Member News

For 35 years, National Resources has sourced and supplied local Australian manufacturers with an extensive range of specialist products from around the world. The business has long served the industrial, building, and health industries by trading in rolled aluminium, flexible packaging, PVC films, and medical products. Across its global supply chain, National Resources annually sources 233 products from 139 partners in 22 countries. Each supplier is carefully selected for its superior quality standards and responsiveness. Inventory distribution begins in its large warehouse in Victoria and is then routed through storage and logistics networks across Australia. Maintaining a complex supply chain while driving the business’s financial performance relies heavily on cash flow management. National Resources Managing Director Leon Cox says that having access to working capital to bridge any delays in cash conversion is vital. “Working capital is critical to our business. We buy materials from overseas suppliers and pay when the goods are shipped. It’s on the water for 30 days, and then we offer customers terms of trade locally. That’s a transition period between 90 and 150 days between paying for goods and being paid…

Enforcing drug and alcohol policies in the manufacturing industry is a crucial task that requires a careful balance between safety and fairness. In environments where machinery operates and safety is paramount, stringent drug testing policies are common. Recent rulings have shown that enforcing these policies must consider the nuances of employee conduct outside work hours. Key Case: Sydney Trains v Goodsell [2024] FWCFB 401 (‘Goodsell’) A landmark case this year, the Goodsell case, provides valuable insights. In this case, an employee with a spotless 26-year record tested positive for cocaine during a random drug test. He was dismissed for breaching the company's "drug-free" policy, which mandated that employees must not use drugs at any time. While the Fair Work Commission (FWC) acknowledged that the company had a valid reason for dismissal, it also deemed the action unfair due to the employee's long service and otherwise clean history. Important Takeaway: Positive drug test vs. fair dismissal A positive drug test can justify dismissal, but it does not automatically ensure it is…

Australia's manufacturing sector is at a crossroads. A confluence of economic factors – namely a soft foreign exchange rate, moderating inflation and a promising outlook for lower interest rates – presents a unique landscape for manufacturing business owners. For those considering succession planning, now is an advantageous time to consider divesting their manufacturing business. Here’s why. The current economic landscape Over the past three years, Australia's interest rates have risen sharply, climbing from a record low of 0.10% in November 2020 to 4.10% by October 2023, reflecting the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA’s) response to rising inflation. This aggressive tightening aimed to curb inflation, which peaked above 7% in late 2022. Rates are expected to stabilise as inflation moderates, with projections suggesting rates will begin to trend downwards from Q1 CY25. The Australian Bureau of Statistics published the September 2024 quarter Consumer Price Index on Wednesday, 30 October. The index shows Australia’s annual inflation rate falling back to 2.8%, significantly within the RBA target band for the…

HVAC systems run almost constantly, leading to an increased risk of belt failure - and a potentially costly ripple effect on sensitive, temperature-controlled facilities. HVAC systems are often exposed to extreme ambient temperatures and environmental conditions, which can strain equipment. Maintaining your facility is already complex without adding in additional maintenance or unexpected part failure. Gates has engineered high-performance belt solutions that can withstand high temperatures, chemicals, and humidity without re-tensioning and at a lower upfront cost than comparable belts.   V-BELTS - TRI-POWER™ & QUAD-POWER™ 4 MOULDED NOTCH V-BELTS V-belts are essential power transmission components in industrial applications worldwide. Excessive belt slippage, stretching, and wear can result in big problems for facilities, with disproportionate resources spent re-tensioning, maintaining, and replacing underperforming belts. Gates offers high-performance v-belts engineered to save energy, minimise maintenance, and have a longer lifespan than competitive belts. Raw edge, moulded notch construction saves up to 3% on energy costs over wrapped belts. Specially designed moulded notches dissipate heat better than standard v-belts and are engineered to increase flexibility for improved energy efficiency. FEATURES: Innovative…

