R.M. Williams closes factory, stands down 709 workers
Australian clothing and boot maker RM Williams has announced it will close its Adelaide factory for four weeks due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Huge response from manufacturers to virus call
The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre has received a massive response from Australian manufacturers keen to step up production of medical supplies vital to checking the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. The national register set up by AMGC to collate local expertise and production capacity has received an incredible 1,000 responses from companies willing to help.…
Australian manufacturing experiences “surprising” rebound in March PMI
The manufacturing sector ended four months of contraction in March, according to the Australian Industry Group’s Performance of Manufacturing Index.
Saving the furniture during the Covid crisis
Quick thinking saw an exhibitions supplier go from idea to new business in half a week. Brent Balinski spoke to Displaywise about saving jobs and adapting to “the new norm.”
Ansell on track despite coronavirus spread
Global protective glove manufacturer Ansell is one of the few large companies that has been able to reaffirm its profit projections for the year despite the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. The manufacturer of rubber industrial and surgical gloves told investors it was experiencing very strong demand for its AlphaTec hand and body chemical protection products. There…
The reinvention of Australian Industry Content and its ramifications
Australian Manufacturing Forum viewpoint by Mike Kalms Without anything really changing, Australian Industry Content Policy (AICP) is now unalterably different. There have been relatively cosmetic changes to how AICP is described, at what thresholds it applies, and how it might be measured, but none of these constitute wholesale change or any sort of ‘policy re-write’.…
New digital shipbuilding diploma launched
Australia’s first digital shipbuilding course has been launched to support the increased pace and sophistication of naval shipbuilding in Australia. With the federal government letting $90 billion in contracts for patrol boats, frigates and submarines, yards in Perth and Adelaide are increasingly digitally enabled. The BAE Systems yard being enlarged at Osborne in South Australasia…
Titomic in new US defence tie-up
Large-scale additive manufacturing technology company Titomic has linked up with US defence R&D company Triton Systems to validate its Titomic Kinetic Fusion (TKF) technology for US defence projects. The two companies have entered a strategic partnership which aims to develop innovative products and solutions under US defence department grant schemes – the department spends US$60…
New OECD estimates suggest a 22% hit to Australia’s economy
New Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development estimates paint a grim picture of the direct economic costs of public health measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, and the need for more government support to cushion the blow.
Detmold to make 145 million masks, take on up to 160 extra staff
Adelaide packaging company Detmold Group has reached an agreement with the state and federal governments to supply 145 million respirator and surgical masks, which it says will see it invest over $1 million locally and take on up to 160 extra staff.