Automation system builder Andrew Donald Design Engineering have shipped the second of three specialist inspection machines (pictured) to a US manufacturer building systems to accelerate the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines. Part of the US Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed program, the systems are designed to overcome significant constraints in the supply and filling of vials…
Quickstep unsuccessful in flare housing manufacturing bid Composites manufacturer Quickstep Holdings has been informed its bid to manufacture MJU-6B flare housing for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter for Chemring in the next two financial years has been unsuccessful. Quickstep said the grounds for Chemring’s decision are contestable, with the company initiating a formal…
AGL has today announced construction will get underway this year on its planned nationwide network of grid-scale storage batteries. The company announced a start to a 250-megawatt (MW), one-hour duration grid-scale battery at Torrens Island power station in Adelaide (pictured), following AGL’s final investment decision (FID) on the project. AGL CEO Brett Redman said South…
Cairns marine engineers Tropical Reef Shipyards and BME NQ will build seven new watercraft to strengthen the Australian Army’s amphibious capability. The 7.5 metre vessels will be built in Cairns under a $4 million contract. The two companies will also provide spares and trailers, as well as operator and maintainer training. Founded in 1977, Tropical…
Air Liquide is to build and operate a new CO2 purification and production plant to supply industry in Gippsland Victoria. The company has come to an agreement with the Gippsland Basin Joint Venture, made up of BHP and Esso, to build the facility alongside the Longford Gas Conditioning plant which processes Bass Strait’s oil and…
Welding technology company K-TIG will develop advanced keyhole welding techniques for major South Korean defence manufacturer Hanwha Defence Corporation and its local arm Hanwha Defence Australia. Hanwha is the preferred supplier for self-propelled artillery being manufactured for the Army and is shortlisted to supply infantry fighting vehicles under Australia’s Land 400 phase 3 project. Under…
Australian National University spin-out Quantum Brilliance is to add elements of quantum computing capabilities to one of the world’s most powerful supercomputers housed at Pawsey Supercomputing Centre in Perth. Quantum Brilliance will install what it says is the world’s first diamond quantum computing accelerator at the Centre. Accelerators do not require near absolute zero temperatures…
France’s Naval Group has given its strongest commitment yet to spend locally at least 60 per cent of the contract value for the 12 new Attack Class submarines under construction in Adelaide. Inclusion of the figure in the Strategic Partnering Agreement follows the company’s offer in 2020 that a local spend of at least 60…
The federal government has concluded drawn out negotiations with France’s Naval Group over the local content of Attack class submarines to be built in Adelaide. Acting defence minister Marise Payne announced today the groups had agreed to amendments to their Strategic Partnering Agreement. This will see Naval Group’s commitment to spend at least 60 per…
Greg Whiteley is a small manufacturing business owner and has had many a reason to navigate the interface with the Commonwealth Public service. Here, he looks at the compliance task faced by Australia’s SMEs and laments the cost burden for manufacturers of dealing with governments.
