Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, February 10 – February 14, 2025

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to @AuManufacturing were reading.

5) CEA Technologies wins $272 million Army radar contract

A $272 million purchase by the federal government will see defence electronics company CEA Technologies deliver “up to 14 multi-mission phased array radars (MMPARs) for the Australian Army”.

According to a short announcement from defence minister Richard Marles on Wednesday, delivery of the phased array radars is scheduled to begin in 2027

The radars will support the Army’s “long-range fires capability” and improve monitoring of potential threats across the Australian Defence Force, according to Marles.

4) $2.5 million in Industry Growth Program grants awarded

Another round of grant recipients under the federal government’s Industry Growth Program has been announced, with a combined $2.51 million awarded to CoilRig, Azaneo, Innovation Industries, Magic Valley and Allegro Energy.

According to a statement from industry minister Ed Husic on Thursday, Allegro Energy was awarded $1.85 million to further their “Redox Flow Battery technology” up to full production at their NSW factory. This will allow them to “reduce unit cost and refine their battery energy storage systems”.

The company’s CEO and co-founder Thomas Nann said, “Our long-duration energy storage solution is perfectly suited for large-scale storage of renewable energy to ensure that the lights don’t go out when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow.”

3) Crisis in Victorian manufacturing: Opposition calls for action amid rising insolvencies

Victoria recorded the highest number of manufacturing insolvencies in Australia in 2024, according to new analysis. This rise in business closures highlights ongoing struggles within the state’s manufacturing sector, exacerbated by high taxes, rising energy costs and extensive regulatory burdens.

ASIC data reveals that during the term of the Albanese government, 415 manufacturing firms in Victoria have gone under—the second highest nationwide after NSW. This accounts for nearly a third of the national total, with Victoria leading in insolvencies last year at 223 companies.

2) Whyalla steelworks seeks refinancing amid financial struggles

In response to mounting pressures to settle substantial debts, the owners of Whyalla Steelworks, led by GFG Alliance’s chairman Sanjeev Gupta, are actively pursuing new financing solutions to sustain operations.

This development follows intense scrutiny from South Australia’s Premier, Peter Malinauskas, who recently visited Whyalla to engage with creditors and reinforce the urgency of financial accountability from GFG.

1) Premier Malinauskas urges GFG’s Gupta to address financial obligations amid concerns for Whyalla steelworks

Premier Peter Malinauskas has issued a stern warning to GFG Alliance’s Sanjeev Gupta, urging transparency and immediate action on overdue financial commitments as concerns mount over the future of the Whyalla Steelworks in South Australia.

Amid reports of significant arrears in royalties and payments to contractors, the Premier emphasised the need for Gupta to prioritise his investments in Whyalla over personal luxuries.

Picture: Whyalla (credit GFG Alliance)