About Us

The aim of Industry Capability Network (ICN) in South Australia is to promote South Australian, Australian and New Zealand industry through import replacement and opportunities for participation in major projects. ICN performs a technical role providing purchasers with a free sourcing service to identify Australian suppliers capable of supplying those items that would otherwise be imported.

To achieve this aim, ICN has a comprehensive database of Australian industry capability. To register your company's capability click on Supplier Registration from the navigation menu.

ICN was established in 1985 and is funded by the South Australian Government through the Department of Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade and Resources to provide specialist supply chain services. The office is staffed by professionals with industry experience in engineering, logistics and procurement. The ICN in SA is the successor to the Industrial Supplies Office. ICN's technical consultants have a comprehensive knowledge of national industrial capability across all tiers of manufacturing. Contact ICN to ensure that your company is registered.

ICN adopts a positive role by contacting all sectors of the procurement chain including architects, project managers and engineers, to ensure that they are aware of local capability and encourages them to provide Australian industry with a full and fair opportunity to bid for the work.

Many companies seek overseas suppliers in the belief that the products they require are either too expensive, inferior quality or the technology is unavailable from Australian manufacturers. Through its expert staff and its extensive database of Australian production capabilities, ICN has time and time again identified companies with the required capability and ability to meet the purchasers requirements of price, delivery, quality, and technical requirements. ICN is a most cost-effective organisation and, arguably, is Australia's most successful job creation program.
 

How does ICN work?

ICN responds to enquiries from buyers and actively consults with the government, project developers and managers to locate suitable suppliers who are capable of meeting the specifications of the buyer of those items currently being imported.

ICN identifies possible suppliers and service organisations, evaluates their capacity to meet the requirements, and nominates suitable, competitive suppliers to the purchaser.

ICN operates within the purchasers time constraints and enquiries are handled in the strictest confidence. The right of the purchaser to determine the supplier is maintained at all times.

In response to your enquiry, ICN will:

• Search for competitive local producers.
• Evaluate capability to meet production requirements.
• Work with organisations to enhance their receptivity to local producers.
• Provide information on procurement opportunities while maintaining confidentiality.
• Assist suppliers to interpret the quality and technical requirements in the acquisition process.
• Encourage the use of licensing agreements for technology not locally available.
• Identify local companies suitable for offsets work.
• Advise on opportunities for new or increased production.

ICN services

Free services include:

• General import replacement enquiries
• Local sourcing of major project enquiries
• Industry Participation Policy (IPP) enquiries
• Industry research

Fee for service may include:

• Secondments to major projects
• Import replacement expositions
• Tariff concession order and project by-law research
• Other industry development activities

ICN in South Australia results

Success is measured through orders received by suppliers nominated by ICN to prospective purchasers. Recent results are: Years $ 2002 - 2003 $72 million 2003 - 2004 $14 million 2004 - 2005 $23 million 2005 - 2006 $16 million 2006 - 2007 $48 million 2007 - 2008 $84.5 million 2008 - 2009 $137.9 million 2009 - 2010 $154 million

Economic indicators

A study carried out for ICN by Australian Economic Consultants Pty Ltd (AEC Group) revealed that in 2007 / 08 every $1 million spent in the manufacturing industry in Australia generates:

Full time jobs: 10 - (4 direct jobs and 6 indirect)
Tax revenue: $333,900
Value Added*: $985,000
Welfare Benefits**: $95,000

Every $1 million spent in the services sector in Australia generates:

Full time jobs: 11 - (6 direct jobs and 5 indirect)
Tax revenue: $331,900
Value Added*: $979,200
Welfare Benefits**: $104,100

* ' Value Added' includes wages, salaries, taxes paid and profits.
** 'Welfare Benefits' refers to payments made by Social Security in order to assist and sustain unemployed persons.  

Tariff concession and enhanced project by-law applications

ICN acts as a "Prescribed Organisation" under the Customs Act to determine whether "substitutable goods" subject to a tariff concession application are manufactured in Australia. ICN can also verify if "equivalent goods" the subject of an enhanced project by-law application are manufactured in Australia.

For further information click on Tariff Registration or contact ICN in SA at info@icnsa.org.au   

Regional developments

ICN in SA works closely with the regional development boards in South Australia to promote local industry capability and provide opportunities for local companies to supply into major projects.

Regional development associations are established in key locations throughout the state.

Industry participation plan