Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Custom Denning completes manufacturing expansion

Bus manufacturer Custom Denning has recently completed the expansion project at its Charles Street manufacturing facility in St Marys, Sydney (pictured). The newly renovated office at Charles Street now serves as the new home for Custom Denning’s Accounting and Payroll team, who have relocated from the main office at Vallance Street in St Marys. According to the company, the mve allowed for more space and resources to accommodate its expanding team, which currently consists of over 150 employees. ‍Custom Denning has also extended its manufacturing plant to accommodate the installation of a new TruLaser Tube Fiber Machine. The company said in a statement: “This state-of-the-art machine enhances the manufacturing capabilities and underscores Custom Denning’s commitment to delivering high-quality products. Custom Denning is well-positioned to support its growing team and meet the increasing demand for its Australian Made products.” The company is seeking a Facilities and Maintenance Coordinator to maintain and improve its facilities

Next Science appoints new CEO

Wound care technology developer Next Science has appointed Harry Thomas Hall IV as its new Managing Director and CEO. Commonly known as ‘I.V.’ Thomas has 28 years experience in the medical device sector, including senior executive roles with Johnson and Johnson subsidiary DePuy Synthes. Most recently he was a member of their global leadership team and launched the company’s first surgical robot. Next Science is commercialising its XBIO technology platform which works by attacking the biofilm that surrounds and protects bacteria.

Yachtsman and winemaker Sir James Hardie passes away

Winemaker, Olympian and America’s Cup yachtsman Sir James Hardy has passed away in Adelaide, aged 90. Hardy famously skippered three Australian America’s Cup challengers and was involved with Australia II which won the cup in 1983. He competed in two Olympic Games, and was well known as Chairman of the Hardy family wine company Thomas Hardy and Sons of McLaren Vale in South Australia. Hardy is now the major brand of the Adelaide based Accolade wine group, owned by private equity firm Carlyle Group. Accolade is one of the world’s largest wine companies employing 1,700. Hardy wines are known worldwide, particularly in the United Kingdom, while its Berri Estates is the country’s largest single winery. Knighted by Queen Elizabeth 11, Hardy won numerous honours including an Order of the British Empire (OBE).

XTEK says Indian defence collab progressing

Following the signing of a collaboration agreement announced in April, XTEK has said on Monday (Australian time) that its HighCom Armour Solutions division’s relationship with India’s Tata Advanced Systems “has taken a significant  step forward”. The company said excellent results from a batch of rifle combat helmets sample helmets had seen all helmets pass independent ballistic laboratory performance validation testing in India. The helmets are made using the company’s Australian-developed XTclave curing process. It was now ‘in an ideal  position to potentially supply the Indian military with the most advanced next generation “rifle rated” helmets, that will provide their front-line combat soldiers with superior protection from the widest range of ballistic threats at the lightest possible weight.’

Construction of satellite dish begins

The next stage of the $1.4 billion investment in more reliable, accurate and real-time satellite positioning services for Australia has begun with the construction of SouthPAN’s first dedicated Australian satellite dish in regional New South Wales, the federal government said on Monday. The Southern Positioning Augmentation Network (SouthPAN), was launched by the resources minister Madeleine King in September last year and now provides better positioning data to users across every major industry in Australia. SouthPAN is a joint initiative between Geoscience Australia and Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand, and would offer precise positioning accuracy at as little as 10 centimetres versus the previous accuracy of 5 to 10 metres. King said construction of the new uplink processing centre (UPC) had started in Uralla, and would be the first of several pieces of Australian infrastructure dedicated to SouthPAN. Warren McDonald, CEO of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand, said. “Under the leadership of Geoscience Australia and Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand, Lockheed Martin Australia, with our industry partner Av-Comm, we are proud to embark on the construction of SouthPAN’s first satellite dish at our Telemetry Tracking and Command Station in Uralla.”

Picture: Custom Denning/St Marys, Sydney facility