Business

Low GI sugar sweetens Malaysian tastebuds

Sunshine Sugar’s Low GI Sugar, which commenced production in the Northern Rivers in mid-2018, has now attracted international attention. Following initial enquiries made some eight months ago by Central Sugars Refinery based in Kuala Lumpur, significant tonnage of this all-Australian and Bonsucro certified sustainable product has already made its way to Malaysia, with ongoing supply arrangements in place. Central Sugars Refinery (CSR) is one of Malaysia’s most popular brands providing sugar and specialty sweetener ingredients for consumers, retailers, foodservice distributors, food manufacturers, culinary professionals and specialty markets across Malaysia. Sunshine Sugar’s Low GI sugar has helped to fulfil one of CSR Malaysia’s commitments to the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that it has signed with the National Diabetes Institute of Malaysia (NADI). This MOA collaboration is focused on the promotion of a healthier lifestyle among Malaysians; with a commitment to spread awareness of consuming sugar responsibly, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and fighting diabetes. CSR Malaysia’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Hishammudin Hasan, commented “Low GI sugar, sourced from 100% Australian-owned Sunshine Sugar, will play an important role in our contribution to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and in fighting diabetes and other associated diseases alongside NADI.” CSR Malaysia is packaging the Low GI sugar sourced from New South Wales as ‘Better Brown’, and has supported its introduction with a major advertising campaign pitching a wholesome and tasty sugar that is suitable for every Malaysian looking to lead a healthier lifestyle. It’s successful launch in the Malaysian market has led to ongoing orders of Low GI sugar into 2019. Sunshine Sugar’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Chris Connors said; “The enthusiastic response we have had from CSR Malaysia is testament to the quality and innovation that our Low GI Sugar represents.” He went on to say; “Like many countries, Malaysia has increasing rates […]

People, not technology, shape the future of manufacturing

These are exciting times for manufacturing. A plethora of recent technological developments creates radically new opportunities for how we develop, manufacture, and deliver products globally. The headlines proclaim that “the robots are coming”, “jobs will be automated”, and “digitalisation is revolutionising production”. Many managers are excited, baffled, or both. Many jobseekers are worried. Three decades ago, leadership expert Warren Bennis envisioned that “the factory of the future will have only two employees: a man and a dog. The man will be there to feed the dog. The dog will be there to keep the man from touching the equipment.” While this vision is witty, the idea of the fully automated “lights-out” factory still lingers. But there’s a different vision for the future of manufacturing, where people take centre stage. A vision where people make use of new technology to enable sustainable, socially responsible, and efficient manufacturing. In this context, putting people first may seem surprising. After all, have we not been told that robotics and digitalisation will complete processes more effectively and efficiently than humans? That machine learning is training machines to train machines? That artificial intelligence is even entering company boardrooms? While this may hold true for some tasks, the vast amount of other tasks will in fact remain largely unaffected in the near term. To debunk a myth: robots are automating processes, not jobs. What’s more, we think that these technological developments are good, not bad, for workers. Increased productivity frees up human resources to do tasks where humans are superior to machines. One example of such a task is the development of new technologies in the first place. Another equally important task is to figure out how to best apply them. People must map production processes, identify the nodes where technology is needed, and reskill the persons […]

Home battery factory opens in Australia

German energy storage company Sonnen has begun production of home battery storage systems at its new factory in Adelaide. The German manufacturer aims to produce more than 50,000 storage systems over the next five years at the former GM Holden factory in the northern suburbs of the South Australian capital. An A$100 million South Australian government scheme to subsidise solar energy in homes was pivotal to securing investment from Sonnen, which moved its headquarters from Sydney to Adelaide this year. The Home Battery Scheme gives 40,000 South Australian households access to up to $6000 of subsidies and low-interest loans to pay for the installation of home batteries and solar. South Australia Premier Steven Marshall said the battery manufacturing facility will see the revival of the former automobile factory as a national centre for solar energy technology. “Having Sonnen locate its manufacturing centre in Adelaide for the production of home batteries for Australia, Asia and the South Pacific is a significant step in the revitalisation of South Australia’s industrial base,” said Premier Marshall. “The assembly and manufacture of 50,000 energy storage systems in Adelaide over the next five years will create around 430 manufacturing and installation jobs in the state and locates South Australia at the centre of this developing industry.” Sonnen founder and CEO Christoph Ostermann said the company would manufacture more than 10, 000 batteries a year to meet the demand from Australian households for home battery storage systems. “We are excited at the prospect of manufacturing in South Australia for the Australian and export markets and to participating in making Australia the number one market globally for energy storage system,” said Ostermann. “Sonnen will bring great benefits to South Australia through jobs at its Australian head office and factory in Elizabeth, lower energy prices for households that take […]

