By Nick Foa, CEO, ICN Victoria
Last week, we visited Q Industries, a proudly Australian-owned, family-run lighting manufacturer that showcases the strength and potential of advanced manufacturing in Melbourne.
Since 2005, Q Industries has delivered end-to-end lighting solutions, spanning in-house design and engineering through to precision manufacturing and rigorous testing. Their work supports major projects across Australia, including the Bendigo Hospital, Junction Oval and leading universities, demonstrating that local capability can compete at the highest level.
One standout example we saw on site was a stabling yard lighting solution for Metro Trains Melbourne, designed locally by Work Light and manufactured by Q Industries. The innovation is simple but powerful:
- Improved safety for drivers navigating yards in low-light conditions
- Minimal light spill into surrounding communities
- Up to 80% reduction in energy consumption
This is what modern Australian manufacturing looks like—smart, efficient solutions designed for real-world challenges.
“Metro Trains Melbourne undergoes rigorous procurement processes for any project across our network to ensure they meet our high standards of safety and performance. Lighting is a safety critical component for our operations and we appreciate our partners who support us to operate our network.” Metro Trains Melbourne
Walking the factory floor reinforced a clear message: this is innovation in action. From raw components to high-performance finished products, every stage reflects precision, adaptability and a deep commitment to quality. With design, engineering and manufacturing under one roof, Q Industries has an agility that global suppliers struggle to match.
Just as importantly, the business is a champion of local manufacturing — creating jobs, strengthening supply chains and investing in sustainable, low-impact production.
However, businesses like Q Industries cannot thrive on capability alone. Their future — and the future of Australia’s manufacturing base — relies heavily on government procurement and policies such as Local Jobs First.
“Australian manufacturers compete on quality and reliability. What we need is procurement that gives local suppliers a genuine look, and policies like Local Jobs First make a real difference to businesses like ours.” Q Industries
Too often, proven local suppliers are overlooked in favour of imports, despite offering quality, reliability and stronger economic returns.
Backing companies like Q Industries is not just good procurement; it is a strategic decision that supports local jobs and skills, builds sovereign capability and supply chain resilience, and enables innovation that delivers better outcomes for communities.
Our top takeaways from the visit:
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Quality without compromise: Design, engineering and assembly teams operate under one roof, with rigorous testing, compliance and attention to detail at every stage.
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Innovation that matters: Continuous investment in research and development is enabling smarter, more practical, sustainable and efficient lighting solutions.
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The need to back local: Stronger alignment with state procurement policies is critical to helping businesses like this scale and thrive.
Q Industries shows that world-class manufacturing already exists here in Victoria. With the right support, businesses like this will not just survive — they will lead.