person team with a directive to design and develop components for the microwave industry in Australia
was set up at UQ. Over the next 6 years both the team and the work undertaken expanded and the group left the University
to set up a commercial company. In the following 10 years, MITEC, as the company was called, grew rapidly and
went through a cycle of private company, publicly listed company and back to a private company. The growth of the company itself
and the consequent demand on suppliers and subcontractors helped push the development of local infrastructure.
Some of the work undertaken by MITEC made heavy demands on the company and it's subcontractors in terms of project control
and quality and this helped lift the overall standard. However, it was the concentration of engineering talent and the splintering
and fracturing of the company that really fuelled the development of a local industry. As a consequence there is now a strong industry
sector in Brisbane with at least six manufacturing companies directly employing about 300 people and involved in activities
from precision machining to optical communications.


For Peter Bradley’s biography and to register for this event please go to the Engineers Australia, Queensland division,
webpage at http://qld.ieaust.org.au and follow the links to the Events page.


Biography:

For Peter Bradley’s biography and to register for this event please go to the Engineers Australia, Queensland division,
webpage at http://qld.ieaust.org.au and follow the links to the Events page.