Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

iKAD Engineering buts AML3D’s Arcemy additive manufacturing system

Perth structural engineering business iKAD Engineering (pictured) has purchased AML3D’s Arcemy robotic Wire Arc Manufacturing (WAM) system to rapidly manufacture large scale structures of multiple length and diameter dimensions. The robotic, dual wire feed Arcemy module will initially manufacture pipes with elbows and flanges between four and 12 metres in length, and up to four metres in diameter.

Bronchitol finally pays off for Pharmaxis

Biotech manufacturer Pharmaxis’ Bronchitol cystic fibrosis treatment has finally paid off for the Sydney company. Pharmaxis, which has had a rocky road commercialising its breakthrough drug, has received a $7 million payment from its Italian partner and US market licensee Chiesi Farmaceutici. The payment was triggered by US Food and Drug Administration approval for the drug, which is inhaled into the lungs in a powder form. Pharmaxis is also developing drug candidate PXS-5505 for the treatment of myelofibrosis.

Bundaberg to build new drinks plant

A family-owned soft drink business located in Bundaberg has seen a massive increase in export sales, according to a report by the Australian Made Products Facebook group. After agreeing to a distribution deal with PepsiCo, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks has its drinks stocked in Walmart and Costco stores around America. Due to growth, the company will start construction of a $100m factory to meet the demand.

DroneShield’s new orders and strong quarter

Drone countermeasure manufacturer DroneShield has booked a record fourth quarter for 2020, with $2.1 million of customer cash receipts and $250,000 in grants. At the same time the comany, which operates a factory in Sydney, has received a follow up order for its DroneGun Tactical hand-held counter-UAS products from an intelligence agency in a closely allied nation. The order is for $400,000 and is a follow up order on an earlier $900,000 purchase. CEO Oleg Vornik said: “This order demonstrates adoption of our products at a mature sales cycle level, where ongoing repeat orders of meaningful scale start to occur.”

A2 milk buys NZ dairy business

Infant formula manufacturer A2 Milk has purchased New Zealand dairy company Mataura, deepening its strengthen its relationships with Chinese business partner China Animal Husbandry Group. A2 paid $250 million for 75 per cent of the nutritional milk powder manufacturer, with CAHG retaining a 25 per cent share.

VEEM’s strong orderbook for marine gyrostabilisers

Perth’s Veem Ltd has reported steadily growing sales for its marine stabilisers. The company has orders for $3.9 million worth of stabilisers for luxury yachts and offshore work vessels. The systsm allows boats to remain at sea in extreme weather conditions.

Picture: iKAD Engineering Perth facility

Subscribe to our free @AuManufacturing newsletter here.