August 2023

Problem solver Aaron Bollinger moves up the ranks to take on Hydraulink Mackay branch manager role

Hydraulink Mackay branch manager, Aaron Bollinger, says building relationships and solving customer problems are the keys to success that he has used to grow his career with Hydraulink A man focused on building relationships and solving problems has risen through the ranks to become Mackay branch manager of the national hose, fittings, and hydraulic service organisation, Hydraulink. Aaron Bollinger started as a service technician with Hydraulink, before moving into mobile service, breakdowns, and installations, then service manager, area sales manager, and now the branch manager at Mackay, Queensland. “Hydraulink provided me with outstanding support and a clear pathway to progress my career. Along the way I learnt from different managers and colleagues, all with different styles and ideas, and all of them helped grow my knowledge,” says Aaron. “In Mackay, we service major industries, such as mining, sugar, and agriculture. The customers we work with want to minimise downtime and ensure safety compliance on their sites, so they trust us to get them moving again,” he added. Hydraulink and sister company Hydraulink CCR’s extensive national network includes 14 company-owned sites in Australia, 135 network partners, and 150 service vehicles offering 24/7 onsite and mobile services to the same uniformly high levels of outstanding service, safety, standards compliance, traceability, and diverse machinery and equipment knowledge. As part of his move to branch manager, Aaron undertook leadership training at the Hydraulink Academy, which he says was practical and hands-on. “It didn’t feel like we were in a classroom – it felt like we were working with real examples that we might encounter next week on the job. We were also given homework, to bring real examples back to the group and describe how we applied our new learnings. It gives us a chance to learn where we could have done better, […]

A.H. Beard celebrates a decade of Premium Sleep in China

A H Beard the 123 year old Australian made and owned sleep wellness company, is celebrating its ten year anniversary as it pioneers the meaning and importance of delivering Premium Sleep in China. Premium Sleep is a concept of sleep that rejects the common misconception that ‘sleep is for the weak’, but rather an essential act that replenishes, repairs, and restores. Wellness is a growing priority for consumers and the demand for Premium Sleep is clear, with the global market for sleeping aids projected to reach $168.98 billion within the next decade. With a growing population, a focus on wellness and a preference for premium brands, China was an obvious choice for A.H. Beard to expand its global footprint. As an indication of its success — ten years on, A.H. Beard now has 50 stores across China and with no signs of slowing down, plans to open 50 more. “When we think of sleep aids, for many of us our first thought will be wearables like Fitbits and Oura Rings, which don’t just track our activity but track our sleep too. But the foundation to unlocking Premium Sleep quite literally is the bed we’re lying on, and this is increasingly recognised by shoppers who are investing in quality mattresses,” said Tony Pearson, CEO of A.H. Beard. A.H. Beard’s Shanghai Green partners in China. A.H. Beard is determined to put sleep back on the public health agenda while simultaneously elevating sleep to its highest experience. Sleep is the most critical recovery period, so extensive research and consideration goes into each handcrafted and Australian made bed. The form, function and origin of every material we use is selected for its ability to achieve consistent, restful and rejuvenating sleep. “While Australia has a strong appetite for A.H. Beard mattresses, we are also appealing to the […]

Q&A:Dr Paul Flachskampf, CEO, INFORM Australia

AI – It’s been around for a while now. What is all the fuss about? Dr Paul Flachskampf: AI is indeed not a new concept, INFORM has been leveraging these advanced tools to optimise business process for decades, but the excitement and “fuss” we see today stem from the significant advancements made in recent years. AI has evolved to become more sophisticated, capable, and accessible than ever before. It can potentially revolutionise various industries by offering powerful decision-making tools, data-driven insights, and automation that were previously unimaginable. As a result, businesses now have a new tool to optimise their operations, achieve higher levels of efficiency, and gain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving landscape. What are the benefits for businesses using AI? Dr Paul Flachskampf: Businesses using AI can reap numerous benefits, particularly in manufacturing processes. AI tools offer serial manufacturers (in industries like food, pharma, cosmetics, etc.) precise demand planning, robust production schedules, and realistic plans. By planning against limited, real-world capacities such as materials, machines, and personnel, AI optimises the process order, leading to shorter lead times, higher on-time delivery rates (crucial for contract manufacturers), and improved customer relationships. Leveraging the power of Operations Research, Business Intelligence, and Artificial Intelligence, INFORM empowers Australian and New Zealand businesses to streamline operations, resulting in increased efficiency, enhanced sustainability, and improved profitability. With data-driven decisions enabled by AI-driven solutions, businesses experience improved resilience, agility, and productivity. Do you understand the doubts that exist around the technology? Dr Paul Flachskampf: Absolutely, it’s entirely understandable that doubts and concerns surround the implementation of AI technology. AI is indeed a transformative force that can lead to job changes rather than outright job displacement as is so often depicted in the media. Many job roles will evolve, while others might undergo modifications. For instance, […]

