Strengthening local industry with innovative manufacturing technologies in the Solomon Islands

Expensive, slow and unreliable supply chains significantly hold back local businesses in the Solomon Islands. The Frontier Tech Hub explored the use of distributed manufacturing technologies to localise supply chains and strengthen local production capacities with manufacturing sector partners.
The project explored multiple digital manufacturing technologies including 3D printing, laser cutting and CNC milling, through expert led research. Our analysis pointed to three key factors; market, firm, and tech. The distributed manufacturing tech that was strongest for all three was CNC milling and our partner Tropic Group Builders.
The challenge for small-scale manufacturers using these technologies is in developing sustainable business and investment models. This pilot builds upon previous learnings from other Frontier Technology Pilot’s, such as Kijenzi in Kenya and the Distributed Manufacturing Deep Dive. T
he project saw the Frontier Tech Hub, working with the British High Commission, Honiara, facilitating the importation of a high-end CNC milling machine and providing setup and training support.
Since the launch, attended by dignitaries including the British High Commissioner, MPs and the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, the project has already created skilled jobs for designers and machine operators.
The Tropic Group team will incorporate this new found capacity into their future construction and joinery projects as well as exploring export markets for Solomon Islands world-famous tropical hardwoods.
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Great and wonderful keep it up.....