The Gaia EnviroTech business is the Bioenergy and Waste Management division of Gekko Systems, based in Ballarat, Victoria. The company has partnered with Jock Charles from the Berrybank Farm, who has successfully operated an Anaerobic Digester (AD) on piggery effluent in the Ballarat region for 30 years. The modular biodigester design was developed by Gaia EnviroTech and is manufactured onsite at their local facility. The expandable configuration is targeted to treat 5-20k tpa organic waste and upwards. Objectives The system in this case study was installed as a 12-month research and development project to establish the viability of an anaerobic digestion plant designed to convert dairy effluent to energy and minimise odour. The secondary objectives were to increase the nutrient value of the manure and ease handling constraints (e.g. allow longer-term storage). This was required to provide the dairy with a viable option for future herd expansion. The family-owned dairy houses cattle in a large shed and periodically takes them to pasture. In addition to milk production, potatoes are grown on-site and benefit from the nutrient value of the manure.…

Servo systems are increasingly finding their way into applications used by industry; everything from simple vertical filling machines to high-speed printing presses are using servos to improve their output. Harry Mulder, Product Specialist for Motion Products at Beckhoff Automation, explains that while some believe all servos are the same, there are, in fact, some clear differentiators. “It’s these differences that yield big benefits.” What sets Beckhoff apart from the rest, according to Mulder, is its wide selection of motors and matching gearboxes. “Each motor offers a range of feedback options - everything from resolvers for harsh environments to 24-bit multi-turn absolute encoders with SIL 2-rated safety. Beckhoff also supports EnDat, SSI, BiSS and other protocols, as well as providing input for secondary feedback systems.” One feature that rates very highly among end users is a single connecting cable between the motor and the drive, commonly known as One Cable Technology or “OCT”. “Using just one cable to carry power, braking and encoder signals is more cost-effective and so much more convenient than running separate cables. In addition, not having a…

Hydraulic tooling and bolt tensioning specialist, Technofast is adding a new pipe fitting technology to its range as the exclusive distributor for HAELOK® in Australia and New Zealand. Swiss-engineered HAELOK® pipe fittings can be swiftly installed in under a minute, providing a secure metal-to-metal gastight connection without sealing elements and welding, which add time and cost to the process. Proven in service for more than 20 years in major European markets, the durable and efficient HAELOK® fittings apply to a broad range of applications, including power stations, high-pressure hydraulic lines up to 1270 bar for smaller sizes (up to four-inches at 250 bar), oil, gas, and petrochemical refineries (including offshore), navy, marine, and defence, acidic environments, heavy mine sites, steam and biogas lines in sugar mills, and hydrogen piping. “The HAELOK® range is a natural extension of our Technofast range, which is already focused on saving downtime by efficient bolt tensioning technologies applicable to similar industries,” said Technofast Founder and CEO, John Bucknell. A better connection HAELOK® fittings function using an axial crimp. They have a tapered press…

In a move set to strengthen Australia's domestic manufacturing sector, Capral Aluminium has entered into a strategic supply partnership with Tindo Solar, Australia's only solar panel manufacturer. This collaboration will see Capral supply extruded aluminium for Tindo's locally produced solar panels, with the potential for further expansion to support Tindo's future Gigafactory. This partnership marks a significant step for both companies as Tindo scales its operations to meet increasing demand. The initial supply arrangement signals a shift by Tindo towards prioritising local suppliers in the renewable energy sector. Capral operates several aluminium extrusion plants across the country and is recognised within the Australian market as a leader in the supply of 'LocAL' lower carbon aluminium. This partnership aligns with Capral's commitment to sustainability and supporting Australian industries. "Capral's collaboration with Tindo is a testament to the strength of Australian manufacturing,” said Luke Hawkins, Capral's Divisional General Manager of Industrial and Supply Chain. “While our initial focus is on meeting Tindo's current production needs, we are particularly excited about supporting their future Gigafactory with locally extruded aluminium. This…

