December 12, 2023

Osborne Naval Shipyard

Australian-made steel will be used in the construction of Australia’s conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines built at Osborne Naval Shipyard, South Australia, subject to a comprehensive qualification process. The Australian Submarine Agency has entered into a contract with Australian steel manufacturer, Bisalloy Steels, for the qualification of Australian steel for use on Australia’s future SSN-AUKUS submarines. “The qualification of Australian steel is an important step in the Australian Government’s strategy for acquiring state-of-the-art conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines,” said Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP. “The strength and quality of Australian steel will keep Australian submariners safe in the SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines for decades to come, just as it does today on our Collins Class submarines. Crucially, this contract will support jobs in an industry which is not only of strategic importance but also a source of innovation and employment, and part of the Australian fabric.” “The $15m contract will put Australian products at the forefront of our submarine construction,” added Minister Conroy. The comprehensive qualification process, involving more than 4,500 tests, is expected to be completed in the first half…
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December 8, 2023

Registrations are NOW OPEN for AMW2024

Run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), and with the NSW Government as Major Sponsor, AMW2024 will occupy more than 6,560 square metres of exhibition space at the Sydney ICC at Darling Harbour, with more than 215 organisations taking stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. Don’t miss out! REGISTER NOW:   There will be seven Zones on the show floor of Australian Manufacturing Week, each with its own distinct specialisations. These include: Austech Machine Tools, sponsored by finlease; Additive Manufacturing Zone; Australian Manufacturers Pavilion; Manufacturing Solutions Zone, sponsored by The Execution Factor; Robotics & Automation Zone; Weld and Air Solutions Zone; and the Plastic Technology Zone.   AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURERS PAVILION The Australian Manufacturers Pavilion showcases the capabilities of Australia’s precision engineering and advanced manufacturing industry. The Australian Manufacturers Pavilion is one of seven focussed Zones on the floor of AMW2024. The Australian Manufacturers Pavilion is where AMW2024 celebrates the very best in Australian manufacturing, providing a showcase for some of this country’s…
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December 6, 2023

Big Brother

If you are a Vocational Education and Training (VET) student trained in agriculture, horticulture or a trade like metalwork or another field of manufacturing, this may be for you. Since 1983, more than a thousand young Australians have travelled the world with this scholarship program and returned to Australia ready to share ideas, knowledge, skills, and networks to inspire others. Ryan Hepplewhite was the 2018 Sheet Metal Scholar with Global Footprints Scholarships and Big Brother, and winner of the $8,000 travel grant to go overseas for a unique industry experience. This program, previously known as BBM Scholarships, is all about sustainability and supporting young people to create the future they want for themselves and their planet. Hepplewhite first started his journey to be a metal fabricator when he was 13 years old, playing around in the yard at home in Mt Keira, NSW. First came a trolley for his cycle to help move his shovels around when creating dirt bike jumps. Simple things. Next came his passion to create parts to make a go-kart. “I picked metalwork as an…
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December 4, 2023

Navigating diversity and retention challenges

In the exciting world of heavy industries encompassing Manufacturing, Engineering, Construction, Infrastructure, Mining & Resources, Energy, Oil & Gas, Defence, Government/Not-for-Profit, Environmental and more, executive roles are vital. The successful recruitment and retention of these leaders play a pivotal role in an organisation's growth and stability. Hunter Executive Search Consultants, a prominent Australian recruitment firm, has recently conducted a survey among registered executives, shedding light on the diversity and retention challenges faced in these sectors. "In the dynamic landscape of heavy industries, executive roles are vital for organisational growth and stability. With 78% supporting equal career growth and a call for improvement due to the 33% facing gender bias, our expertise in attracting and retaining top executive talent is more valuable than ever in navigating these complexities,” said Jayde Stokes, a Regional Manager at Hunter. “I am passionate about building diversity across heavy industries, particularly within the executive space as that’s where change starts.” Key survey findings: Executive tenure: Out of 377 responses from executives in heavy industries, 35% have been in their current roles for one to three…
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November 30, 2023

