food and beverage

Progress doesn’t discriminate and the shift towards Industry 4.0 in the manufacturing sector is no different. Organisations of all sizes are at a critical juncture in planning the future of their manufacturing operations. Businesses in the beverage industry need to be supporting the development of technology that can be scaled at each end of the … Continue reading Industry 4.0 and scalability in food technology and manufacturing →

The WA state government will be increasing penalties for workplace safety offences to bring Western Australia into line with other States and ensure penalties better reflect the importance of a safe workplace. In a press report, the WA government stated that the amendments will increase penalties for businesses which commit safety offences under the Occupational Health … Continue reading McGowan Government to increase penalties for workplace safety offences →

In June 2017, Oracle has released a report stating that Australian businesses are rapidly embracing cloud infrastructure (IaaS) to boost performance and innovation levels.  While negative perceptions around security, complexity and loss of control still present barriers to adoption, they are shown to be outdated myths, with those that have moved to IaaS proving the … Continue reading Australian businesses fast embracing IaaS: Oracle →

Japanese beverage company Lion has denied claims that the XXXX Brisbane brewery will be closing, following reports that the facility would be shut due to pay disputes. Lion spokesperson Dan Holland has assured that the brewery will not be closing and is in fact looking to hire five more people. “There are no job losses or … Continue reading Owner denies closure of iconic QLD brewery →

Hong Kong dairy company Ausnutria has announced the start of its acquisition of Victorian dairy manufacturer Australian Dairy Park (ADP). Once the acquisition is complete, Ausnutria will hold all the business of ADP, including the manufacturing, packaging and sale of dairy and milk powder products and related research and development activities, as well as the existing … Continue reading Ausnutria acquires Victorian dairy manufacturer ADP →

In light of the announcement of the Australian government’s pledge to offer support for auto workers affected by company closures, the Australian Labor Party (ALP) has accused Liberal Senator and Industry Minister Sinodinos of “misleading” auto workers who are likely to lose their jobs when Holden and Toyota close their production lines later this year. … Continue reading ALP claims Coalition is ‘misleading’ auto workers →

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 →

According to research by Curtin University, corrosion may be costing the Australian economy more than $30 billion each year. Within industrial environments, exposure to things like water, acid or salt causes corrosion of geared motors. This, in turn, reduces the strength of the corroded parts and inevitably means they have to be replaced. In corrosive … Continue reading Corrosion is eating away at Australian industry →

It may sound like science fiction, but wastewater treatment plants may one day turn ordinary sewage into biocrude oil, thanks to new research at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The technology, hydrothermal liquefaction, mimics the geological conditions the Earth uses to create crude oil, using high pressure and temperature to achieve in minutes … Continue reading Making fuel out of sewage →

The benefits of a lower dollar have helped see South Australia’s manufacturing sector add nearly 10,000 new jobs in the last 12 months, but a workforce expert believes the state needs to address employment problems, including Holden’s looming closure.

The supply of infant and adult milk powder into Asia has received a boost following the opening of a Chinese-owned processing plant in South Australia.

Modern automated industrial processes rely heavily on the precise control of process conditions, making it critical to detect emerging deviations. A King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)-led research team has now developed a highly sensitive incipient anomaly detection method with the potential to dramatically improve industrial productivity, quality and safety. From oil and … Continue reading New method for early detection of industrial process problems →

NHP has announced a partnership with local IoT experts, Switch Automation, to deliver InfoSyte, an exclusive energy management software solution from NHP tailored for the Australian and New Zealand markets. A powerful cloud hosted energy management platform, InfoSyte has the ability to integrate with energy, water and gas measuring devices along with other facility systems such as building management systems (BMS) and … Continue reading NHP partners with Switch Automation to deliver InfoSyte →

RS Components (RS)  has announced availability of two connectors from Amphenol that are designed to meet the rigorous demands of use in hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs). Key applications for the new MSD and mini-MSD connectors include high-energy storage systems for the battery Manual Service Disconnect (MSD) used for servicing plug-in HEV (PHEV) systems. The Amphenol MSD … Continue reading Hybrid vehicle servicing connectors now available →

Company tax cuts are a key component of Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison’s plan to drive growth in jobs and wages, spurring on the Australian economy. There’s no question that tax cuts and lower energy prices will enable companies to keep more of the money they make. But it’s not more money per se, but what … Continue reading Management education, not just tax cuts, needed to create jobs and growth →

Cutting tools maker Sandvik Coromant has signed an agreement to become a Premium Partner of leading machine tool manufacturer, DMG Mori. According to DMG, Sandvik Coromant will be the only tooling manufacturer to be named as a DMG Mori premium partner. As a DMG’s premium partner, Sandvik Coromant will work together with the machine tool … Continue reading Sandvik Coromant becomes DMG Mori Premium Partner →

Start planning now to reap the many benefits of connected manufacturing. There’s been a lot of noise over the last two years around the “Internet of Things,” or IoT. However, more recently a subcategory of IoT, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), has been getting a lot of well-deserved attention. This brings together many key … Continue reading The Industrial Internet of Things: Why you need to get up to speed fast →

  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 →

Asahi Beverages, comprising some of Australia and New Zealand’s most successful beverage businesses, including Schweppes Australia, Asahi Premium Beverages, Independent Liquor and The Better Drinks Co., has awarded Dematic a contract to build a high bay warehouse storage facility. The warehouse in Heathwood, Queensland, will consist of a satellite storage solution containing six aisles of … Continue reading Dematic wins Asahi warehouse contract →