NIOA sets itself up for arms development in Lithgow

By Peter Roberts Fast-growing firearms, weapons and ammunition manufacturer NIOA has set itself up for expansion of its operations to the historic defence manufacturing region of Lithgow in New South Wales with the purchase of an important home and land in the regional city. NIOA has purchased historic Lidsdale House (pictured) which sits on a…

Fortescue tests ammonia, hydrogen for locomotive fleet

Fortescue Metals Group is pushing ahead with the decarbonisation of its rail locomotive fleet with the arrival of two additional locomotives at Fortescue Future Industries’ (FFI) research and development facility in Hazelmere, Perth. The two four-stroke locomotives will undergo further testing on the new fuel system, joining the first two-stroke locomotive which underwent testing earlier…

Applications to open this month for $280 million in federal manufacturing grants

A second round of grants will be made available through the Translation and Integration streams of the federal Modern Manufacturing Initiative, with applications to open next week. According to a statement from industry minister Angus Taylor on Thursday, $280 million would be available through the second round. Grant funding of between $1 million and $20…

SkyKraft attracts top investors to capital raising

Satellite services company SkyKraft has attracted a raft of top investors to a $3.5 million capital raising that will continue its rollout of SmallSat communications satellites. The Canberra company’s new investors include former Macquarie Bank CEO Alan Moss, Lennoxgrove Capital and Adcock Private Equity. Skykraft, based at the UNSW Canberra City, also recently received $1…

Food sector disappointed with Canberra modern manufacturing initiative

By Peter Roberts The peak body for Australia’s largest manufacturing sector – food and groceries – has expressed disappointment with federal government policy and the rollout of its modern manufacturing initiative. The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) CEO Tanya Barden told a Senate inquiry this week that the sector needed a more coordinated policy…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

SMEs shine at Defence Teaming Centre awards The achievements of six small to medium businesses have been recognised at the Defence Teaming Centre’s (DTC) Awards Ceremony, which mark the DTC’s 25th anniversary. PMB Defence won DTC’s Resilient and Adaptive award, while the Teaming award was awarded to Daronmont Technologies, Zenith Custom Creations, Cold Logic, and…