Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Waste-to-value startup Bygen has announced Michael Macrides as its new Chief Financial Officer. According to a Linkedin update from the company — which is commercialising its processing technology for turning waste products into activated carbon — Macrides brings extensive experience as a VC investor, advisor and executive across various roles. “With a strong passion for impactful technologies in human health and the environment, we’re excited to have someone of his calibre helping us execute our strategy” Bygen added. “Michael is enthusiastic about joining Bygen and will ensure the company is well-prepared for its Series B raise, planned for 2026.”

Pharmaceutical business Viatris has been certified as a Great Place to Work in both Australia and New Zealand, which it says is its inaugural certification for Australia, and the second in a row for NZ. According to a statement from the company last week, 94 per cent of respondents agreed with the statement that “Viatris is a Great Place to Work” up six per cent on 2024, while 76 per cent in Australia (in commercial and operations functions) agreed. Sean Stewart, Country Manager New Zealand, said, “We strive to provide a great culture where everyone feels both included and that they’re making meaningful contributions, so to see an improvement from last year’s fantastic results is testament to the entire New Zealand team.”

Building industry chemical company Mapei has entered a partnership with the Property Industry Foundation “to help build awareness and raise funds for youth homelessness in Australia”, it announced last week. According to a statement from Mapei, 46,000 young Australians are without a safe and secure place to sleep, and one in two are turned away every night. Mapei has joined the Foundation as a Platinum Partner, with Mapei’s main initiative to support construction of 19 bedrooms at Haven House South Dowling in Sydney, supplying “high-performance building solutions to ensure the homes are durable, comfortable, and environmentally safe” as well as “hands-on technical expertise to ensure the right solutions are applied effectively throughout the build”. General Manager at Mapei, Marco DeSantis, said “we believe supporting initiatives like this is not only the right thing to do, but it also reflects who we are as a company and our ongoing commitment to building stronger, more inclusive communities.”

Green transport company GoZero Group has successfully completed its acquisition of BusTech’s South Australian and Queensland manufacturing operations. BusTech went into voluntary administration last August last year and GoZero announced the following month that it would buy the collapsed company's sites in Adelaide and Brisbane. These add to its established Nexport bus factory in Western Sydney. GoZero said that puts it in a lead position to help governments transition from diesel fleets and deliver on local content policies. It added that it intended to support “replac[ing]… aging diesel bus fleets with modern, quiet and safer zero emissions buses made here in Australia”.

US marking, tracking, and computer printing company Zebra Technologies has opened its new Australia and New Zealand headquarters and expanded its Zebra Experience Centre (ZEC) in Melbourne. According to a statement on Monday from the company, the purpose-built Hawthorn East site “marks a significant investment in Zebra’s expanding ANZ presence and underscores its commitment to the local market”, as well as replacing its former Glen Waverley office. The ZEC is almost twice the size of the previous centre, it said, and “designed to transform customer and partner engagements by showcasing Zebra’s industry-leading products and facilitating digital transformation.”

Snackfood business Majans launched its new Infuzions Veggie Rings in Woolworths on Monday, with the products blending “real vegetables, plant protein, and joy in every bite.” Majans described Veggie Rings as a “plant-powered, air-baked snack that's rewriting the rules on what a chip can be”, made from Aussie-grown yellow split peas and with 54 per cent vegetable content. The product is available in 90-gram sharepacks and five-pack multipacks. Majans is an Australian family-owned company based in Brisbane, and is

best known for its Bhuja brand snacks.

ANCA unveils inaugural sustainability strategy

CNC grinding business ANCA has launched its inaugural Sustainability Strategy 2025–2030, describing the document as “a bold and transformative roadmap that embeds environmental responsibility, innovation, and community impact at the core of its operations.” Martin U. Ripple, CEO of ANCA Group, said: “As engineers, we know progress is built on deliberate, smart steps. We’re proud to take this next step in our journey by integrating sustainability into every layer of our business.” Among its commitments are reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 42 per cent by 2030 from a 2023 baseline, and to cutting Scope 3 emissions by 25 per cent in the same timeframe.

Cooperative Research Australia (CRA) has said that “Innovation must be central to Australia’s Economic Model” is the key message in its submission to the Treasury’s Economic Reform Roundtable. “Productivity growth has slowed, economic resilience is increasingly challenged by global shocks, and long-term budget sustainability remains under pressure due to demographic and structural expenditure pressures,” said Jane O’Dwyer, CRA CEO. “In this context, collaborative research and development and innovation are not optional but essential tools for national renewal.” Among its key recommendations are a national innovation strategy as a core economic lever to boost productivity, reform tax incentives for industry R&D investment, and strengthening the research translation workforce to accelerate innovation adoption. The submission can be seen here.

Time is running out for manufacturers across the Hunter, Central Coast, and Mid-North Coast to submit their nominations for the Hunter Manufacturing Awards 2025 (HMA 2025), the event's organisers have said. Hunter Manufacturing Awards Chair Jacqui Daley said in a statement on Monday: “With over a dozen award categories, manufacturers at every stage of their journey can find a category that fits. Whether it’s pioneering sustainability, launching a new product, mentoring apprentices, or driving global exports, HMA wants to hear from you.” Past winners have used the platform to spotlight breakthrough achievements, including the 2024 Collaboration Partnership Award winners: The Melt, Allegro Energy, and Muswellbrook Shire Council, who joined forces to develop a first-of-its-kind Microemulsion Redox Flow Battery. Nominations close August 20. More information can be found here.