Manufacturing

Often there’s history as well as meaning in a company name. Certainly, that’s the case with PFERD, a fifth-generation business whose beginnings are founded in the production of files for horse hooves.

Vonda Fenwick, CEO of the South East Melbourne Manufacturers’ Alliance (SEMMA), speaks to Manufacturers’ Monthly about how the good, the bad and the ugly in relation to local content.

Brothers Kaidan and Dallas Boyd, both qualified welders, began developing their SUPA Bin design after they leased their family farm nearly three years ago. Traditionally, the Boyd family cropped 3441 hectares of wheat, barley, and canola north of West Wyalong in New South Wales. When the drought took hold, the family made the decision to … Continue reading Giving Australian farmers the most efficient grouper bins →

Over recent years – and particularly over the past 18 months – retail has changed dramatically.  Technology has become a central part of many retailers’ approach to business. However, the degree to which they’ve embraced, adopted and are utilising it varies greatly.  The ideal – the north star, the vision – for retailers is extreme … Continue reading How technology can enhance the retailer-manufacturer relationship →

The federal government has secured 25 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, providing access to a booster or variant vaccine if it is required in the future.  It was confirmed in the 2021-22 Budget that the government will commence an approach to market for mRNA manufacturing capacity in Australia. There are also discussions related … Continue reading Moderna vaccine manufacturing capacity confirmed in Budget →

Australian design engineer Rove Concepts will deliver a breakthrough in tailor-ability and comfort for wheelchair users this month at the ATSA Independent Living Expo, under a co-funded grant from Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC).  The pre-production prototype of this wheelchair uses 3D printed titanium and carbon fibre to deliver superior levels of comfort, weight savings and overall performance.  Co-founder … Continue reading Rove Concepts reinvents the wheelchair with advanced manufacturing →

InnovaeroFOX has advanced to the next stage of its test flight program — successfully completing a series of challenging flight tests on schedule. The 100 per cent Australian-made Maritime Unmanned Aerial System (MUAS) InnovaeroFOX has faced a series of tests at 40 per cent scale involving the execution of short, controlled circuits at varying speeds and … Continue reading Australia-made InnovaeroFOX completes critical flight tests →

“We need to get the gas from under our feet.” So said Prime Minister Scott Morrison during a speech in late January, emphasising his plans for a “gas-led recovery” following the COVID-19 pandemic. Morrison has committed a whopping $6 billion to the development of gas in Australia, in an economic strategy that is entirely contrary … Continue reading A gas-led recovery will not work →

Logan manufacturer Imaging Solutions will expand local testing, manufacturing and production of essential personal protective equipment (PPE) for imaging diagnostic procedures, thanks to support from the Queensland Government. Treasurer and Minister for Investment Cameron Dick said funding from the Queensland Government’s Essential Goods and Supply Chain Program will help the company to address increased demand for PPE for … Continue reading Funding helping Logan PPE manufacturing expansion →

Gladstone manufacturer Mecha – Engineered Mechanical Solutions has been awarded funding through the Palaszczuk Government’s Regional Manufacturing Hubs Grants program to adopt world-leading technology and processes. Minister for Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water Glenn Butcher said Mecha would receive $243,605 from the $13.5 million program. “This funding provides an exciting opportunity for Mecha to undertake … Continue reading Funding in Gladstone for high-tech manufacturing and jobs →

With every merger and acquisition (M&A) deal comes a range of potentially significant risks. You don’t want to unnecessarily pay more for an asset than it’s worth, and you certainly don’t want expensive surprises or obstacles once you’ve already signed on the bottom line. That’s why it’s essential to understand, as fully as possible, just … Continue reading Buyer beware: EHS due diligence is more important than ever →

Vaulta, the new Australian battery casing technology company based in Brisbane and Quickstep Holdings Limited, Australia’s largest independent aerospace advanced composites manufacturer, today announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The two Australian companies will seek to combine Vaulta’s advanced cell casing technology with Quickstep’s manufacturing capability and market reach to develop new … Continue reading Vaulta and Quickstep sign MoU →

What do a mine in Tanzania, a factory in Turkey and a research facility in Antarctica have in common? They all have one or more industrial fans manufactured by Melbourne-based company AirEng operating at their premises. Founded in 1993 as a one-man business by manager Rhys Thompson, AirEng has grown fast, building its reputation as … Continue reading From a one-man business to Australia’s leading industrial fan manufacturer →

A new high-tech vaccine manufacturing facility will be developed in Melbourne to secure Australia’s long-term supply of critical health products including pandemic influenza vaccines and life-saving antivenoms. The $1 billion agreement between the Morrison Government and Seqirus also provides the ability to rapidly manufacture vaccines when responding to health pandemics in the future. Prime Minister … Continue reading $1bn agreement between fed government and Seqirus for new vaccine manufacturing facility in Melbourne →

The Queensland state government will partner with a Sunshine Coast aerospace company to deliver a large-scale, state-of-the-art aircraft manufacturing and modification facility at Caloundra. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said HeliMods would accelerate the $10.3 million expansion of its current facility by almost five years thanks to support from the state government’s Jobs and Regional Growth Fund. … Continue reading New aerospace facility to boost jobs on the Sunshine Coast →

The New South Wales state government has announced a new Manufacturing Renewables Taskforce to find ways to drive the use of NSW materials in building the state’s Renewable Energy Zones. Deputy Premier John Barilaro said we need to support our NSW manufacturers by putting the policies in place that create local jobs and support local … Continue reading Manufacturing renewables taskforce to boost regional jobs and local industry →

Air Fab Ltd Pty has been awarded a $1.3 million contract with Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) for the design, fabrication and supply of the safety stands to be used in the maintenance of Air Force’s F/A-18F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growler aircraft. The 100 per cent Australian-owned business specialises in engineering and fabrication aluminium of … Continue reading Australian business to build safety stands for RAAF jets →

The federal government is backing Australian businesses to develop and launch new products into space, as part of a plan to get more local companies to be part of NASA’s Moon to Mars program. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the Demonstrator Feasibility grants – between $50,000 and $200,000 are available under … Continue reading Grants for Australian space capabilities →

Scientists have developed a next generation wound dressing that can detect infection and improve healing in burns, skin grafts and chronic wounds. In research led by RMIT University’s Dr Asma Khalid, smart wound dressings made of silk and nanodiamonds effectively sensed wound temperature, an early sign of infection, promoted healing and reduced infection from certain … Continue reading RMIT researchers develop innovative wound dressing that detects infection and improves healing →

A collaborative research project involving QUT and Defence aims to develop a printable ultrathin layer of carbon to shield sensitive electronics from electromagnetic radiation. Professor Nunzio Motta, from the QUT Centre for Materials Science, and Dr Kamal Gupta, from Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group are investigating the use of graphene, a form of carbon … Continue reading QUT and Defence collaborate to develop graphene layer to protect communication systems →