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has unveiled ProPlanAI, an automated computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programming tool that cuts the time it takes to program factory machine tools by 75%. Powered by Microsoft Azure services built into Hexagon’s cloud-based Nexus connectivity and collaboration platform for discrete manufacturers, the new artificial intelligence technology is the next step in the evolution of CAM programming, enabling machine shops to achieve operational excellence at scale. ProPlanAI was unveiled at the Microsoft Ignite Conference in Chicago. Hexagon’s AI application uses Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service, Azure Cosmos DB, and Azure Databricks to help manufacturing businesses of any size apply their institutional knowledge more quickly, easily, and thoroughly. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) to automate time-consuming process planning. ProPlanAI, due to launch in Q1 2025, will ‘learn’ from the data created by a company’s CAM programmers. This will enable manufacturers to automatically explore existing programming information to predict ideal outcomes tailored to a company’s preferences, production capabilities, and needs. Available within Hexagon’s popular desktop CAM software and powered by Nexus, ProPlanAI will continuously learn and adapt, ensuring programs are…

Welding thick-section steel can be 40% faster and use 60% less energy when Dynamic Beam Lasers (DBL) from Civan are used instead of hybrid welding. These are just two of many remarkable results of a collaborative study by shipbuilder Fincantieri and welding systems firm Castellini, which shows that DBL technology is set to revolutionise shipbuilding and has the potential to transform thick-section welding for other manufacturing industries. Hybrid welding, which combines laser and Metal Inert Gas/Metal Active Gas MIG/MAG technologies, is the advanced approach for thick-section welding in shipyards. Improvements in welding are crucial because ships often require 300 to 600 kilometres of weld seams to ensure structural integrity. John Grace, physicist and Managing Director of Raymax Applications, which distributes Civan equipment in ANZ, believes the control and power now provided by DBLs not only weld thick sections faster but are also more economical and sustainable. “Unlike traditional lasers, which produce a fixed beam, Dynamic Beam Lasers can adjust the beam's shape, intensity, and size in real-time. This flexibility, increased precision, and control make them highly effective for…

Any company successfully operating for over 55 years has to recognise emerging market trends and adapt and evolve to meet those needs. Padstow-based D&D Smith Metal Pressers is one such company. The company was established by Dennis Smith and his business partner Bruce McEwan as McEwan & Smith. Their business began with just a couple of machines in Dennis’s father’s back shed, but after the first year of operation, they had grown enough to rent a property. Later that decade, they bought the premises, and Dennis built a new factory with his own hands on the site. The company took advantage of the boom in metal-stamping in Sydney during the 1980s and soon became an acknowledged expert and leader in the metal stamping industry. Dennis was passionate about improving quality and efficiency and, during this period, implemented a fully accredited quality system to ISO9002 standards. The current owner, Daniel Smith, son of Dennis, began working for the company in 1998 when he was 22, and the company was subsequently renamed D&D Smith Metal Pressers and Production Engineers P/L. In…

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and Murdoch University have launched the Bioplastics Innovation Hub. This $8m collaboration will collaborate with industry partners to develop a new generation of 100% compostable plastic. The Bioplastics Innovation Hub aims to revolutionise plastic packaging by developing biologically derived plastic that can break down in compost, land, or water. Dr Andy Whiteley, director of the CSIRO Research Program, said the Hub aims to bring together experts in microbiology, molecular genetics, synthetic biology, biochemical engineering, advanced manufacturing, and the circular economy by translating advancements in bioplastics research into real-world applications. “Our primary focus is the development of 100% compostable, bio-derived packaging for use as sprays, films, bottles, caps and wrappers, which are engineered to break down in compost, land and aquatic environments fully,” said Dr. Whiteley. Global concerns over plastic pollution and fossil fuel depletion are driving increased demand for compostable bioplastics. The Hub will equip the plastics industry with the tools and expertise required to manufacture materials and continue to drive a green plastic waste economy. "It is critical to address the growing…

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,…