Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Dongara Marine shows off La Bella Cherie

Western Australian shipbuilder Dongara Marine has shown off its latest ship build – the 25 metre long catamaran motor yacht La Bella Cherie (pictured). The vessel, equipped with two guest cabins and a shared bathroom in each hull plus a large, full width owner’s suite with ensuite on main deck level was built for a private buyer seeking a bespoke leisure vessel. Completed in December at the company’s Dongara yard south of Geraldton, La Bella Cherie has sleeping for 10 people, the main deck is also fitted out for a combination of indoor and outdoor dining and recreation, including an spa. Dongara Marine managing director Rohan Warr said: “This was an exciting project for us. We enjoyed working with the clients to provide them with a vessel that will be the source of great enjoyment and wonderful memories, as well as demonstrating how well our skills transfer to the custom motor yacht arena.”

Overseas investors shrug off Australian intervention in gas markets – Tim Ayres

The Assistant Minister for Trade and Manufacturing, Tim Ayres has shrugged off potential concern from overseas investors over price caps introduced on coal and gas by the Albanese government. On his return from the World Economic Forum 2023 Annual Meeting, Ayres was asked on Sky News Business Weekend whether companies were now hesitant to invest in Australia. Ayres said he did not believe market intervention has affected Australia’s strong reputation around the globe as a stable place to invest. “But even more importantly than that, the dialogue that I’ve been having with global companies that have got an interest in investing in Australia has been about the Albanese Government’s industry policy priorities. It’s been about the National Reconstruction Fund and the Powering the Nation Fund and the opportunities that creates for investment from Australian partners and overseas partners in industrial capability, in national infrastructure.” Ayres said there was a high level of interest in the industrial opportunities in Australia. “I’ve been really pleased to see it being reflected in the discussions that I’ve had with business leaders from around the world who see enormous opportunity in Australia. Our approach on energy more broadly, our approach on industry and rebuilding Australian manufacturing has garnered a very significant amount of overseas interest.”

Fortescue takes delivery of prototype haul truck battery

The Fortescue group has taken delivery of a 1.4MWh prototype battery planned to power a 240-tonne electric mining haul truck developed in partnership with Liebherr. The battery was developed by an engineering team at the UK’s Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE), with tests due to begin later in 2023. Made up of eight individually cooled sub packs, each containing 36 battery modules, the huge battery has arrived at a Fortescue workshop in Perth. When assembled, the battery will measure 3.6 x 1.6 x 2.4 m and provide energy storage of 1.4MWh.

Halo awarded its third Coles private label contract

Halo Food Co has been awarded its third contract from supermarket Coles for heath and wellness products. The forecast sales value of the contract of $2.9 million a year covers six additional product lines. The company is continuing to supply products manufactured in Australia and New Zealand from its first two supply contracts. Halo told investors that it expected a further three product lines would be added by Coles in October this year. CEO Jordan Thompson said “This third contract win demonstrates the trust of Coles in Halo and our ability to deliver quality products on time and in full.”

Picture: Dongara Marine