building products

Building products maker James Hardie has reported a first quarter operating profit of $US52 million ($A56.91 million).

For most of us, ‘standards’ do not comes across as a particularly exciting area but in terms of the contributions product standards make, including in creating a fair and level playing field for Australian businesses, the issue is hugely important.

Near the end of the movie “Skyfall”, there’s a scene in which James Bond and M drive out of the city in a classic 1960 Aston Martin DB5, the distinctive silver Bond Car first used in Goldfinger in 1965. Later —and this is a slight spoiler — the car is shot full of holes with assault rifles and blown up with a helicopter.

Building products maker James Hardie’s net profit is down slightly, from $US 34.5 million to $US 30.7 in its quarterly results to March.

New Zealand may introduce a European-style compliance regime to ensure the quality of imported steel bolts and components used in construction is maintained.

CSR has posted a net loss of $146.9 million for the year to March, with a poor result in its Viridian glass division, but is optimistic about the future.

Another company targeting the manufacturing and property sectors has fallen on hard times, with Melbourne-based blinds maker Lidi Group slipping into administration this week.

Building products maker Boral has cut its earnings forecast for 2013 by $15 million, blaming poor weather, declining construction activity, and overseas competition for the downgrade.

Will new Industry Participation rules ensure a manufacturing revival, or will they simply reinforce existing industry trends? Brent Balinski investigates.

David Moss Group has completed its acquisition of PPI Corporation for an undisclosed sum.

The Columbia, US-based chemical conglomerate W.R. Grace & Co. has acquired Brisbane’s Chemind Construction Products, a manufacturer and researcher of waterproofing technology.

Building materials manufacturer Brickworks announced its half-year results yesterday.

Industrial-scale gas users will face 50 per cent increases on current prices in 2016, says supplier AGL.

14 workers have been made redundant at Austral Masonry in Port Kembla.

Another company working within the construction and manufacturing sectors has been placed in receivership after over three decades in business.

Building materials manufacturer Boral announced this morning that it would merge its construction materials and cement divisions, and has made a senior manager redundant.

The CFMEU has marched on the University of Tasmania and demanded it commit to using locally-made products in its new student accommodation.

Opinions are mixed on the federal government’s plan to support employment in local manufacturing, the Plan For Australian Jobs.

Boral CEO Mike Kane has announced a net loss for the first half of the financial year and said that a slow housing market continued to be a concern.

A Tomago-based manufacturer has renewed calls for local businesses to diversify in order to survive.