Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

STÄRKE expands into injection moulding

STÄRKE Advanced Manufacturing Group has announced the acquisition of the complete assets of RIAN INDUSTRIES, a 22 machine injection moulding business in Melbourne. Group CEO Al Jawhari said the company would be known as STÄRKE INJECTION MOULDING PTY. LTD. and combined with the company’s facilities in Adelaide and Detroit, Michigan will allow Stärke-AMG to provide design, prototyping, precision machining, tooling, plastic injection moulding and fabrication projects of product and system assemblies. He sayd by investing in local manufacturing capabilities the group can support complex builds 100 percent in Australia, not just for defence, as we currently do, but for Australian innovative businesses. Group Chairman Grant Tinney said: “The manufacturing landscape has undergone significant structural changes in recent years, with offshoring and becoming less prevalent. We firmly believe in the importance of revitalising local production capabilities and capacity and supporting the growth of our economy.”

EM Solutions unleashes King Cobra

The team from Brisbane defence communications manufacturer EM Solutions is preparing for a second International Navy Factory Acceptance Program in three weeks for its King Cobra military satellite communications antenna (pictured). The antenna, which is two metres across, is capable of tracking and communicating with satellites from ships at sea in heavy sea conditions. The antenna provides Ka Band and simultaneous X-Band coverage, and is designed to access GEO, MEO, HEO and LEO satellite constellations. The company, a subsidiary of Electro Optic Systems, released the accompanying picture on social media and said: “These complex multiband Naval SATCOM solutions are starting to roll out of Brisbane at a steady rate.”

$11 million in traceability grants announced

This week the federal government $11 million in grants to support agricultural traceability, which it said would help farmers to get their goods to consumers and overseas markets. $6 million in support will come through the RegTech grants round and $5 million for the Food Agility Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) for digital solutions. The RegTech grants would help businesses and exporters meet regulatory requirements more efficiently, and the Food Agility CRC would drive industry-led innovation on food data, it said. Food Agility CEO Richard Norton said, “The outcomes will be world-leading and will have tangible benefits to producers, growers, and the agrifood sector by allowing their sustainability credentials to be demonstrated to customers at home and abroad.”

CSL affected by foreign currency movements, Au$ falls

Biotechnology giant CSL has updated investors on the impact on foreign currency movements on the company’s FY23 forecast profit. The company now expects a foreign currency headwind of between US$230 million to $250 million, up from $175 million previously anticipated. Constant currency profit guidance remains unchanged, though now at the higher end of the range. Following finalisation of next year’s budget CSL said NPATA was expected to grow between 13 percent and 18 percent to US$2.9 to $3.0 billion.

Thales Australia bids for Australian cyber security firm

French-owned Defence contractor Thales has announced the takeover of one of Australia’s largest cyber security companies, Tesserent. Tesserent is listed on the ASX and in calendar 2022 turednover $185 million, providing cyber security products and services to government and Defence. The acquisition would enable Thales to accelerate its cybersecurity development roadmap and expand its footprint in Australia and New Zealand. The takeover is recommended by Tesserent’s Board of Directors. CEO of Thales Australia Jeff Connolly said: “With the acquisition of Tesserent and its highly skilled team of cyber experts, and combined with our own system engineering experts, Thales Australia will establish an Australian/New Zealand leader in Cyber Defence able to best protect the country and its national infrastructure from cyber threats.”

Maggie Beer to hold onto Paris Creek Farms dairy

Having previously offered the business for sale, prestige food manufacturer Maggie Beer Holdings has decided to keep, and reinvest in its dairy business Paris Creek Farms. The business has now been classified by the board as a continuing asset no longer for sale. Maggie Beer’s board and management conducted a strategic review which showed that with modest capital expenditure, the dairy could be upgraded and utilised, including for production of Maggie Beer branded dairy products. According to the Barossa Valley company: “In the context of the company’s growth ambitions in this category, the decision for PCF remaining a core asset within the MBH Group has strong economic and strategic rationale.”

Jackie Fairley to leave Starpharma

The CEO of pharmaceutical developer Starpharma Dr Jackie Fairley has advised the company she intends to retire during 2024 after 16 years in the role. Dr Fairley will continue in the role until a replacement has been found, providing leadership transition. Chair Rob Thomas said: “Over her time Jackie has demonstrated a remarkable dedication to the company’s development. Under her leadership and vision, Starpharma has successfully transformed from a startup with promising technology to a mature organisation with multiple commercial partnerships.” The company is commercialising its anti-viral nasal spray Viraleze, which came to prominence during the Covid pandemic.

Atomo Diagnostics to supply HIV rapid tests to Europe

Diagnostic test manufacturer Atomo Diagnostics has entered into an exclusive supply agreement with UK based company Newfoundland Diagnostics for the supply of the company’s rapid HIV test kits to the European market. The agreement follows an initial purchase by Newfoundland of kits worth $900,000, and will see the placement of a follow on order worth $1.2 million. Newfoundland will have a one year period of exclusivity with the right to negotiate an up to three year extension of the arrangement with Atomo. Atomo CEO John Kelly said the companies would look to expsnd the partnership beyond HIV testing.

Sydney Nano to get new director

Quantum physicist Professor Stephen Bartlett will take up the role of Sydney Nano Director on July 3, after serving as Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Science at University of Sydney. “As a highly respected researcher with a breadth of experience in strategy, external engagement and commercialisation, Professor Bartlett possesses the leadership skills needed to advance Sydney Nano and maximise the institute’s impact on research projects here and abroad,” said the university’s Professor Kathy Belov, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Global and Research Engagement). Bartlett is currently Chief Investigator in the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Engineered Quantum Systems (EQuS), heading a program on Designer Quantum Materials, and is the inaugural Lead Editor of the Americal Physical Society journal PRX Quantum and sits on the Quantum Expert Advisory Panel of the quantum computing initiative at Transport for NSW.

Real Pet Food Company announces new appointments

Following its $243 million capital raise led by existing investors New Hope Group, Temasek and Hosen Capital, Real Pet Food Company’s (RPFC) has announced new executive appointments and launched its next generation growth roadmap. According to RPFC, the roadmap will see the it “accelerate its leadership in fresher pet nutrition from affordable all natural brands to unprocessed, raw and human grade ultra-premium nutrition”. The new leadership team will see former CEO David Grant transition to the company’ board and Germaine Chua become CEO. Joseph Dalo has been appointed Chief Operating Officer and Alexis Poole Chief Financial Officer.  “We are investing in new manufacturing, R&D and supply chain capabilities that will unlock production capacity, product excellence and innovation in a way few can match here or abroad,” Chua said. RPFC’s brands include Ivory Coat, Billy + Margot, Trilogy, Farmers Market and VIP.

Picture: EM Solutions/King Cobra