April 15, 2024

AMTIL announces change of CEO

Lorraine comes with a wealth of experience in an industry membership peak body and the not-for-profit sector, having spent the past 15 years with AusBiotech, an Australian biotechnology industry organisation, including the past five and a half years as their CEO. After an exhaustive selection process, the AMTIL Board is pleased to see Lorraine Maxwell take office on 1st May. Lorraine led AusBiotech’s work to grow and promote Australia’s strength in biotechnology, influence policy change with state and Federal governments, serve and build its 3000-strong membership, galvanise networks, and succeed through strategic engagement and partnerships. She has played a key role in developing and advocating for manufacturing policy and support, specifically in medical manufacturing. She is currently chairing CSIRO’s Manufacturing Business Unit Advisory Group, and serves as a Ministerial appointment to the Trade 2040 Taskforce. Lorraine’s broader experience includes policy and commincations roles with a multinational pharmaceutical manufacturer, a not-for profit membership organisation, a university faculty…
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April 14, 2024

AMW2024 opens tomorrow

Register Online Now and check out more details at australianmanufacturingweek.com.au I hope you have already registered to spend at least a few hours discovering new stuff at AMW2024 in Sydney. The time taken out of the office and warehouses will be richly rewarded with new connections, education and experiences you can only have when you go to Australia’s biggest and most respected manufacturing show. The Darling Harbour forecourt in Sydney is even been busy drumming up unique entertainment, great food and drier weather for the show as well. Over the first two days, there is a very full program of speakers covering many areas of solutions for manufacturers in the Future Solutions Speaker Program, which was so well received last year in Melbourne. Check out the program HERE: There are Seven distinct Zones in the halls of the Sydney ICC, each focused on specific areas of manufacturing. AMW2024 has 271 exhibitors coming for the three-day event with their crews and stands filling the huge space. We are expecting many thousands to turn up for the big three-day Sydney event.…
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April 9, 2024

Under a week until AMW2024

Registrations are still open for Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2024), held at the ICC in Darling Harbour in Sydney. AMW2024 will occupy more than 6,764 square metres of exhibition space at the ICC, with over 270 organisations taking stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. On Wednesday 17th April, AMW2024 will be officially opened by NSW Government Executive Director Maroun El-Khoury, and Brendan Kerin from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council doing a Welcome to Country presentation on the Future Solutions Speaker Session stage. AMW2024 will provide a platform to explore new technologies, meet industry leaders, and witness cutting-edge innovations in manufacturing, all available right now. After registering to visit AMW2024, you can log in and tap through to My Show Planner. The My Show Planner online tool has everything you need to make the most of your three days at AMW2024 in Sydney. My Show Planner is the AMW2024 visitors-side view of Map Your Show. You can connect with Exhibitors online, set up appointments and plan your time so you don’t…
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April 7, 2024

Just about a week until AMW2024

Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2024) is almost here. It’s approaching fast! Just about a week away, opening on Wednesday 17th April 2024 and pushing into Friday.  This is the biggest manufacturing show in Australia and this newsletter has all the links you need, so REGISTER NOW  by clicking HERE. The Future Solutions Speaker Sessions begin on the first day of AMW2024. The various sessions for the days have been hand-picked to cater to the varied needs of the industry to tackle the challenges and stay abreast with the latest trends. Go to the Future Solutions Speaker Program page for more information. “Come hear from the best specialists in each field,” said the CEO of AMTIL, Shane Infanti. “Our Future Solutions Sessions will cover many aspects of manufacturing in Australia, as well as services that surround and support our industry. We are all set for a great week.” Organised and run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2024 will occupy more than 6,764 square metres of exhibition space at the MCEC, with over 270 organisations taking…
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April 3, 2024

Monash Coates collab

A new collaboration between Monash University and Coates Engineering Solutions is using high-strength steel, common to the automotive industry, to develop a lightweight high-capacity propping solution for temporary construction works. The innovative solution, called Quadshore, has undergone rigorous destructive and non-destructive experimental tests at material, component and system levels, under Australian Safety Standards, to demonstrate the durability and superior performance of the product. Lead academic researcher, Associate Professor Amin Heidarpour, from Monash University’s Department of Civil Engineering said high-strength steel has not been efficiently utilised in temporary structures due to its limited plasticity. “Quadshore contains hybrid components that creatively maximise optimum use of both high-strength and mild-steel to create lightweight, high-strength structural elements and boltless connections,” Associate Professor Heidarpour said. “The unique experimental facilities and lab environment at Monash’s Civil Engineering Department allowed our team to undertake the experimental tests on this product that replicated its behaviour in real-world settings.” With a working load limit of up to 170 tonnes, it is the lightest heavy-duty structural propping system available anywhere in the world. Over the past ten years research…
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March 26, 2024

From the CEO – Government intervention into rising Workcover Premiums is required

