The Chief Executives of a number of the country’s top manufacturing companies have joined the newly formed Australian Advanced Manufacturing Council, which will focus on driving national priority and policy change to boost the advanced manufacturing sector.

Founding members, including Global CEO of The Dow Chemical Company, Andrew Liveris, Pacific Brands CEO, John Pollaers, and CEO Cochlear, Chris Roberts, formally launched the initiative together at an inaugural meeting supported by the Australian Industry Group.

John Pollaers, CEO of Pacific Brands, said the private sector was in the best position to present a coherent view of Australia's competitive advantages.

"We've allowed some of these advantages to languish or be compromised," he said.

"This group will provide the leadership to advance Australia's world class potential in high value manufacturing and help to redefine manufacturing in the public imagination," Mr Pollaers said.

Andrew Liveris as CEO of Dow's $60 billion global operations, has led the conversation in the United States that is enhancing a US manufacturing resurgence and a re-shoring of capabilities.  He was co-Chair of President Obama's Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, and was recently appointed Chairman of the US Business Council.
"Since 2010, manufacturing has been a bright spot in the US, as the economy continues to recover from the financial crisis," Mr Liveris said.