Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Unions back NSW Labor pledge to build rolling stock locally

Trade union leaders have backed a pledge by NSW Labor leader Chris Minns to build trains, buses, ferries, and trams in NSW should it win the upcoming state election. The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) and the Rail, Tram, and Bus Union (RTBU) welcomed the announcement, saying that the state obsession with offshoring had left the state with delayed and unsafe trains, defective ferries, and cracked trams and seen manufacturing workers lose their jobs. State Secretary, AMWU NSW & ACT Cory Wright said: “AMWU members can build trains, buses, ferries, and trams. They did it in the ‘80s and ‘90s with the Tangara trains, and they’re doing it now in Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia where state governments have committed to local manufacturing. The NSW Secretary, RTBU Alex Claassens said: “It’s always been possible to build a quality transport manufacturing sector here in NSW. We just need a government committed to making it happen.”

Industry experts consider the future of red meat processing

The Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) has held its first-ever innovation showcase, which the group says unveiled technology that will transform the meat processing industry, and ranged from robot dogs to virtual reality glasses (pictured.) Participants gathered last week to see, feel, try and test more than 40 examples of emerging technology at “The future of red meat processing”, held at Melbourne Showgrounds from October 11 to 13. All innovation on display was developed and funded through investment from AMPC, the processing industry’s research and development corporation. “The showcase proved the future of the red meat processing industry is exciting, and regional communities together with R&D providers will continue to power this industry,” said AMPC CEO Chris Taylor. “Most of our member processors are aware of or involved in a handful of our activities, but we actually have about 300 R&D activities underway.”

Iplex celebrates second Townsville pipe contract

Pipe manufacturer Iplex has celebrated a $51 million contract to supply water pipe for Townsville, Queensland’s Haughton Pipeline Duplication Stage 2 project. The company previously won a Stage 1 contract for the project, which will provide water security to Townsville for the next 50 years. Stage 2 covers the supply of over 24 kilometres of 1.8-metre diameter Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) pipes. Iplex Australia General Manager Paul Lavelle the project had significantly grown its Townsville operations.

MicroBioGen opens new labs at Macquarie

MicroBioGen officially opened its new laboratories in Macquarie Park, northern Sydney, over the weekend. According to the biotech company, the labs will produce world-leading micro-organisms essential to industries worth over US$2 trillion per year, including biofuels, alternative proteins, space exploration, sustainable human foods and animal feed. The site was opened by the assistant energy minister Jenny McAllister, with Bennelong MP Jerome Laxale in attendance. CEO Geoff Bell said that the new laboratories would allow expanded R&D. “By building a state-of-the-art facility we will attract and retain the brightest scientific minds to NSW, scientists who can help MicroBioGen advance its micro-organisms, especially in the areas of sustainability, biofuels, animal feed and alternative protein development,” said Bell. “Exports currently make up 100 per cent of our revenues so it is essential that our facilities and our scientists are also the best in the world.” The new 1,250 square metre facility is twice the size of the former research space and will enable a doubling of a scientific workforce to around 40 scientists including geneticists, and biofuel and baking specialists.

Boxer CRV reaches Initial Operational Capability

The Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle has reached Initial Operational Capability on schedule under Project Land 400 Phase 2, which Defence said over the weekend represented “an important milestone”. Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart said the Boxer was tested during Exercise Sea Raider and is now employed within the Australian Army’s 7th Brigade. “Exercise Sea Raider demonstrated the important capability boost provided by the Boxer, and its place as part of the land force and joint operations,” said Stuart. The Boxer is being delivered from Rheinmetall’s factories in Redbank, Queensland and Germany, with support from many Australian companies, with five different variants and a total of 211 vehicles scheduled to be built by 2027.

Picture: Supplied