Manufacturing

The Westpac-Melbourne Institute SME Index (the Index), which examines the economic health of Australian small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), shows business confidence is in slight positive territory heading into the holiday season. The Index rose from 100.7 in Q3 2017 to 101.8 in Q4 2017. The uplift in confidence is being supported by a solid improvement … Continue reading SME sentiments positive heading to the close of 2017 →

Ansell has announced that it has, through its subsidiary Ansell Healthcare Products LLC, reached an agreement to acquire gammaSupplies, a company that specialises in Validated Sterile RABS/Isolator long gloves. Headquartered in Florida, gammaSupplies Sterile long gloves are used in pharmaceutical and biologic manufacturing facilities around the globe. gammaSupplies was founded in 2010 to fill the … Continue reading Ansell to acquire gammaSupplies →

Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens have formed a partnership which aims at developing a near-term flight demonstrator which will be a significant step forward in hybrid-electric propulsion for commercial aircraft. The E-Fan X hybrid-electric technology demonstrator is anticipated to fly in 2020 following a comprehensive ground test campaign, provisionally on a BAe 146 flying testbed, with … Continue reading Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens partner to take next step in hybrid-electric propulsion development →

Bosch Australia and Monash University have partnered to support Victoria’s standing as Australia’s premier agriculture state and home of innovation. Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford visited the new AgTech Launch Pad facility being established at Bosch Australia’s Clayton headquarters, with one hectare allocated to a smart farm for cutting edge research and development. Pulford said: … Continue reading Bosch, Monash partner to farm smart data →

Last week, Rockwell Automation rejected a third bid offer valued at US$29 billion (A$38 billion) from Emerson Electric. Rockwell said that the proposal, which was unsolicited, did not match the value of the company and the bid did not outweigh the risks for an acquisition to happen. The third bid followed two earlier bids this year Emerson announced … Continue reading No third time charm for Emerson’s $38bn takeover bid of Rockwell Automation →

The ARC Training Centre in Lightweight Automotive Structures (ATLAS) was launched this week at RMIT University by Senator James Paterson. ATLAS is led by RMIT University in close partnership with Deakin University and the Australian National University, lead partner the Ford Motor Company, CSIRO and 11 additional local and international partner organisations including those from … Continue reading ATLAS launched at RMIT, automotive industry to get boost →

Frost & Sullivan named ABB as it’s choice for the 2017 Company of the Year thanks to its visionary innovation embodied by its distributed control system (DCS) offering and its impact on customer performance. The award recognises ABB’s digital leadership, not only when compared to other industrial automation suppliers, but also against non-industry peers. The award … Continue reading F&S recognises ABB’s 2017 achievements →

Monash University has launched a research hub that aims to enhance productiveness and competiveness of Australian industries, particularly those in the supply chain from raw materials to manufacturing. The Australian Research Council (ARC) Research Hub for Computational Particle Technology (CPT) represents significant research into particle science and technology. It aims to develop and apply advanced … Continue reading Hub to enhance Australia’s industries via R&D →

The first official financial report by the Victorian state government for the 2017-18 financial year shows Victoria’s economy is strong and growing, with a quarterly operating surplus of more than half a billion dollars. The 2017-18 Quarterly Financial Report No. 1, tabled in Parliament by Treasurer Tim Pallas, shows Victoria’s economy continues to outpace all other states, … Continue reading Victoria in good shape moving into 2018 →

A project involving 16 South Australian SME manufacturing companies, global 3D design and virtualisation software company Dassault Systèmes, the South Australian Government, ICT services company ASG, and others, will prepare SA manufacturers for opportunities available only to those with digital capabilities. The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) -supported Dassault Systèmes Virtual Shipyard development program will … Continue reading Advanced manufacturing capability in SA to be increased →

Global fiber cement siding manufacturer James Hardie, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire German-based XI (DL) Holdings GmbH and its subsidiaries (including, but not limited to, Fermacell GmbH) from Xella International S.A. in an all-cash transaction valued at US$549 million (A$716 million). The acquisition is expected to close in … Continue reading James Hardie to acquire Fermacell →

The South Australian government expects new advanced manufacturing jobs and export opportunities to be created from a new partnership between South Australian suspension maker, Supashock and an Indian automotive manufacturer. Earlier this week, the companies signed an agreement  in Mumbai, India, to strengthen collaboration as Supashock develops vehicle suspension for an Indian army vehicle manufacturer. Defence and … Continue reading New opportunities expected from Supashock’s Indian automotive partnership →

Daqri began shipping its Daqri Smart Glasses to customers worldwide on November 7. The professional-grade augmented reality (AR) platform is available for direct purchase through Daqri’s website as well as through select channel partners. Customers across manufacturing, field services, maintenance and repair, inspections, construction, and more can now deploy the Daqri AR platform in their … Continue reading Daqri starts shipping smart glasses worldwide →

The Victorian Government has welcomed new industry figures by the Australian Industry Group’s (Ai Group) showing Victorian manufacturing continues to thrive. The Ai Group’s monthly Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) for Victoria rose 2.9 points to 57.6 points in October. Victoria’s PMI has experienced solid expansion over the last nine months and the states local manufacturing sector remains one … Continue reading Victorian manufacturing continues to thrive: Vic Government →

In a media release last month, RMIT researchers have used liquid metal to create two-dimensional materials no thicker than a few atoms that have never before been seen in nature. According to RMIT, the breakthrough will not only revolutionise the way we do chemistry but could be applied to enhance data storage and make faster … Continue reading Liquid metal breakthrough by RMIT researchers →

South Australia has issued a global call for accelerators and incubators to run and deliver services to support space start-ups and early stage businesses grow jobs and develop new technology. The successful organisation(s) would be responsible for managing the recently announced Space Incubator and/or Space Accelerator grants programs. The programs will provide up to $900,000 … Continue reading SA committed to develop space industry →

The Victorian state government is backing more Latrobe Valley businesses to create new jobs and drive economic growth. Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll has announced grants for two local Morwell businesses under the Latrobe Valley Economic Facilitation Fund. Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll said, “Every day we are working hard to create … Continue reading Boosts for jobs in the Latrobe Valley →

Australian battery company Redflow Limited has started installing battery production equipment at its new factory in Thailand, putting it on track to commence initial operation by the end of this year. Through its Thai subsidiary, Redflow has signed a three-year lease on the 1500 sqm building at the Hemaraj Chonburi Industrial Estate, part of the … Continue reading Redflow starts installing battery line in Thai factory →

The Queensland Government will use the benefits of public ownership to cut $125 a year from household bills and $120 off small business bills as part of a $2 billion Affordable Energy Plan. Energy Minister Mark Bailey said the state gorvenment would also ensure power bills for regional homes and small business are kept below average … Continue reading QLD Govt delivers Affordable Energy Plan for businesses including manufacturing →

The Ai Group Defence Council Australian says that the local industry has the capability, capacity and determination to meet the Naval Shipbuilding Plan challenge. The Council called for greater recognition of these local capabilities, as well as a more considered debate focussing on a national approach to further building that capability and delivering outcomes. “Australia’s … Continue reading Australia highly capable of meeting Naval Shipbuilding Plan challenge: Ai Group →