COVID-19

The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) has launched a national campaign to support the recovery of Australia’s small businesses. The ‘Go Local First’ campaign, funded by the federal government, will urge Australians to buy local products and services to help the small business sector. The campaign will highlight the vital role of small … Continue reading ‘Go Local First’ campaign to support small businesses →

CEO and co-founder at Combilift, Martin McVicar, speaks to Manufacturers’ Monthly about COVID-19 restrictions, keeping production levels up and meeting customers’ needs. A standing challenge for many manufacturers worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic is finding the space to implement social distancing measures. A socially-distanced production area has become a key initiative at Irish specialist materials … Continue reading Helping manufacturers achieve long-term growth during COVID-19 →

A transdisciplinary student team from the University of Sydney (USYD) has created a prototype of a reusable face shield, demonstrating how to turn university resources into a rapid manufacturing solution to respond to medical emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic. In collaboration with the USYD’s Charles Perkins Centre X-Lab, a 240-student laboratory space with laser cutting … Continue reading USYD students develop prototype reusable PPE →

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged all sectors of the economy, and governments around the world have taken unprecedented actions to curtail its spread. Despite these efforts, there have been many more than 4 million confirmed cases at the time of writing. The virus is believed to be more contagious than the seasonal flu and can … Continue reading Manufacturers should consider their internal air environment in a post COVID-19 return to work →

Food and beverage is an important part of manufacturing, itself an important sector in rebuilding the Australian economy post-pandemic. Food is the biggest part of the local manufacturing industry. 35 of the top 100 Australian manufacturers (by revenue) are in food and beverage, and it makes up over a quarter of all manufacturing jobs and … Continue reading Motoring a manufacturing revival for the food and beverage industry, with linear motors →

Kestrel Manufacturing is receiving $495,000 to assist in its production of filter materials used in both surgical and P2 masks. Clets Linen is receiving $213,000 to increase its capacity to fulfil ongoing orders for disposable isolation gowns for both Australia and abroad. Nobody Denim is receiving $400,000 to instal up to 20 new sewing machines to … Continue reading Gov support in PPE production for local manufacturer →

The federal government is backing a series of projects designed to grow Australia’s space sector and create local jobs, including improving GPS technology and the design of innovative spacesuits that will make spacewalking easier. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the 10 projects sharing in $11 million would boost jobs and skills … Continue reading $11m space grants to boost businesses and local jobs →

The Irish manufacturer Combilift, best known for its range of space-saving forklifts and other handling solutions, has drawn on its expertise in engineering and software design to develop the Combi-Ventilate, a splitter device which turns one ventilator into multiple ventilation stations. Designed to address the requirements of medical professionals in the current Covid-19 emergency the … Continue reading Turning one ventilator into multiple engineered ventilation stations →

Australia’s first Mission Control Centre is one step closer to lift off with local company Saber Astronautics chosen to establish the state-of-the-art space hub in Adelaide. The Mission Control Centre will provide facilities for space businesses and researchers to control satellite and space missions, and include a live link to the International Space Station so visitors can watch … Continue reading Saber Astronautics chosen to set up Mission Control Centre →

More than 3,000 apprentices and trainees will be able to access free training thanks to the WA Government’s latest initiative to safeguard Western Australia’s future workforce. Training costs will be covered for apprentices and trainees who have had their contracts cancelled or suspended to continue their training ‘off the job’ for up to six months. … Continue reading WA gov scraps training fees to support displaced apprentices and trainees →

The Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI) recovered by 5.8 points to 41.6 in May, after experiencing the largest single-month drop in the index’s history in April (readings below 50 points indicate contraction in activity, with lower results indicating a faster rate of contraction). The manufacturing industry remained in deep contraction … Continue reading Australian PMI: Manufacturing contraction eases in May →

Regional manager Lisa Bremmell spoke with Manufacturers’ Monthly about her unconventional path to becoming a leader at Atlas Copco. Lisa Bremmell didn’t follow the conventional path to become an engineer, and neither does she profess to be formally trained. Twenty-four years ago, after gaining some exposure to the profession while serving in the Royal Australian … Continue reading Atlas Copco’s Bremmell calls on young engineers to push boundaries →

The South Australia government has enlisted five local companies to produce up to 7000 clear plastic face shields a day for healthcare workers against COVID-19. The suppliers are Fusetec 3D, Neds Head, Form Cut, Cheiron Healthcare (working with the Royal Society of the Blind), and Motherson Medical. SA Health executive director Andrea Andrews said production … Continue reading Local SA manufacturers produce face shields against COVID-19 →

A Queensland government grant has helped a North Rockhampton manufacturer continue business operations after COVID-19 interrupted its export trade. Dobinsons Spring and Suspension received a $581,062 Made in Queensland (MIQ) Round 2 grant in October last year to purchase and install a $1,265,500 cold coiling machine and stress relieving low temperature furnace. Visiting the facility, … Continue reading Queensland government grant to reboot Rockhampton manufacturer →

A new Industry 4.0 Testlab to support industry innovation across defence, mining, ag-tech, electronics and automotive sectors has opened at the University of South Australia (UniSA). The $2 million hub, equipped with 3D printing facilities, multiplayer virtual reality spaces for human-centred design, and an industrial-scale manufacturing demonstrator, will help small-to-medium enterprises create test new advanced … Continue reading University of SA to open $2 million Industry 4.0 hub →

The finalists for Australia’s most prestigious manufacturing awards have been announced. The Endeavour Awards 2020, now in its 17th year, sees a high calibre of entrants representing Australia in an international capacity with innovative ideas, new technologies and the best in supply chain strategies. In both good and challenging times, Australian manufacturing has always something … Continue reading Endeavour Awards finalists 2020: Global Supply Chain Integration of the Year →

Queensland manufacturing leaders have held the first Ministerial Manufacturing Council meeting to put forward ideas on supporting the sector during COVID-19. Chairing the online meeting, new Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher thanked all council members for their dedication and support for the manufacturing sector. “Queensland’s manufacturing industry employs over 165,000 people and … Continue reading Qld manufacturing leaders hold first council meeting for 2020 →

Engineers Australia has called for a comprehensive industry policy as part of a plan to help businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. A policy should focus on strategic engagement with international standard bodies, support for scaling up existing manufacturing industries, development of onshore capabilities for manufacturing and materials supply. Engineers Australia CEO Dr Bronwyn Evans … Continue reading Engineers Australia releases COVID-19 recovery plan →

The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) has opened the COVID-19 Manufacturer Response Register to unite manufacturers, suppliers and customers through a self-managed platform. The website, backed by the federal government, will initially combine AMGC’s COVID-19 Manufacturer Response Register database of 2500 submissions with a further 600 local businesses. The capability matching feature of the platform … Continue reading AMGC platform to boost local supply chains →

The federal government has said in a press statement that it is backing small and medium sized Australian businesses to tap into new markets around the world, with support for a series of export hubs across the nation. Ten export hubs from five states will receive more than $4.9 million under the SME Export Hubs … Continue reading Export hub grants help businesses through crisis →