Industry News

The Federal and State Governments have already imposed restrictions on a number of businesses offering non-essential services as part of measures to support social distancing and contain the spread of coronavirus. Should further limitations become necessary, AMTIL has urged the Government to ensure that appropriate exemptions are made for businesses and staff working in the manufacturing industry. “Manufacturing is essential, not just to our economy but in meeting so many of society’s most crucial requirements,” said Shane Infanti, AMTIL’s CEO. “And as this crisis has evolved, we’ve also seen manufacturers across the country stepping up and assisting in national efforts to combat the virus. It’s vital that manufacturers and their supply chains can continue to operate with as little disruption as possible.” While acknowledging that the health and wellbeing of the public should be the main priority in our handling of the coronavirus outbreak, Infanti noted that the manufacturing industry has been particularly vigilant in adopting measures to ensure the safety…

Above all, this is an unprecedented health crisis, and our thoughts are first and foremost with those people who have been directly affected by the virus, their families and friends. Our thoughts also go out to the doctors, the nurses, and all workers in the healthcare sector, as they strive to combat the outbreak. And our thoughts go out to all the key workers in so many areas as we face the weeks and months ahead. Alongside the immediate threat posed by COVID-19, there are also the inevitable consequences for our economy, and for our industry. Several AMTIL members who I or my staff have spoken to have already reported significant disruption to their normal business operations. As this crisis continues, the impact will surely deepen. AMTIL welcomes the measures put in place by Government, both at Federal and State level, to support businesses during these times, and hope to see further assistance over the coming weeks. There have also been a number of major industry…

Basic Trailers is a shining example of a young, vibrant and innovative SA manufacturer meeting growing demand for locally designed and built products. Its trailers – designed, manufactured and distributed in Adelaide – have proven exceptionally popular with people across the state, in part as a backlash by customers against cheaper but inferior imported trailers that recently flooded the market. Since opening its doors in 2018, Basic Trailers has expanded rapidly, to the extent that it has now had to move into larger premises in Pooraka to fulfil demand for its innovative trailers, all of which are built from Australian steel. Furthermore, in addition to its existing workforce of six full-time employees, the company plans to hire at least four more workers at its new workshop facility. Sam Francis, General Manager…

The Federal Government and South Australian Government have reached agreement with Detmold Group to produce 145 million masks – 100 million for the National Medical Stockpile and 45 million for South Australia. Over the coming months the company will employ up to an extra 160 staff and will invest more than $1m in local supplies that will support other Australian businesses. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said Detmold is the latest in a line of Aussie companies rising up to the challenge of COVID-19. “This is a fantastic example of how our strong manufacturing base in Australia puts us in a position to be able to make more of the medical supplies we need during the outbreak of this virus,” said Andrews. “We have a sufficient supply of masks at the moment but this work will ensure we sustain that supply over the months ahead. “This new production line won’t be up and running overnight, that’s why we’re attacking this challenge from…

In 1936, Pittsburgh’s Great Flood crippled Western Pennsylvania leaving thousands without electricity. In an effort to help restore the city’s electricity, Donald Ross started the Allegheny Electric Company. In its drive to bring safety to the manufacturing industry, it noted that the wiring method in existing overhead cranes was very dangerous. After decades of innovation, the company invented the Track Busway. As the company grew and further broadened its product lines beyond trolley conductor systems, it changed its name to Universal Electric Corporation (UEC). This marked the creation of two separate divisions when UEC introduced STARLINE Plug-In Raceway. First introduced in 1987, STARLINE Track Busway is now the industry-leading electrical power distribution system for mission-critical data centre facilities in markets such as industrial, retail and higher education markets. The company has built a globally recognised brand that relies on measurement equipment from Mitutoyo to guarantee product quality. The UK division of UEC moved into a new 5,500sqm factory in Reading in 2018 to support the European customer base. Being both UL- and ETL-listed, and…

The expansion – which was slightly unexpected in the midst of the escalating COVID-19 pandemic and emerging recession – was almost entirely attributed to a huge surge in demand for manufactured food, groceries and personal care items, as shoppers stocked up on processed food, toilet paper, cleaning products and other household essentials. The local manufacturing businesses that make these goods are in sectors (mainly ‘food & beverages’ and ‘chemicals’) that account for a large proportion of Australian manufacturing and make relatively large contributions to the headline Australian PMI index. “Australian manufacturers are being impacted in very different ways by the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox. “Some are stepping up to meet surges in purchasing from consumers, businesses and the health sector. Others are finding that disrupted supply chains into export markets and from suppliers of inputs are reducing sales and stifling production. Others are seeing sales dry up…

