Future-focussed and fast
New high-speed rail routes better connecting Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong would drive new opportunities if we included freight. By Michael Sharpe.
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New AI accelerator program for manufacturers to begin in 2022
The Brisbane-headquartered ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Hub has launched a new training program, beginning next year, for “micro-to-medium sized manufacturers” wanting to use artificial intelligence to improve their operations.
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Leadership in factory automation — OzCut Abrasives
On the final Friday of @AuManufacturing’s Leadership in factory automation series, we speak to Ray Taylor, founder and owner of cutting wheel startup OzCut Abrasives. He reminds us that while there’s been a rise in support for local manufacturing lately, you still need be advanced in both products and processes to be viable. By Brent Balinski.
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NIOA sets itself up for arms development in Lithgow
By Peter Roberts Fast-growing firearms, weapons and ammunition manufacturer NIOA has set itself up for expansion of its operations to the historic defence manufacturing region of Lithgow in New South Wales with the purchase of an important home and land in the regional city. NIOA has purchased historic Lidsdale House (pictured) which sits on a…
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Widely available grant for energy efficiency launched
The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources has announced a new grant opportunity that will be available to SME food and beverage manufacturers under its Energy Efficient Communities Program. The program is unusually broad and should apply to every SME in the field looking to improve energy efficiency and, while the dollar amount is…
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Fortescue tests ammonia, hydrogen for locomotive fleet
Fortescue Metals Group is pushing ahead with the decarbonisation of its rail locomotive fleet with the arrival of two additional locomotives at Fortescue Future Industries’ (FFI) research and development facility in Hazelmere, Perth. The two four-stroke locomotives will undergo further testing on the new fuel system, joining the first two-stroke locomotive which underwent testing earlier…
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Applications to open this month for $280 million in federal manufacturing grants
A second round of grants will be made available through the Translation and Integration streams of the federal Modern Manufacturing Initiative, with applications to open next week. According to a statement from industry minister Angus Taylor on Thursday, $280 million would be available through the second round. Grant funding of between $1 million and $20…
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SkyKraft attracts top investors to capital raising
Satellite services company SkyKraft has attracted a raft of top investors to a $3.5 million capital raising that will continue its rollout of SmallSat communications satellites. The Canberra company’s new investors include former Macquarie Bank CEO Alan Moss, Lennoxgrove Capital and Adcock Private Equity. Skykraft, based at the UNSW Canberra City, also recently received $1…
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Sovereign composites, intelligent manufacturing progress in latest CRC bid announcement
Cooperative Research Centre Round 23 bids progressing to Stage 2 have been announced, with two explicitly manufacturing-focussed CRCs among them.
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Food sector disappointed with Canberra modern manufacturing initiative
By Peter Roberts The peak body for Australia’s largest manufacturing sector – food and groceries – has expressed disappointment with federal government policy and the rollout of its modern manufacturing initiative. The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) CEO Tanya Barden told a Senate inquiry this week that the sector needed a more coordinated policy…
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