December 2020

Mental Health expert manufacturing webinar provides insights to industry eaders

Over 400 industry leaders registered for R U OK? Director and renowned author Graeme Cowan’s webinar on workplace mental health for the manufacturing industry last month. In partnership with WorkSafe’s WorkWell Program, the webinar “Creating mentally healthy workplaces in manufacturing” focused on supporting employers and business leaders to take the first steps to create a mentally healthy workplace. Graeme introduced industry leaders to the ‘primary prevention approach’ and stepped through the work related factors that impact mental health and safety in the workplace. Graeme also detailed the WorkWell Toolkit – a free online tool using a step-by-step approach to help employers promote mental health and prevent mental injury in the workplace. With information tailored to manufacturing, the WorkWell Toolkit contains practical information including tip sheets, policy examples, case studies and templates covering work-related factors that impact workplace mental health. Graeme Cowan said by focusing on improving workplace mental health, businesses will yield a great return on investment. “There is a $2.90 return on investment for every $1 invested in creating mentally healthy workplaces in the manufacturing industry,” Graeme said. “Effectively protecting the psychological health of your employees can lead to less costs from work absences, conflict, errors, injuries and grievances. “WorkSafe’s WorkWell Toolkit equips business leaders by providing the tools to create a mentally healthy workplace through primary prevention,” he said. You can sign up for the WorkWell Toolkit here: https://bit.ly/33uYm0V

Local research collaboration cuts wear and tear on mineral processing equipment

In a new $2.4 million research partnership between the University of South Australia, LaserBond, and the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC), experts are set to develop some of the world’s most resilient minerals processing equipment. LaserBond, a pioneering Australian surface engineering company and the University of South Australia’s specialist Coatings Research Group at the Future Industries Institute, continue their fruitful collaboration on a new challenge. Minerals processing machinery, often worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, endures some of the harshest possible conditions – erosion, corrosion and wear and tear induced by repetitive impact. A key competitive advantage for the industry and for manufacturers would be to increase the longevity of mineral processing equipment through composite coatings (called cladding). The improved cladding needs to match facility maintenance shutdown schedules. By matching the machinery life to service schedules, unforeseen shutdowns can be avoided or minimised. Shutdowns for repairs and maintenance of the equipment can cost more than $100,000 for every hour of downtime. UniSA lead researcher Professor Peter Murphy, says he welcomes the chance to grow the advanced manufacturing sector within Australia. “This comes at a time where we need to nurture our manufacturing capability and this project has the capacity to grow, employ and lead Australia through the challenging economic times,” Prof Murphy says. Key researcher on the project, UniSA’s Industry Associate Professor Colin Hall says industry experts in surface engineering, such as LaserBond, have long recognised the challenge and have specialised in the development of hard, wear-resistant coatings using laser cladding. “What we hope to do through this partnership is work with LaserBond to refine the technology, specifically focussing on key areas within mineral processing machinery prone to wear in different circumstances, to provide tailor-made coatings that resist that degradation,” Assoc […]

‘Project life’ agreements set to unlock jobs and investment

Australian Resources and Energy Group AMMA welcomes today’s confirmation that the Morrison Government will legislate for ‘Project Life Greenfields Agreements’, a crucial industrial relations reform that will create jobs and economic growth by stimulating investment in the resources, energy and infrastructure sectors. “AMMA has advocated the case for Project Life Greenfields Agreements for at least a decade,” Chief Executive Steve Knott said. “The inability to secure industrial relations certainty for the full length of a major project construction phase has been a massive disincentive to investment in the past. “Investors would often scratch their heads as to why greenfields agreements had a maximum duration of four years when applied to projects that take an average of six years to build. It makes no sense and is a very real barrier to securing final investment decision. “This simple but important change will significantly boost Australia’s ability to secure new major project investment in the ultra-competitive post-COVID global marketplace. “The resources and energy sector has displayed remarkable resilience in the face of pandemic-related challenges. The Government is right to do all it can to present an attractive investment platform and stimulate growth in the industry keeping our national economy afloat.” AMMA notes the Federal Department of Industry’s Office of the Chief Economist last week released its Resources and Energy Major Projects Report, strongly indicating that investment in Australia’s resources projects has entered a new growth cycle. The Chief Economist reported the number of resources and energy major development projects increased by 19 per cent to 335 projects, and the value of projects in the investment pipeline increased by 4 per cent to $334 billion. “Once investment is secured and construction is completed, major resources projects deliver revenues of many billions of dollars to state and national accounts, funding public infrastructure and services, […]

