By Rebecca Giblin, The University of Melbourne; Anders Furze, The University of Melbourne, and Kimberlee Weatherall, University of Sydney For hundreds of years, we’ve been told patents help deliver big new inventions, such as life-saving drugs. They are meant to be a bargain between the inventor and the public: tell us how your invention works,…
Australian new-vehicle engineering and manufacturing firm Premcar has teamed up with US manufacturer of reimagined classic Ford Bronco SUVs, Gateway Bronco, to develop its latest model. Unveiled during this year’s Monterey Car Week in the USA, Premcar will develop the chassis, suspension and steering for Illinois-based Gateway’s newest 1960s-inspired LUXE-GT model based on the classic…
Like many manufacturing leaders, PFi group CEO Gavin Dunwoodie (pictured) is short of staff and is investing in ways to utilise existing staff better as well as in recruiting, training and retaining new ones. But so bad was the situation in 2022 he took to advertising on a billboard (pictured, below) along with fellow Queensland…
Perth luxury shipbuilder Silver Yachts has begun construction of two SpaceCat luxury catamaran yachts. With a unique design by naval architect and designer Øino, the 36 metre SilverCat Series offers style, space, performance, and value that is exclusive in the market, according to the company. Best known for its large single-hulled super yacht designs such…
On Monday we published part one of this article, concerning what a scaleup company is and why they matter. Today we conclude by looking at what they need. By Brent Balinski. There are 25,000 tonnes of wet wipes thrown out by Australians every year, all made of polyester or polypropylene and therefore non-biodegradable, and almost…
Like most Australian manufacturers in post-Covid Australia in 2023, Richard Simpson, Managing Director at Notting Hill, Victoria manufacturer Furnace Engineering, is having trouble hiring staff. Labour and skills shortages have become an everyday refrain, but for Simpson it is not just a matter of taking on anyone – he has learned that can be a…
Next in Spotlight on scaleups, we hear from Paul Hutchings of series sponsor Fusion5. By Brent Balinski. Employment has managed to grow over the 12 months — despite unemployment being at its lowest level since the 1970s — and growth in hours worked has outpaced it. It is common to hear manufacturers talk about difficulties…
Family owned confectioner and food manufacturer Ferndale Foods Australia has inaugurated its $20 million state-of-the-art food manufacturing facility in Ballarat, Victoria to produce ‘better for you’ bars and snacks. Once fully operational, the new facility – the company’s third – to be known as FoodLine Australia will have the capacity to manufacture 180 million bars…
In the first part of a two-part series we consider the importance of scaleup manufacturers. Brent Balinski spoke to some fast-growing manufacturers and other experts about the subject. Adam Gilmour describes himself and his team as “super-busy” assembling an orbital launch vehicle and launch site when asked. Gilmour Space Technologies has been focussed on rockets…
Environmental technology company Calix and lithium miner Pilbara Minerals have announced a final investment decision to build a $104.9 million demonstration plant for processing a lithium-enriched product from a low-grade spodumene, able to produce over 3,000 tonnes per annum of lithium phosphate. The two ASX-listed companies announced a joint venture for the Pilgangoora Project in…