Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, January 27 – January 31, 2025

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

5) Quantum computing breakthrough by CSIRO unlocks new horizons

CSIRO’s quantum researchers have catapulted Australia into the future of big data analysis.

On January 29, 2025, they unveiled a quantum machine learning feat that could soon have us zipping through traffic, optimising energy use and revolutionising healthcare with unprecedented efficiency. Their work, a cornerstone of the UNESCO-declared International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, showcases a thrilling era where quantum computing meets real-world applications.

At the helm of this exciting venture is Dr Muhammad Usman, a senior CSIRO quantum scientist, who guided his team to compress and analyse enormous datasets faster than you can say “quantum supremacy.”

4) Australian Economic Outlook 2025: Industry leaders signal concern and urge policy shifts

According to the latest Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) industry expectations survey, industry leaders across Australia are notably pessimistic about the country’s economic prospects for 2025, with many scaling back on long-term investments in favour of short-term productivity measures.

Innes Willox (pictured), Chief Executive of the Ai Group, emphasised that the survey’s results should serve as a wake-up call to policymakers. He noted that without a significant redirection in policy, businesses critical to Australia’s economic future are likely to fall short of clean energy and housing construction targets, as well as face continued productivity and competitive challenges.

The survey, conducted just before Christmas, reflects concerns about the repetition of the previous year’s economic conditions—characterised by inflation, workforce and skill shortages and a prevailing sense of uncertainty.

3) ANCA co-founders make Australia Day honours list

The two founders of Australian machine tool business ANCA CNC Machines were recognised with Australia Day honours over the weekend, with each named a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division.

Pat Boland and Pat McCluskey met at the Commonwealth Department of Supply in the 1960s, where the former was working as a cadet engineer at the University of Melbourne and the latter was an apprentice.

They bought a mini-computer in 1974, both aged 25 at the time, working in the early days of CNC automation. Their business initially retrofitted CNC controls for others’ machines and then made its own, deciding on tool and cutter grinders.

2) New electric bus manufacturing hub planned for Nowra

Nowra, NSW is poised to become the latest hub for cutting-edge public transport innovation, as Foton Mobility Distribution, an Australian-owned bus manufacturer, plans to establish a new 6,000 square meter electric bus manufacturing facility.

This development, scheduled to begin construction in late 2025 pending council approval, aligns with the NSW Government’s commitment to revitalising local manufacturing and reducing emissions.

The initiative is part of the NSW Government’s Zero Emission Buses (ZEB) program which aims to transform public transport in Sydney and beyond.

1) Professor Tony Haymet appointed Australia’s Chief Scientist

The federal government has announced Professor Tony Haymet as the nation’s new Chief Scientist, replacing Dr Cathy Foley in the three-year role.

Haymet was named as Foley’s successor and Australia’s tenth Chief Scientist on Tuesday.

The role involves providing “authoritative and independent evidence-based advice on whole-of-government science and technology priorities” and is appointed by the prime minister.

And in case you missed our podcast…

In episode 109 of @AuManufacturing Conversations, Vahid Montazeri, Director at plastics specialist Innomerix, tells us about the company’s recent investments, the appeal of recycling, developing recipes for new materials from scratch, and more.

Picture: credit Transport for NSW