QLD Minister for Manufacturing

AMT: As the Queensland Minister for Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water, that is a lot of portfolio space to get your head around first off Minister.  Promise I’ll stay within the walls of manufacturing. Do you find a bit of ‘crossover’? GB: Definitely - there is lots of crossover and that’s what I want to see. I want to see local manufacturers benefitting from our significant investment in critical infrastructure like water projects, so that benefits to Queensland businesses are seen all the way down the supply chain. A significant amount of our infrastructure investment occurs outside Southeast Queensland given the decentralised nature of the state. And this is set to continue - as an example, 95% of our $62bn Energy and Jobs Plan will be invested outside SEQ. That’s why we have a plan and why we keep investing in our grants and support programs so that our local…
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November 27, 2023

Hysata electrolyser

Australian electrolyser company Hysata has officially opened its new 8,000sqm global headquarters and electrolyser manufacturing facility in Port Kembla. This marks a significant milestone in Hysata’s journey, paving the way for commercialisation of its pioneering high efficiency electrolyser. Hysata’s electrolysers are poised to transform the economics of green hydrogen production and accelerate decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, chemical manufacture and heavy transport. The Australian Government, through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), has given a vote of confidence in Hysata’s technology by announcing a $20.9m grant from its Advancing Renewables Program. This funding will support commercial demonstration of a 5MW electrolyser unit to be trialled adjacent to the Stanwell Power Station near Rockhampton, Queensland. Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Queensland Government-owned power company Stanwell Corporation will support the demonstration project with $3m, and provide the site and facilities for the field deployment of the electrolyser, which is being developed at Hysata’s new manufacturing facility. The project will create 44 new local jobs at Hysata. Hysata CEO Paul Barrett…
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November 24, 2023

CSIRO and Boeing Jet Zero roadmap

Australia has an opportunity to develop a sovereign sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry, with domestic demand for jet fuel expected to increase by 75% by 2050, according to a new roadmap released recently by Australia's national science agency, CSIRO and Boeing Australia. Unlike conventional jet fuel, SAF is produced from renewable sources – like agricultural waste, animal fats and vegetable oils – and significantly reduces carbon emissions over the fuel’s life-cycle making it a more sustainable alternative for powering aircraft. The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap builds consensus on developing an Australian sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry, identifying opportunities to produce and scale production using Australian feedstocks. CSIRO Senior Manager and lead Roadmap author, Max Temminghoff, said Australia was in a prime position to develop a domestic industry. “By actively working to liberate feedstocks, the roadmap estimates that Australia is currently sitting on enough resources to produce almost five billion litres of SAF by 2025. This could supply nearly 60% of jet fuel demand projected…
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November 15, 2023

Opal Fibre Packaging Wodonga open for business

Opal’s Wodonga facility, which utilises the latest advanced, high-speed packaging manufacturing technology, has a total footprint of approximately 55,000 square metres. The facility will process recycled and kraft paper from Opal’s Botany Mill in Sydney and Maryvale Mill in the Latrobe Valley. Opal has invested in Australia’s newest corrugating facility, which will produce packaging for a wide range of fresh produce, food processing, FMCG and manufacturing industries across Australia. The facility also features a highly automated materials and waste handling system. Mr Fumio Manoshiro, Chairman of Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd, officially opened the Fibre Packaging facility by unveiling a special commemorative plaque made by the creative design team at Opal Specialty Packaging. Opal is a member of Nippon Paper Group, one of the world’s leading pulp and paper manufacturers. The Victorian Government also provided grant funding for the project, to support jobs in regional Victoria. Minister for Regional Development, Gayle Tierney, congratulated Opal on the opening of its new facility. “Our support for Opal’s new $140m investment in Wodonga is a…
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November 13, 2023

Manufuturing with precision

Australia’s premier manufacturing technology trade show, AMW Sydney 2024, is promising to be a dynamic and innovative event that brings together professionals, companies and experts from many industries related to manufacturing, engineering and technology. It is AMTIL’s aim for Australian Manufacturing Week to be more than just an exhibition. This is the centrepiece of a week-long celebration of manufacturing in Australia today. “On the back of the overwhelming success of AMW 2022 in Sydney, we have returned to the ICC at Darling Harbour for April 2024 and are excited to be delivering another strong show,” said Shane Infanti CEO of AMTIL, organisers of Australian Manufacturing Week. “We are very pleased to have the support of the NSW Government as the Major Sponsor for AMW. Government support is important in delivering the message to our industry that manufacturing is important and that the support mechanisms are there to assist.” Australian Manufacturing Week will take place at the International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney. The stats from our Melbourne show at the MCEC showed conclusively the appetite for…
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October 26, 2023

