Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Titomic sells 3D print system to Volvo

Machinery manufacturer Titomic has sold a D523 low-pressure cold spray additive manufacturing system to the Volvo Group of Sweden for a contract price of $90,865. The unit will be used in the company’s repair and remanufacture operations and ‘is a testament to the company’s growing recognition and credibility in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector’, according to Titomic. Similar systems have also been sold to Rolls Royce and MTU Power. Volvo will use the system on overhaul of trucks and, possibly construction equipment.

CSR profits from sale of former industrial land

Building products group CSR continues to profit from the sale of industrial land with the settlement of stages 3A and 3B of its former brick plant in Horsley Park. The company received total proceeds of $167 million for the parcels generating earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $91 million. The final stage 3C tranche of land remains on track and is expected to settle in the year ending March, 2025 for proceeds of $42 million and EBIT of $24 million. CSR told investors: “Today’s Horsley Park settlement is further evidence of our property strategy delivering value and proceeds for shareholders.”

Round 25 CRC Grants Information Session

Cooperative Research Australia is holding an information session on Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) on Thursday in collaboration with the federal Department of Industry, Science, and Resources. The online event will discuss how to apply for a CRC and what makes a competitive application, with hear first-hand stories from other CRC participants. Speakers will be Chris Gonzalez from the Department of Industry; Jane O’Dwyer, CEO, Cooperative Research Australia; Deb Cousins, Chair, Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC; and Ian Dagley, CEO, Solving Plastic Waste CRC. The February 8, 2:30 – 4:00 pm (AEDT) event is free. At the time of writing there are few tickets available. Registration and other information is available here.

Talga appoints Martin Phillips as group CEO

Battery materials band technology company Talga Group has appointed Martin Phillips as CEO. Currently CEO Europe and COO, Phillips will be based in the company’s Stockholm, Sweden office and will lead the development of Talga’s Vittangi Anode manufacturing operation in that country. Talga’s founder Mark Thompson will continue in the role of Managing Director. Thompson said: “The bolstering of our leadership comes at an exciting time for Talga, and sets a pathway for the company to best execute the Vittangi Anode Project.”

Wellness Life cannabis products to be distributed in New Zealand

ASX-listed healthcare brand Wellnex has signed a distribution agreement with Elysian Pharmaceuticals to distribute medicinal cannabis brand Wellnex Life in the New Zealand market. Wellnex said the agreement would take advantage of growing demand for high quality, Australian made cannabis products. The company will supply the medications in the third quarter, CY2024, with regulatory approvals expected to take up to six months to secure. Wellnex Life is a joint venture between Wellnex, Chemist Warehouse and OneLife Botanicals.

CEA Technologies Board appointment

The federal government has appointed Amanda Holt as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of CEA Technologies (CEA) for a three-year term. Government owned CEA Technologies manufactures sophisticated phased array radars for RAN ships and the Australian Army. Holt is a well-regarded senior executive, and the recipient of the Female Defence Leader of the Year Award. She is the Chief Executive Officer of drone manufacturer SYPAQ Systems, a member of Defence Council Victoria and the Co-Chair of multiple working groups between the defence industry and the Australian Defence Force. Ms Holt is also a Non-Executive Director of automotive, aerospace and defence manufacturer PWR Holdings.

CST looks to expand team

Award-winning contract manufacturer CST Composites is expanding its team, announcing that it is seeking “Sydney-based composite operators, CNC machinists and experts in mechatronics, IT, quality assurance and composite/marine sales” staff. “It takes a village to raise an advanced manufacturing business,” the company posted on Linkedin. “With new products coming to market (stay tuned) and an increase in orders we are working hard on safety, quality, productivity, innovation and development and are looking to grow our team accordingly.” You can connect with CST here.

REDARC Defence & Space passes milestone

Non-Earth imaging and in-orbit satellite inspection specialist HEO announced a partnership with in-space transportation services company Impulse Space on Tuesday (US time.) Under the agreement, Impulse will host HEO’s Australian-made in-space imager, HOLMES-007, onboard a Mira orbital transfer vehicle as part of the LEO Express-2 mission. It will be HEO’s third Holmes Imager in space and the only commercial camera dedicated to non-Earth imaging in high Low Earth Orbit, presenting new prospects for satellite inspection. “A major challenge for non-Earth imaging is coverage, and this is the first step of a long-term partnership to serve demand for this imaging data across many orbits,” said HEO Co-Founder and CEO Will Crowe,

Picture: credit REDARC