Investment boosts sports hydration drink towards US launch
An Australian sports drink developed at leading universities will use its latest round of funding to expand nationally ahead of a US launch next year.
CSR Hebel marks $75 million expansion
Leaders of building products group CSR (ASX: CSR) have marked the completion of a new $75 million factory at the company’s annual general meeting. The company recently completed its new Somersby plant in New South Wales to manufacture Hebel autoclaved aerated concrete blocks and panels. Chairman John Gillam told the AGM the new plant was…
Ocius successfully trials unmanned naval vessel
Autonomous systems builder Ocius has successfully trialled its Bluebottle unmanned surface vessel (USV) developed as part of a $3 million Defence innovation contract. The 18 foot Bluebottle prototype successfully identified and navigated around surface vessels such as speed boats in trials off the NSW coast, and maintained speed in various sea conditions. Bluebottle is normally…
Gas prices could send more manufacturers offshore, warns CSR boss
Chair of building products company CSR has said Australian manufacturers were paying gas prices similar to or greater than those in gas-poor Asian countries, and that this could end up sending companies offshore.
Number of Australian automotive manufacturers up since 2015, “positive signs are emerging,” says new report
An investigation into automotive manufacturing in Australia by ACA Research has found the number of companies increased from 260 to 300, employing 9,800, and with a combined value of $4 billion.
Western Australia plans to build its own suburban trains
The Western Australian government is planning to integrate local rail car manufacturing into its ambitious plans to expand Perth’s suburban rail network. The government , which has just taken delivery of the last of 78 Queensland-made B-series rail car sets, plans to let an order in 2019 for new Metronet trains. The final three-car B-series…
Austal delivers third patrol boat to the Pacific
Perth shipbuilder Austal (ASX: ASB) has delivered its third Guardian class patrol boats to a Pacific nation as part of an Australian aid programme. The company handed over the patrol boat, one of a class of steel hulled ships being built by the company, to the Crown Prince of Tonga, His Royal Highness, Prince Tupouto’a…
Unsafe furnishings should be illegal
Furniture industry body the Australasian Furnishing Association has upped its campaign for greater regulation of unsafe furniture following the release of new data from the ACCC. The regulatory body estimates the annual cost of injury and death caused by unsafe consumer products, including furnishings, is at least $5 billion. There are around 780 deaths and…
Xtek awarded $1 million defence industry capability grant
Canberra-based Xtek (ASX: XTE) has earned a $1 million Sovereign Industry Capability Priority grant, which will assist the company in establishing a composites manufacturing facility for its combat armour products.
Melbourne recycled railway sleeper trial underway
An 18-month Melbourne trial of 200 railway sleepers, made by Integrated Recycling of Mildura, began today.