2000 jobs in new Murray Bridge abbatoir
Thomas Foods International will invest several hundred million dollars in a new state-of-the-art abattoir at Murray Bridge, almost 18 months since its previous plant was destroyed by fire.
Electro Optic Systems confirms massive growth outlook
Defence and space systems manufacturer, Electro Optic Systems (ASX: EOS) has confirmed a period of massive growth driven by orders for its remotely operated weapons systems. Canberra-based EOS released data to the market confirming it was set for 45 per cent per annum growth beyond 2020 and 2021 even if it received no new orders.…
Puzzle Precision completes 20,000 circuit board order for CSIRO
Newcastle-based electronics assembly business, Puzzle Precision is close to completing an order for 20,000 circuit boards which will be the heart of the receivers for Australia’s Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio-telescope. As reported in @AuManufacturing news, the $188 million pathfinder will form part of the world’s largest telescope, the SKA being built at sites…
Neometals proves up Kwinana li-ion battery recycling plant
Advanced materials group Neometals (ASX: NMT) has reported ‘robust’ economic outcomes from a scoping study of a lithium-ion battery recycling plant proposed for Kwinana south of Perth. The company has been testing its processes for recycling batteries based on lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) and nickle-manganese-cobalt battery types at its pilot plant in Canada. Now Primero…
The economy slows as capital expenditure, R&D fade
Analysis by Peter Roberts Australia’s Productivity Commission has pointed to a deep seated sickness holding back the Australian economy caused by falling levels of company investment and R&D. The Commission’s Productivity Bulletin 2019 just released shows labour productivity rose in 2017/16 by 0.2 per cent. This measure of output per hour worked is way below…
Engineered timber gaining in major construction projects
Major timber structures made off-site from pre-fabricated timber sections are gaining ground as developers move from flagship to more everyday timber structures. While buildings such as Australia’s tallest timber building, the 45 metre tall timber framed skyscraper at 25 King Street in Bowen Hills in Brisbane have made headlines, simililar processes are becoming far more…
Orica launches new mine blast fragmentation technologies
Chemicals and explosives manufacturer Orica (ASX: ORI) has released a new automated rock sizing measurement technology called FRAGTrack. The automated fragmentation measurement device is part of the company’s BlastIQ digital blast technologies suite used to control blasting in mines worldwide. FRAGTrack uses binocular cameras and a 2D/3D image processing algorithm to capture real-time fragmentation measurement…
TRT launches new crane, new technologies
Trans-tasman mobile crane manufacturer, TRT has launched its newest crane, the TIDD PC28 pick and carry crane on the Australian market. The Kiwi-based company, which also manufactures at Murarrie in Brisbane, launched the TIDD PC28 to 100 government and industry representatives gathered at its Brisbane site. Lawrence Baker, TRT’s COO said the company was proud…
Renewable energy offers hope for energy cost falls
Manufacturers can look to the continuing slide in costs for producing energy from renewable resources, according to the latest report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena). The report, released in advance of a meeting in Abu Dhabi preparing for the UN Climate Action Summit in September, found the cost of renewable generation fell to…
CSL in rude health, prognosis good
Analysis by Peter Roberts There are Australian biotechnology companies, and there are Australian manufacturers. And then there is CSL Limited (ASX: CSL). What began in 1991 as a division of the Australian department of health, has grown today into a global colossus, and an Australian biotechnology manufacturing success story. Listed in 1994 at $2.30 a…