business

In a report released on August 6, the Australian industry Group (Ai Group), outlined how Australian businesses are transitioning to or already within Industry 4.0. In releasing the report, chief executive of Ai Group, Innes Willox, commented, “An overall finding is that there has been substantial progress in embracing Industry 4.0. But the gap between … Continue reading Gap between Industry 4.0 leaders and majority of businesses “substantial”: report →

Embracing innovation can be a difficult experience for some manufacturing firms, however at the second Global Business Innovation Conversation event in 2019, a group of experts at RMIT highlighted how businesses can ease the pain. According to Matthew Young, manufacturing innovation manager at the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC), innovation requires openness about expectations. … Continue reading Global Business Innovation Conversation: speaking the language of innovation →

Energy and environment ministers of G20 nations have adopted a statement outlining that the potential to transition to clean energy and sustainable environments depends upon improving business environments to encourage innovation and change. The G20 is made up of 19 countries and the EU. Countries include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, Indonesia, … Continue reading G20 puts forth agenda for energy transition and sustainable growth →

The Victorian state government is backing more Latrobe Valley businesses to create new jobs and drive economic growth. Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll has announced grants for two local Morwell businesses under the Latrobe Valley Economic Facilitation Fund. Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll said, “Every day we are working hard to create … Continue reading Boosts for jobs in the Latrobe Valley →

The Victorian government has signed a deal to purchase the Heyfield Timber Mill, for an undisclosed sum. Despite the purchase of the mill, there are still fears that up to 100 jobs could be lost. Workers have said jobs are in danger due to a restructure induced by a reduction in the amount of timber … Continue reading Hundreds of jobs in danger despite timber mill purchase →

ABB has achieved almost 100 per cent energy efficiency with its synchronous motor. Tests carried out on a 44 megawatt 6-pole synchronous ABB motor shortly before delivery showed an efficiency 0.25 percent greater than the 98.8 per cent stipulated in the contract, resulting in the world record for electric motor efficiency. This efficiency improvement could save approximately … Continue reading ABB motor sets world record in energy efficiency →

The Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce (AICC), has released the findings of its fifth dynamic innovation index in collaboration with Sky News Business. The Q2 Innovation Index 2017 provides crucial insights for business executives and policy makers, by capturing the current perspectives of executives on the state of innovation within their organisations. The key indicators in … Continue reading Q2 Innovation Index 2017 →

Schneider Electric has announced the winners of its 2017 Global System Integrator Alliance Partner Excellence Awards. The awards recognise SI Alliance partners responsible for the most outstanding growth, technical innovations and great service that have helped the company’s industrial customers meet today’s challenges, while helping them unlock additional business value and uncover potential growth.  “The … Continue reading Winners of Schneider’s Global System Integrator Alliance Partner Excellence Awards →

A plan to make Adelaide a hub for businesses requiring ultrafast Internet is a step closer with the installation of a AU$7.6m gigabit network beginning next month. The South Australian Government has today appointed EscapeNet to connect Adelaide’s technological workspaces with one gigabit download speeds. The GigCity Adelaide network will interconnect with the South Australian … Continue reading Adelaide businesses soon to have super-fast internet →

The 2017 NSW Budget has been revealed, including $72.7 billion for infrastructure and $96 million to support local businesses. Here is a breakdown: Infrastructure $7.2 billion in Government investment for the third stage of WestConnex, including the M4-M5 link $4.9 billion across four years for Sydney Metro City and South West $3.5 billion across four years … Continue reading NSW Budget: $73b for infrastructure and $96m for local businesses →

Chinese building materials and homewares company China Lesso Group Holdings is opening its first exhibition space in Sydney. The company, which manufacturers hardware, building materials and electrical equipment, intends to open a 30,000sq m centre in Greenacre in Sydney’s west. The store, called Lesso Home, has been compared to Bunnings, and will even be located … Continue reading Chinese manufacturer opening Bunnings rival store in Sydney →

A $52 million Sleepmaker and Dunlop Foams factory has been approved for Murarrie, in south east Brisbane. The 35,216sqm factory will be “world class” and will result in the creation of 50 jobs, according to owner The Comfort Group. The Comfort Group manufactures products for the Sleeper, Sleepyhead, Simmons, Dunlopillo, Design Mobel, Serta and Dunlop … Continue reading $52 million mattress factory approved for Brisbane →

From July 1 this year, the national minimum wage will increase by 3.3 per cent. This means that Australia’s lowest-paid workers will see a weekly pay increase of $22.20, with the minimum wage being raised to $694.90. This is below the $45/week pay rise the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) called for, yet higher … Continue reading Australian minimum wage increases by 3.3 per cent →

BAE Systems Australia has welcomed the announcement of the renewal of Australia’s Global Supply Chain Agreement by Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne. The agreement will allow BAE Systems to continue to provide Australian companies with access to commercial and defence opportunities within its international business. In 2016, the company had contracts with over 24,000 … Continue reading Australia’s Global Supply Chain Agreement to sustain defence industry →

Around 180 jobs are at risk as Aurizon announces plans to close its rollingstock maintenance workshop in Rockhampton, Queensland. The company has also announced its plans to “move to more flexible train crewing operations” in Central and North Queensland, which will result in a further 190 permanent train crew members leaving the company. Aurizon intends … Continue reading Hundreds of job losses for QLD maintenance staff and train crew →

Australia’s energy markets are becoming more complex due to battery storage and rooftop solar, and diversifying the mix of energy sources can ensure the grid remains resilient, according to Dr Michael Ottaviano, CEO and managing director of Carnegie Clean Energy. For the last ten years, Carnegie Energy has been developing utility-scale solar power, wave energy … Continue reading Diversification the key to a resilient energy market →

Seventy-six per cent of Australia’s manufacturing employers will give their staff a pay rise of up to three per cent in their next review, but seven per cent will not increase salaries at all, according to Hays Manufacturing & Operations. The annual Hays Salary Guide shows that 15 per cent of employers intend to award a … Continue reading Pay rises for Australian manufacturing workers →

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 →

Australia’s global competitiveness ranking has dropped out of the top 20 for the first time in over 20 years, falling from 17 to 21 in the past year. The 2017 edition of IMD’s World Competitiveness Yearbook has again ranked Hong Kong first, followed by Switzerland and Singapore as the US dropped out of the top … Continue reading Australian global competitiveness lowest in 20 years →

The Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) has remained in expansionary territory for the eighth consecutive month in May. The pace of expansion has eased by 4.4 points to 54.8, however, indicating a slower pace of growth than last month. This month’s key findings: All seven activity sub-indexes in the Australian PMI expanded in May, … Continue reading PMI: Australian manufacturing continues on growth streak →