Industry News

The New Zealand-based company Hayes International, was founded by Tom Hayes in 1960. In 1999, this private company became part of the Bradbury Group of Kansas, USA. Today, Hayes International is known as a market leader, with more than 1,820 Hayes machines exported to more than 90 countries worldwide. Hayes originally started producing corrugated sheet machines for roofing and cladding. However, products made by this fantastic 64-year-old New Zealand manufacturer today include Panel Mills, Purlin Mills, Stud Mills, Roll-Forming Accessories, Purlin Mill Accessories, Auto-Curvers, Folding Machines, Coil Handlers and more recently Finished Product Handling Equipment, including automated Purlin Stacking Equipment. “In purchasing a Hayes machine, our clients get the best in the industry in terms of reliability and performance, which also provides them with a competitive advantage with the whole-of-life cost, reduced machine downtime and waste minimisation,” noted Managing Director Nick Looijen. “90% of our business is repeat customers or direct referrals from existing customers, with our principal markets being Australia, UK, USA and New Zealand,” he said. Okuma has been an integral part of this advanced manufacturing business,…

Kanyana Engineering has followed a policy of providing unique sheet metal services at its Greenfields, WA manufacturing facility since its formation in 1997. They started this process with a 100-ton press capable of bending 6mm material when their competitors could only bend 3mm material. This policy is continuing and now the company has progressed from high tolerance plasma cutting to fibre laser cutting with a 15kW 1.5m x 3m Bystronic Bystar and the first Bystronic 20kW Penta laser with 2.5m x 6m bed in Western Australia. This machine can cut 50mm mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium, giving the company the largest job shop capacity in the region. The company's capabilities make it sought after for supplying civil, mining, industrial, construction and creative arts projects. The huge variety includes balustrades for the Kalbarri Skywalk, which soars 100m above the Murchison River Gorge, and mining refuge chambers designed to protect miners in an emergency. The Managing Director of Kanyana Engineering, Graham Dawe, understood that software and integrating the company’s systems was crucial to his plan. “I had experience from a previous computer business and…

Delahenty Machinery is a leading Australian provider of machinery, automation solutions, machine tools, bespoke tooling, and service to manufacturers across a wide range of industries. They offer complete support, including machinery sales, installation and training, servicing and maintenance, Macbend tube bending, machine lubricants, spare parts, and tooling, to meet customers' unique project needs. Since 1964, Delahenty Machinery has collaborated with world-leading, innovative partners to provide customers with the right metal fabrication machine solutions to expand their manufacturing capability and improve efficiencies in an ever-changing landscape. Pirtek Southern Highlands, based in Moss Vale, NSW, is dedicated to delivering exceptional fluid transfer solutions. The team serves a diverse customer base, specialising in mobile onsite service and replacing hydraulic and industrial hoses and fittings. Stephen Jones, Managing Director at Pirtek Southern Highlands, recently invested significantly in another YLM mandrel tube bending machine. This time, purchasing a state-of-the-art machine with CNC capabilities, a 37-degree flaring machine, and a deburring machine to enhance their production capabilities. Pirtek Centre Manager Fiona Martin shared they are very appreciative of the Delahenty personalised support, installation and training of…

Brisbane health-tech company WearOptimo has unveiled the initial $7m phase of its Advanced Manufacturing Facility (AMF), paving the way towards releasing its first Microwearable sensor. Custom-built in Brisbane, the AMF is the first facility in the southern hemisphere, pioneering the use of Nanoimprint Lithography (NIL) for health-tech. Its unveiling marks a major milestone along the company’s journey to having its first product – a hydration Microwearable sensor – on shelves, opening up global markets with a potential value of more than $5bn. “WearOptimo’s vision is to create global healthcare solutions that are accessible and affordable, and this new manufacturing capacity is central to that ambition,” said founder and CEO Professor Mark Kendall. “The AMF’s use of NIL will allow us to rapidly advance our Microwearable technology towards the release of on-the-shelf sensors that are scalable for widespread deployment, at a low cost per unit. “When operating at full capacity it will allow production of up to 30 million sensors annually, which will be used by everyone from elite athletes to aged-care residents and in industries ranging from the military to resources.” It’s also…

