Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, May 6 – May 10, 2024

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

5) ASC pledges to work with striking workers but cuts pay offer – report

Submarine builder ASC has acknowledged industrial action underway at its headquarters at Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide and pledged to work for a mutually beneficial outcome to the dispute.

However according to an unconfirmed report on Channel 7 news the government owned business cut a proposed wage rise of 10 percent to 6.75 per cent, suggesting the dispute is far from over.

Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, Australian Workers’ Union and Electrical Trades Union members walked off the job in a protected dispute at Osborne yesterday, seeking an improvement in a wages to that of parity with ASC workers at Henderson in Western Australia.

4) Hydrogen equipment manufacturer Hysata announces $172 million Series B round

Electrolyser manufacturer Hysata has completed a record-setting Series B funding round worth $US 111.3 million (approximately $172 million) and led by bp Ventures and Templewater.

Hysata announced an oversubscribed $42.5 million Series A round in August 2022, with the Series B seeing investors such as Bluescope’s venture business, BluescopeX, Virescent Ventures, the IP Group and others return.

“I am thrilled to have bp Ventures, Templewater and other new investors join ranks with our incredible existing shareholder base,” said Hysata CEO Paul Barrett in a statement on Thursday.

3) Chemistry Australia awards go to BASF, Pact Group

Chemistry Australia has announced the winners of the 2024 Industry Awards, with awards going to leaders of the Australian chemistry industry gathered in Melbourne.

The achievements of finalists and winners were celebrated across six award categories.

Chemistry Australia CEO Samantha Read said the Industry Awards continue to be an important opportunity to highlight the valuable and strategic contribution the $38 billion chemistry industry makes to the Australian economy.

2) Grants up to $50,000 awarded to 13 Tasmanian manufacturers

Matched funding totalling approximately $450,000 has been awarded by the state government to 13 Tasmanian businesses under the fifth round of the Advanced Manufacturing Accelerating Growth Program.

According to premier Jeremy Rockliff, the round brought the number of projects funded under the program to 51, with a cumulative $3.5 million in government assistance resulting in “about $ 9.7 million in overall investment”.

Grants ranged from $9,610 to CNC laser, router cutting and engraving job shop Xanderware to the maximum $50,000 amount, which went to six businesses, including to Jayben Group, which “specialises in power train products and light to medium industrial plant and equipment” according to its website.

1) Essential submarine workers strike over unequal pay

South Australian submarine workers decided to walk off the job on Monday at 7.30am at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in a dispute over unequal pay in the rapidly growing sector.

The ASC maintenance and sustainment facility will come to a standstill as 350 trades and operator support workers take protected industrial action over poor pay and conditions.

The maintenance crew work on the Collins Class submarines – originally built at the shipyard – which will be in operation for another 20 years in support of the Royal Australian Navy.

Picture: credit ASC