Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

DroneShield’s $10m share of big Ukraine order

DroneShield has revealed its counterdrone equipment has been selected to deploy to Ukraine under the latest, $20 million Australian Government aid package. The company received multiple orders from the government with a total value to DroneShield of $10.4 million. $5 million of cash receipts from the $10.4 million total was included in the record $48.2 million cash receipts YTD to 20 October, announced last week in DroneShield’s latest quarterly 4C release. CEO Oleg Vornik (pictured) said: ”Russian drone attacks on Ukraine have been a regular occurrence since the start of the war. DroneShield is pleased to be supplying our drone detection and defeat systems to Ukraine under this sovereign aid package.”

Bridgewest Perth Pharma appoints Cyrus K. Mirsaidi as CEO

PERTH based Bridgewest Perth Pharma has announced that Cyrus K. Mirsaidi is taking the worldwide helm as CEO, including its pharmaceutical supplier division, LumaCina and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) division, NovaCina. Co-Founder of Bridgewest Group Dr Masood Tayebi said: “Cyrus is an exceptional leader that has skillfully affected lasting positive momentum within the biotech sector.” As CEO of BioDuro-Sundia, he led the company growth from: 500 employees to 2,000+ employees and from 3 sites to 10 global sites. “This is the same kind of growth and exciting future we see for Bridgewest Perth Pharma.”

SPC to raise cash to fuel expansion

Food manufacturer SPC Global has launched a capital raise aimed at investors from its local Goulburn Valley area. The capital raise will fuel the next phase of global growth through innovation, channel expansion, and acquisition. The owners of SPC have invested around $140 million since the acquisition. It will now provide locals with the opportunity to invest in a company that has supported its community for over a century, according to a statement. SPC Global Chair Hussein Rifai said: “SPC started in the Goulburn Valley by shareholders from the Goulburn Valley in 1917. The shareholders remained primarily from the Goulburn Valley until the company was bought by Coca Cola Amatil in 2005. We want to give the original shareholders’ and their family the opportunity to become shareholders again.” Since the business was sold by Coca Cola in 2019, SPC has achieved a significant turnaround, improving revenues and gross margins.

Micro-X Rover achieves CE certification

Carbon fibre nanotube x-ray machine manufacturer Micro-X has received CE Certification for its Rover and Rover Plus mobile x-ray systems. CE marking (Conformité Européenne) indicates that a product has been assessed by the manufacturer and deemed to meet EU safety, health and environmental protection requirements. It is required for products manufactured anywhere in the world that are then marketed in the EU. Micro-X said its European sales and clinical support team were ready to bring the lightweight and reliable x-ray systems to hospitals, clinics and even professional sporting clubs.

SA universities join global AUKUS research alliance

The University of South Australia and University of Adelaide have joined five leading universities in the United Kingdom and United States to support the AUKUS alliance. They have formed the Digital Disruption in Defence Research Consortium, which will analyse and assess cutting-edge data in partnership with government and industry, and study the implications of digital disruption for defence. UniSA Director Defence & Space Matt Opie said AUKUS will transform the Australian defence sector. “South Australia is home to the nation’s premier naval ship and submarine activities, and as such, will play a key role in supporting the AUKUS strategic alliance,” Immediate focus areas are – A model of cyber influence, Future of decision-making in defence, Global custody of assets and platforms and Resilience by design (supply chains).

Sentinel Boats appoints new CEO, sells boats to NZ defence

Tasmanian boat builder Sentinel Boats has appointed former Royal Australian Navy commanding officer George McGuire as CEO to lead the business into a new chapter. McGuire is a former General Manager, Operations & Delivery at defence business QinetiQ. At the same time it has been reported Sentinel has sold three high-speed Littoral Manoeuvre Craft to the Royal New Zealand Navy. The 12.5-metre LMCs will be deployed from RNZN’s Littoral Warfare Force, HMNZS Matataua. The boats can transport divers, troops, and mine counter measures in coastal waters.

LBT Innovations boosts strength of capital raise

Backers of microbiology diagnostic equipment manufacturer LBT Innovations have shown their confidence in the company by increasing their underwriting commitment to its capital raise of $4.5 million. Underwriter Candour Advisory has increased its underwriting commitment from $3 million to $3.6 million. LBT Innovations said in a statement this increased their confidence in the outcome of the raising, which will be used to accelerate commercialisation of its automated microbiology systems.

$10 million in grants to wine and cider makers

The federal government announced $10 million worth of grants to wine and cider producers on Monday through the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant Program, designed to support cellar door operators upgrade infrastructure, support regional employment and increase demand. Agriculture minister Murray Watt said, “Our wine and cider producers have faced significant challenges in recent years, especially with the loss of the important China market… This fifth round provides $10 million to 209 wine and cider businesses to help attract visitors different wine regions around the country. The average grant size is $47,847 and the maximum grant will be $53,905. Grants are based on eligible cellar door sales made during the previous financial year.

Hitachi Energy inaugurates transformer service workshop in Welshpool

Hitachi Energy inaugurated a new Transformer Refurbishment and Testing Workshop in Welshpool, Western Australia, last week. This purpose-built “will significantly enhance the company’s service capabilities for distribution and small power transformers, catering units up to 30MVA/132kV” the company said in a statement. The workshop is 6 kilometres from Perth’s airport and spans over 4,000 square meters.

Image: DroneShield CEO Oleg Vornik, with Ukraine Ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko