Completion rates for apprentices and trainees who commenced training in 2015 have held relatively steady during the global pandemic at 56.8 per cent, down 0.4 per cent from those commencing in 2014. New data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) also showed stable completion rates in trade occupations at 56.2 per cent,…
Wound care technology developer Next Science was hit by shutdowns of elective surgeries and wound care clinics in the United States during the first six months of 2020, curbing revenue. Sales for the six months were $1.9 million, a small reduction on the previous corresponding period. Sales of Bactisure wound wash, BlastX anti-microbial wound gel…
Advanced carbon fibre composite road wheel manufacturer, Carbon Revolution is eyeing off new export contracts as it clocks up rapid growth. FY20 was a year of progress for the Geelong company as it ramped up production to an annualised rate of 30,000, improved processes and shrugged off the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Turnover in…
Analysis by Peter Roberts The dream of a sophisticated processing and final products industry based on the key battery metal, lithium, is finally taking shape with a major player Perth’s Lithium Australia group. Uniquely, the company is not only developing a number of lithium mineral deposits here and in Europe, but is pursuing a vision…
Drone detection and countermeasures company DroneShield experienced its first break even quarter in the final three months of FY2020 as it continues to penetrate civilian aviation and defence markets. Cash inflows were $2.1 million for the quarter leaving the company with an cash position improved cash by $500,000,a significant improvement on the $1.2 million net…
SciDev wins US fracking customer Solids-liquid separation chemicals and technology company SciDev has won a new customer for its its chemicals for the Texas oil and gas sector. The company’s US subsidiary Highland Fluid technology has partnered with technology business Floktek Industries to service an order from the customer which operates 1,600 wells in the…
Hot on the heels of reporting anti-Covid-19 action by one of the drugs it is developing, biotechnology company Immuron has raised $28 million (US$20 million) from institutional investors. On Tuesday the company reported its Travelan product for the prevention of travellers’ diarrhoea demonstrated neutralising activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronovirus-2, the virus that causes…
Packing machinery hire specialist Packserv Group is to launch into local manufacturing with machines to be made at a new plant at Marrickville in New South Wales The company has changed its name to Packserv Manufacturing to reflect its new engineering and manufacturing focus, and has announced 26 locally designed and engineered machines. The filling,…
The Australian Made Campaign (AMCL) has welcomed the Australian Cabinet and Furniture Association (ACFA) as an associate to support the continued growth of Australia’s local furnishings and furniture manufacturing sector. NSW-based ACFA is one of Australia’s primary industry associations for furnishing, cabinetmaking and joinery manufacturers, along with the semi-national Australasian Furnishing Association, which is also…
Traffic signal and road management technology company Redflex has reported strong sales growth in the fourth quarter of FY2020, with $8.7 million in new contracts let, up 15 per cent on the previous year. The company wrote new equipment sales contracts and recurring annual revenue management contracts as it continued to build sales throughout the…