Global decarbonisation agenda drives Australian copper and lithium opportunities in Argentina

As the demand for critical energy transition minerals continues across the world, Argentina’s copper and lithium projects are taking off. This provides increased opportunities for Australian mining equipment, technology and services providers, especially those with solutions for decarbonising mining operations and cleaner energy alternatives. Argentina is among the world’s top 15 mining exploration investment destinations. Exploration investment hit its highest level in a decade in 2022. Exports are expected to more than double to $8.6 billion by 2025. Argentina currently has 18 operating mines, 95 projects at an advanced stage and more than 200 in the initial stages. By 2030, 8 projects that are under construction are expected to go into operation. The country’s largest potential lies in its lithium and copper reserves, which are critical to the world’s energy transition path. Opportunities for Australian miners in Argentina Australia is one of the leading countries exploring and investing in the extractives sector in Argentina. Over 20 Australian mining companies have invested in the market. Argentina has the world’s second largest lithium reserves, located in the Lithium Triangle, shared with Chile and Bolivia. It is the world’s fourth largest lithium producer. Two major lithium operating mines (Olaroz and Fenix) currently produce 37.5 k tons of LCE. With new projects coming into operation in the next few years, production is expected to grow to 290 k tons by the end of the decade. Argentina shares the same mountain range (the Andes) with Chile, the world’s largest exporter of copper. As demand for copper grows, investors have started to look on the other side of the Andes. This has created an investment boom in Argentina’s copper sector, with several large-scale projects coming into production in the next years. They include Josemaria, Pachon, Taca Taca, Los Azules, Filo del Sol and Valle de Chita. […]

Sevaan Group to relocate to accommodate growth

Sevaan Group is relocating its manufacturing plant to Smeaton Grange in NSW. Sevaan Group is a dedicated, metal component and product manufacturing firm in Australia. Since 1997, it has grown from a small family business into a leading metal engineering, fabrication and finishing firm. The relocation to Smeaton Grange is in response to the Group’s continued growth. According to David Green, CEO, Sevaan Group, the current premises which are located at Minto in NSW are no longer big enough to accommodate the Group’s immediate and projected growth. Drawing of the new Sevaan Group Facility. “We actually require additional physical space to facilitate investment in new equipment to meet the growth we are currently experiencing, as well as that predicted in the future. Unfortunately, however, our two current sites do not have additional space to give. The move to Smeaton Grange will provide us with some 7500m2 just for production, which is a significant amount of space and almost double what we currently occupy,” explained David. The relocation will also allow the company to integrate its two current operations, the main manufacturing plant and the finishing plant, into one to give the company the platform it requires to deliver its ambitious five-year growth plan. Sevaan Group will construct its new purpose-built facility during the remainder of 2023. Apart from a production area, the plant will also feature a designated state-of-the-art concept and prototyping hub. The facility will also include offices, a seminar room, meeting rooms and a boardroom. “We envisage the new plant will be a flagship facility for our contract manufacturing operation, which incorporates component and assembly manufacturing including sheet metal production, precision machining and finishing operations. We also believe it will provide an excellent working and learning environment for staff,” said David. The Group expects to occupy the new […]

Tech-Central-Innovation-District---Sydney

New report maps Australia’s emerging ‘Silicon Valleys’

The report, ‘The geography of Australia’s digital industries’, released by CSIRO and the Technology Council of Australia reveals emerging tech hubs in Australia. Australia’s digital technology clusters have been mapped and analysed on a national scale for the first time as part of a new report released today by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, and the Tech Council of Australia. The report, ‘The geography of Australia’s digital industries’, explores how the geographical concentration of innovation – like Silicon Valley in California – boosts growth and productivity. The report brings together rich data from across the nation to map and describe the range of digital technology clusters currently developing. It found there are 96 digital clusters across Australia, located in every state and territory. These clusters are engines of growth, accounting for 63 per cent of all tech job creation in Australia, even though they cover only 4 per cent of Australia’s geographic area. The report also found there are three types of clusters in Australia. Australia has four superclusters, which are mega groupings of multiple clusters in the same city: the Sydney arc, the Melbourne diamond, the Brisbane corridor, and the Canberra triangle. CSIRO’s acting Chief Executive Kirsten Rose said that understanding these patterns was important as international research shows their many benefits. “The experience globally has shown that firms in clusters grow, employ and innovate at a faster rate,” she said. “We know comparatively little about this in Australia, but what this report tells us very clearly is that geography matters and understanding that geography can help us catalyse growth.” An aerial view of the Tech Central Innovation District in Sydney, showing future-planned buildings. Image courtesy of the Greater Cities Commission of the New South Wales Government. Lead report author and CSIRO principal researcher Dr Stefan Hajkowicz said the report identified […]