Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Hybrid vessel on display at Indo Pac

A 43-foot battery electric hybrid boat (pictured) engineered and manufactured in the Hunter Region by Ampcontrol, Steber International, and the University of Newcastle, is on show at the 2023 Indo-Pacific International Maritime Exposition. The boat — with a 600 kilowatt plug-in hybrid power and propulsion system designed by Ampcontrol engineers — is docked at the Sydney Harbour Marina between November 6 and 9 2023. Dr Steve Mitchell,  Ampcontrol Engineering Manager, said, “Marine technology was previously outside of our area of focus as a business, however through radical thinking and collaboration, we have been able to de-risk our research and development activities to pave the way in developing commercially viable solutions suitable for applications across defence, government, and private sectors.”

New heavy vehicle hub for Townsville

Townsville will get North Queensland’s first specialist hub for electric and hydrogen-powered trucks and Australian Defence Force heavy vehicles. The $18.79 million Defence and Hydrogen Maintenance Hub is to be built in the Cleveland Bay Industrial Park, within Townsville State Development Area, the Queensland government said on Wednesday, and create 65 jobs as well as training in EV and hydrogen vehicle maintenance. RGM Maintenance will build the facility, which will sell, repair and maintain new-generation EV and hydrogen heavy vehicles, support training, and serve as “a major link in North Queensland’s growing renewable energy supply chain. Construction is expected to start in late-2024 and finish in late-2025.

Tasmanian food and beverage companies exhibiting in China

Fourteen Tasmanian food and beverage producers will be showcased at the annual China International Import Expo in Shanghai, according to the state government, which has a stand at the show. China remains Tasmania’s top export destination, valued at $1.35 billion per year, according to a statement from the Tasmanian government. “Our top shelf spirits and world-class seafood will lead the charge with four distillers and six seafood producers being part of the team, which includes wine, fruit and non-alcoholic beverages,” said premier and minister for trade, Jeremy Rockliff. “China remains an important market for Tasmania and this event follows trade events and delegations we have supported over the past two years to the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore and New Zealand.” The expo takes place in Shanghai from November 5 to 10.

Quantum Brilliance appoints head of UK operations

Quantum computing company Quantum Brilliance announced the appointment of Andrew Dunn as Country Manager in the United Kingdom on Wednesday, with Dunn to establish and lead a new office and run UK operations as part of the company’s latest global expansion. Dunn previously held the executive role of Strategic Business Development Director at Arm Holdings in Cambridge, UK — where for nearly seven years he helped drive new growth and revenue opportunities across the semiconductor and software design business — and holds a PhD in quantum physics from the University of Nottingham. The new country manager “will shape and execute the company’s UK strategy in alignment with its technology, products and go-to-market roadmaps” Quantum Brilliance, as well as “initiate and nurture key relationships for corporate and public-sector development and pursue other business development opportunities.”

Australia-India sign MoU on Critical Minerals Research Hub 

Monash University has signed individual Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) and the International Centre for Excellence in Mining Safety and Automation (iCEM) in Gujarat, India, which the Australian university says will will foster collaborative activities between researchers and industry leaders from both nations, focusing on critical aspects of mineral exploration, extraction, processing and recycling. “iCEM’s work in renewable energy and metals make it a natural partner for the research and innovation coming out of Monash University,” said Professor Susan Elliott, Monash University’s Interim President and Vice-Chancellor. “Together we can enhance the growth of the mining sector, helping it to become more efficient, safe and sustainable.”

Defence Digital Group established

A new Defence Digital Group within Defence represents “increased focus on delivering information and communications technology (ICT) capability that will ensure Defence is ready to fight and win in the digital age” the department said on Wednesday. The DDG was previously known as Chief Information Officer Group. Chief Information Officer, Chris Crozier, said the launch of Defence Digital Group was another step forward in aligning defence’s posture and structure with the challenges and recommendations in the Defence Strategic Review. “We will be working closely with our partners from across the Defence ecosystem to ensure our ICT strategy and approach is well understood, and that we are attracting the best skills and capabilities from across the nation to support the Defence mission,” said Crozier.

ELA Appoints new Head of Business Development

Equatorial Launch Australia (ELA), owner and operator of the Arnhem Space Centre (ASC), announced ex-Apple executive and Royal Australian Air Force Navigator/Intelligence Officer, Travis Marshall, as its new Head of Business Development on Wednesday. The newly-created role will be pivotal in developing customised launch contracts including launch, engine testing, payload and mission management, mission planning and consultation for Defence and international newspace commercial rocket companies, according to the statement. Marshall was based in Singapore as Senior Business Development Manager of Education with Apple for the past six years. “With my background in technology and Defence, the space industry has long been an area that I wanted to transition into, and ELA stood out as an exciting opportunity,” said Marshall. “We are on track to deliver more commercial launch contracts by the end of the year, and I am excited to be able to assist in this key endeavour.”