The COVID-19 Manufacturer Response Register portal is live now via the AMGC website, with all contact treated in strict confidence. The portal can be accessed here: www.amgc.org.au/covid-19-manufacturer-response The response of Australian businesses and individuals to the current COVID-19 pandemic to-date has been outstanding, with manufacturers shifting focus to how they can support our health and critical manufacturing sectors during this unprecedented event. Australian manufacturers across multiple disciplines have already pivoted or expressed a desire to support in any way possible actions to address the current COVID-19 threat. Examples include: distillers moving to produce hand-sanitisers; automotive manufacturers exploring the design and manufacturer of ventilators; fabricators moving to the supply of medical goods; or current manufacturers responding to increased demand for goods. Dr Jens Goennemann, Managing Director of AMGC, said: “Australian manufacturers want to assist; however they may be unsure of where to start. By developing this portal, we will be able to gain a clear understanding of the skills, supplies and capabilities that exist right…

Operations at the 13 28 46 Contact Centre will increase from five days per week to seven days per week, and with an additional two hours a day of support outside standard operating hours for the first month, answering calls from 7.00am to 11.00pm AEST. Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash said the operations of the Government’s business 13 28 46 contact centre, are being expanded to provide specialist advisers and extended support hours. “The Government is rolling out comprehensive, targeted assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and we want businesses who are looking for information to be supported,” she said. “During these challenging times businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 need readily available access to advice so they can fully understand the assistance available to them and their employees.” Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the move is a practical measure to support businesses during this uncertain time: “Our Government is providing a…

Locally owned and operated, Maltec Engineering is a family business providing cutting-edge engineering solutions for clients across multiple industries including mining, construction, forestry, agriculture and aquaculture, in both Australian and international markets since 2001. The company’s modern workshop offers a full range of services, including CNC and manual machining, fabrication, profile cutting, robot welding, sandblasting and painting, utilising Lean advanced manufacturing principles. Maltec’s General Manager, Lindsay Malley, identified improved growth opportunities in manufacturing for the aquaculture sector three years ago through his involvement in a local industry networking group, where he was invited to submit a tender to a Tasmanian-based aquaculture company looking to manufacture its own components due to problems they suffered with the quality of imported parts. The parts required by the customer are for use in extremely corrosive…

Established in 1917, Sutton Tools is a family-owned company manufacturing cutting tools for the metal cutting industry. The company supplies tools to end-user markets including automotive, medical, mining, power generation, aerospace, defence and the oil & gas industries. Founded by William Henry Sutton, the company is currently managed by the fourth generation of the Sutton family. Stephen Las Marias: Tell us about yourself and your role in the company. Jeff Boyd: I have a background in product engineering and technical R&D. That kind of matured into a more of a technical role in the field. In 2011, I headed up to Singapore, where I ran the company’s operation and distribution centre. I was there for nearly five years, running the Asian markets. Currently my role is to support our teams globally, and bring the necessary market information back to our head office to support our production facility. We offer…

With material development expanding at a phenomenal rate, what you can produce using additive manufacturing now comes down to the properties and characteristics acquired through the source material, coupled with post-print processes. “With most of our clients it is not a question of which 3D printer to buy, it is what material is most suitable, together with the size of the object,” says Lee Bilby, Chief Operations Officer of Bilby 3D. “From there the 3D printer correct for them is usually obvious.” Australian polyurethane engineering expert Richmond Wheels and Castors (RWC) has been utilising milling and casting on their production line for 61 years. According to David Powell, Quality Assurance Manager at RWC: “Prior to adopting 3D printing we went through the process of going to seminars & training and got totally confused.” RWC engaged in a consultation with Bilby 3D to explore possibilities. Was there a material that could make…

Considering the concentration of SMBs in the Australian defence sector, to achieve the ambitious growth required, more emphasis needs to be placed on helping them enhance their capabilities in order to become long-term strategic suppliers to the Department of Defence (Defence). The Federal Government has already invested a record $200bn in Australia’s defence industry capabilities in order to encourage more innovation and growth. How can SMBs win major defence contracts? One of the challenges is that defence machinery and equipment can be in operation for up to 30 years, which is why Defence wants to see an iron-clad supply chain that will be around when the equipment is nearing the end of its life. The strategic suppliers to Defence need to prove that they have the necessary growth strategy, systems and resources to position their businesses to become…

The Australian manufacturing industry has endured a number of challenges over the past decade. When you consider the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), the growth of overseas manufacturing (particularly in China), and the end of Australia’s automotive assembly operations, there have been a number of events that have posed significant threats to the industry locally.  Despite these challenges, the sector has remained a valuable contributor to the Australian economy. In fact, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the manufacturing industry contributes approximately $100bn to Australia’s annual GDP and employs around 900,000 Australians. Moreover, employment in the sector is expected to continue to increase over the next five years.  Gaining an advantage from Industry 4.0   While the manufacturing sector is expected to continue to grow, it must embrace modern technologies, such as those that encompass Industry 4.0. This new era is best defined by the deployment of digital technologies to transform every aspect of manufacturing and industrial operations. According to the World Economic Forum’s Readiness for the Future of Production Report, Australia is positioned as having “high potential” for Industry 4.0. To…