A dynamic partnership thrives between Kinetic Engineering Services, Okuma, and Sutton Tools. With a commitment to quality, innovation and local support in Australian manufacturing, their companies are shaping the industry's future. At Sutton Tools, we try to foster strong relationships with all Machine Tool brands, and in this case, Okuma was the chosen machine tool brand by Kinetic Engineering. We both share similar values and processes, which further strengthens our partnership. Similarly, consistent engagement and problem-solving have nurtured our collaboration with Kinetic Engineering Services. Week after week, we strive to deliver solutions tailored to Kinetics’ needs, offering tools, exceptional service, support, and competitive pricing. Sutton Tools sat down with Tom Hawkes, CEO of Kinetic Engineering Services, to discuss what sets them apart in the competitive manufacturing landscape. “Kinetic Engineering Services is known for being a go-to partner in the steel production and heavy manufacturing sectors,” explained Hawkes. “We handle everything from design to precision machining, fabrication, and assembly. Our services extend to industries like mining, rural, transport, and automotive all across Australia. Kinetic Engineering Services has been operating since…

Regularly calibrated measuring instruments are essential wherever components are manufactured with high precision. But how do you stay on top of things? Lange & Haasis has switched from handouts to digital measuring equipment management from Gühring, saving a lot of time. Measuring screws, limit gauges, thread gauges – the machinists at Lange & Haasis always have their measuring equipment at hand to check the quality and dimensional accuracy of the construction parts. Although the products produced by the company for CNC metalworking in Albstadt differ significantly, they all have one thing in common: the highest precision down to the μ range. “No order is processed without measuring instruments,” noted founder and co-owner Jens Lange. And that’s why so many of them are in Lange & Haasis’ production. The problem: Measuring instruments have an expiry date and must be recalibrated before expiry. Uncalibrated measuring instruments must not be used for measurement. But how do you keep track of all the measuring equipment in everyday production? Jens Lange had to find out in his company that…

Latinka is also an accomplished professional who wears multiple hats as General Manager and Co-Owner of Catten Industries with her husband, Ian. Latinka found time to sit down with AMT editor Paul Hellard. AMT: Firstly, congratulations on the Victorian Female Manufacturer of the Year Award at the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards. Latinka Cubitt:  Oh, what a great night! Both Ian and I had arrived from overseas at around midnight on Sunday. We'd been to InnoTrans in Berlin, which was brilliant. It blew my mind how big it was. The Department of Transport and Planning invited us, and they organised this massive trip with several other companies in the rail supply chain. We caught up with many potential customers and had some excellent opportunities there. We were exhausted when we got back, but you hit the ground running by Monday and Tuesday because you've had a few weeks away from the business. Wednesday was the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards night in which I'd been nominated, which is an honour in itself.  Then…

Australia’s construction and manufacturing industries face a turning point driven by a growing need to reduce import reliance and revive local production. Leading this charge is RJS Tech Group, founded by industry veteran Ron Smyth, who brings nearly 40 years of expertise in woodworking and machine tools. Ron’s vision is to restore manufacturing excellence and strengthen Australia’s industries. RJS Tech Group, through strategic acquisitions and a suite of companies, exemplifies entrepreneurial determination and national pride. RJS Tech Group’s mission supports the Australian construction and manufacturing sectors by providing businesses with world-class tools, machinery, and locally manufactured products. With a focus on creating Australian jobs, RJS Tech Group is reshaping industry landscapes by championing self-reliance, innovation, and local expertise. RJS Tech Group includes: Wood Tech: As a premier supplier in the woodworking and construction industries, Wood Tech provides exceptional machinery and service across Australia, empowering businesses to enhance productivity. Whitelaw Engineering Machinery/Metal Tech: This brand delivers high-quality metalworking machinery to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific, supporting vital sectors such as automotive and aerospace. Rogers Industries: Since 1953, Rogers Industries…

