October 2020

Swisslog live webinar highlights post-pandemic benefits of automation

With guest speakers from Linfox and Davcor Global automation leader Swisslog is hosting a live webinar on the benefits of automated warehousing solutions in a post-pandemic world. Given the supply chain impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the expected long-term shift in buying behaviour, warehouses and distribution centres need fast solutions now more than ever. But how can this be done without increasing labour? Swisslog’s new live webinar, “Benefits of ‘Automated Off the Shelf Solutions’ – In a Post Pandemic World,” to be held November 11, 4:00pm AEDT, will address these questions through insights from Swisslog Senior Consultant Paul Stringleman.

Jason Signmakers announces acquisition of A.D. Engineering International Pty

Jason Signmakers (“Jason Group”) has this week announced the acquisition of A.D. Engineering International Pty Ltd (“ADEI”), with Jason Group purchasing a 75% shareholding in the Gnangara based electronic equipment company. This acquisition is the latest in new business growth activity undertaken by Jason Group, after it launched JV company Sista Girl Sign and Print earlier this year, and added Expo Signage and Digital and Bokay Signage in 2019. Jason Group’s Managing Director, John Mancini, said, “The addition of ADEI is exciting for a number of reasons. First, it allows the Jason Group to truly become a complete solution of static and digital solutions. Secondly, with new engineering capability, it allows our group to bring innovative, focused thinking to our customers in roads, construction, and mining. “And thirdly, it means our group of companies benefit from shared capability to deliver successful major projects nationally. In fact, with increased capabilities in large scale project management, ADEI are ideally placed to support upcoming projects recently announced by the Government – WA roads project boost of $868m.” ADEI have experience in delivering highly technical electronic solutions to a national client base. This includes the successful delivery of the largest full colour traffic VMS in Australia, installed at Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport. ADEI’s restructure sees its Director, Peter Harris, continuing in a leadership role, with a focus on reinvigorating the business. With the backing of the Jason Group, ADEI are back to “business as usual”, providing their high quality electric equipment to the roads, construction and mining industries. About AD Engineering International AD Engineering International is a manufacturer of high quality electronic equipment for the road traffic / ITS industry. Over the last 39 years they have specialised in the design, manufacture and supply of Electronic Signs, Signals, and Displays to provide information, traffic control […]

Schneider Electric Canada Inc--Schneider Electric digitizes load

TeSys Island a leap forward for OEMs in their Industry 4.0 journey

To make machines smarter and help reduce machine stoppages and downtime for unprecedented productivity, Schneider Electric has, launched TeSys Island – a digital load management system – in Australia. The new connected system digitally integrates multifunction motor starters into machine control panels, allowing fast installation and configuration for the direct control and management of low voltage loads thanks to an end-to-end digital customer experience. TeSys Island’s innovative object-orientated concept of TeSys avatars acts as a digital replica on top of the physical devices to facilitate integration and allows faster time to market. This approach lets users focus on machine design, load integration, control and simplifies the selection and commissioning of each electro-mechanical component. Due to integration with the industrial fieldbus, TeSys Island eliminates the need for auxiliary wiring and therefore reduces the need for I/O modules. Once in operation as part of Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Machine solution, TeSys Island helps minimise machine stoppages by providing easy and secured access diagnostic data for engineering and maintenance personnel by generating pre-alarms when unusual electrical load behavior is detected. Operators can access information remotely and set up timely intervention by maintenance personnel. This unprecedented level of data enables more accurate decision making to all users and reveals the secrets of the machine in operation. TeSys Island provides comprehensive device health, load level energy consumption, and application-specific protection data. Asset identification data is also available to track installations and support the development of new service enabled business models. As part of the renowned TeSys range, TeSys Island can be easily integrated into Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Machine architecture and 3rd party automation systems; supporting all major fieldbuses. Automation integration is simplified, as are programming, testing, and commissioning. The system manages motors and other electrical loads up to 80A, and electrical and mechanical configurations can be […]

Aussie battery manufacturer charges ahead with major expansion

Iconic Australian battery manufacturer Century Batteries is set to unveil its new state of the art rotary plate making line which will increase production capacity by 200,000 batteries a year. Despite operating restrictions at the height of Queensland’s COVID-19 lockdown, Century Batteries will realise Factory 2020: a three-year project commissioned in 2017 committed to both continuous improvement of their factory and to manufacturing in Australia. The $7 million capital investment project was focused on improving factory efficiencies, equipment utilisation and quality consistency. General Manager Automotive Sales (Australia & New Zealand), Stu Stanners said the investment would boost annual production capacity by almost 20% to 1.3 million batteries. “Manufacturing in Australia has fallen over the last two decades from 13 per cent of gross domestic product to just 6 per cent,” he said. “We are committed to continuous new product development and investing significantly in local manufacturing to ensure we set new standards in product performance. “Our core strength and competitive advantage lie in delivering exceptional products supported with an industry-leading service network. Almost every component needed for our manufacturing process comes from other local manufacturers – whether that is lead from South Australia, recycled components from New South Wales and plastics and signage from Queensland. “We have Australia’s back and we hope when you need a new battery next, you’ll insist on a Century battery and support an Australian made product.” The Carole Park based business has made a significant commitment to both the business’ future and jobs for their workers. Century employs around 600 employees across Australia and New Zealand, putting over $100 million back into the Australian economy every year. The call to buy Australian made also comes from Century Yuasa General Manager of Operations Matthieu Anquetil. “As a manufacturer we certainly need state of the art machinery, […]