Aspera Mobile launches low-cost AS6 4G dual-SIM smartphone and new F42 4G flip phone

Full-featured phones for just $99 and $149 Aspera Mobile has launched the latest in its range of full featured and cost effective mobiles – the feature-packed, 5.99” large screen AS6 smartphone which features face recognition, a fingerprint sensor, dual-SIM and 4G for just $149 and the F42, 4G flip phone with pre-loaded social media apps and easy to use large buttons at only $99. Aspera Mobile MD Allan Robertson explained, “In the AS6 Aspera has kept its brand promise to bring a great value, budget-priced smartphone to consumers and we have specifically designed it to suit anyone looking for a large screen, full Android phone that won’t break the bank. Also, to get face recognition and a fingerprint sensor in a full-featured smartphone for $149 is exceptional value and very rare indeed.” Robertson takes his and Aspera Mobile’s commitment to Australian consumers very seriously and the company has continued to forge ahead in a very competitive market for close to a decade with local Australian-based customer service backing up its range of high quality, unlocked, reliable, and budget conscience phones. He continued, “In an age where the price of some mobile phones is running into thousands of dollars despite them being locked to a network, our success over the last ten years has proven that there is an increasing demand for high quality, low-cost alternatives. The AS6 gives you that in a smartphone and the F42 is ideal for the young or elderly, budget-conscious user wanting a simple phone with easy-to-read large buttons and the most commonly used social media apps – including WhatsApp™ and Facebook™ – already installed.” As all Australian telcos continue to wind down their 3G networks, having a new 4G phone is not only critical but makes good and practical sense. At just $149 the Aspera […]

DECO Australia new Innovation Centre at Minto

Leading manufacturer of aluminium building products and industrial finishes DECO Australia has invested in a new Innovation Centre at its Minto manufacturing facility. The architecturally-designed display centre, which showcases DECO’s leading line of aluminium building products, highlights its extraordinary capabilities as an Australian manufacturer. The wide range of non-combustible, timber-look products are creatively incorporated into the display, resulting in an informative, interactive space where customers can visualise how products will look on their projects and develop new design concepts. In addition, the Innovation Centre will showcase DECO’s line of industrial surface finishes, including its low-temperature hard anodising, powder coating and specialty finishes for the manufacturing, engineering, defence and commercial food industries. These quality finishes maximise protection and performance for a wide range of manufactured parts and components, and are tested to Australian and International standards to ensure ultimate durability and longevity. Industrial manufacturers visiting the Innovation Centre can tour the facility, observing DECO’s finishing processes and solutions first hand. DECO’s investment in its showstopping new display centre highlights the growth of Australian manufacturing, as well as the diligence and inventive nature of Australian manufacturers. DECO has been dedicated to providing attractive, compliant and quality products and finishes for over 15 years and its new showroom illustrates how the company is willing to go the extra mile for its customers.

Dematic to commission new automated national distribution centre for Woolworths in Sydney

Dematic today announced it has been selected by Primary Connect – the supply chain arm of Australia’s largest supermarket, Woolworths Group – to supply a state-of-the art automated fulfilment system for the new National Distribution Centre (NDC) in Moorebank Logistics Park, Sydney. Dematic, a global leader and innovator in warehouse automation, has a long history with over 50 years presence in Australia serving the supply chain industry. “Our local capability with over 600 employees and a manufacturing facility in Belrose, Sydney, ensures we continue to provide quality service and systems to our customers,” said Michael Jerogin, CEO of Dematic APAC. “We are very proud to be a trusted partner of Woolworths and thrilled to be building on this partnership by playing a key role in Woolworths’ automation strategy.” The Dematic solution for the new NDC will build store-friendly pallets for Woolworths’ retail stores. The Flexible Mixed Case Order Fulfilment system, powered by the Dematic iQ Warehouse Management System (WMS), will handle 9,000+ products from 900 suppliers, delivering daily to over 1,000 stores nationally. The 40,700 square metre Moorebank NDC is planned to feature wall-to-wall automation, providing the flexibility to cater for seasonal and other peaks in demand, such as those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is designed to deliver store orders, catering for Woolworth’s expected growth with built-in scalability and modularity. The transport advantages alone are expected to provide benefits to Woolworths, helping to remove at least 26,000 truck movements between Woolworths facilities from New South Wales roads annually. “The investment at Moorebank is designed to transform the way we serve our stores, strengthen our network and deliver on our ambition to create Australia’s best food and grocery supply chain,” said Paul Graham, Primary Connect Managing Director and Woolworths Group Chief Supply Chain Officer. “Cutting-edge automation will build tailored […]

