Blacktown City Council and the University of Western Sydney (UWS) will carry out exploratory research on the state of manufacturing in Blacktown.

Manufacturing in Blacktown is the most productive part of the local economy. It makes up 16.3% of the total Gross Regional Product. It employs 13,100 people, an equivalent to 12% of the total workforce in Blacktown.

The research to be done by UWS will assess a range of manufacturing sectors to identify which are most impacted by globalisation. It will then look at manufacturers and their ability to transition towards “advanced manufacturing” practices and the steps needed to achieve it.

Small business is an important focus of the research with close to eighty per cent of all manufacturers in Blacktown classified as a small business.

Manufacturing is a critical part of the Blacktown economy, said a Council spokesperson.  It is important to conduct this research to see what we could do as Council to help our manufacturers compete and where needed, transition to more modern practices.

Manufacturers who would like to be involved in this research can contact Council’s Economic Development Unit by calling (02) 9839 6233.