steel

Any new technology is bound to have its share of challenges and barriers — for example the initial security concerns around cloud computing — and the Internet of Things (IoT) is no different. With smart devices adding billions of new access points into enterprise systems and communicating with the network, IoT security will be key. A number … Continue reading IoT and security: Hype, hysteria or cause for concern? →

Catastrophic failure of machinery or structures is usually expensive to repair and can pose a threat to the health and safety of workers and the public. Remote Visual Inspection (RVI) of materials, components and structures can give inspectors and technicians warnings of many potential failures before they cause problems. A videoscope is an inspection instrument … Continue reading Industrial videoscope being touted as the new ‘gold standard’ →

Labor will announce a commitment worth $100 million to attempt to save Arrium’s Whyalla plant, but the federal government has criticised the timing of the news, saying it wouldn’t enter a political auction on the issue.

Glencore has announced that it will be closing its North Queensland Bowen Coke Works facility over the next few months. According to the bulk commodities company, the Bowen Coke Works has been in operation since 1933 providing metallurgical coke for the Mount Isa Mines’ lead smelter. While no exact timeline for the closure was given, … Continue reading Bowen Coke gets snuffed out →

The South Australian government has pledged $50 million to assist in saving the Whyalla steelworks.

A forensic investigation into Arrium’s collapse is underway, reconstructing events focussing on the six months prior to the company’s April 7 administration.

The USA’s treasury secretary has said that China should cut its steel capacity, with the current glut “corrosive” to the Chinese economy and harmful to the rest of the world.

Can Australia still make steel? Brent Balinski spoke to metals expert Professor Geoff Brooks from Swinburne University about the industry’s difficulties, where it can excel, and the competition it faces. Australia’s last two major steelmaking sites have had to fight for their lives in the last year, and it is safe to say the local steel … Continue reading Little future in Australia focussing on garden variety steel →

South Australian senator Nick Xenophon has said his party would “unashamedly” use voter support to provide embattled steel and iron ore business Arrium with assistance. Whyalla News reports that Xenophon said a fair go and “jobs and growth” were not possible if the steel industry is allowed to collapse, “given it’s the bedrock of manufacturing”. “Whyalla will … Continue reading Xenophon: party would “unashamedly” assist Whyalla →

Steel and iron ore business Arrium will be on the market in late-July and most of the restructure and sale is expected to be completed by the end of the year, says the company’s administrators. AAP and others report that administrators KordaMentha have presented a proposal to state and federal governments for co-investment in Arrium’s loss-making … Continue reading Arrium sale expected to be complete by year’s end →

BlueScope Steel has increased its second-half earnings guidance by 29 per cent, assisted by cost-cutting measures and improvements in iron ore and steel prices. AAP reports that underlying earnings before interest and tax for the six months to June 30 was raised from $209 million to $270 million. “The stronger performance has been driven largely … Continue reading Improved half-year outlook for BlueScope →

The United States’ commerce department found that Chinese companies had sold surplus steel below cost in the US, ordering import duty increases of 522 per cent for cold-rolled steel. Sky News reports that US steel industry representatives claim the market has been distorted by dumped products, and it has had to make 12,000 jobs redundant … Continue reading US applies 522 per cent duty on China steel after dumping ruling →

Watkins Steel, a Brisbane based steel fabrication company, is the inaugural recipient of the Tommy Award at the YPO Innovation Week. This award was handed out on Saturday, 13th May by the Young President’s Organization (YPO) in association with the Edison Innovation Foundation at the closing event of the in-augural YPO Innovation Week. Watkins Steel … Continue reading Brisbane steel fabrication company wins international award at YPO Innovation Week →

Arrium’s difficulties have played a significant part in the liquidation of a hospitality business in Whyalla, according to the business’s owner. The ABC and others report that the Foreshore Motor Inn cut five full-time and 17 casual jobs as it went into liquidation. The inn has a 40-room motel and a bistro, the Waters Edge … Continue reading Arrium woes play a part in motel liquidation →

A new group transformation program had led to massive organisational change at thyssenkrupp’s industrial solutions division. The company’s current ‘strategic way forward’ initiative has developed new structures at its Industrial Solutions and Steel Europe division, resulting in leadership changes and a refocusing. “The organisational changes will put customers and markets more firmly at the centre, … Continue reading Thyssenkrupp announces new business ‘reorganisation’ →

Chinese steel production has surged in response to a jump in prices, but capacity levels are concerning and some are tipping a correction soon. Bloomberg reports that output for April was up 0.5 per cent compared to last year, reaching 69.42 million metric tons, according to National Bureau of Statistics. Averaged out by production day, … Continue reading Chinese steel production surges on price jump →

Assistance measures for the loss-making Arrium Whyalla steelworks could be finalised in the coming weeks, Arrium’s administrator has said. The ABC reported last night that Mark Mentha of administrators KordaMentha met the SA government’s steel taskforce yesterday. “We’d like to think the recommendations, the issues we’ve put to the taskforce, will be considered [swiftly] and … Continue reading Arrium administrator meets with steel taskforce →

Arrium’s administrators are still hopeful of federal assistance, despite this not being mentioned in the federal budget. Yesterday federal treasurer Scott Morrison told radio in Adelaide that money for struggling enterprises was unnecessary. “What people in Whyalla and places like that don’t need is a Treasurer to get up at a Budget and splash a … Continue reading Any federal assistance may take time: Arrium administrators →

Bluescope Steel has said it is confident of being picked to supply the steel for Australia’s new submarine fleet, which will be made in Adelaide. Fairfax reports that the steelmaker will meet with the winning bidder to design the submarines, France’s DCNS, on May 12 regarding the required specifications. “We’re confident that we can supply … Continue reading Bluescope to meet with DCNS in a fortnight about submarine steel →

Yesterday’s announcement that 12 new submarines designed by France’s DCNS will be built at Osborne has been welcomed by various South Australian politicians, but the potential benefit to struggling steelmaker Arrium is not known. Yesterday prime minister Malcolm Turnbull made the long-awaited announcement at the Adelaide shipyard. The Adelaide Advertiser and others noted the repeated … Continue reading Benefit of subs contract to Whyalla unclear →