Manufacturing news briefs - stories you might have missed

Birdon progresses new boats for the Netherlands

Birdon Group is progressing the build of Bridge Erection Boats (BEBs) for the Netherlands Army, with six Birdon BEBs in the final stages of assembly and delivery scheduled for the end of September. Birdon just performed a sea trial on the first boat – hull number 007 (pictured) – with Netherlands personnel. BEB Program Manager Jim Ducker said: “We’re proud to supply the BEB as an essential force multiplier for the Netherlands Army. These vessels play a pivotal role in enabling vitally important wet gap crossings, and this first delivery indicates contract completion is progressing in a timely manner.” In addition to first tranche delivery, a full Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) package – including technical manuals and training programmes – is nearing completion.

Sparc receives R&D tax incentive refund

Sparc Technologies has received a research and development (R&D) tax refund totalling $490,285 for FY24 as part of the Australian Government’s R&D tax incentive. The company, a joint venture between Sparc Technologies, the University of Adelaide and Fortescue, said the refund will strengthen the company’s cash position and support Sparc Hydrogen’s pilot plant development activities including front-end engineering and design. Sparc Technologies Managing Director Nick O’Loughlin commented: “This non-dilutive funding is instrumental in supporting ongoing research and development efforts and development of a first-of-its-kind pilot plant utilising Sparc Hydrogen’s photocatalytic water splitting technology.”

Lockheed Martin Australia appoints Steven Robertson as new VP

Lockheed Martin Australia has appointed retired Air Vice-Marshal Steven ‘Zed’ Roberton as the new Vice President and Regional Executive for Australia and New Zealand, to succeed Warren McDonald who will retire at the end of the year. Roberton joins Lockheed Martin from McKinsey & Company, and following more than 30 years in the Australian Defence Force. Over his service career Roberton held senior leadership positions including Air Commander Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force and Head of Force Design within the Vice Chief of Defence Force Group. Ray Piselli, Vice President International Business, Lockheed Martin Global Business Development said: “Steve’s deep knowledge of our customers and their capability requirements will help us continue to strengthen these critical partnerships and ensure we are well positioned to deliver on our commitments.”

Amaero International qualifies Niobium C103 alloy

Additive manufacturing technology company Amaero International has completed the qualification of Niobium C103 in accordance with potential customer ADDMAN Group and its subsidiary Castheon’s technical specifications. The companies announced a strategic offtake and preferred supplier agreement in March. Commissioning of Amaero’s atomizer was completed ahead of guidance as was delivery C103 AM powder to ADDMAN for testing. With qualification having been achieved, Amaero is now the largest capacity U.S. domestic producer of C103, refractory and specialty alloy powders for additive manufacturing.

Wellnex Life appoints George Tambassis as chair

Pharmacy supply company Wellnex Life has appointed George Tambassis as Non-executive Chair. The company said Tambassis has a long history of success in the consumer health and pharmaceutical market, serving as a director on the Pharmacy Guild of Australia for 15 years including seven years as its National President. He was the inaugural President of the World Pharmacy Council and a member of the OECD’s Associate Expert Group advising on pharmacy and health.

Renu Energy to buy green power for hydrogen plant

Green hydrogen project developer ReNu Energy has entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Climate Capital to purchase all the output from a 9.95MW solar farm proposed to be built adjacent to the site for Renu subsidiary Countrywide Hydrogen’s proposed hydrogen production, storage and refuelling station (HPRS) at Wesley Vale in northern Tasmania. The solar farm is targeting the supply of 5MW behind-the-meter power to the Wesley Vale site and 4.95MW being exported. RNE Chairman Boyd White said: “Being able to purchase behind-the-meter power at a competitive price and connect to the Tasmanian electricity grid is another important step in developing our hydrogen ecosystem in Tasmania at a competitive hydrogen price.”

BlueScope joins HILT CRC

BlueScope Steel has joined the Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre (HILT CRC) as a partner, building on moves to cut emissions from iron and steelmaking. HILT CRC is a collaborative venture linking industry, research and government organisations to de-risk and accelerate technologies that seeks to create a low-carbon heavy industry sector and achieve Net Zero by 2050. BlueScope said it was committed to investing in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction by producing steel products that are a key foundation for sustainable development and the transition to a low-carbon society.

Babcock joins supply chain programme

Babcock Australasia has begun exploratory talks with dozens of international stakeholders in a bid to uncover commercial opportunities for its Australian-based supply chain. Members of Babcock’s dedicated Global Supply Chain team have spent four weeks in the UK and Europe, where they have sought to identify specific export opportunities for Australian SMEs within Babcock’s international operations. This follows Babcock’s recent selection into the Global Supply Chain Program (GSCP). Members of the team will return to Australia this week to attend Land Forces 2024, where they will meet with suppliers in a bid to match local capabilities against global requirements.

Raytheon appoints new Managing Director

Raytheon Australia has announced that Ohad Katz has been appointed as Raytheon Australia’s Managing Director. Ohad is an experienced commercial lawyer who has held senior leadership positions in Raytheon Australia, most recently as Chief of Contracts & Supply Chain. He has extensive experience in defence industry and government, working in collaboration with defence and industry partners to deliver critical enabling capabilities to the Australian Defence Force. Chander Nijhon, Raytheon’s Vice President of Strategy and International, said: “Ohad’s contribution to Raytheon Australia has spanned cornerstone defence programmes – such as the Collins class submarines and the Hobart class destroyers – and, he has played an integral role in bringing these major capabilities to life in partnership with Defence, industry and government.”

Skills demand defies labour market trend: Engineers Australia

Engineers Australia’s latest Engineering Labour Market Overview has shown demand for engineers “holding steady despite market shifts”. Among findings were that vacancies in 2024 are 16.8 per cent above the January 2006 indexed level; there was a six-month decline to March 2024 due to migration return, government project changes, and recruitment efforts; and March 2024 saw a 10 per cent rise in vacancies, followed by slight declines in April and May. Engineering vacancies are 4.5 per cent higher than the Australian total, but 18 per cent lower than other professions, according to the overview. Engineers Australia Acting Chief Engineer Bernadette Foley said: “Engineering demand is holding steady despite market shifts. Job vacancies are still 16.8% higher than pre-COVID levels, with demand staying strong in key sectors… Skilled migration has been a game changer for the engineering sector, with permanent settlements jumping by over 70% from 2022 to 2023. It’s filling critical gaps left by COVID-era shortages, and temporary visas are adding to the mix.”

Kiln outage at Adbri facility

There was a kiln outage and short-term higher than usual emissions this afternoon at the Adbri Cement Birkenhead manufacturing facility, the company said in a statement on Monday. The emissions from the site at Adelaide “may have been visible to the some in the community, however; the prevailing wind conditions were such that the wind direction was blowing across the site and away from the community” said Adbri. “As part of the kiln outage, the fire service was automatically alerted and attended the site. We will continue investigating and provide an update once the kiln has been restarted.”

Plastic solutions feedback sought by NSW government

The NSW Government has said it is seeking community and industry feedback on new proposals to tackle problematic plastic waste, promote more reusable and recyclable alternatives, and help NSW drive down plastic litter by 30 per cent by 2025. The NSW Plastics: The Way Forward action plan outlines possible steps to further reduce the impact of plastic litter, and “most of the proposals bring NSW into line with other jurisdictions which have moved ahead of NSW” it said. An eight-week consultation is being launched to seek feedback from community members, businesses, industry, environmental groups, scientific and regulatory organisations and others. The action plan can be seen here.

Picture: Birdon Group