Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) Connect is a multi-phase initiative with a clear goal to spotlight advanced manufacturing capability in the Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast region and highlight its role in Australia’s sovereign manufacturing strategy. The program addresses a major national vulnerability – 95% of commercial PCBs are imported from China and 100% of defence-grade PCBs from Europe and the USA.

Led by RDA Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast in partnership with the Australian Industry Defence Association (AIDN), Manufacturing Excellence Forum Sunshine Coast (MEFSC), and Elexon Electronics, the program delivered 3 outcomes:

• attracting national attention to regional manufacturing capabilities
• centring supply chain discussions to identify gaps and opportunities
• creating collaborations between industry, government, and education.

The centrepiece forum and expo, held on 26 February 2025 at Queensland Air Museum, Caloundra, achieved strong results (see Figure 1) as follows:

• 205 full-day registrations
• 153 evening networking attendees
• over 50% travelling from outside the region
• 20% from interstate.

The event showcased 23 exhibitors, 26 speakers, and a Leader's Roundtable with 38 senior stakeholders, including government, defence, technology, and academia.

Key outcomes included a formal Communique signed by all partners, AusIndustry federal sponsorship, national media coverage, and progression to Phase 2. Current activities focus on strategic planning, capability mapping, business case development, and investment preparation to establish sovereign PCB manufacturing.

This evidence-based approach responds to Australia’s declining Economic Complexity Index ranking (99th globally) and positions the $54.29 billion regional economy as a national leader in sovereign electronics manufacturing.

PCB Connect has elevated the Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast region as a hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation.

The event strengthened the regional manufacturing ecosystem by showcasing exhibitors such as Elexon Electronics, IntelliDesign, VMG Print Group, and Raider Targetry, giving them national exposure, and the Leader’s Roundtable gathered influential stakeholders and positioned the region as a national leader in sovereign manufacturing capability discussions.

The initiative has also opened career pathways for 21,488 local manufacturing workers to transition into higher-value advanced manufacturing roles, supporting economic diversification from traditional industries into high-tech electronics.

Figure 1: Highlights of PCB Connect – participation, communication and reach