Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Chemist Warehouse ranges organic infant formula

Future Gradulac Gentle and Organic A2 infant formula produced by Australian Dairy Nutritionals are to be sold through pharmacy retailer Chemist Warehouse. Initial orders have been received with the full range available in what is Australia’s largest infant formula retailer in early March. ADN reported it had improved its net profit after tax result from a $3.3 million loss to a profit of $86,313 in the latest half year to December. The improvement included $1.7 million received from the sale of its Ecklin South Farm, leaving it with three dairy properties. Two of the three properties have achieved full organic certification. ADN is also developing an Ocean Road Dairies organic infant formula for sale through Chemist Warehouse.

Aurora Labs heads for 3D print campaign

Additive manufacturing equipment developer Aurora Labs is to undertake a three month 3D print campaign to demonstrate the ability of its machines to meet international aerospace production standards. The tests on 316L stainless steel, supported by The Barnes Global Advisers will be the world’s first with a 1,500W laser. They will study Aurora Lab’s development machine, architecture and subsystems and their reliability, quality and repeatability. Aurora Labs CEO Peter Snowsill said: “A positive result will validate our capability for a wide range of industry applications that Aurora is pursuing, not just limited to aerospace.”

Management capability research – call for readers to join CEDA survey

The pandemic has shown it’s more important than ever for businesses to be dynamic, adaptable and resilient in the face of uncertainty. CEDA, together with the University of Technology Sydney, has developed a survey of dynamic management capabilities – the first of its kind in Australia – to inform thinking and new approaches to these important issues. It is for this reason, CEDA and UTS are collaboratively seeking to better understand how management culture and capabilities are shaping innovation and business dynamism in Australia. This critical research will support the development of management capabilities into the future. The survey is open to all for-profit businesses operating in Australia (including foreign owned and multinational corporations), with 5 or more employees. It should only take around 15 minutes to complete and will remain open for another two weeks. The survey is available at this link.

EOS reduces loss, invests in R&D

Defence, space and communications manufacturer Electro Optic Systems recorded an underlying EBIT loss in the latest full year to December to $14.3 million. During the year the company’s ability to sell internationally was limited by Covid-19 and a number of contracts were deferred, and so will impact the current year’s results. The result also includes a $27 million spend on R&D, up from $20 million, as the company rapidly expands its space and communications segments. Revenue was up 17.5 per cent to $211.8 million for the year. The ASX reacted unfavourably, cutting 13 per cent from the value of EOS shares. EOS flagged ‘rising geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe, COVID-19 and the federal election creating uncertainty for future outlook in 2022’, however it expects to grow revenue this year.

Round two of Neo-Bionica Technology Voucher Program opens for EOIs

The second round of a technology voucher program for researchers, clinicians, start-ups, and collaborators to progress their bioelectronic concept or device to the next phase is accepting EOIs between March 1 and April 1. Neo-Bionica — a medical device development centre in Melbourne run by the Bionics Institute and the University of Melbourne — said that “as a general rule, vouchers will cover expertise, time and materials to progress projects over a period of 6-8 weeks.” The voucher program has a total pool of $250,000. More information on eligibility, support provided and other info can be found here.

Picture: Aurora Labs

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