ICN Victoria celebrates 40 Years of supporting local businesses     

Today Industry Capability Network (ICN) Victoria is celebrating 40 years of supporting local Victorian businesses and workers. ICN Victoria has played a critical role in connecting thousands of local suppliers with major projects that define the state, including the MCG redevelopment, Southern Cross Station, and the State Library.     

Since its founding in 1984 as the Industrial Supplies Office (ISO), ICN Victoria has supported local businesses through supply chain intelligence and facilitating government and industry networks, ensuring the sustained growth of Victoria’s manufacturing, construction, renewable energy, and advanced technology.  

Victorian Minister for Jobs and Industry, Natalie Hutchins said the anniversary was an important milestone noting “for 40 years, ICN Victoria has supported local businesses to get a fair go at work on government projects.

“Local Jobs First – Australia’s longest standing industry participation policy – is designed to maximise jobs and economic benefits from our major projects pipeline, and ICN Victoria has played a key role in identifying and connecting local businesses to these projects.”

Nick Foa, ICN Victoria Chief Executive advised “over the last decade alone, it has contributed more than $3 billion in economic value to the state, worked with 30,000 small businesses, and helped generate some 256,000 new jobs.  

“As the Victorian economy has evolved from a manufacturing, textiles and automotive focus in the early 1980s to what we see today – including advanced manufacturing, medtech, and renewable energy generation – ICN Victoria has evolved with it.

“Today ICN Victoria has more than 54,000 businesses in its network and a team of specialist advisers working across industry sectors, including renewable energy, housing, construction, advanced manufacturing, and medtech and biotech as well as Victoria’s key regional hubs - Ballarat, Geelong, Northern Victoria and Gippsland.

Tim Piper, Chair, ICN Victoria, said the organisation was well-placed to continue to play a pivotal role in supporting Victoria’s future economic growth.  

“By 2050, our state is on track to be home to more than ten million people, with eight million forecast to live in Melbourne and more than two million in regional Victoria, and ICN Victoria will continue to be a key driver of economic activity and local employment.

“In an increasingly technologically driven future that seeks to renew our sovereign industrial capability, there is a real opportunity for Victoria to build on its heritage as the home of Australian innovation.  

“And ICN Victoria has a vital role to play in enabling local businesses and workers to drive progress, create new products and services that improve lives, address societal challenges and boost prosperity and productivity for all Victorians.  

ICN Victoria hosted its 40th anniversary celebratory event on 22nd October 2024, at the State Library of Victoria’s Conversation Quarter with government and industry leaders.

More information on ICN Victoria

Image top: Wade Noonan, former minister for industry and employment, Bronwyn Halfpenny MP, Member for Thomastown, Tim Piper, Chair ICN Victoria, Nicholas Foa, CEO ICN Victoria, event Master of Ceremonies Heidi Murphy, Nine News; Image centre: Nicholas Foa; image below: Tim Piper.