Act on “cheap imported products” or risk domino effect on building sector, housing supply: AGWA

The Australian Glass and Window Association (AGWA) has added to comments urging government action on cheap imports following the collapse of Australia’s only producer of architectural glass last week. In a statement on Thursday, AGWA said “serious consequences for Australia’s building sector and national housing supply targets” were risks unless more was done to shield…

SEMMA says action needed on cheap imports following Oceania Glass collapse

Industry association the South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) has blamed factors including “poor policy, cheap imports, government over-taxing businesses and crippling union agreements” for Dandenong-based architectural glassmaker Oceania Glass falling into administration this week. In a statement on Wednesday, following news of Oceania’s collapse on Monday, SEMMA said it was “shocked” at another manufacturer…

AWU urges support for sector following Oceania Glass collapse

The Australian Workers’ Union has said “understandable concern” among members had followed the voluntary administration of Dandenong’s Oceania Glass, and raised a perceived lack of support for domestic glass manufacturing. In a statement on Wednesday, the union said its priority is currently “to gather comprehensive insights and secure explanations” from management and administrators of the…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Optiscan Imaging advances veterinary medtech Confocal microscopy manufacturer Optiscan Imaging has signed a Collaborative Research Agreement with the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. The agreement follows a MOU with the university, and is a step in expanding the clinical applications of Optiscan’s confocal endomicroscope imaging system in veterinary medicine. The initial focus of…

Alutec deal sees Clearvue reach fast-growing Middle East construction market

Building-integrated photovoltaics company Clearvue Technologies has announced a five-year manufacturing and distribution agreement with Aluminium Technology Auxiliary Industries (Alutec), a Qatar-based facade engineering company. In a statement on Thursday, Clearvue said the signed agreement marks an expansion into the fast-growing Middle East and Indian markets. According to market research cited by Clearvue, the combined construction…

Laminex announces new GM

Sacha Leagh-Murray (pictured) has been announced as the new General Manager at building products company Laminex. In a statement on Tuesday, Laminex – which manufactures at seven sites in four Australian states and is owned by New Zealand-listed Fletcher Building – said Leagh-Murray had been at the company for over six years and repositioned it…