Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Quickstep’s new drone order from Carbonix

Composites manufacturer Quickstep has announced a significant follow-on order from Australian partner and advanced drone development company Carbonix. The urgent requirement for 40 Volanti airframes and associated non-recurring engineering is the largest yet received from Carbonix for this drone type. Valued at $1.35 million the order is scheduled to be fully delivered before June 30, 2024. Work is planned to be completed at the company’s facility in Geelong, Victoria.

REDARC Defence announces new sales GM

REDARC Defence & Space this week introduced Craig Inns as its newly-appointed General Manager Sales, reporting directly to Scott Begbie, EGM Defence & Space. Inns is described as displaying excellence in senior business development roles across the defence  and commercial sectors at companies including Collins Aerospace, Toll Group, and CHC Helicopters, and having served as an Air Combat Officer and Aircraft Engineer with the Royal Australian Air Force for over 18 years, including deployments in the Middle East. “REDARC Defence & Space has built an enviable reputation as a highly respected  manufacturer and partner in the Australian Defence Industry, and I am very proud to be joining them  during a period of significant growth and opportunity,” said Inns. 

BioPak CEO named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Gary Smith, CEO of sustainable packaging enterprise BioPak, was named the winner of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Australia awards at an event in Sydney on Wednesday. Smith was selected from a group of 16 finalists, “recognised for their purpose-driven entrepreneurial spirit,” according to a statement from BioPark, and “acknowledged for pioneering a movement in the sustainable packaging industry”. He also took out the Industry category winner at the awards. “BioPak started with two people, a trestle table and a dream. Almost two decades later, our task force and BioCrew is now 200 + strong, underpinning a workforce and culture that drives innovation, champions growth, and celebrates creativity,” he said. As Australian winner, Smith will travel to Monaco in June to compete against national winners from more than 60 countries for EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year award.

RECCE registers trademark in Canada 

Anti-infectives developer Recce Pharmaceuticals has announced it has been issued Trade Mark Registration for RECCE from the  Canadian Intellectual Property Office. The International Trademark Registration No. 1289603, formally assigns Canada Trademark No. 225479 for the RECCE mark. CEO James Graham said in a statement on Thursday: “We are pleased to receive this newly  registered trademark in Canada, building upon those already registered in the largest  pharmaceutical markets of the world.” 

Cann Group CEO resigns

Peter Koetsier, CEO of Cann Group, has given notice of his resignation from the  position as CEO due to family reasons. In a statement to the ASX on Thursday, the company said non-executive Director Jenni Pilcher will assume an Executive Director role while the Board sets its new strategic direction. Koestier will work through a handover period and is expected to finish up at the end of the financial  year, according to Cann. “We are grateful for Peter’s efforts over the past  14 months in scaling up of our business which has led to the production of over 12 tonnes of  product per annum, and increased sales,” said Chairman Dr Julian Chick. “I wish Peter well in his next endeavour.”

Metal marketplace company raises $1.4 million

New Zealand-based Buddy has announced the debut of its marketplace for B2B metal recyclables and a raise of NZD 1.5 million ($1.5 million.) In a statement from the company this week, it said its platform connects buyers directly with sellers, was designed by founders who have spent over three decades in the industry, and is “the first platform ‘for scrappies, by scrappies’”. Stuart Kagan, Co-Founder, Buddy, said, “Most trades are currently conducted using disparate systems and manual processes, creating errors, wasted resources and a myriad of business risks for recyclers. What’s more, most marketplaces out there are ‘managed’ – they anonymise both sides of the transaction, buying for as low as possible and selling for as high as possible. This doesn’t create a pathway for sellers and buyers to build relationships with their counterparties.”

Picture: BioPak’s Gary Smith (supplied)