NSW

The Federal Court has handed down a decision that will increase electricity prices for NSW customers by around $3 billion. According to environment and energy minister Josh Frydenberg, this reaffirms the Turnbull Government’s position of wanting to abolish the Limited Merits Review (LMR) process to stop network businesses gaming the system. The Australian Energy Regulator … Continue reading Electricity prices to increase $3b for NSW consumers →

From July this year, there will be a significant increase in wholesale electricity prices for NSW. This has sparked fears that the cost of doing business in the state will be so high that manufacturers will be forced out. While NSW wholesale electricity prices were stable for a number of years, prices have increased by … Continue reading Rising wholesale electricity prices will threaten NSW businesses →

CommSec has released its latest quarterly report revealing the economic performance of Australian states. The report analyses eight key indicators: economic growth; retail spending; business investment; unemployment; construction work done; population growth; housing finance and dwelling commencements. According to CommSec chief economist Craig James, the latest data indicates a multi-speed national economy. NSW remains on top, … Continue reading NSW continues to dominate Australia’s economic performance →

Workers at the Real Pet Food factory in Dubbo have won pay rises of up to 30 per cent in a new union agreement. A four-year agreement was negotiated between the Real Pet Food Company and Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, resulting in pay rises for its (approximate) 100 employees. Depending on their shift, some workers … Continue reading NSW pet food factory workers win pay rise →

The Queensland government’s gas pilot program provides good template for how gas could be developed on Australia’s eastern seaboard, according to Manufacturing Australia. The program provides a piece of land in the Surat Basin for gas extraction solely by domestic companies and manufacturers. “If gas intensive manufacturing is to continue in Australia we need more … Continue reading Queensland government gas pilot program shows the way →

Most robots achieve grasping and tactile sensing through motorised means, which can be excessively bulky and rigid. A Cornell group has devised a way for a soft robot to feel its surroundings internally, in much the same way humans do. A group led by Robert Shepherd, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and principal … Continue reading Engineers develop robot with human-like tactile senses →

Faro Technologies, a global technology company that develops and markets computer-aided coordinate measurement devices and software, opens its new office in Brisbane, Australia. This move is part of Faro’s long-term growth plan and to increase its footprint in Asia Pacific. Faro’s customer base in Australia and New Zealand is growing. As such, this expansion is … Continue reading Faro expands into Queensland →

Industry minister Greg Hunt met with executives from some of Australia’s major energy companies yesterday to discuss the “looming shortage” of the resource for manufacturers.

According to a story this morning in the Australian Financial Review (AFR), Incitec Pivot CEO James Fazzino said while the outlook for commodity prices is more positive than six months ago, he still expects challenging conditions for the company to persist into 2017. “The markets were tough given the downturn in the global resources industry … Continue reading Incitec still nervous about its recovery →

The Australian Food and Grocery Council releases its State of the Industry annual report today, and despite a healthy growth in export figures, has pointed to a strain on the industry through energy costs.

A half-century-old recreational vehicle manufacturer in western Sydney is struggling to find employees to fill vacancies, it has said.

The future is predicted to see unmanned aerial vehicles in a fast-growing number of places. Brent Balinski spoke to Dario Valenza, founder of UAV maker Carbonix, about his company’s leap from racing boats to drones, a few design considerations, and what he hopes the future brings.

Hedweld Engineering has opened a new manufacturing facility in Mt. Thorley, NSW, to foster innovation in the Hunter region.

A report by think tank The Australia Institute and commissioned by the AMWU has criticised the NSW government’s decision to have a fleet of new intercity trains built in South Korea.

Manufacturer and franchise Narellan Pools has said it expects to grow sharply in the next five years, hiring another 50 at its new Picton factory.

The NSW and Victorian governments are considering action – including dropping current moratoriums on exploration – to deal with the east coast gas shortage.

Yesterday’s shocking announcement by the NSW Coalition government that a $2.3 billion contract for 500 intercity train carriages has been awarded to a multinational (mainly South Korean) consortium including UGL, Hyundai Rotem and Mitsubishi Electric Australia was met with a wave of outrage and derision across the state and Internet.

The NSW government has awarded a $2.3 billion contract for 500 intercity train carriages to a multinational consortium, with the trains to be made in South Korea.

Coca Cola Amatil is on the lookout for an industrial automation lead, to scope projects aiming to optimise technology investments.

Unlike our previous election, in fact unlike our past three federal elections, in the US, both candidates for president are vowing to revitalise and resurrect the U.S. manufacturing industry. In fact, Donald Trump says he will “reclaim millions of American jobs” while Hillary Clinton is pushing a “make it in America” strategy. “While too many … Continue reading OPINION: Unlike in Australia, US elections are all about manufacturing →