Construction

Lindsay Le Compte, general manager, Construction and Infrastructure, at Ai Group outlines how the organisation is taking steps to prepare the industry for the infrastructure boom. In August 2019, the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) established the Construction Supply Chain Council (CSCC). It brings together businesses in areas such as steel, concrete, cement, aggregate and … Continue reading The need for a construction supply chain council →

Ahrens’ extensive experience in upgrades and refurbishments was crucial in delivering a 3,000 sqm warehouse extension for Laminex within eight weeks. Extensive experience in upgrading and expanding existing facilities, combined with excellent scheduling and planning was invaluable when it came to meeting the client’s expectations for this project. Ahrens were able to successfully deliver a … Continue reading Fast, safe, professional – Ahrens deliver 3,000 sqm warehouse extension →

Thinking about outcomes when supplying can lead to innovation, explains Innes Willox, CEO of Ai Group. Outcomes-based procurement has attracted significant attention over recent years both internationally and across Australia. It has, for instance, been incorporated into Queensland’s Procurement Policy which now requires Queensland government agencies to pursue opportunities to develop innovative supply solutions, either … Continue reading Using innovative approaches to deliver value for money through outcomes-based procurement →

Working at the intersection of digital and physical systems, Total Construction is primed to integrate Industry 4.0 into a manufacturing facility. Manufacturers’ Monthly explains. Thinking about installing Industry 4.0 systems in your plant? It’s time to talk to your builder. This is the message from Rob Blythman, general manager, Engineering Construction Group for Total Construction. … Continue reading Early involvement ensures smooth integration →

The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) is working with a West Australian hemp producer, MIRRECO to speed up the production of hemp for a variety of uses. Hemp has been proven to store carbon, improve soil condition, be useful in the production of a range of consumer products, while growing rapidly, with one season for … Continue reading Manufacturer uses hemp as construction materials, carbon storage →

Ahrens demonstrated why they are leaders in the delivery of heavy engineering facilities with the completion of this fit-for-purpose facility. Ahrens continued their excellent relationship with leading South Australian business, Cavpower, with the design and construct of their new $20-million-dollar Service Operations Centre. With extensive experience in designing and building fit-for-purpose facilities for the heavy … Continue reading New Cavpower Service Operations Centre built with enhanced customer experience in mind →

Construction has started on ABB‘s robotics manufacturing and research factory. Located in China, the facility is expected to open in 2021 and is the result of a US$150 million ($218m) investment by the SIX Swiss Exchange traded company. Located in Kangqiao, near Shanghai, the facility will involve machine learning, digital, and collaborative solutions. According to … Continue reading ABB begins work on future robotics factory →

The potential for hemp fibres to be used in industry is the subject of a new taskforce, created by the Victorian government. Today, the food industry uses hemp products, however, the taskforce hopes to expand the number of industries that can use the environmentally friendly and sustainable product. “Hemp has huge potential in so many … Continue reading Taskforce to investigate hemp for industrial uses →

As part of the Metro Tunnel project, the Victorian government has constructed an $18 million purpose-built factory to produce concrete segments to line the walls of the tunnel. The segment manufacturing facility can produce roughly 150 curved segments each day, at a rate of one every seven minutes. The plant employs 70 people, many of … Continue reading Metro building drives Victorian manufacturing →

The process of pultrusion has been used by at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) to create composite materials for the oil and gas and transport industries in Australia and overseas. Pultrusion involves creating continuous lengths of composite material by pulling fibre-reinforced profiles through a cross-section of die, resin, and heating and cooling zones. Working … Continue reading Pultrusion creates consistency, productivity →

A consortium bid has opened the way for the advanced manufacturing of buildings and construction in Australia. The $28 million bid is a cooperation between Monash University, Lendlease, The University of Melbourne, and Donovan Group, steered through the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) program. Entitled Building 4.0, the initiative will put the customer at the centre … Continue reading Bid to advance building and construction processes →

The Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) has partnered with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Brisbane surveying company Monitum to manufacture smart sensors for the construction industry. Using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) techniques, the sensors will provide cheap and reliable monitoring of infrastructure projects at a higher level of precision than currently … Continue reading Industry partnership to manufacture low power sensors for construction industry →

A new plan for the Western Australian forestry industry aims to support the manufacture of timber products. In a statement from the Minister for Water, Fisheries, Forestry, Innovation and ICT and Science, Dave Kelly, harvested wood fibres are named as an opportunity to create products including engineered timbers and bioplastics. Utilising sustainably farmed wood for … Continue reading Western Australia forestry plans for jobs, industries and the environment →

Engineering company FLSmidth will continue to design and manufacture its woven-wire screen media for the mineral processing, construction and aggregate industries in Australia. The media, including galvanised and stainless steel square mesh, specialist agavibe and polyvibe and a range of architectural screens will be manufactured in the company’s New South Wales woven wire plant, part of its new … Continue reading NSW manufacturer continues supply for Australian mining →

Construction and advanced manufacturing businesses in Geelong and Corangamite are set for a $20 million windfall, which will create more than 600 jobs. The funding acts as the first wave of successful projects under the Regional Jobs and Investment Packages. The initiative is part of the Federal Government’s commitment to stimulate jobs and drive economic … Continue reading Advanced manufacturers receive $20m jobs boost →

A strategic partnership of Monash University, the Victorian Government, Engineers Australia and industry has delivered the world’s first Modular Code of Construction Handbook for industry best practice. Building construction uses nearly one third of the world’s resources and around 40 per cent of global energy, while emitting 40 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions … Continue reading World-first construction code unveiled in VIC →

This week, gases and engineering company BOC has announced a revamp of its welding range with the launch of eight new welding models that offer the latest in welding technology to Australian fabricators and businesses.  Richard Fowles, senior product manager of Welding Products says the new welding range is affordable and easy to use, with advanced … Continue reading BOC announces 2017 welding product release →

Investor confidence in Victoria’s economy remains strong with private capital expenditure up 8.6 per cent over the year to June, compared with a national fall of 3.0 per cent during the same period. The latest data from the Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released today shows Buildings and Structures capital investment in Victoria grew by … Continue reading Equipment, plant and machinery investments key drivers in Victoria’s growth →

Australia’s manufacturing sector has experienced a tenth consecutive month of expansion – despite significant challenges. The Australian Industry (Ai) Group’s Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI) increased by 1.0 point in July to 56.0 points. According to the index, results above 50 indicate expansion with even higher results indicating a stronger expansion. In July, … Continue reading Construction, mining demand aiding continued manufacturing growth →

A new partnership between the Australian Made Campaign and Master Builders Australia aims to boost exports and the use of locally made products by the building and construction sectors. The initiative will encourage building and construction firms to source Australian-made goods and assist local businesses in marketing their products and services to export markets. Australian … Continue reading Partnership to increase Australian products in construction →