Innes Willox

ASX-listed Australian hearing implant manufacturer Cochlear has lost a court case in the US over two disputed hearing aid patents. In a ruling delivered last Thursday, the [US] Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in favour of the Alfred E. Mann Foundation (AMF), confirming that defendants Cochlear infringed on two claims of AMF … Continue reading Cochlear loses US patent appeal →

Boral has entered into a binding agreement to acquire US building products maker Headwaters. The US$2.6 billion deal is subject to shareholder approval and regulatory approval, and is expected to complete in mid-2017. Based in Utah, Headwaters is a leading manufacturer of building products and one of the largest marketers of fly ash in the … Continue reading Boral cements its acquisition of US building products maker →

Geelong, Victoria’s second city, has emerged as an area of great expertise for advanced materials – particularly carbon fibre composites – in recent years. Brent Balinski spoke to Quickstep’s Carl De Koning about the company’s New Technology division, headquartered at Waurn Ponds.

A forensic accountant has alleged that dairy processor Murray Goulburn may have overstated its earnings and even lost money in the last financial year. It was claimed in early November that its treatment of the milk supplier support program in its accounts was wrong. This in turn has led to dairy farmers doubting whether they’ll get repaid, … Continue reading Did Murray Goulburn overstate its earnings? →

Australia’s manufacturing sector has returned to growth by a slim margin, according to the Australian Industry Group’s Performance of Manufacturing Index.

“Ai Group has today launched its new graduate employment service in Canberra which aims to tackle the catch-22 dilemma where graduates can’t find a suitable job without experience and employers can’t find job-ready graduates with experience,” Australian Industry Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox said.

Electricity is a major cost for many manufacturers and a business-critical requirement for all. Price and reliability matter. And right now both seem to be under a cloud. In South Australia, contract prices have been increasing sharply, and short-term spot prices reached extraordinary highs in July.

The lower Australian dollar since 2013 has helped Australian businesses and the rebalancing of the economy, with US 75 cents a “sweet spot”, though more needs to be done to lift competitiveness, according to a new survey by the Australian Industry Group. The Ai Group’s 248-company CEO survey,  Business Responses to the Australian Dollar, found … Continue reading Dollar helping but competitiveness lift needed: report →

Australia’s manufacturing sector has grown for the 13th straight month, the best streak since 2014, strengthening to 56.4 in the Australian Industry Group Performance of Manufacturing Index results.

The result from Saturday’s federal election is still not known, with vote counting to continue tomorrow and neither Coalition or Labor currently having enough seats to govern in their own right.

The Australian manufacturing sector experienced its 12th consecutive month of growth, according to the Australian Industry Group’s Performance of Manufacturing Index for June.

May saw the local manufacturing sector continue its best run of positive monthly results since September 2006, according to the Australian Industry Group’s Performance of Manufacturing Index. The overall PMI was down 2.4 points, to 51.0,compared to April’s result. Any result over 50 indicates expansion. It was the 11th consecutive above-50 result. The sector was … Continue reading Australian manufacturing growth streak hits 11th straight month →

The Australian manufacturing sector grew in April for the tenth consecutive month, the longest period of expansion since September 2006, according to the Australian Industry Group Performance of Manufacturing Index. The monthly PMI survey recorded a result of 53.4, down 4.7 points on March’s result. Any number over 50 indicates expansion. Innes Willox, chief executive … Continue reading Australian manufacturing grows for tenth straight month →

Last night’s federal budget included cuts to company tax rates for small businesses, which have been welcomed by industry groups. Included in the pre-election federal budget was a broadening in the definition of small business, from a turnover of $2 million to $10 million a year. The current 28.5 per cent rate for small businesses … Continue reading Tax cuts “a shot in the arm” for small business: Ai Group →

Australian manufacturing has recorded both a ninth straight month of growth and the best monthly expansion since April 2004, according to the Australian Industry Group’s Performance of Manufacturing Index survey results. The sector “surged” in March, notes the Ai Group, with the overall PMI up 4.6 points to 58.1. Any result above 50 indicates expansion. Five … Continue reading March was best month in over a decade for Australian manufacturing →

The country’s manufacturing industry is enjoying its longest period of expansion since 2006, according to the Australian Industry Group’s PMI result, released this morning.

Most Australian employers feel low levels of workforce literacy and numeracy are harming their businesses, according to a survey by the Australian Industry Group.

The country’s manufacturing sector finished the last half of the year with six consecutive months of growth, according to the Australian Industry Group.

The local manufacturing sector grew for the fifth straight month, according to the Australian Industry Group PMI survey, released this morning.

The local manufacturing sector continued to expand for the third straight month, according to the Australian Industry Group’s Performance of Manufacturing Index survey.