Backing hopeful, high-tech, high-growth manufacturers
What are the brilliant Australian ideas that will create the next wave of growth? Brent Balinski spoke to Mike Zimmerman of Main Sequence Ventures about where they’re looking.
Manufacturing is becoming more attractive to venture capital investors – by Neil Bourne
Traditionally manufacturing has failed to gain a share of venture and even development capital. But the development of ‘capital light’ manufacturing utilising robotics and digital design is changing thinking. Here, Neil Bourne discusses how manufacturers can become investment-ready. The business press is full of stories about new SaaS and Fintech companies receiving venture finance and…
Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed
PPK Group to demerge, raises $15.4 million Diversified mining equipment and materials technology business PPK Group is to demerge its mining group. Announcing a $15.4 capital raising, PPK will spend the funds to accelerate projects applying its boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) technologies. Chairman Robin Levison and director Dale McNamara sold down shares in PPK to…
Going public helps Mayfield bring manufacturing home
An 84-year-old company has listed on the Australian stock exchange as part of a bid to boost its manufacturing in South Australia and grow its business.
Gloves off – China hits Australian wine with tariffs
By Peter Roberts Years of deteriorating relations between Beijing and Canberra have led to the imposition of tariffs of up to 200 per cent on Chinese imports of Australian wine. Following an anti-dumping inquiry, China’s Ministry of Commerce today imposed temporary tariffs with no end date, forcing prestige winemaker Treasury Wine Estates into a stockmarket…
MEET maker opens new factory
Plant-based meat company ProForm Foods officially opened its $11 million Mount Kuring-Gai factory on Thursday, with a capacity of 5,000 tons annually and plans to grow exports.
Digitisation and the renaissance of Australian manufacturing – by Robert Giles
By Robert Giles, CEO SPC Ardmona At SPC, we are always focussed on our customers and how we can best serve them. Australian taste palettes are ever-changing, in the 1970s the humble avocado was considered the height of sophistication, today our tables are filled with foods and flavours from around the world with everything from…
Bega buys Lion dairy and drinks business
Bega Cheese has greatly expanded its manufacturing and brand footprint in the food and beverage sector with the purchase of Lion Dairy & Drinks for $534 million. Bega will take over the business at the end of January 2021, adding to its cheese and spreads businesses numerous milk drinks, yoghurt, cream, and fresh juice brands.…
Nova Eye Medical reports strong sales of glaucoma device
Ophthalmic treatment device manufacturer Nova Eye Medical has reported strong sales for its glaucoma surgical device business in the four months to 31 October. The company sold iTrack and Molteno3 devices worth $4.4 million, up from $2.6 million in the four months to 30 June when sales were affected by Covid-19 lockdowns. iTrack is a…
ARENA, WA government back green hydrogen demonstrator project in Denham
Construction will begin by August on Australia’s first remote microgrid using renewable-generated hydrogen, producing 526 MWh of dispatchable renewable electricity, enough for 100 residential homes. The demonstrator plant will be built in Denham, Western Australia — on the state’s coast and 830 kilometres north of Perth — and be connected to Denham’s hybrid power station.…