CAD technology has the potential to revolutionise the speed and precision of engineering design, yet some believe it poses a threat to the wider industry workforce. Manufacturers’ Monthly reports from Autodesk University on both the possibilities and the implications. Like most disruptive discoveries, the dawn of machine learning is double-edged; from the big dreamers who … Continue reading Machine learning: a manufacturing risk or revolution? →

Scott Linke, senior consultant at Mitrefinch, shares his thoughts on workforce management challenges and how the use of software could save a lot of time and money. When certain factory-based businesses expand their workforce, scheduling and rostering can be an issue, especially with workers that do overtime or flexi-time. Mitrefinch’s Staff Scheduling & Rostering software … Continue reading Finding the key to labour visibility →

Manufacturers’ Monthly caught up with Nicky Guenther and Holger Salow, directors and senior engineers from Yumarr Automation, to find out their thoughts on the growing demand for better and safer solutions with automation. With more than 15 years’ experience in the application of laser scanners, radars and 3D cameras at the manufacturers level, Yumarr is … Continue reading Endeavour Awards: Getting ahead of the pack →

Manufacturers’ Monthly caught up with Manage My Power’s Paul Kurpiewski and Anthony Igmen to find out more about the role they are playing in helping to alleviate Australia’s energy issues in the industrial space. Energy efficiency actions and improvements are still not typically or widely viewed as a strategic investment, despite many studies conducted by … Continue reading Going beyond collaboration around energy efficiency →

With bold ambitions and a clear vision, TWM Consolidated was looking for a new lender as it continued to grow its jewellery manufacturing business and branch out into the retail sector. A well-established jewellery manufacturer with roots in Istanbul, Turkey, TWM Consolidated has been manufacturing bespoke jewellery in Australia since the 1990s. Roberto Ulas, COO has … Continue reading Securing diamond manufacturing forever →

At a time when technology has a huge bearing over the industry’s future, Australia’s manufacturers are running at different paces. Mark Dingley, Matthews Australasia’s newly appointed CEO, discusses the implications for an industry stuck in two minds. Industry thrives on diversity; those interactions between companies and sectors that run up and down the supply chain. … Continue reading Closing the manufacturing divide →

Manufacturers are turning to precision smart sensors to improve their productivity and profitability. As the manufacturing industry shifts gear, Thermo Fisher’s Michael Barth explains why engineers are adapting too. By being open-minded to changing technology, Australian manufacturers are laying the foundations for a brighter future for the industry, according to a senior consultant of sensor … Continue reading Why smart sensors are the future for manufacturing →

Malcolm Turnbull insists Australian manufacturing will benefit from the country’s largest peacetime upgrade in the history of its defence industry. However, more collaboration is necessary to see its true value. Steven Impey reports. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull struck a chord with Australian industry in the opening of the tenth Pacific International Maritime Exposition in October. … Continue reading Shaping ships and building bridges →

Though many companies believe they are up with the times, industry mentor Kumar Parakala insists the digital age has escaped them. Manufacturers’ Monthly reports from Siemens’ Digitalize 2017 summit. Manufacturers should no longer be preparing for the next technological transformation, a leading industry consultant has warned. The fourth industrial revolution is already here and, if … Continue reading Benefits of digitalising Australia’s workforce →

Though the general consensus is that Australian manufacturing is experiencing a downturn, Steven Impey looks at the country’s export statistics, which tell a different story. Back in June, senator Nick Xenophon stressed to an industry summit in Canberra that Australia’s manufacturing sector had shrunk by roughly 12 per cent in the past 10 years. That’s … Continue reading The art of exporting Australian-made →

Australia’s $101 billion export industry is expanding, according to a breakdown of statistics obtained by Manufacturers’ Monthly. Here, we break down the industry into its fastest-growing export sectors, including those countries that rely on Australian production the most and, vice versa, which countries are importing to Australia in bulk. Read more: The art of exporting Australian-made Australian manufacturing … Continue reading The $101b industry: Which manufacturers are exporting the most? →

LAPP Express has extensive experience as a leading authorised supplier of electrical and automation products and it now extends its offerings to Australian customers. LAPP Express Australia offers instant access to thousands of stocked industrial electrical and networking products. LAPP Express stocks more than 5000 high-quality parts and over a million metres of the quality … Continue reading Express access to industrial electrical and networking products →

Looking for the right financial partner for manufacturing businesses can be tricky as local timber cladding manufacturer Weathertex discovered until it found the perfect match. The only Australian owned and run timber-cladding manufacturer, Weathertex, has been operating in New South Wales since 1939, producing one of a kind timber cladding that contains no artificial glues or … Continue reading Tailored banking solutions are helping Weathertex lead the way →

Enware has a range of safety devices suited for various manufacturers that could readily save a body part or more. Manufacturing facilities, especially those that deal with chemical agents or liquid substances are riddled with risks, both hidden and out in the open. Not knowing these risks and how to overcome them can potentially result … Continue reading Putting safety first in the manufacturing workplace →

The air a factory breathes to complete a day’s production cycle could be having an adverse effect on its cost efficiency. Atlas Copco is championing an industrial compressor that is still at the top of its game. Building a production facility capable of withstanding Australia’s ongoing energy crisis is no easy feat – with industry standards … Continue reading How air management can halve a manufacturer’s energy bill →

Accelerated by the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT), the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and the advances in enabling technologies, the “Connected Enterprise” elevates opportunity through greater connectivity and information sharing. The idea and concept behind the term “Connected Enterprise”, consists of industrial operations that are intelligent, optimised, and secure. Central to achieving this … Continue reading Harnessing the power of the Connected Enterprise →

Managing cost of production while pushing for absolute quality control is the next big step for the industry. Sam Bhasin, managing director, Bestech Australia, explains the role sensors play in this shift. The manufacturing industry is slowly transitioning beyond automation of the technological age to the complete integration of sensor-controlled factories. Better known as Industry 4.0, … Continue reading The integration age: Making sensors an industry necessity →

Despite Australia’s vehicle assembly sector wrapping up business, a new report has recorded a skills shortage across the automotive industry. Steven Impey investigates. The close of Australia’s automotive assembly sector has arrived, with Toyota’s Altona manufacturing branch in Melbourne closing its doors for the very last time. With it, the ticker tape will finally fall on … Continue reading Why Australia’s automotive sector is still hiring →

NORD Drivesystems, a global supplier of drive technology for the manufacturing sector and elsewhere, was recently chosen to supply Super Premium Efficiency IE4 products for a complex baggage handling system in Canada. Canada’s Victoria Airport has both domestic and international flights and caters for just under two million passengers a year. When the airport needed to … Continue reading Driving Victoria Airport’s baggage handling system →

November 29 will mark a special anniversary on Australia’s space calendar, and in the life of a former Australian engineer by the name of Karl Zalkauskas. It was on this date during 1967 when Australia’s first satellite – that he and a team for the former Weapons Research Establishment (WRE) designed and built – was … Continue reading Australia in space: Marking a moment in manufacturing history →