NSW Excellence in Welding

Weld Australia's Excellence Awards are the most prestigious event on the welding industry calendar. The Awards showcase and celebrate the world-class work being undertaken by local welders, fabricators and industry educators.   This year, the awards were held at Waterview and saw the best and brightest from the ACT and New South Wales' welding industry come together to acknowledge the incredible calibre of work achieved over the past 12 months.   According to Weld Australia's CEO, Geoff Crittenden, "The 2023 New South Wales and ACT Welding Excellence Awards highlight the outstanding achievements of our local professionals while emphasising the industry's unwavering commitment to excellence. At Weld Australia, we are proud recognise both companies and individuals who are pushing boundaries in welding quality, safety, and innovation."   "Our celebrated winners this year represent both businesses and individuals dedicated to crafting innovative and sustainable strategies, prioritising safety, and enhancing the overall skill set in the welding community," Crittenden said.   NEPEAN Engineering & Innovation won the 2023 Company of the Year Award - Fabrication. Established in 1974, NEPEAN Engineering & Innovation has…
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October 24, 2023

The trams are on the track

The new Allan Labor Government is on track to deliver the largest investment in locally-made trams in Australia’s history – supporting thousands of jobs and improving access to Melbourne’s iconic tram network. Melbourne’s locally made next-generation trams are one step closer after a life-sized model of a G-class tram was unveiled for testing and evaluation for the first time ahead of production ramping up. Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams recently visited Tullamarine to unveil the first life-sized mock-up of a next-gen tram for testing and evaluation – set to hit the network by 2025. The Labor Government is investing $1.85bn in 100 new G-class trams alongside a new tram maintenance and stabling facility when the fleet is ready. The more accessible trams will be built by Alstom in Dandenong using at least 65% local content and supporting up to 1,900 local jobs through manufacturing, the supply chain and construction. They will replace some of Melbourne’s longest-serving A and Z-class high-floor trams, making our public transport network more accessible for all Victorians. With greater capacity than the high-floor trams, they will…
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October 10, 2023

Public sector quantum projects

Q-CTRL, a global leader in developing useful quantum technologies through quantum control infrastructure software, and Diraq, a leading innovator in Silicon-based quantum computing, today announced they will be partnering on three multi-million-dollar projects to expand the commercial adoption of quantum computing. It represents the first stage of an anticipated partnership delivering new, high-impact quantum computing capabilities to the global market, from Australia. The two Australian quantum technology companies will deliver three projects together: two from the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer’s Quantum Computing Commercialisation Fund (QCCF) and one from the US Army Research Office. Q-CTRL and Diraq are sharing responsibilities on the projects: Diraq will develop and provide access to its Silicon quantum computing hardware and Q-CTRL will build and integrate its quantum infrastructure software solutions to deliver maximum end-user value from the hardware. Q-CTRL and Diraq highlight Australia’s leading role in the global quantum technology industry. Diraq’s hardware is constructed using a novel technology known as spins in silicon, offering true scalability in the number of qubits…
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October 10, 2023

AMW2024 Sydney launch

Australia’s premier manufacturing technology trade show, AMW2024 is promising to be a dynamic and innovative event in Sydney that brings together professionals, companies and experts from many industries related to manufacturing, engineering and technology. It is AMTIL’s aim for Australian Manufacturing Week to be more than just an exhibition. This is the centrepiece of a week-long celebration of manufacturing in Australia today. “On the back of the overwhelming success of AMW2022 in Sydney, we have returned to the ICC at Darling Harbour for April 2024 and are excited to be delivering another strong show,” said Shane Infanti CEO of AMTIL, organisers of Australian Manufacturing Week. “We are very pleased to have the support of the NSW Government as the Major Sponsor for AMW. Government support is important in delivering the message to our industry that manufacturing is important and that the support mechanisms are there to assist.” Australian Manufacturing Week will take place at the International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney. The stats from our Melbourne show at the MCEC showed conclusively the appetite for large-scale manufacturing exhibitions is healthy for…
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