Analysis by Peter Roberts If ever there was a demonstration that times have changed in industrial disputes in manufacturing it is clear from this week’s decision by BlueScope steel workers to accept its latest pay deal. Workers at the Port Kembla steel works agreed in 2015 to a three year pay freeze, and cuts in…
Alberto Calderon, CEO of explosives group, Orica has called for a cap on gas exports to ensure the survival of gas-intensive manufacturing in Australia. Calderon said there was a simple solution to chronic gas shortages and lack of supply to domestic customers, and urged Canberra to take action. “The government needs to ensure that the…
Premium food brands producer, Longtable Group (ASX: LON) has completed its takeover of 100 per cent of Maggie Beer Products from the South Australian cook and food entrepreneur, Maggie Beer for a total consideration of $25 million. The company, which bought an initial 48 per cent of the business for $15 million in 2016, said…
Australia and Indonesia have signed the much-delayed Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), opening up new trade opportunities for the two nations. Trade minister, Simon Birmingham, signed the agreement with his Indonesian counterpart, H.E Enggartiasto Lukita, in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday. The agreement has implications for all sectors as 99 per cent of Australian goods by…
Kennards Hire has been named as one of the first launch customers for Adelaide nanosatellite maker, Fleet Space Technology and its industrial internet of things (IoT) satellite services. The national building and handyman hire firm will track the location of its wide range of equipment utilising Fleet’s global array of Centaurti satellites. As reported in…
Recent successes by Canberra’s Electro Optic Systems (ASX: EOS) in selling lethal weapons overseas have raised an issue long avoided by the defence sector – is it right to sell arms to despots? Analysis by Peter Roberts
Sydney’s Gelion Technologies has launched commercially a new type of zinc bromine battery onto the electrical storage market, the Gelion Endure. Gelion’s chief executive, Rob Fitzpatrick said that storage was key to the widespread adoption of renewable power. “The global battery market is valued at $60 billion to $70 billion and yet, if we were…
Perth shipbuilder Austal (ASX: ASB) has rapidly bosted turnover and sales on the back of accelerating construction of combat ships for the US Navy. Austal said in a statement that revenue for the first half of 2019 was up 31 per cent to $851.5 million. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) was up 52 per…
Composites manufacturer Quickstep Holdings (ASX: QHL) has announced two contracts which further commercialise its advanced manufacturing processes. The company is developing its Qure process for manufacturing composites without autoclaving, and its Quickstep lean Production System (QPS). CEO Mark Burgess said in an announcement: “We are continuing to develop our state-of-the-art process technologies to support both…
If robots do ever rise up and attack the human race, Australians don’t need to worry too much, according to the CSIRO’s Dr Sue Keay. She said: Ïn terms of the safest country to be in in case of a robot uprising, we are pretty safe. “That’s because we don’t have many of them.” Keay’s…
