Getting a commercial idea off the ground takes fiscal brawn as well as a bright spark – but some claim there isn’t enough being done to encourage investment in Australia’s mid-market. Steven Impey investigates. Spending some time in the company of industry thinkers, you start to gain a wider perspective of the world and where … Continue reading What it means to be a mid-market manufacturer →

Productivity and safety are two key targets for manufacturers seeking a high return on investment in new technology. Steven Impey investigates the role driverless vehicles are playing on the factory floor. For those who follow the developments and politics of autonomous science, they will know that it hasn’t been a completely smooth ride – with … Continue reading Industry Focus: Putting autonomous technology in the driver’s seat →

In the 2017 edition of the Endeavour Awards, Nufarm snagged the Exporter of the Year award. They shared their success story with Manufacturers’ Monthly and how they look forward to continued growth in the coming years. Last year Nufarm celebrated it’s 100th year of operations and has been based in Australia for more than 60 … Continue reading The keys to manufacturing success: Safety, quality and continued growth →

She has a glowing reference – including many nominations and awards for her contributions to safety in heavy industry. However, receiving the Safety Advocacy Award sponsored by BOC – in the category’s debut year at the Women in Industry award ceremony, held in Melbourne – was an “all-time career” high for Catherine King. “Receiving this … Continue reading Women In Industry Awards: Spotlight on ABB’s Catherine King →

Having made significant inroads into the Australian market, 3D measurement specialists Faro Technologies show how CMM technology is increasingly important to today’s manufacturers. Quality is not monitored, it is produced. Suppliers to the automotive sector will tell you a tale or two about this. They not only need to deliver their parts to large car … Continue reading Dealing with Microns in the manufacturing market →

There needs to be a re-evaluation of the business models present for compressed air technologies, says Elgi, a global air compressor manufacturer. With rapidly evolving technology, economic reforms and a changing industry mix, complex challenges lie before the Australian manufacturing sector. In this period of transition, seemingly insignificant cost-saving opportunities can completely change the equation … Continue reading Opportunity is in the air →

With today’s business environment being more dynamic and uncertain than ever, financial projections even in the short term are becoming harder. Hire and rental specialists, Dräger, believes that flexibility and agility is what it takes for companies to not only survive but also thrive. Dynamic business environments have had a significant impact on the way … Continue reading Part time resources: full time safety →

Leaders from all walks of industry united in Canberra to discuss the future of Australia’s manufacturing sector. Steven Impey reports from Parliament House. During the winter solstice in the Australian capital – where many of the decisions that influence the future of the nation’s economy and infrastructure are made – the spotlight was shone on … Continue reading Putting manufacturing back on the political agenda →

Staying abreast of changes in industry is key for manufacturers who want to navigate its future. John Leadbetter explains how Vega’s ceramic pressure sensors are offering something new. Companies the world over own a range of different needs and approval prerequisites when attempting to fit new technology into their business. The thing they all desire … Continue reading Understanding demand the secret to success →

While the number of manufacturing courses available to Australian-based students has steadily declined over the past six years, Steven Impey takes an in-depth look at how America is influencing the future of Australia’s education system. ……… When deciding what future generations of manufacturers should be learning in school, at TAFE, or even inside the halls … Continue reading Smart lessons from America →

While it is widely reported that Australian manufacturing is “out-dated” and on the decline, research suggests the public values the industry more than expected. Steven Impey reports. Analysis around Australia’s attitude towards manufacturing has revealed a startling misconception about the industry. Despite a culture that is consistently told that the sector is in decline, an investigation … Continue reading Changing public perceptions of manufacturing →

Manufacturers’ Monthly spoke with Ted Dohrmann, managing director at Dohrmann Consulting based in Melbourne, about the importance of ergonomics in a potentially hazardous workplace in an industrial setting. Ergonomics is the science of fitting work to people. Humanising the design of each industrial process wherever humans interact with it needs to be a critical part … Continue reading Putting worker safety first: why ergonomics matters →

A scalable distributed control system (DCS) solution is helping an Australian joint venture develop and commercialise a new carbon management technology aimed at reducing global CO2 emissions. Mineral Carbonation International (MCi) is an Australia-based start-up whose mission is to demonstrate the technical and economic viability of mineral carbonation as a sustainable industrial solution for carbon … Continue reading Comeback for carbon →

As the world of manufacturing becomes more integrated, the role of robotics is changing the shape of the factory floor. Steven Impey takes a look at the effect it will have on the Australian workforce. Depending on which literature the industry insider goes by, the impact that robotics will have on the factory floor of … Continue reading Rise of the machine manufacturer →

Following the announcement by Defence Industry minister Christopher Pyne that Australian companies will have an opportunity to capitalise on the international F-35 joint Strike Force Program, Steven Impey takes a closer look at what manufacturers can hope to gain from the government’s massive defence budget. As billions in federal dollars continue to pour into Australia’s … Continue reading Putting Australian industry on an upward trajectory →

In light of rising energy prices, questionable security and ever-changing policies, some manufacturers are turning to renewables to ensure reliable production, writes Stephanie Stefanovic. As energy prices continue to soar, manufacturers are increasingly being pushed out of Australia. The Federal government seems to believe reducing wholesale gas prices is the answer, with Prime Minister Malcolm … Continue reading Renewables light the way to success in manufacturing →

With the number of large scale cyber-attacks on the rise around the world, Australia could be next and the manufacturing sector is at risk. Tim Wellsmore, director of threat intelligence and consulting for Mandiant at FireEye, shares his thoughts on this issue. It is no secret that Australia’s cyber-security environment is seriously wanting. The recent … Continue reading Why manufacturing in Australia is in the cyber cross-hairs of hackers →

At a time when the Australian car industry is on its knees, manufacturers are using links in the motorsports industry to drive automotive technology in a new direction. Steven Impey discusses opportunities the race world is offering innovators on the factory floor. Putting a car on the racetrack takes patience and precision while maintaining neck-break … Continue reading Can elite motorsport hand Australia’s automotive industry a new gear? →

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s 2015 National Innovation and Science Agenda was a call to arms for Australia’s research and industry sectors to collaborate and drive our economy. One and a half years on, you’d be excused for thinking a few pages of notes were missing from Budget 2017. Specifically no comment was made about the … Continue reading Budget 2017: a glimmer of support for innovation and advanced manufacturing →