Business

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) is urging the government to act on manufacturing funding commitments, which are essential to the growth and competitiveness of the automotive manufacturing industry. The AAAA, the peak body for the automotive aftermarket industry, was encouraged by last year’s announcement of the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund and the more recent $22.7 billion Future Made in Australia Fund, which sparked optimism within the industry. However, the lack of clear guidance and access to these funds has left many automotive manufacturers frustrated and uncertain. “Our manufacturing industry needs clear action now to ensure we can continue to innovate and compete on the global stage,” said Stuart Charity, CEO of the AAAA. “It’s been over a year since the funds were announced and the industry is still waiting for details on how to access this critical support. The lack of progress is not only frustrating but is also putting our industry at a disadvantage.” The government’s announcements without follow-through could exacerbate existing challenges in the sector, including global supply chain disruptions, technological advancements in ADAS and EVs, and increasingly harsh regulations. “Our industry is navigating complex challenges, and the promised funding could provide crucial support in adapting to these changes. However, without clear guidance and timely allocation, these opportunities remain out of reach,” said Stuart. The automotive manufacturing industry is particularly concerned about the complexity of eligibility requirements, which often exclude small and medium-sized businesses with innovative ideas. “The government aims for a guaranteed 10-times return on investment, but this expectation is unrealistic for many in our sector. Instead of fostering innovation, these funds are being made inaccessible to the very businesses that could drive growth.” “The Honourable Tim Ayres, who is the new Assistant Minister for a Future Made in Australia has a chance to be […]

Thinking outside the box has resulted in REMONDIS Australia boosting skilled worker numbers via a training program that provides opportunities for long term unemployed people. REMONDIS’ Industrial Services Pathway was launched at the company’s specialised liquid processing plant at Henderson south of Perth last month. The conclusion of the three-week program has seen ten recruits, nine men and a woman, receive intensive hands-on training and obtain industrial services tickets and licences across areas including health and safety, high pressure water jetting, forklift operation, gas testing and working at heights and in confined spaces. The workers are also obtaining Heavy Rigid (HR) truck licenses. The program guarantees longer-term employment, with participants staying on in full-time capacities for at least 12 months. That involves initially being buddied with experienced operators so participants meet competency and compliance requirements to obtain full operators’ licences. The program was conceptualised and delivered by Gnalla Enviro, an Aboriginal owned and managed company specialising in commercial and industrial waste. Not-for-profit employment services provider Workskil Australia was pivotal in supplying the trainees. The program was endorsed by REMONDIS Australia WA Industrial Services Manager Steve Tunbridge. “The skills shortage is so severe that trying to find workers through advertising and word-of-mouth is often futile,” Steve said. “So we thought let’s tailor-make a training program ourselves and develop skills that match our needs. “The intensive three-week training is just the start. The program leaves the door open for full-time employment and mentoring, enabling each participant to take their skills and qualifications further. “In a very short timeframe we’ve produced a fresh cohort of workers champing at the bit to contribute and grow. It’s a win for each worker and a win for the skills-starved industrial sector.” Gnalla Enviro CEO Jason Collard said the program was run through the organisations training arm […]

How has the prospect of creating artificial realities in motion unveiled a spectrum of opportunities for manufacturers? The application of AI in manufacturing has the potential to transform the way products are designed and launched to market. OpenAI’s latest machine learning tool Sora can create realistic and imaginative scenes from text instructions – a manufacturer could potentially take a drawing off a page and show it in motion in real-life situations and operate it to perfection long before any physical product is built. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning can also analyse data sets – from performance to production schedules – and use this information to identify trends and predict outcomes. This could be invaluable for manufacturers to recognise patterns and forecast disruptions, leading to improved overall product quality. What is the profound impact of being able to animate conceptual designs, long before a physical product has materialised, on market testing and demand generation processes? Being able to animate conceptual designs allows manufacturers to test the waters and predict customer demand well before a product goes to market. This can result in significant cost savings, improved product efficiency and enhanced product quality. Manufacturers could also use additional AI/ML techniques to optimise production processes through its predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring capabilities. What is the inherent and increasing risk of technologies like Sora inadvertently or intentionally misleading customers? Even as Sora offers a faster and less costly way than the current human-led approach using computer generated imagery, it can encourage unethical practices. If the creation process allows a product to perform beyond expected capabilities, presumably but not always with a disclaimer, then the customer could be easily and deliberately misled. The reality is that there will always be challenges when it comes to rapidly evolving technologies but legislative bodies will need to […]

Hunter Manufacturing Awards proudly recognises outstanding start-ups. Despite encountering challenges, many Hunter entrepreneurs survive and thrive. Some pivot and many scale. Their ingenuity and initiatives only enhance the region’s manufacturing ecosystem. Lex Forsyth, CEO and Co-founder of Janus Electric, relocated from Brisbane to Berkeley Vale on the Central Coast to launch his business. The HMA outstanding start-up for 2023 aims to electrify Australia’s road transport fleet. With the push for electric vehicles on the rise, Mr Forsyth acknowledged the pressure on the trucking industry to reduce its carbon footprint. The Janus Electric team developed an electric truck conversion kit with a revolutionary exchangeable battery that takes just four minutes to swap over. Jared Lawlor and Claire Jones co-founded smart gardening company Herb Urban six years ago in inner-Newcastle Islington. Mr Lawlor is an electrical engineer and Ms Jones a communications strategist. Herb Urban’s core business is to help people more easily grow their own vegetables. Since commencing operations, Mr Lawlor and Ms Jones used the technology underpinning Herb Urban to start another business, Cloud Grow, which delivers those technology solutions to other companies for green infrastructure products. Janus Electric acknowledges the opportunities the Hunter and Central Coast offer, and is keen to retain, upskill, and attract workers and people. “There are high school students and young men and women who don’t need to go to university,” Mr Forsyth says. “We have to look at TAFE and skills courses and how we attract the younger generation. Particularly those who want to stay in the area.” When Janus Electric commenced as a Central Coast start-up, it had a good base team, which has expanded over the past four years. Mr Forsyth estimates he will need to hire between 200 and 300 employees for his manufacturing plant over the next five years and […]