Founded by Susan and Peter Cull in 1980, ICT International developed precision instruments to accurately measure, monitor and understand water in food production, and has now expanded its Armidale facility to bring greater in-house capabilities.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
ICT International products have been installed across the globe to measure plant water use via sap flow, water stress and the effects of weather and environmental change in regions.
National director of Industry and NSW and ACT director of Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre Michael Sharpe said the expanded facility's launch was really a great local success story.
ALSO READ:
"We hear all about manufacturing and its future here in Australia, and ICT is a great example of manufacturing on the move," he said.
"This digital transformation around industry, which really is the fourth industrial revolution, we're talking about automation, robotics and smart sensors.
"Here we have a company that's developing sensor technology and exporting that technology to countries all around the world, right from here in Armidale."
Mr Sharpe said it was cutting edge technology.
"Backed up by world class research and a great team of Armidale locals," he said.
"What's being built here is the jobs. The high skilled, higher paying jobs of tomorrow's workforce is being developed right here.
"It's real, it's happening today and it's global."
Dr Peter Cull described himself as the owner of the building with a lot of clever people working for him.
"We have 20-odd people working here, 10 of who are from Armidale High School originally. But they are all very skilled people," he said.
"What's happening on the planet is we are running out of resources and we need to monitor more and more things more closely.
"In our case it's agriculture and environment, but it may be any aspect of life because we've got no more resources, but we've got more people."
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said ICT International exported to 55 countries throughout the world.
"This is the future of Australian manufacturing. Gone are the days when we have big plants in Sydney and Melbourne employing thousands of people," he said.
"We have cutting edge, in terms of being designed and built right here, from a family owned business right here in Armidale.
"And they're giving back to the community, with two $5000 scholarships being offered to two students of Armidale Secondary College's Smart Farm."
Mr Marshall said ICT International scientists would mentor both scholarship winners for two years.