Budget comment

CreditWatch Chief Economist, Harley Dale, shares his thoughts on the 2020 Budget announcement and the impact this will have on Australian businesses: “This Federal Budget is all about generating an economic recovery through creating jobs. Against a backdrop of the largest deficit and debt levels since the Great Depression, the government is to be commended for announcing a number of measures that will assist in generating jobs and economic growth. “The job maker hiring policy is, for example, a smart way to generate employment and the bringing forward of tax cuts makes sense in the current environment. “The government has considered a suite of policies that cover a broad range of the Australian economy – not being one dimensional, but rather all-encompassing – ‘pumping tyres up for everyone rather than a select few’. “In terms of the SME businesses, who are all suffering at the moment, the announcement of the Instant Asset Write Off boost is welcome news. This announcement will deliver significant financial relief to struggling SMEs. As an example, if you are a small business that has been capable of surviving COVID, and you need to grow your business, the instant write-off allows you to immediately invest in capital machinery.”

This budget will only work if business and consumers play ball

-Michelle Grattan This is an extraordinary giveaway budget, driven by desperate circumstances that would have been inconceivable less than a year ago. The debt and deficit numbers are predictably eye-watering – but the gamble is whether they are big enough. The Morrison government is pleading. In particular, it is begging business to chance its hand and invest, so that activity and jobs can be restored ASAP. The incentives being handed to business are enormous. But it all comes down to that elusive necessity – confidence. It’s the old question about horses and whether they will drink when the water is shoved into the trough before them. Equally, the government is also appealing to individuals to spend, and then spend some more. There will be argument about whether it is making this pitch in the most effective way – the accelerated tax cuts have their critics. They’ll certainly give many people more ready cash over coming months. The unknown is whether in these uncertain times the purse strings will be loosened. The modest cash payments for pensioners – two lots of $250 – are also directed to boosting consumption. The first payment is December, nicely timed for some (modest) Christmas presents, to help the retail sector just when it needs assistance. In its subsidy for businesses to hire younger unemployed people the government is acknowledging the recession will particularly hurt this generation. It is imperative to get as many as possible of those thrown out of work back into the labour force as fast as possible. The motive is sound, but how effective the program will be is another matter. Much will depend on whether employers feel confident enough to take on staff. These younger people have to hope the employers respond, because the Coronavirus supplement that has enhanced JobSeeker is […]

Worldwide leaders of anchors and power tools unite under one brand

Pioneers in developing innovative construction solutions, iconic global brands, Dewalt and Powers have united under one brand, Dewalt Engineered by Powers, to deliver a complete anchoring and installation system for the construction industry, focused on performance and productivity. With construction work in Australia forecast to be $240 billion[1] in 2021, Dewalt Engineered by Powers will meet the ever-growing demands of the construction industry to provide complete solutions that improve efficiencies, are code compliant and provide safer practice solutions with a focus on performance. Both Dewalt and Powers products have been used in the design and construction of many of the world’s most iconic structures. Dewalt now brings anchors, power tools and accessories to the forefront of structural engineers, specifiers, builders, contractors and on-site trades, with an understanding of tools and fastening systems that provide cost effective and exceptional results for construction projects. “Dewalt is the trusted brand of choice for professional tradespeople, and Powers is a leader in the concrete and masonry fastening industry, so it makes a lot of sense to combine the expertise of these organisations to drive future innovation,” says Adrian Davis, Managing Director, Stanley Black&Decker. “The merger of the two brands positions us at the forefront of the construction and engineering industries in Australia and New Zealand. It also means that we can continue to support our products with expert solution and technical advice for all anchoring requirements, through our dedicated Enterprise Solutions Team. The team has been selected for their proven ability to respond to the demands of ever-changing industry requirements. The team is committed to adding value to our customers and projects, throughout the construction process,” he adds. Professor Emad Gad, Chairman of AEFAC (Australian Engineered Fasteners and Anchor Council) says, “From an industry body perspective, AEFAC is pleased that Dewalt Engineered by Powers […]

ASM produces heavy rare earth metal Dysprosium in Korea

Australian Strategic Materials through its partner Ziron Technology Corporation (Ziron Tech), has successfully produced 7.5 kg of a high purity dysprosium metal at its commercial pilot plant in South Korea. After producing 0.76 kg of the heavy rare earth metal last month, this second run confirms that it can be done at scale, marking the completion of the final key permanent magnet metals to be produced at the Ziron Tech facility. ASM has now produced neodymium, praseodymium, neodymium praseodymium alloy and dysprosium all key for permanent magnets through the commercial pilot plant using its innovative metallisation process. Work has commenced on the production of ferro-dysprosium zirconium metal. These are anticipated to be the final products metallised from material sourced from the Dubbo Project in central west NSW. ASM Managing Director, David Woodall said: “ASM is progressing further in its development to become an integrated mine to metal business, with the successful production of the heavy rare earth metal, dysprosium. With the production of these key permanent magnets metals and metal alloys, and the development of zirconium metal production, ASM is one step closer to converting all products from the Dubbo Project into value adding metals.” “Our focus is now on commencing the design and construction of a 250 kg per day continuous metal plant in Korea. This is the first phase of our strategy to develop a 3,000-5,000 tonne per year plant designed to meet some of the demand for critical materials in the Korean manufacturing sector. ASM continues to advance discussions for a potential partner in the metal business,” Mr Woodall said.

News Ticker

October 2020