Downer named preferred supplier on Queensland government’s $7 billion train manufacturing program

Engineering firm Downer has been named the preferred supplier on the Queensland government’s plan to build 65 new passenger trains in the state. Transport minister Mark Bailey said Downer’s proposal offered “strong value for money, leading-edge accessibility and a modern design, whilst delivering maximum benefit to the region and to our great state. Downer was…

SciDev’s big mining sector contract win

Wastewater treatment company SciDev has won a new three-year contract to supply its MaxiFlox treatment chemicals to Australia’s largest zircon mine and processing plant near Ceduna in South Australia. The company will supply the flocculant chemicals to Illuka Resources’ Jacinth-Ambrosia operation (pictured) under a $14 million extension to its existing supply contracts. Maxiflox is used…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Spoehr joins circular economy advisory group Professor John Spoehr, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Impact) and Director of Flinders University’s Australian Industrial Transformation Institute, has joined the new Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group. Reporting to federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek, the advisory group will work with state and territory environment Ministers, industry leadership and the 15-member national advisory group…

CEA Technologies $277 million electronic warfare contract

Australian defence radar systems manufacturer CEA Technologies has been awarded a $277 million contract to provide advanced capabilities for Australia’s electronic warfare ranges as part of major upgrades to upgrade electronic attack capabilities. Canberra-based CEA will provide a number of fixed and portable emitters to support training exercises and strengthen capability across the Australian Defence…

Hold the foam, says construction products maker (podcast)

There are mixed signals from government when it comes to sustainability, according to Holloway Group. Brent Balinski speaks to the company’s Matt Holloway and Jim Prior. Last week Victoria banned the sale of single-use plastics, following a similar ban in November in NSW. Among the banned items are single-use expanded polystyrene food and drink containers.…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY’S FIRST FOUNDER IN RESIDENCE WILL FOCUS ON AEROSPACE R&D Rachael Barritt from Dovetail Electric Aviation has been named Swinburne University’s first Founder in Residence, with a focus on “new ideas and ventures” related to aerospace…

Capral completes distribution acquisition

Aluminium products manufacturer Capral has completed its acquisition of Allyman Aluminium, an aluminium distribution business in Wollongong, New South Wales, servicing the South Coast of NSW. The acquisition comes as part of Capral’s commitment to expanding its distribution footprint to ensure it has Aluminium Trade Centres and distribution hubs strategically located throughout Australia, according to…