Figure 2 : Hunter MTP Ecosystem
CAN THE HUNTER REALLY CLAIM THAT MTP IS A SPECIALISATION ? Having lived the Hunter ’ s history as a manufacturing hub where shipbuilding was a mainstay of the region ’ s thriving manufacturing base ; steelmaking underpinned its economic strength , and its billion-dollar mining and defence sectors still call on the region ’ s high-performing SME base to produce vital equipment and technology , we recognised the region ’ s quality engineering and manufacturing pedigree .
But what is the connection with MTP – how do engineering and manufacturing relate ? Our history in traditional industries and regulated fields means the region also has an increased concentration of people with relevant skills at both technical and trade levels . These skills , coupled with a track record of adaptability due to economic shocks and the steady transition to Industry 4.0 processes , has increased the ease with which the region ’ s industry is able to pivot and apply transferrable skills and knowledge into new , high-tech industry sectors like medical technology . The region ’ s engineering know-how and regulatory / governance / quality management systems skills delivers an experienced approach that results in smart , technically sophisticated solutions . For instance , RDA Hunter supports Whiteley
Corporation ’ s aspirations to commercialise research and manufacture novel medical products at a purpose-built human therapeutics plant .
Skills , of course , belong to people and our workforce is the fundamental ingredient for industry success : skilled , motivated people deliver quality production , service and meaningful collaboration . The Hunter and Central Coast region ( HCC ) boasts world class clinical experts who are delivering medical breakthroughs ; doctors and researchers engaged in new to the world projects , patient-facing nursing and support staff ; Medical Engineering graduates ; international industry cluster development experts ; industry and manufacturing leaders ; and many others . These experts engage at all levels to identify and solve patient-centric problems , unmet clinical needs and industry sector challenges .
Additionally , Hunter firms and organisations are recognised as great competitive collaborators - demonstrated by longestablished and successful network organisations like the HunterNet Co-op , which was founded when competitor companies joined forces to facilitate knowledge exchange , solve industry problems and plug skills gaps - but can we prove it ? What does the data say ?
Well , our capability audit showed that 88 % of HCC ’ s MTP companies actively collaborate with other organisations to add value to their products and services . Importantly , of those , 85 % found their collaboration partner / s within the region . Driven , in part , by the size of the region which is large enough to support the innovation environment but not too large that organisations are disconnected or experts difficult to engage , collaboration is a common approach to complex problem solving .
We also discovered that our MTP ecosystem comprises :
• MTP companies that produce and / or manufacturer biotech and medical technology ;
• Enabling organisations that facilitate translation from invention to clinical innovation such as research organisations , industrial prototyping labs and health systems ; and
• Supporting organisations offering professional support and increasing sector capability , such as governments , incubators , clinical research organisations and consultants .
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