21st Century Security
Australia News Releases
ADELAIDE, 23 October 2024 - Inovor Technologies, an Adelaide-based space and defence technology leader, has graduated from the Lockheed Martin Mentor Protégé Program, becoming the third Australian company to achieve this milestone.
Inovor’s leadership team completed an intensive 12-month mentoring program with Lockheed Martin subject matter experts in Australia and the United States.
The tailored program covered core capabilities, including human resource processes, business ethics, contracting, product management, export controls, quality management systems, supply chain risk management, competitive intelligence and cyber security readiness.
“This Mentor Protégé Program achievement demonstrates Inovor’s dedication to becoming a world-class technology innovator,” said Warren McDonald, Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand. “Lockheed Martin Australia is proud to partner with leading small and medium-sized enterprises across the region to deliver a strategic uplift in capabilities that strengthens Australia’s sovereign defence and space industries.”
“By accelerating the development of core SME capabilities, the Mentor Protégé Program delivers an immediate strategic impact for participants with their existing customers, while creating the potential for new export opportunities to the United States and beyond,” said David Ball, Lockheed Martin Australia’s regional director for Space. “Throughout the program, Inovor Technologies demonstrated their ability to learn, adapt and grow, reinforcing their potential to compete in space and defence industries globally.”
“We’re grateful to Lockheed Martin for the opportunity to participate in the Mentor Protégé Program and develop the capabilities we need to take our business to the next level,” said Matt Tetlow, Founder and CEO of Inovor Technologies. “By accessing Lockheed Martin’s world-class subject matter experts, we have taken a major step forward in the capacity and competency of our leadership team that will significantly accelerate our ability to innovate and grow.”
Inovor’s participation in the Mentor Protégé Program was jointly sponsored by Lockheed Martin Space and Lockheed Martin Australia’s Office of Australian Industrial Participation through the Global Supply Chain Program.
###
About Lockheed Martin Australia
Headquartered in Canberra, Lockheed Martin Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. The company employs more than 1,600 people in Australia working on a wide range of major programs spanning the aerospace, Defence and civil sectors.
About the Mentor Protégé Program
Launched in the United States as a federal supplier development program in 1990, the MPP enables Lockheed Martin to establish successful long-term relationships with eligible small, innovative businesses, while helping them to develop technical and business capabilities that will enable them to compete more effectively for future prime and subcontractor contracts in both local and global supply chains.
Australia’s Clearbox Systems was the first company outside of the US to complete the MPP graduating in 2020, while passive surveillance technology leader Silentium Defence graduated in November 2023. Melbourne-based advanced castings manufacturer and precision machining specialist AW Bell was announced as the fourth Australian small-to-medium enterprise (SME) to participate earlier this year.
For more information about Lockheed Martin’s Australian Industrial Participation programs, and supply chain opportunities, visit www.lockheedmartin.com/en-au/index.html
About Inovor Technologies
Inovor Technologies is a leading space and defence technology company based in Adelaide, South Australia. They contribute to Australia’s national security program through the provision of electronic warfare research and development, as well as through their inhouse satellite development and manufacturing capabilities. Inovor's proactive approach to technological advancement aligns with their vision to continuously push the boundaries of space and defence capabilities here in Australia. Inovor has developed significant intellectual property related to satellite platforms and Defence technologies.
Lockheed Martin Australia Media Contact:
Joanne Hon, joanne.hon@lmco.com, +61 458 175 404