The federal government has announced the construction of new naval maintenance infrastructure south of Perth to support the Arafura class patrol boats (pictured) now under construction. Lendlease Building Contractors has been awarded a $365 million managing contract for the first tranche of works at HMAS Stirling and the Australian Maritime Complex. Lendlease has committed to…
By Peter Roberts Manufacturers around Australia are gearing up to manufacture essential supplies to fight the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic with state government efforts starting to bear fruit. Five days ago, and three months into the pandemic, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian joined other states in reaching out to manufacturers to step up now that the global…
LBT Innovations extends analysis device uses Medical device manufacturer LBT Innovations has applied to the US Food and Drug Administration to extend the approved use of its APAS laboratory device which uses artificial intelligence to automate microbiology laboratory tests. The Adelaide company is seeking to add detection of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria to APAS’s…
Metals technology group Neometals appears poised to enter the European battery recycling market following the successful conclusion of its pilot plant technology proving phase. The company announced the completion of trials at its Canadian pilot plant on Thursday, and plans to move ahead with a European demonstration plant in partnership with Germany’s SMS Group. It…
With airlines cutting international flights to the bare bones on federal government orders, air freight costs have skyrocketed. Now these twin events have combined to slow the import and export of essential manufactures to a trickle. Manufacturers exporting to the United States are restricted to one flight a day from Melbourne to the United States,…
By Peter Roberts The federal government has turned to former Dow chemical CEO Andrew Liveris to help map a new future for Australian manufacturing in the post-coronavirus world. Liveris, an Australian, has been called up by Canberra’s National COVID-19 Coordination Commission to devise a long-term strategy to deliver a competitive manufacturing sector to help in…
While companies rush to meet short-term opportunities opened up by the arrival of the Covid-19 coronavirus, China exporter Jatenergy has embarked on a R&D programme to develop food supplements with anti-viral properties. The company, which exports a wide range of Australian products to China including milk-based foods, will work with researchers at the University of…
The plans of young people hoping to start an apprenticeship or traineeship in 2020 have have been hit by the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic with advertised vacancies dropping to just 880 vacancies nationwide. This drop will leave a generation of young people struggling to get a foot on the employment ladder and result in recession-extending skills…
By Sandy Plunkett At a time when it seems the whole world needs a bridging loan to get through to the other side of the COVID-19 crisis, a new tech sector lobby group, the Australian Innovation Collective (AIC) has its hands out to the Federal Government for urgent relief funds and innovation policy reform to…
Nanosatellite developer Myriota has extended its reach in the Canadian market with the purchase of satellite communications assets from exactEarth Ltd. The acquisition will see Myriota Canada acquire four satellites, a global network of ground station assets, and their associated spectrum licenses. The acquisition will increase the Adelaide company’s capability to deliver low-cost, low-power, secure…