The Toyota Hydrogen Centre, Victoria’s first commercial-grade permanent hydrogen production, storage, and refuelling facility, is set to use green hydrogen production capabilities for automotive, transport, and even buildings. It is located at the Toyota Centre of Excellence (COE) at Toyota’s former car and engine manufacturing site in Melbourne's west. The COE also incorporates product development, design, testing training and other essential functions. Toyota’s global vision for a sustainable hydrogen society recognises the importance of hydrogen as a viable and plentiful source of carrying and storing energy. Toyota’s Hydrogen Centre opened five years ago and was Victoria's first commercial-grade permanent hydrogen production, storage and refuelling facility. It is housed at Toyota’s former manufacturing site at Altona in Melbourne's west. “Hydrogen is produced on-site by a 250kW electrolyser that uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen components and can produce up to 80kg of hydrogen per day,” advises Toyota Australia’s Carbon Policy Lead, Andrew Willis. “Power for the electrolyser is drawn from the on-site 3.4MW solar array and the grid, depending on what is available. “An on-site refueller…

Scania and Australian services provider Regroup will launch the world’s first fleet of autonomous in-pit mining trucks in the Pilbara in 2025 with a rollout planned at Element 25’s Butcherbird Mine. The world-first fleet of 11 autonomous rigid G 560 8x4 tippers, transporting manganese ore for Element 25 at their Butcherbird site, is planned to start work in late 2025 in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. Scania, Regroup, and Element 25 will collaborate to finalise the particulars regarding this solution and align with the expansion of the Butcherbird mine. “Scania in Australia has been working closely with several partners in the local mining industry over recent years to finesse our autonomous truck programme in advance of this announcement,” says Scania Australia Managing Director, Manfred Streit. “We are delighted that this historic event, the first global order for a fleet of Scania’s new autonomous trucks, has been made by a privately-owned Australian company, which will provide these trucks for use in an Australian mining environment.” “With this fleet order, we bring to commercial reality the concept of an autonomous fleet working…

The estimated 1.5 billion-plus global audience for this year’s Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup will witness not only spectacularly fast races from the AC75 competitors, including Emirates Team New Zealand, but also a showcase of the New Zealand engineering skills supporting the biggest-ever programme of Cup races, also including women’s and youth events. “What people see on the surface, with yachts such as Emirates Team New Zealand reaching speeds of more than 50 knots, is just part of a wonderful story for local skills,” says long-time Emirates Team New Zealand supporter Lee Short, Director of Hydraulink Fluid Connectors. “Inside the boats there is a wealth of technical and engineering input from a host of New Zealand companies that put us right up there with the world’s best. The quality of hydraulic systems engineering in these boats is right up to the standards of Formula One racing cars. The 350kg foil canting system that enables the boats to respond quickly to changes and inputs has to…

Extrusion is increasingly becoming one of the primary methods of producing various traditional and innovative food products, and the company’s extrusion tooling is designed to accommodate all of them. From pasta, hot dogs, and snack foods to chewing gum, licorice, and pet food, Guill’s balanced flow designs control dimensional tolerances to increase product quality while reducing waste. Custom-made extrusion tooling and dies make it easy to efficiently and consistently manufacture various food products. More precise tooling allows for considerably reduced wasted extrudate. Furthermore, Guill’s extrusion tooling enables accurate temperature control, manufacturing food at high and low temperatures. Typical end products include pelletising heads, profile dies, large-diameter rotary heads, flexible, simple, and standard crossheads, Spiderless, and the Bullet. The 100 Series offers single- or multi-strand extrusion tooling with or without multi-layer capabilities. Optional custom design is also available. The 200 Series ensures improved tolerance and accuracy at increased production speeds, greater product consistency, and reduced waste. The 2000 Series large-diameter inline heads feature a low-volume flow and heated core pin and can be expanded to…

The industrial landscape is undergoing a significant transformation with the rise of digital technologies. One of the key drivers of this shift is industrial mobility, a concept that is changing how factories and manufacturing processes operate. Industrial mobility involves using advanced technology to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and enable greater autonomy on the factory floor. Industrial mobility's impact is already felt in industries like manufacturing, logistics, and transportation. Autonomous vehicles and robots are used to manage inventory, map factory layouts, plan efficient routes, and even autonomously control entire production systems. As these technologies continue to develop, investment in private mobility companies has surged, with $6.8bn invested during the 2012-2017 period. This trend is expected to accelerate as the technology matures. What is Industrial mobility? Industrial mobility refers to using autonomous vehicles and robotic systems to automate the movement of materials and goods within industrial settings. Unlike traditional mobility, which focuses on transporting people, industrial mobility is tailored to meet the unique needs of the manufacturing, logistics, and process industries. For example,…