Chemicals

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has fined Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific $460,000, after a misplaced pipe and a valve failure resulted in toxic wastewater flowing onto a neighbouring farm, waterlogging a paddock and killing livestock. Dyno Nobel produces nitrate products used in explosives. In January and February 2015, work on Dyno’s on-site wastewater collection … Continue reading Explosives manufacturer fined $460,000 for livestock death →

The Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined a Sunshine West company $7773 for allowing waste oil to spill from its site and enter the stormwater system. The EPA launched its investigation following reports of a yellow grey liquid discharging from a drain and into the Fairbairn Road Drain Sediment Pond – a tributary of … Continue reading Victorian chemical manufacturer fined over oil spill →

Victorian Manufacturing Awards 2017 was presented in the Crown Palladium and rewarded the best Manufacturers in small, medium and large businesses. The theme for the event was centred around Australia’s drive towards growing advanced manufacturing – a concept that is gaining traction among many Australian manufacturers, especially the SMEs. The opening keynote address by Jake … Continue reading Advanced manufacturing to be a focus: Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards 2017 →

Researchers have developed a type of rechargeable battery called a flow cell that can be recharged with a water-based solution containing dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from fossil fuel power plants. The device works by taking advantage of the CO2 concentration difference between CO2 emissions and ambient air, which can ultimately be used to generate … Continue reading Battery recharging using carbon dioxide →

The report, titled “RFID Sensors 2017-2027: Forecasts, Players, Opportunities” has found that the RFID sensor market will grow to $USD980 million by 2027.  In fact, RFID is booming and now accounts for the largest number of silicon integrated circuits (ICs) made of one particular type. But in addition to over 20 per cent growth over the … Continue reading RFID Sensor market booming as more companies enter market →

When we spoke to ANCA co-founder Pat Boland, shortly after the company won one its many export awards, the conversation began and ended on the same subject. Specifically: the needs of its customers and how these drive innovation. Concepts like “listening to the customer” and “understanding their problems” almost sound so obvious that they’re barely … Continue reading How an export champion maintains its innovation edge →

  According to a recent story in caradvice.com.au, the Nissan metalcasting plant is not only working but also thriving thanks to the move to electric vehicles. A new contract to supply vital EV engine castings for Nissan worldwide has seen it return to three shifts, seven days a week, with production at the plant increasing … Continue reading Nissan metalcasting expertise defies local car making downturn →

Jungheinrich has launched an entry-level range of pallet trucks for low-duty applications. This new range of electric pedestrian trucks is designed for retailers, print shops, workshops or garden centers, or even small to medium-sized businesses that routinely need to move heavy individual items. The range includes EJE M13 (1300kg) and EJE M15 (1500kg) electric pedestrian … Continue reading Pallet trucks for small-to-medium manufacturers →

For most forward-looking manufacturing businesses, talent planning is becoming a major focus. Skills gaps continue to grow as a result of an ageing workforce, increasing movement within job markets and the impact of Industry 4.0. Certainly, Ai Group’s own research and policy work supports this conclusion, and it’s echoed by recent market research undertaken by … Continue reading How to build a talent pipeline in the era of Industry 4.0 →

According to news reports, due to a massive boost in coal cash this year, Queensland will likely use plow money into manufacturing jobs. The QLD government is also announcing a two-year program to shield manufacturing jobs with grants ranging from $50,000 to $2.5 million – at a total cost $20 million over two years. The … Continue reading Thanks to coal cash, QLD set to splurge on manufacturing →

Australia’s Defence Industry minister Christopher Pyne has reaffirmed that Australia remains committed to buying the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter despite US President-elect Donald Trump’s recent comments saying its ‘”cost is out of control’”. SKynews reported that Trump had a go at aircraft maker Lockheed Martin criticising them over Twitter on the program which has … Continue reading RAAF sticking to F-35 despite Trump attack →

Some $6.12bn worth of growth opportunities fall through the cracks of Australian mid-sized businesses every year due to insufficient or variable cash flow, according to research released by American Express today. More than one-third (40 per cent) of mid-sized CFOs admit their business has been delayed or unable to achieve a strategic business objective due … Continue reading Cash flow variables a business growth killer says study →

Faro Technologies, a global technology company that develops and markets computer-aided coordinate measurement devices and software, opens its new office in Brisbane, Australia. This move is part of Faro’s long-term growth plan and to increase its footprint in Asia Pacific. Faro’s customer base in Australia and New Zealand is growing. As such, this expansion is … Continue reading Faro expands into Queensland →

  According to a report in the Australian Financial Review (AFR),  well-known Australian businessman Andrew Liveris has been recruited by Donald Trump to help bring back American manufacturing jobs. The chief executive of US multinational giant Dow Chemical, Liveris was appointed chair of the President-elect’s American Manufacturing Council. Liveris has led the manufacturing giant Dow … Continue reading Australian CEO becomes Donald Trump’s new manufacturing ‘tsar’ →

The Westpac-Melbourne Institute SME Index (SME Index), which examines the economic health of Australian small and medium sized enterprises, has revealed a significant improvement in business confidence, shifting from 95.6 in Q3 2016 to 100.7 in Q4 2016. Westpac’s General Manager of SME Business Bank, Julie Rynski said, “The strong increase in business sentiment is … Continue reading Westpac finds SMEs are feeling optimistic about 2017 →

Sounds like an object right out of a sci-fi movie but Seven Dreamers, CEO, Shin Sakane seems to have come up with the “perfect” solution to everyone’s weekend clothing chores. Bloomberg has reported that the Japanese inventor received six billion yen (A$71 million) from partners, including Panasonic, last month to advance what was coined “the … Continue reading Panasonic & partners to build laundry bot →

According to a new report by Forbes Insights in association with Hitachi Data Systems, titled “How to Win at Digital Transformation: Insights from a Global Survey of Top Executives”, changing customer expectations are the biggest external driver of digital transformation (DX) in Australia, cited by 58 per cent of respondents compared with the 35 per … Continue reading Forbes report finds companies failing to unlock the potential of their own data   →

The HLF series fiber laser is the newest edition to the range of Yawei sheetmetal machinery to be available from Applied Machinery. Yawei is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of CNC press brakes, CNC turret punch presses and guillotines and their entrance into the laser cutting market is off the back of years of … Continue reading New laser machine set to launch in the Australian market →

South Australia has opened a new manufacturing technologies centre to help businesses grow by providing access to the state’s best researchers, financial institutions and global supply chains. The $1.2 million centre, situated in Adelaide’s northern suburbs at the University of South Australia’s Mawson Lakes campus, will help businesses identify methods by which they can adopt … Continue reading New tech hub opened in South Australia →

Dow Chemical Australia has formally joined the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the development of Australia’s innovative and dynamic advanced manufacturing sector.