Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Zip Water appoints new Director of Marketing and Innovation

Drinking water systems manufacturer Zip Water has appointed Vivian Zurlo as its new Marketing and Innovation Director ANZ. According to a statement this week, the role will see Zurlo lead strategic marketing initiatives across commercial, residential and service channels, as well as innovation, to further elevate and grow Zip Water’s market presence. Managing Director ANZ Mike Abbott said Zurlo, “has extensive experience in brand growth, commercial marketing, and digital transformation, championing best in class customer experiences and a strong insight-driven innovation culture, all of which strongly align with our values. Zurlo added: “I’m excited
to contribute to such a beloved brand, as it continues to push the boundaries of innovation to deliver water
at its best to consumers here in Australia, New Zealand and around the world.”

EMVision’s three clinical trial sites now operating

Stroke detection company EMVision Medical Devices has issued an update this week advising that all three clinical trial sites are live, with enrolment now open at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane. The Brisbane hospital is part of Metro South Health, a major medical research precinct and comprehensive stroke centre,  and was the clinical site for EMVision’s earlier successful ‘proof of concept’ clinical trial. The company also said it achieved an important milestone under its project agreement with the Australian Stroke Alliance (ASA), funded by the Commonwealth of Australia’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF): “Algorithm validation study – patient enrolment commenced”. The required documentation to the ASA has been submitted, trigging a further $600,000 non-dilutive milestone payment.

Kleos Space goes bust

Space data intelligence provider Kleos Space is to go bankrupt following an inability to meet its obligations as they fall due. The company told the ASX that its broker had been unable to secure required commitments to progress a converting note facility. The company’s financier has informed Kleos that it will no longer extend credit and called loans and other due amounts immediately payable. “In these circumstances the company’s board has no alternative but to acknowledge that the company is unable to meet its financial commitments as they fall due and that there is no prospect of viable financial accommodation.” While Kleos is Australian listed it has operated from offices in Luxembourg, utilising nanosatellites to detect illegal activities.

Bionomics delists from ASX, remains on Nasdaq

Biotechnology drug developer Bionomics is to delist from the ASX but remain listed on the US alternative exchange, the NASDAQ. The company said the dual listing was expensive to maintain and share trading volumes were higher on NASDAQ, giving low liquidity to investors through the ASX. The company said the extra expense and administrative costs were unjustifiable and not in the best interests of shareholders. Additionally the dual listing limited fundraising options for the company.

Traffic Technologies’ Tasmanian street light order

Roadway signage and traffic systems company Traffic Technologies has received a contract worth $3 million in the first year to install LED street lights across Tasmania. The contract with Tasmanian Networks will see highly energy efficient LED lights and photoelectric cells manufactured and installed as well as disposed of at the end of their lifetime. TasNetworks manages 50,000 street lights across the state. Traffic Technologies Managing Director Con Liosatos said the new contract would see the company significantly expand its Hobart operations.

AnteoTech raises $6 million from investors

Nanotechnology company AnteoTech has received commitments totalling $4 million from a share placement to sophisticated and professional investors. The company now plans a share purchase plan to raise a further $2 million from existing shareholders. The funds will be used to drive near term commercial milestones in developing a production facility for Anteo X – an additive that reinforces battery binders in silicon-containing anodes and boosts battery performance. the production facility will initially have a capacity of 20,000 litres annually, to be expanded to 80,000. Managing Director and CEO David Radford said: “We believe we can make a real difference in the battery industry and we are working to secure commercial arrangements.”

Babcock and Franmarine join in ship biofouling management

Babcock Australasia and Franmarine have signed a new agreement to deliver underwater sustainment and biofouling management services for naval marine programmes. The companies are now able to provide integrated biofouling management support to all Defence surface ships located in Western Australia. The partnership uses unique technology enabling the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) fleet to meet the Australian biofouling management requirements, preventing the introduction and spread of invasive marine species. The services will be delivered through the Warship Assist Management Agreement (WAMA), Asset Class Prime Contractor (ACPC) and Regional Maintenance Provider West (RMP-West) programmes. The companies have delivered biofouling management and ships husbandry capability to the RAN since 2018, supporting the Anzac Class Frigates.

Grants announced for female entrepreneurship programs

Victorian minister for industry Ben Carroll announced grants for two new pre-accelerator programs for women entrepreneurs at LaunchVic’s Victorian Startup Gala on Thursday. Flying Fox Ventures and Jump Start Studio will each receive $300,000 funding to run programs offering founders the advice, support and networks required to build a minimum viable product and find their first customer. Flying Fox will roll out the Female Founders program, and Jump Start will launch Press Play. “Investing in these programs will have far-reaching benefits here in Victoria, by helping to break down barriers for women to launch their startups,” said Carroll.

Picture: credit Zip Water