Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Hanwha tests Huntsman using ADF ammunition

Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA) has completed the first stage of LAND 8116 Protected Mobile Fires (PMF) Ordnance Integration Testing utilising Australian Defence Force ammunition (pictured). Using a K9A1 Test Platform and 155mm rounds from two different families of munitions, the testing activity wrapped up in mid-June at the Anheung Proving Ground in South Korea. The test programme involved close collaboration between HDA and parent company, Hanwha Aerospace, as well as Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) and Korean government officials. This is the first time that the integration of ADF 155mm munitions into an artillery system has been led by the weapon system prime systems integrator. HDA looks forward to enabling Australia Army capability through further testing taking place from August this year at Joint Proof Experimental Unit Port Wakefield in South Australia.

PPK Group appoints Marc Fenton as new CEO

COO Marc Fenton has been promoted to the role of Chief Executive Officer of technology manufacturing investment group PPK Group. Fenton has held senior roles at Rio Tinto, Australian Agricultural Company and Deloitte Consulting before joining Brisbane-based PPK as Chief Information Officer. PPK Chairman Robin Levison said: “Marc has made a significant contribution over the last 12 months and PPK group’s foudations are much stronger because of his efforts. The Board is delighted to recognise this today and we look forward to working further with Marc in the future.”

Travelan sales take off for Immuron

Biopharmaceuticals manufacturer Immuron has revealed global FY23 sales of $1.8 million up 136 percent on the previous year as sales of its Travelan and Protectyn products surge. Sates of the gastrointestinal and digestive health product Travelan in the United States were up 28 percent to $643,000, while sales of the two gut health products in Australia were up 478 percent. US sales were driven by sales from Passport Health Travel Clinics and distributor sales. The company has now shipped inventory to Amazon which will launch the product in the next ‘;couple of weeks’, according to a statement. The Travelan anti-diarrhoea product has moved to the human clinical trial phase in a programme led by the Uniformed Services University in the United States.

Australian Vanadium MD to retire

Resources and chemicals group Australian Vanadium has announced that Managing Director Vincent Algas will retire from the company, completing a leadership transition which began with the appointment of Graham Arvidson as Chief Executive Officer. Algar, who joined the company nine years ago, will remain in a transition role for the next few months. Australian Vanadium Chair Cliff Lawrenson said: “Under Vincent’s outstanding leadership, AVL has progressed the (Australian vanadium) project successfully through the exploration and study phases, which has provided the company with an exceptionally deep technical understanding of what it will take to liberate and deliver product in an efficient and sustainable manner. The outlook for vanadium in both the steel and energy storage markets appears increasingly compelling as global decarbonisation becomes the single biggest priority.”

Lumos receives commitments for $4.75 million placement

Lumos Diagnostics has announced the receipt of firm commitments from institutional investors to raise  approximately $4.75 million in gross proceeds. The company told the ASX on Monday morning that the placement would result in the issue of approximately 67.9 million new fully paid ordinary shares at $0.07 per share, an 18.6 per cent discount to the last closing price on 5 July 2023 — the last day it traded prior to the placement. “Lumos is at a very exciting stage right now  having just secured an FDA clearance for FebriDx much earlier than expected, while continuing to  build a robust pipeline of commercial services projects and partnerships,” said CEO Doug Ward. 

TAFE Queensland scholarship applications open

The TAFE Queensland Scholarship Program is open, the education provider announced on Monday, offering $5,000 to study any Certificate III through to an Advanced Diploma or Bachelor Degree from over 60 campuses locations across the state or online. Applications are open until September 29, with 100 places available. TAFE Queensland interim CEO John Tucker said scholarships help cover the costs of course fees, text books and living expenses. “First launched in 2015, the TAFE Queensland Scholarship Program has awarded over $2.6million in scholarships,” said Tucker. “There are two types of scholarships available, one being Merit scholarships aimed at supporting people who have demonstrated strong levels of achievement to advance their careers. The second are Access and Equity scholarships which are designed to help students who are battling social or financial hardship.” Eligibility and other information is available here.

Picture: Hanwha Defense Australia