Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers, October 16 – 20, 2023

5) SA’s ambitious advanced manufacturing strategy

South Australia has launched an ambitious Advanced Manufacturing Strategy that aims to grow the sector’s share of the economy from six to 10 percent, writes Peter Roberts.

The strategy, launched by SA Deputy Premier and Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Dr Susan Close also aims to boost manufacturing’s share of value-added exports from 20 to 25 percent, employment from seven to eight percent of the state’s total, and expenditure on R&D by 25 percent.

Dr Close said: “We want manufacturing to drive greater productivity and complexity in our economy by moving up the value chain, exporting higher value-added goods and services to enable high living standards.”

4) NIOA produces first Boxer armoured vehicle ammunition

Queensland munitions manufacturer NIOA has begun production of 30mm ammunition for the Army’s next-generation armoured Boxer combat reconnaissance (CRV) vehicle, marking a new high for munitions manufacturing in Australia.

The company will produce 40,000 rounds of medium calibre training ammunition at the Commonwealth Government-owned NIOA-operated plant in Benalla, Victoria for the eight-wheeled Boxer, which is being manufactured Rheinmetall.

At a recent factory tour NIOA Australia and New Zealand CEO Ben James welcomed the government’s recent $220 million investment in munitions production at Benalla and another government-owned contractor-operated (GOCO) factory at Mulwala in New South Wales.

3) Construction starts on QLD major robotics and advanced manufacturing centre

Work has begun on the $40 million Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Centre (RAMC) ‘Big Build’ project at the Eagle Farm TAFE.

The facility is designed to help upskill Queensland’s future manufacturing workforce for upcoming automation and Industry 4.0, the state government said.

The new TAFE is slated for completion late next year, and is aimed at improving specialised training in robotics, advanced manufacturing, process instrumentation, renewable technologies (hydrogen and solar) and telecommunications.

2) South Australian manufacturing industry to see massive funding boost

South Australia’s manufacturing industry is getting supercharged, as the state’s government launches the first round of its $122 million Economic Recovery Fund.

The fund is focused on manufacturing innovation and will help accelerate South Australia’s Advanced Manufacturing Strategy.

This funding is critical for the state, with manufacturing South Australia’s largest sector, with more than 6,700 businesses contributing an estimated 17 per cent of SA’s annual output, 25 per cent of business research and development and 20 per cent of exports.

1) First WA made railcars undergo field testing

The first two new suburban railcars to be built in Western Australia after a gap of 27 years are now undergoing field testing on the Perth Metronet network (picture)

The railcars were constructed at the new Bellevue Railcar Manufacturing and Maintenance Facility, operated by Alstom Australia.

The railcars are the first of 246 C-series cars being built under the WA Railcar Program to replace A-series trains.

Picture: credit Metronet