Melbourne chemicals and explosives group Orica (ASX: ORI) has revealed $191 million in write downs stemming from IT changes and the major breakdown of equipment. The biggest, to be confirmed in its 2019 first half results on 9 May, is a non-cash impact of approximately $155 million from equipment failures at its Burrup technical ammonium…
Synthetic antibiotic developer Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: RCE) has scaled up its Sydney production facility to support its commercialisation activities. The company, which has patented a new class of antibiotics to tackle resistant superbugs, has increased capacity at Macquarie Park in Sydney fivefold to cope with increasing demand. The Company has developed an automated process…
A cobot or collaborative robot is a robot intended to work alongside humans in a shared workspace, and they can deliver real process improvements without the hefty price tag or complex operating requirements that SMEs might expect.
The Australian Industrial Energy consortium’s proposed $250 million Port Kembla Gas Terminal has been granted planning approval, with a final investment decision on the import site expected mid-year.
Professor Danny Samson of the University of Melbourne is a founding member of the Global Manufacturing Research Group, a group of 20 professors from around the world who conduct survey research globally of manufacturing plant practices (quality, supply chain, improvement and innovation etc) and outcomes.
If fast broadband is essential to modern business including manufacturing, then you are all better off moving to that technology powerhouse Kazakhstan. The latest Ookla Speedtest Global Index places Australia’s $50 billion National Broadband Network (NBN) as the world’s 62nd fastest fixed broadband, down three places and falling behind the central Asian republic. The latest…
Analysis by Peter Roberts The South Australian capital of Adelaide seems assured of being the host city for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with manufacturers among the many beneficiaries of this global event. Commonwealth Games Federation president, Louise Martin gave the game away in a little-reported interview on BBC radio this week, according to games insiders.…
No country can have a viable manufacturing sector without a machine tool industry. That machines are the foundation of the sector is a concept well understood in the past, but little appreciated by political or even many business leaders today. @AuManufacturing will host a CEO roundtable at National Manufacturing Week 2019 that explores our machinery…
Major investment by Perth shipbuilder Austal (ASX: ASB) in its Philippines yard is paying off with the delivery of a second large passenger ferry for Taiwan’s Brave Line. The yard, trebled in size since opening in 2011, delivered its second 50 metre high-speed catamaran ferry capable of carrying 550 passengers. At the same time construction…
Australia’s defence industry sector has an odd shape. Medium size companies are rare. We’ve a strong top and a large bottom – but why so hollow in the middle?