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D-Link A/NZ launches AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 PCIe Adapter with Bluetooth 5.1

D-Link A/NZ has launched its DWA-X3000, an AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 PCIe Adapter with Bluetooth® 5.1 that enables you to upgrade your desktop PC to next generation Wi-Fi. The DWA-X3000 is designed to achieve AX3000 Wi-Fi speeds up to 2402Mbps (5GHz) + 600Mbps (2.4GHz) and is backwards compatible with 802.11ac/n/g/a/b technology, allowing you to connect to your older devices. The DWA-X3000 also adds ultra-fast Bluetooth® 5.1 connectivity to your PC so you can easily connect to Bluetooth devices like game controllers, headphones and keyboards without any additional adapters. The DWA-X3000 AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 PCIe Adapter with Bluetooth 5.1 connects your computer to a high-speed network and provides a blazing-fast wireless AX connection with superior reception. Once connected, you can access your network’s high-speed Internet connection while also getting secure access to shared photos, files, music, video, printers and storage. The DWA-X3000 also provides you the benefits of PCI Express in the form of a high-bandwidth connection with superior performance over the legacy PCI interface. You can connect the AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 PCIe Adapter with Bluetooth 5.1 to any PCIe slot in your computer, whether it is an x1, x4, x8, or x16 slot. Equipped with 1024-QAM, MU-MIMO, OFDMA and an Intel® Wi-Fi 6 chipset, the DWA-X3000 delivers faster and more efficient Wi-Fi reducing latency by up to 75% and provides a more responsive gaming and buffer-free streaming experience. Once you’re connected you can stay connected as the DWA-X3000 is equipped with omni multi-directional high-performance antennas designed for maximum coverage. It also includes a magnetised antenna base for optimal antenna placement. The DWA-X3000 also employs robust security options and supports the latest Wi-Fi security with WPA3 128-bit encryption that allow you to connect securely keeping intruders out of your network and allowing you to browse the Internet without worries. DWA-X3000 key features • Dual-band […]

Comment on GDP growth rate announcement

Following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s GDP growth rate announcement this morning, CreditorWatch Chief Economist Harley Dale shares his thoughts on which sectors most contributed to the economic recovery and how this will impact government support and stimulus measures. “Household spending was the big driver of the GDP bounce-back. As consumers continue to arise from their involuntary, COVID-induced slumber, it is looking increasingly likely that they will drive a sustainable economic recovery. CreditorWatch data shows that the retail sector was in a deep hole earlier in the year, so in coming months the sector’s performance will provide a key indication as to the pace of our national recovery. “There were some industry winners in today’s GDP result. As the COVID shackles started to come off there were big gains made by Accommodation and Food Services (+41%), Arts and Recreation Services (+14.7%), Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services (+7.7%) and Transport, Postal and Warehousing (4.7%). These are all high employment industries that suffered disproportionately under the cloud of COVID, as CreditorWatch data demonstrated. A sustained recovery in these industries will assist in managing the transition away from government support for businesses. “The JobKeeper and JobSeeker programs have played an integral part in protecting Australia from the worst impacts of COVID. Now that we are receiving increasingly positive updates on the Australian economy, it is appropriate that the Federal Government consider a more refined and nuanced approach to its stimulus measures. “The Governor is right to caution that it will take some time to bring our nation’s unemployment rate back down. That will remain a key focus of the RBA in 2021 however, these results are better than most people anticipated until only a few months ago and so give us a great foundation to build on.”

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December 2020