SME manufacturers are joining the rush to equity markets to help shore up their finances as the Covid-19 pandemic clouds the economic future. Keytone Dairy Corporation is the latest to announce a capital raising on the Australian exchange, succeeding in raising $12.5 million through a share placement with sophisticated investors. New shares are to be…
Australia has boosted its investment in medical research, but neglected those in engineering and manufacturing. Here, John H Howard, managing director of Howard Partners, calls for a national commitment to engineering and technology renewal. Australia is looking to rebuild its industrial base to achieve greater self-sufficiency in manufacturing. But we are seriously underinvesting in creating…
Farm to pharmaceutical cannabis group THC Global has bought Tetra Health, a leading Australian clinic network giving it access to a potential 10,000 patients. The company, which operates two growing facilities and a pharmaceuticals biomanufacturing facility (pictured), bought Tetra for an undisclosed sum Tetra comprises 600 referring physicians, 30 prescribing physicians and a national network…
Fertiliser and explosives business Incitec Pivot has become the latest large manufacturer to tap the capital markets for new equity to tide it thorough the Covid-19 pandemic. The company has successfully placed $600 million in new equity with institutional investors in a fully underwritten offering at $2 a share. It now plans to raise an…
Additive manufacturing group Amaero International and Fletcher Insulation will jointly develop a 3D printing application to provide superior tooling. Amaero CEO Barrie Finnin said the two companies would print tooling and test it under full operational load. Fletcher, the manufacturer of Pink Batts and Sisalation, and Amaero will jointly develop the new tooling production technique…
New materials developer Lithium Australia has completed short duration glasshouse testing of fertilisers with added micro-nutrients derived from recycled alkaline batteries. The Perth company reported plant uptake of zinc and manganese was in line with expectations for oxide materials. More than 6,000 tonnes of alkaline batteries are consumed nationally each year, with 97 per cent…
Opposition leader Anthony Albanese delivered an address from Canberra today where he called for a revival in manufacturing, and greater investment in learning and education, technology, people and infrastructure. Here are his key messages in his own wrds. Anthony Albanese on manufacturing: “We must revitalise high value Australian manufacturing using our clean energy resources. With…
Sales by hearing implant manufacturer Cochlear plunged 60 per cent in April, confirming company predictions of the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Sydney company reported that surgery cancellations as hospitals were emptied to prepare for the virus occurred as previously predicted. Cochlear implant sales declined 80 per cent in the month with most…
A small Australian boat builder is further demonstrating their workboat design and build capabilities with the delivery of another vessel to operate in the Port of Gladstone. Over the past twelve years, Queensland-based aluminium boat builder BTB Marine has built and delivered thirteen workboats, fast landing craft and other commercial vessels built specifically for marine…
A month into our campaign to crowd source a new deal plan for manufacturing, Lance Worrall finds we simply do not have an Australian industrial policy. But our new deal plan submissions show the way forward. The fight against Covid 19 is a fight for our survival. If, as politicians are telling us, this is…
