Google Chromebook laptops for Australian school students will be manufactured in Adelaide under a new partnership between Adelaide-based computer company Allied Corporation and Google.
Allied is the first manufacturer in Australia/New Zealand to be approved by Google to manufacture the Chromebook.
The partnership will see Allied given access to Google IP and design standards to manufacture the devices in Adelaide.
The first 60 Allied/Google Chromebooks will be assembled at Allied’s manufacturing facility at Beverley in time for the start of Term 1.
They will be trialled by the Department of Education at Cleve Area School and Murray Bridge High School to test the suitability of the student devices within the classroom environment.
The Department of Education would then have the option of procuring Google laptops made locally rather than overseas.
The ultimate aim for the Google/Allied partnership is to develop a manufacturing hub in Adelaide to supply Chromebooks for schools throughout Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.
Allied currently has the capacity to manufacture in excess of 100,000 laptops per year and its hoped this new partnership could see up to 500 new jobs created in South Australia.
Allied currently operates from three facilities in Adelaide’s western suburbs, where it produces high-spec machines for gamers across Australia, North America, Europe and South-East Asia, as well as other clients Australian and US-based defence and space industries, health care providers and other high-tech organisations.
Vision of the Google Chromebooks is available here.
Quotes
Attributable to Peter Malinauskas
The fact that Google – one of the world’s biggest companies – wants to use South Australia as its base for manufacturing in Australia and New Zealand is a huge vote of confidence in our great state.
This partnership is ground-breaking as it connects a global tech heavyweight with a leading South Australian manufacturer in Allied Corporation.
It is important students in South Australia have equitable access to digital devices to help them learn.
It’s equally important these devices are fit for purpose and can withstand the rigours of the classroom.
Through this proof of concept, we are pleased to be supporting a local South Australian company, and look forward to determining next steps upon successful completion of the trial.
It’s an exciting prospect to think there is potential for devices manufactured here in this State to become a viable option for our South Australian schools and indeed for schools across the country.
Attributable to Nick Champion
We have a proud history of manufacturing in this state and this is another example of a partnership between the Government and Allied – a private company - working together to get the best results for South Australians.
Having visited Allied’s manufacturing facility last year it comes as no surprise they have been entrusted by Google to make their Chromebooks.
This important investment in our state will create more jobs and help train more skilled workers.
Attributable to Allied CEO Aron Saether-Jackson
This new partnership is a game-changer for Allied.
We’re proudly South Australian and we’re thrilled that we’ve been able to attract the interest of Google into partnering with us here.
A lot of people think there isn’t much of an opportunity for high-tech computer manufacturing in Australia – but partnerships like this prove the doubters wrong.
It’s a win for students, it’s a win for the local industry and it’s a win for South Australia.
Our gaming PCs are already in demand all over the world and with this new partnership,
Australian governments will have the option to buy superior laptops that are locally manufactured, at competitive value.
We’re in a race for the jobs of the future and we welcome the vision of the government, and its policies that prioritise procurement from SA-based firms over companies from overseas.
Attributable to Colin Marson Director Google for Education
We are excited about the launch of the new lineup of Chromebooks in South Australia and believe this will help students and teachers continue on their collaborative learning journey.
Chromebooks are the preferred device in education globally and we have long been pioneers in working with local partners to bring best-in class affordable technology to classrooms.
With the support of the South Australian Government, we are excited to be working with South Australian manufacturer Allied to assemble Chromebooks in South Australia for the first time.
