Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

EOS appoints new CFO

Australian space and defence company Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has appointed a new chief financial officer (CFO), Clive Cuthell. Cuthell will work from EOS’s Canberra head office and report directly to CEO Dr Andreas Schwer. His career includes over 15 years in a CFO role at a variety of ASX-listed and multinational corporations operating in a range of sectors, including manufacturing, industrials, satellite communications and fast-moving consumer goods. Schwer welcomed the appointment, saying it would support the next phase of the company’s growth. “Given the breadth and variety of EOS’ global activities, the company has a strong need for robust fiscal governance,” said Schwer. “We consider that Clive has the expertise and experience required to ensure that our corporate goals are well supported by effective financial decision-making.”

Great Wrap heads for US market

Biodegradable non-plastic cling wrap manufacturer Great Wrap has officially launched in the USA, something founder Julia Kay describes as ‘a very momentous moment for us!’ Great Wrap (pictured), which is made from biological wastes including potato peels, is available in rolls for domestic use and industrial pallet wrapping. Kay said: “There are 329 million people in the USA making this launch a huge opportunity for Great Wrap to have a real impact on the planet. Each day bringing us all one step closer to knocking petroleum-based plastic off the shelf.” Great Wrap has an Australian team of 30, but has been backed by US investors and food companies for its market launch. “There is so much that goes on behind the scenes to manufacture your own product and launch internationally – we’ve had a lot of fun along the way too!”

Victoria and New South Wales unite for Hume hydrogen project

The Victorian and New South Wales governments are investing $10 million each in grant funding to co-deliver the Hume Hydrogen Highway initiative, an Australian-first renewable hydrogen refuelling network. The joint grant initiative will support the design and delivery of the Hume Hydrogen Highway between Melbourne and Sydney – Australia’s busiest freight corridor. The initiative will support the development of at least four refuelling stations along the Hume Highway and will support approximately 25 hydrogen-powered long-haul heavy freight vehicles to adopt zero-emission technology, such as fuel cells. The two governments have signed a separate Memorandum of Understanding with Queensland to collaborate and share knowledge on the learnings from the HHH. This tripartite MOU will form the basis for collaboration on the future development of an interconnected east coast renewable hydrogen refuelling network, focusing on key freight routes linking the states.

AME Systems to partner with Australian Missile Corporation

The Australian Missile Corporation has announced a collaboration agreement with defence and aerospace supplier AME Systems. AMC CEO Lee Goddard said AME Systems was a privately-owned, regionally-based business with a global reputation for its innovation in manufacturing customised electrical parts for military applications. “They are a prime example of the incredible innovative spirit and unwavering commitment to creating highly skilled local jobs that exists within the Australian defence industry,” said Goddard, adding the AMC looked forward to teaming with them and other partners to support the nation’s guided weapons and explosive ordnance enterprise. AME Systems joins over 350 Australian and global partners who have indicated support to the AMC in establishing a guided weapons industry in Australia. The company employs over 400 in Ararat, Melbourne and three factories in Malaysia, and its projects include supplying electrical harnesses and assemblies to Boeing Australia for manufacture of the RAAF’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat.

SEA Electric wins at Australian Freight Industry Awards

Industry recognition of SEA Electric’s products has continued, the company has said, following its world-first range of all-electric trucks winning the Sustainable Environment Award at the Australian Freight Industry Awards at the weekend. The accolade follows a win in the Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia’s Product Innovation Award for 2021, plus the Green Car Journal’s 2022 Green Car Product of Excellence Award. “The sector has recognised that there is a need to embrace sustainability if the country is to meet its environmental goals, said Bill Gillespie, SEA Electric President Asia Pacific. “The transport industry is the second highest producer of carbon dioxide emissions across the country outside of traditional power generation, and to progress to a carbon-free future, we are working closely with all levels of government to accelerate change.”

Inaugural Agrifood Tech Awards & Investor Showcase set for November

The Australian Agritech Association (AusAgritech) announced on Tuesday the beginning of an international investor showcase and awards program. AusAgritech said the new event will give Australian agtech innovators the chance to match with global investors and be recognised for their tech contributions at an event in Sydney on November 17. Confirmed investor participants included AirTree, Folklore, Grok Ventures, Invisible, Jelix Ventures, Macquarie Capital, Main Sequence, Mandalay VC, SparkLabs Cultiv8, Square Peg,  Tenacious Ventures and Temasek, AusAgritech said. AusAgritech Chair Andrew Coppin said that the Australian Agrifood Tech Awards & Investor Showcase would be “an opportunity unlike any other” for innovators and “will culminate in the Awards Event recognising the best talent, startups, scale ups and innovators in the agrifood tech sector.”

Picture: Great Wrap