Redarc took out the 2009 Technology Application Award, with highly commended awards going to Corning Cable and Reln. Katherine Crichton writes.
IN late 2007, family-based business Redarc Technologies implemented a major process improvement project with the construction of a new $5m innovation centre in Lonsdale South Australia.
Installing the latest lead-free technology coupled with the implementation of a new lean manufacturing process provides Redarc with the capacity to further develop export markets. A new generation “pick and place” machine allows exceptional placement accuracy of surface mount components.
Additionally, Redarc is using the latest “vapour phase” technology to reflow printed circuit boards. This efficient, low energy process has the added advantage of precise temperature control, ensuring that components are not subjected to damaging, high peak temperatures.
Redarc also procured a selective solder machine that automatically solders through-hole components. All these improvements have lead to higher quality products, making them even more reliable and safer for the environment.
This investment in technology has helped Redarc maintain its title as one of the most advanced, environmentally-friendly electronics manufacturers in Australia, and let it to take out the Endeavour 2009 Technology Application of the Year Award for its Innovation Centre.
Redarc’s MD, Anthony Kittel was on hand to accept the Award which he said recognised the culmination of four years of planning, design, construction, implementation and commitment to achieve the world class facilities.
“To win this award provides formal recognition of the fabulous outcome that we have achieved.
“It also provides us with great confidence. Confidence that our strategy to be an innovator, not an imitator is justified,” Kittel said.
The South Australian electronics manufacturer has bucked the trend of outsourcing its manufacturing to China by working smarter rather than trying to compete with low cost countries’ mass production abilities.
While Kittel admits this was a risk for the family-owned SME, investing in the $5m manufacturing facility looks to be paying off, and says the recognition and publicity from the Endeavour Award’s win will hopefully expand the company’s presence beyond its core customer base.
“To win a National Manufacturing Award against such tough competition is a very rewarding outcome for the vision that we had back in 2005 and that we have been able to turn into reality in 2009.
“We recognised the significance of innovation and our success has been in driving this innovation culture within the business. We are also proud to win the award as we were the only South Australian manufacturer to be nominated as a finalist.
“We are strong supporters of manufacturing in SA and hope that our success will stimulate other SA based manufacturers to consider entering the Endeavour Awards in 2010.
“This award recognises the efforts and achievements of our employees and celebrates their success,” Kittel said.
Highly Commended
Corning Cable, nominated for its Fibre Management System (FMS), manufactures cable for a range of industries including defence and telecommunications.
Manufacturing cabling products using fibre less than a hair’s width is more complex than it sounds.
To ensure product quality and to differentiate themselves from overseas competition, the company created the FMS in partnership with Smartpath Loc8, a developer of web 2.0 asset, maintenance and mobility workforce software.
For Corning Cable, it was critical that the software fitted around Corning’s specialised manufacturing processes, and it was important that the software be intuitive and easy to use while still supporting the company’s business requirements.
The implementation of the FMS has improved workflow by replacing manual processes which has improved productivity and reduced the potential for human error.
The new system has also eliminated the ability for workers to cut corners by skipping processes.
Highly Commended
Reln, nominated for its injection moulding technology, specialises in the design and manufacture of surface water capture, storage, conservation and re-use products.
The company has recently completed a significant investment programme of $5m in new tooling and technology used to produce advanced plastic products such as the Slimline 2100 water tank – but which is also applicable to other plastic products.
The challenge was to provide a tank with straight sides, not only in an injection moulding, but in an injection moulding over 2.2m in size and over 70kg in shot size. This required designing a tool with relatively straight sides and specialised patented demoulding functionalities.
Reln partnered with a world recognised injection moulding machine manufacturer to further develop its patented tie-barless injection moulding machine technology.
The combination of new technologies in machinery, moulding and tooling techniques has allowed Reln to produce products such as the Slimline 2100 Water Tank and supply it to the market at 20 times the speed of the traditional plastic water tank manufacturer and at a reduced cost.
Reln now has one of the most modern injection moulding plants in Australia, with a wide variety of machine sizes up to over 4,000t.