Roos Rethinks Resource

Tuesday 21st February 2012 12:17pm

Manufacturing Thinker in Residence Goran Roos will return to SA shores as the head of a new manufacturing task force.

Professor Roos recommended SA manufacturers migrate up the value chain or risk extinction at the hands of lower cost competitors and controversially described the state's wine sector as lapsing into laziness after its earlier innovation.

Geoff Knight, the Chief Executive of the Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy, yesterday told Parliament's Budget and Finance Committee that Professor Roos would head up a new taskforce to develop a strategy for advanced manufacturing in the state.

The Advanced Manufacturing Council will replace the existing Manufacturing Consultative Council bit it must first wait on legislation to be passed by Parliament.

"Clearly we are looking at ramping up our efforts in this space," Mr Knight said.

"Further consideration will need to be given to what becomes the previous council but it is clear the Government wishes to do something that is more strategic in focus that we get more value from."

While the structure was yet to be finalised, Professor Roos was integral to the strategy Mr Knight said.

"He clearly is the kind of individual who has got the caliber that we need," he said.

"We know that he is very influential nationally. He is probably one of the most well written and his research in this area is clearly world leading."

Mr Knight said "key industry figures" would join professor Roos to provide advice on developing local capability, enhancing companies' contribution to the value chain, mapping technology and building government responsibility for innovation through smart procurement. Professor Roos has already signed a five month contract bit is expected to be offered an extension when the structure is authorised by Parliament.

Source: The Advertiser 21st February 2012 by Russell Emmerson