Here I have outlined five impacts of increasing WorkCover premiums and its effects on businesses, employees, and the broader economy. Financial Strain on Business Rising WorkCover premiums can impose a substantial financial burden on businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with limited resources. Increased premiums directly impact a company's bottom line, reducing profitability and hindering growth opportunities. This financial strain may force businesses to allocate funds originally earmarked for expansion, innovation, or employee benefits towards covering insurance costs, thereby impeding their ability to invest in crucial areas essential for long-term success. Deterrent to Employment Higher WorkCover premiums may act as a deterrent to employment, particularly for businesses operating in labor-intensive industries. Employers facing escalating insurance costs may be reluctant to hire additional staff or expand their workforce, fearing the added financial strain of increased premiums. Consequently, job creation could stagnate, exacerbating unemployment rates and impeding economic…
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February 22, 2024

Deconstructing methane

Considering the problems associated with some large-scale agribusiness practices like the inhumane treatment of animals, lower quality outputs, high-density pollution and staggering water and chemical needs, it's no wonder a return to artisanal subsistence farming seems so attractive. The bad news; it's impossible. Countries where it still proliferates have stagnant economies, and it doesn't offer the variety of output we need in human diets. A single industrialised world farmer produces more food with higher nutritional quality for more people per labour unit than several subsistence farmers. There just isn't enough arable land on Earth to feed eight billion people without the scale of factory farming, and if we want to address the negative impacts it can have on the climate and environment, the only thing that might save us is biotechnology. And one of the biggest problems to solve in growing and processing our food is methane. A third of all the methane we produce is from agriculture,…
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February 19, 2024

What’s On at AMW2024

Registrations are now open for your attendance at Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2024) in Sydney. Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2024) is run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), with the NSW Government as the Major Sponsor. This huge event will occupy more than 6,560 square metres of exhibition space at the Sydney ICC at Darling Harbour. Up to 250 organisations have already taken stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. Don’t miss out!    REGISTER NOW!   There are SEVEN Zones to AMW2024, each with a particular focus, speciality and technology. These are: Austech Machine Tools, sponsored by Finlease; Additive Manufacturing Zone; Australian Manufacturers Zone; Manufacturing Solutions Zone, sponsored by The Execution Factor; Robotics & Automation Zone; sponsored by IFS Weld and Air Solutions Zone; and the Plastic Technology Zone. At Australian Manufacturing Week, you will see many exhibitors showcasing all of the above and have the opportunity to find the right process, talk to the right people, gain the right expertise, and get on the right path to your…
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January 31, 2024

Welcome to a New Year

Australian Manufacturing Week is being held at the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour from 17th - 19th April and promises to be another great exhibition with 260 exhibitors across seven product zones including machine tools, additive technologies, welding & air technology, manufacturing solutions, plastic technology, robotics & automation and a dedicated area for Australian manufacturers called the Manufacturers Pavilion. In addition to the exhibition, a Future Solutions speaker program will also be an integral part of a visit with many great topics and speakers lined up already. Registration to AMW and the Speaker Program is free to attend by visiting australianmanufacturingweek.com.au Our AMT Magazine continues to be one of the most highly regarded industry publications in the country and we take great pride in this. A nationally controlled circulation list, with a readership of over 20,000 per issue, combined with quality…
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January 30, 2024

Plastics Technology at AMW2024!

Registrations are now open for Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2024), held at the Sydney ICC in Darling Harbour. Run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2024 will occupy more than 6,560 square metres of exhibition space at the Sydney ICC at Darling Harbour. More than 220 organisations have already taken stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. Don’t miss out!   Register NOW!   There are seven Zones on the vast floorspace of Australian Manufacturing Week, which takes up almost of the Sydney ICC. Each Zone focuses on particular aspects of manufacturing in Australia. These include: Austech Machine Tools, sponsored by finlease; Additive Manufacturing Zone; Australian Manufacturers Zone; Manufacturing Solutions Zone, sponsored by The Execution Factor; Robotics & Automation Zone, sponsored by IFS; Weld and Air Solutions Zone; and the Plastic Technology Zone. PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY ZONE The Plastics Technology Zone @ AMW2024 will be showcasing the most advanced technologies within this sector. The various techniques within Plastics Technology include:…
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January 23, 2024

Sahajwalla Ambassador

One of the world’s most recognised and innovative materials scientists and an engineer and inventor has been announced as this year’s City of Parramatta Australia Day Ambassador. 2022 NSW Australian of the Year and UNSW Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla, is a highly awarded researcher at the forefront of recycling science, who launched the world’s first e-waste microfactory. The professor’s work has led to the development of green ceramic tiles and green steel, made from recycled glass, textiles and steel. Professor Sahajwalla has been invited to address the City of Parramatta’s Citizen of the Year awards on 25 January and as a guest on 26 January. She said she’s excited to visit Parramatta and celebrate with locals. “It’s such an honour to be an Australia Day Ambassador for Parramatta,” Professor Sahajwalla said. “It’s also a privilege to share my story around science and engineering and how our UNSW SMaRT Centre MICROfactorieTM Technologies are helping to tackle our waste and recycling challenges.” Already the City has benefitted from these revolutionary green materials, with Mirvac’s Pavilions apartment building in Sydney Olympic Park leading the pack…
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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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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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