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The Federal Government has announced plans to pass legislation to introduce the JobKeeper payment, intended to provide wage subsidies to businesses significantly affected by COVID-19. Businesses can register their interest at: ato.gov.au/Job-keeper-payment The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) has received more than 1,000 responses via its COVID-19 Manufacturer Response Register. Established only last week, the Register allows manufacturers to register their interest in helping Australia meet the national challenge of fighting COVID-19. Find out more about the COVID-19 Manufacturer Response Register at: amgc.org.au/covid-19-manufacturer-response The Federal Government has announced a range of measures to assist businesses affected by the crisis, including assistance for small businesses regarding cash flow, and measures to support investment. Information on the measures can be found at: australia.gov.au/#information_for_businesses_and_employees The Federal Government has released an official “Coronavirus Australia” app, which can be download from in the Apple App Store or Google Play. Further news, updates and advice from government agencies across Australia can also be…

Queensland State Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the Brisbane-based race car company had been working around the clock for the past two weeks to develop the prototype. “This is what Queensland manufacturing is all about,” said Dick. “Hard work, ingenuity and solving problems. It’s so impressive that, within just a few weeks, this company has transitioned their capability, intellect and resources to a product that could ultimately save lives. “It’s also fantastic to hear that Triple Eight has focused on using readily available, local materials. Triple Eight suspended its usual operation following the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix, and the positive, forward-looking approach of this company has been heartening to see.” Roland Dane, Team Principle of Triple Eight Race Engineering said the prototype was the result of a dedicated engineering team and input from medical professionals, local intensive care unit experts, as well as the Queensland Department of State Development. “We were able to utilise in-house 3D printing services provided by our team partner HP…

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…

Med-Con Pty Ltd – a manufacturer near Shepparton in regional Victoria – has increased production with the support of the Government and the Australian Defence Force. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said work is underway to significantly increase their manufacturing capability over time to meet demand as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve. “From helping to access new equipment to providing staff, we are doing what we can to enable companies like Med-Con to ramp up production and boost our domestic capacity,” Minister Andrews said. “There’s a lot of fear in the community at the moment but Australians should know that work is happening to help us best respond to this unfolding crisis. “This is important work but it’s also essential we get it right – this equipment needs to be produced to the highest standards.” Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said around a dozen ADF personnel are helping under Defence Assistance to the Civil Community (DACC)…

The business investment measures are designed to assist economic growth in the short term and encourage a stronger economic recovery following the coronavirus outbreak. Tax incentives for businesses The below tax incentives will support over 3.5m businesses employing more than 9.7m employees. Increasing the instant asset write-off. The instant asset write-off allows small businesses an immediate deduction for depreciating assets costing less than the threshold of $30,000 (which will revert to $1,000 from 1 July 2020), to the extent that the asset is to be used for tax-deductible purposes. With effect from 12 March 2020, the instant asset write-off threshold is increased from $30,000 to $150,000, and access will be expanded to include businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $500m (up from $50m) until 30 June 2020. The rules apply from 12…

Proudly family-owned and operated, KNS was founded by Kamal Singh. Kamal had been working in the sheet metal industry for more than 30 years when in 2014 he spotted an opportunity in the marketplace. With his extensive experience, he believed that it was the right time to go it alone. He took that knowledge with him when he founded the company with his wife and two sons. The business has grown rapidly over the past several years. Today KNS now operates with around 10-15 staff at its facility in Dandenong South, south east of Melbourne. Amal, Kamal’s elder son, is now the company’s General Manager. KNS Metals specialises in custom programming and design fabrication for both commercial and residential customers. Commercial is the backbone of the company, providing around 95% of its business, while residential makes up the remainder. The company also offers a range of other services, including CNC turret punching, laser cutting, pressbrake bending and welding. KNS operates Australia-wide but most of…