The Manufacturing Excellence Forum Sunshine Coast (MEF) exists to strengthen the Sunshine
Coast’s manufacturing sector by building capability, fostering collaboration, and creating growth opportunities. Following three (3) years of operations and funding, MEF commissioned an evaluation to independently assess outcomes and benefits.

A ‘Social Return on Investment’ (SROI) methodology was selected by the independent evaluators as the best methodology to evaluate MEF, compared to a traditional ‘return on investment’ assessment, as the organisation’s efforts are centred on networking and collaboration.

The Manufacturing Excellence Forum (MEF) exists to grow the Sunshine Coast’s
advanced manufacturing ecosystem. This document summarises our strategy for 2025–
2030 — outlining why manufacturing matters, where the opportunity lies, and how the
MEF will deliver it.

PREPARED BY: MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE FORUM (SUNSHINE COAST) LTD.
DATE: JANUARY 15, 2025
AUTHORS: T. KELLY, G. BAYLEY, A. WANT, K. BENNETT

The Manufacturing Excellence Forum (Sunshine Coast) Limited (“MEF(SC)”) is a NFP Platform that has been tasked with accelerating the creation of an Advanced Manufacturing (AM) clusters across Regional Australia. MEF(SC) is the pilot program for this effort with an initial focus on the Sunshine Coast.

As an industry-led organization focused on supporting manufacturing excellence and innovation, we believe that the development of advanced manufacturing is crucial to Australia's economic growth and competitiveness.