In a groundbreaking development for Australian education technology, Google has joined forces with Adelaide-based computer company Allied Corporation to manufacture Google Chromebook laptops for school students in Adelaide.
Allied Corporation becomes the first manufacturer in the Australia/New Zealand region to receive Google’s approval for Chromebook production, marking a significant milestone in the country’s tech manufacturing landscape.
“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,” Premier Peter Malinauskas says.
“This partnership is ground-breaking as it connects a global tech heavyweight with a leading South Australian manufacturer in Allied Corporation.”
This partnership grants Allied Corporation access to Google’s intellectual property and design standards, allowing them to assemble the first batch of 60 Allied/Google Chromebooks at their Beverley manufacturing facility in time for the start of Term 1.
These laptops will undergo extensive testing at Cleve Area School and Murray Bridge High School, as the Department of Education assesses their suitability for the classroom environment.
“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,” Allied CEO Aron Saether-Jackson says.
“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.”
The collaboration between Google and Allied Corporation opens the door for the Department of Education to consider procuring locally-manufactured Google laptops, reducing the reliance on overseas imports. Moreover, the long-term goal of this partnership is to establish a manufacturing hub in Adelaide to supply Chromebooks to schools not only in Australia but also in New Zealand and beyond.
“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,” Colin Marson Director Google for Education says.
“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.”
Currently, Allied Corporation boasts the capacity to produce over 100,000 laptops annually, and the collaboration’s success could potentially result in the creation of up to 500 new jobs in South Australia. Allied’s expertise extends beyond education technology, as they also manufacture high-spec machines for gamers, serve clients in the Australian and US-based defense and space industries, provide healthcare solutions, and cater to other high-tech organizations across Australia, North America, Europe, and South-East Asia.
“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,” Malinauskas says.
For more information about Allied, head here.
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