Perth will soon to be home to a national consortium aiming to capitalise on locally developed robotic technologies for space exploration, such as mining for water on the moon. The venture could inject $200 million per year into the local economy in five years’ time according to PwC’s estimates. The not-for-profit consortium AROSE (Australian Remote … Continue reading Perth makes bid for slice of new generation space race pie →

Orica has announced that it is to acquire Exsa, a Peruvian manufacturer and distributor of industrial explosives, enabling it to significantly increase production. As part of the $302 million deal, Orica will integrate Exsa’s Initiating Systems manufacturing facility into its global manufacturing footprint. By utilising the facility’s capacity, Orica will be able to significantly increase … Continue reading Orica to acquire Peruvian explosives manufacturer Exsa →

Sydney-based Precision Metal Group has been awarded a contract to build the seating frames for the Australian Army’s new Boxer 8×8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles, Minister for Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price today announced. Price said Precision Metal Group was a recognised success story for Australian industry, having already been contracted to supply the battery … Continue reading Local manufacturer to supply seating frames for Army vehicles →

BAE Systems Australia’s shipbuilding business, ASC Shipbuilding, and the Innovative Manufacturing CRC (IMCRC) will together fund a research project to develop cutting-edge manufacturing technologies that will be used to build nine anti-submarine warfare frigates. ASC Shipbuilding will then use the technologies to build the Hunter class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy at its world-class … Continue reading BAE Systems and IMCRC fund shipbuilding project →

The Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML) has officially opened its headquarters at Lot Fourteen, Adelaide’s innovation precinct. AIML researchers are applying machine learning to agriculture, medical imaging, manufacturing, mining operations, and movie making among many others. “Our Institute is making an important national and international contribution to pushing the boundaries of what machine learning … Continue reading Australian Institute for Machine Learning launches in Adelaide →

Construction is now complete on Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s faciltiy in Queensland where it will conduct military vehicle manufacturing, premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Monday. The completion of the $170 million Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) for Rheinmetall is a major construction milestone, and the 30,000 square metre facility is now ready for fit-out according … Continue reading Rheinmetall’s new manufacturing facility completed →

Universal Robots (UR) are launching a financial services leasing program alongside global finance company DLL, in order to give Australian manufacturers immediate access to the “collaborative robots” (cobots) they manufacture without upfront capital investment.  The partnership between the automation solutions manufacturer and the financial services company enables all manufacturers, regardless of size or capital equipment … Continue reading Universal Robots is levelling the automation playing field →

University of Queensland researchers have made a breakthrough in the development of a solar power technology that can be made into thin, flexible films and used to generate electricity even in low-light conditions, for example, for cars, planes, and homes. UQ researchers have set a world record for the conversion of solar energy to electricity … Continue reading University of Queensland team makes solar technology breakthrough →

The manufacturing sector expects it will be hit the hardest by the uptake of artificial intelligence, according to a recent survey conducted by global, non-profit IT association ISACA. “As we move into the 2020s, the pace of technology-driven change will continue to accelerate, so it’s more important than ever to be always learning,” ISACA CEO, … Continue reading Manufacturers expect AI to result in job losses, productivity gains →

The Ai Group has issued a statement suggesting a review of the Australian Industry Capability (AIC) program, in light of Naval Group’s announcement that it was investigating Australian industry capabilities for the manufacture of the Attack Class submarine fleet. Ai Group’s chief executive, Innes Willox, on Friday said that “while the foundations are sound, the AIC … Continue reading Ai Group issues statement on local shipbuilding capacity →

Last month, ECI Software Solutions, a cloud-based business management solutions specialist, announced that its JobBOSS ERP software is now available to manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand. The software is specifically catered to solve the unique challenges that small and mid-sized custom job shops face and will offer local manufacturers the flexibility and visibility needed … Continue reading ECI announces availability of JobBOSS ERP →

A number of projects in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt have received funding to streamline their manufacturing processes, including to construct new warehouses, processing facilities and to purchase equipment. “The government is investing in new projects across the Wheatbelt to increase local manufacturing capability, drive innovative new agricultural opportunities and showcase the region through tourism,” Regional Development … Continue reading WA boosts agricultural manufacturing in Wheatbelt →

The Queensland government has released an action plan to accelerate the state’s space industry, and will invest $8 million to support the industry. “Queensland has already gained a reputation as Australia’s space coast, and through this strategy our government is looking to unlock maximum benefit for local businesses and workers,” Minister for State Development, Cameron … Continue reading Queensland to accelerate space industry →

Local polyurethane products manufacturer, National Plastics & Rubber has been awarded a contract to supply specialised aircraft wheel chocks for London’s Heathrow Airport. “We are very proud of our team in achieving an export order to Heathrow International Airport with locally designed and manufactured products,” director of National Plastics & Rubber, Peter Tulley, said. “Hopefully … Continue reading Local manufacturer awarded Heathrow contract →

Mungalli Creek Dairy has opened up a new $3 million processing plant, supported by the Queensland government’s $175 million Jobs and Regional Growth Fund. Mungalli Creek Dairy CEO Robert Watson said the new facility’s modern and efficient equipment will increase productivity and allow the business to grow market share and become export compliant. “I hope … Continue reading Mungalli Creek Dairy opens $3 million processing plant →

Innovative small and medium  enterprises (SME) in Western Australia are taking part in a cross-sector technology capabilities exchange called the Quantum Technology Exchange initiative (QuantumTX) to support the Australian space industry. “Australia’s ambitions to lead the next decade and beyond of technology innovation to support the global space industry should be limitless,” CEO of NERA, … Continue reading WA-based SMEs solving space sector challenges →

Naval Group has subcontracted 137 Australian companies towards the Attack Class Submarine fleet build so far, according to the French shipbuilding company, and design of the Attack Class is intended to transition to Australia during the detailed design phase. Meanwhile, preliminary design phase of the Attack Class is progressing with Naval Group’s design team in … Continue reading 137 local companies involved in Attack Class Submarine fleet build →

Lithium Australia was awarded a $1.3 million federal government grant to support the next stage of its $3.6 million LieNA research and development (R&D) programme for the recovery of lithium from fine spodumene. While the recovery rate of lithium from current spodumene concentration processes varies, it can be as low as 50 per cent, Lithium … Continue reading Lithium Australia announces plans for research grant funding →

Local manufacturers were critical to the build of the Department of Defence’s logistics vehicle fleet delivered by Rheinmetall. The fleet is now ready to be deployed in the Australian Defence Force (ADF)’s training and major exercises. The $5 billion next generation logistic vehicle fleet partnered Rheinmetall and Haulmark Trailers Australia with an extensive network of … Continue reading Local manufacturers key to Rheinmetall logistics vehicles →

In a breakthrough for quantum computing, researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have created artificial atoms in silicon chips that offer improved stability for quantum computing, but could also be used in medicines and for reducing energy consumption. “By using silicon CMOS technology (the technology used to manufacture all modern-day computer chips) … Continue reading UNSW team creates artificial atoms for quantum computing →