Recently, Territory-based SPEE3D has been announced the Northern Territory exporter of the year.
Founded in 2016 SPEE3D is a leading advanced manufacturer through 3D printing. They have created a world-leading 3D metal printer that can rapidly manufacture components in a variety of different metals and alloys.
SPEE3D export their products to countries all over the world including the United States, Europe and Asia, focussing on assisting defence industry.
Revealed by Master Builders NT, the Defence sector is expected to invest up to $6.2bn in the NT from 2023 to 2027 and create an additional 7,600 jobs.
The Territory Government supported SPEE3D through a $2.75 million Local Jobs Fund loan in 2020 to develop a Research and Development Headquarters in Darwin aiming to create 12 new direct local jobs.
Economic modelling done by the Territory Government shows this project will directly grow the Territory’s economy through exports by $58 million, with a further flow-on effect to Gross State Product of $55 million over 5 years.
As well as creating jobs right now, this investment supports countless jobs in the future – with 40 TAFE, undergraduate and postgraduate students at Charles Darwin University receiving exposure to this innovative technology.
In the past 12 months, SPEE3D has targeted new customers in the international defence industries as well as expanding their presence in the natural resource sector.
In the past 3 years, SPEE3D has also successfully commercialised their XSPEE3D technology and are now exporting it to the UK and the US defence industries. Their technology has been extensively tested by the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Navy.
Ukraine is the latest defence force to use SPEE3D technology to produce critical replacement parts in the field at the point of need. The Australian Government is providing Ukraine with additional SPEE3D equipment and training as part of their recently announced $20 million package of military assistance to Ukraine.
Quotes attributed to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“The Australian Government is focused on creating multiple export streams for Australian organisations and businesses.
“SPEE3D is an Australian success story. Focused on innovation and creating the jobs of the future, they are part of my government’s $20 million defence industry support package to Ukraine.”
Quotes attributed to Chief Minister Natasha Fyles:
“SPEE3D is an innovative local story, and we are backing them to create as many local jobs as possible.
“International trade is a significant driver of the Territory’s economy and is key to growing investment, and developing new job and business opportunities. It is also integral to achieving the NT Government’s goal of becoming a $40 billion economy by 2030.
“The NT Government’s International Engagement Strategy 2022-26 sets an ambitious but achievable target to see services exported rebound to $800 million by 2026 and, for goods exports to be 15% higher than forecast by 2026 – and SPEE3D is one local Territory business which will help get us there.”
Quotes attributed to SPEE3D CTO Steven Camilleri:
“We developed our metal 3D printers in the Territory, and we continue to innovate from the Territory, along with our teams based in Melbourne and internationally.
“It is because of continuous support our business has received from the NT and federal governments, local investment such as the Paspalis Innovation Investment Fund, and the work we are doing with CDU, all this has contributed to our business’s rapid export growth with global defence forces, including Ukraine.
“We remain committed to supporting Australia’s Advanced Manufacturing future with innovative manufacturing technology.”
Northern Territory Government
