ICN National to acquire QMI, strengthening industry connections
The QMI Board, Company Secretary and CEO
Left to right - CEO Ali Davenport, Company Secretary Hari Anandan, Chair Paul Hodgson, Directors Shay Chalmers, Leigh Staines and Ben Bridges
Queensland Manufacturing Institute (QMI), a cornerstone of manufacturing support in Queensland since 1993, is pleased to announce its acquisition by the ICN National Office following a strategic review. This milestone marks a significant step in enhancing connections between local manufacturers and major national projects.
“With this acquisition, QMI will further enhance its ability to connect manufacturers with opportunities in vital sectors right across Australia, including defence. The integration will also drive efficiencies through shared resources” said Paul Hodgson, QMI Chair.
In 2007, QMI became the Qld licensee for ICN, with a strong and trusted partnership delivering billions of dollars of work for Queensland businesses. Over the decades, QMI and ICN together have navigated economic transformations while championing local supply chains in an increasingly complex global landscape. In the 2023-2024 financial year alone, the partnership delivered an impressive $1.8 billion of work for local Queensland businesses.
Leadership of the QMI team will transition to ICN National from 1 July 2025. For ICN National, Queensland represents a region with a strong pipeline of major project opportunities. “The acquisition of QMI provides an opportunity to create greater consistency and efficiency nationally to meet the needs of both suppliers and project owners” said Derek Lark, Chair of ICN National.
“We are committed to empowering the experienced QMI team to continue growing local industry and help create more local jobs. Their work aligns strongly with ICN’s mission to build sovereign supply chains by connecting capable local suppliers to major projects,” said Warren Jansen, CEO ICN National.
In a world of geopolitical uncertainty and an impending wave of national investment in defence, energy, mining, infrastructure, and the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, strong foundations for sovereign manufacturing and local capability have never been more critical. QMI and ICN National share a commitment to ensuring that these investments translate into real economic benefits—more revenue for local businesses, highly skilled jobs, and thriving regional economies.
This partnership underscores the strength in unity, positioning ICN National and QMI to deliver better outcomes for Queensland businesses.
Media contact
ICN National’s Chief Executive Officer Warren Jansen, and QMI Chair Paul Hodgson are both available for comment.
Warren Jansen wjansen@icn.org.au +61 404 473 236
Paul Hodgson Paul.hodgson@qldmanufacturing.org.au +61 431 882 911
About ICN:
ICN facilitates connections between buyers and suppliers across various industries. With a focus on fostering collaboration and innovation, ICN helps businesses identify opportunities for growth, develop partnerships, and access new markets. ICN plays a vital role in driving economic development and promoting industry competitiveness, through an extensive network of industry connections.