Sustainability flows through APPMA Awards of Excellence night

Sustainability will flow through every aspect of the reinstated Gala Awards Ceremony for the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) Awards of Excellence. APPMA Chairman Mark Dingley said, “Tickets are on sale now for what will be a truly exciting event. “From the bubble-wrap ‘red-carpet’ entrance right through to the food on the menu, every element of the evening has ‘sustainability’ at its core. This reflects both how intrinsic sustainability is to the operation of our industries and our commitment to it. “Cardboard is obviously an important material in packaging and will be used throughout the room, from an impressive entrance to intricate decorations. All the cardboard and paper products used will be created from a combination of responsibly sourced kraft liner and 100% recycled paper. Table centrepiece decorations will feature recycled copper, with lines referencing barcodes, while the lighting will all be low-energy LED. Even the plants used will returned to the nursery after the night, and the floral arrangements will be given to a local nursing home if guests don’t take them home. “As for the three-course meal itself, this is something we’re also very proud of because we’re deliberately working to reduce food waste. The menu will be designed in partnership with Yume, rescuing top-quality, brand-name surplus food that may have otherwise been discarded.” Mr Dingley said the Gala Awards Ceremony would also feature some fantastic entertainment. “The evening’s MC will be multi-skilled performer Peter Rowsthorn. Peter began as a stand-up comedian, working in television in the 1980s with the Comedy Company, although many may know him better as ‘Bretty’ in one of Australia’s most successful sitcoms, ‘Kath & Kim’, or recently on ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’. “Music will be provided by Lil Miss Jazz, a sophisticated group who plays original compositions, […]

Newcastle Service Rhomberg - Hydraulink 2 (002)

Rhomberg Rail cuts downtime through 24/7 partnership with Hydraulink

Hydraulink servicing Rhomberg facilities in the Newcastle-Hunter area, where Rhomberg customers include light and heavy rail, mining and energy, ports, logistics and bulk materials projects. A leading rail track design, construction and maintenance specialist dedicated to delivering on-time and on-budget projects for the public and private rail networks is curtailing downtime and improving the maintenance productivity of its resurfacing division through the 24/7 services of hydraulic service specialist Hydraulink. Rhomberg Rail Australia is part of the international Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group with 2000 employees globally involved in diverse light and heavy rail projects in Europe, Canada and Australia, where its activities extend from major mining, ports, logistics and bulk material loader projects on both the East and West Coasts, as well as public rail projects such as the Newcastle Light Rail, Freemantle Airport Link and bridge replacement projects in rural areas. Such projects – large and small – typically involve essential transport services that require quick response to the needs of clients employing Rhomberg’s innovative mechanised rail construction and maintenance machinery. Integral to the success of these projects – where time is money – are Rhomberg’s highly experienced local teams dedicated to service excellence and best-practice client relationships. This best-practice goal is why Rhomberg sought a hydraulic service partner with a can-do service ethos, coupled with local and national service capabilities, safety compliance and component traceability standards assured under the one brand. Rhomberg Rail’s General Manager, Mr. Scott Richardson, says the organisation chose to use Hydraulink because the company offered outstanding customer service and were willing to go beyond expectations to source supplies. Rhomberg has seen a measurable improvement in their operations, following their Resurfacing Division’s change to Hydraulink in early 2014. “Making the switch has certainly paid dividends to Rhomberg Rail. The hoses, fittings and service they supply […]

Rio Tinto Limited successfully completes A$2,871 million off-market buy-back

Rio Tinto has successfully completed its off-market buy-back, achieving its share purchase target of approximately 41.2 million Rio Tinto Limited shares, for a total consideration of A$2,871 million (US$2,081 million1). The Buy-Back Price was A$69.69 per Share which represented a discount of 14 per cent to the Market Price2. Rio Tinto chief executive J-S Jacques said “We are delighted to be returning US$2.1 billion to our Rio Tinto Limited shareholders through this off-market buy-back. Strong demand has enabled us to return the maximum amount, and at a discount of 14 per cent. The remaining US$1.1 billion of funds will be returned through our ongoing buy-back of Rio Tinto plc shares. In 2018 we have announced cash returns to shareholders of US$6.4 billion. Our strategic focus, with disciplined allocation of capital, is ensuring that we continue to deliver superior returns to our shareholders in the short, medium and long term.” The Rio Tinto Limited Buy-Back was announced to the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) on 20 September 2018 as part of a US$3.2 billion share buy-back programme (the “Programme”), returning the post-tax proceeds from the sale of coal assets in 2018 to Rio Tinto shareholders. Rio Tinto Limited bought back 41,198,134 Shares, at an aggregate cost of A$2,871 million (US$2,081 million). This represents 9.99 per cent of Rio Tinto Limited’s issued ordinary shares (or 2.41 per cent of the Rio Tinto Group’s issued ordinary shares3). Following completion, Rio Tinto Limited’s issued share capital will stand at 371,216,214 shares. The portion of the Programme relating to the on-market buy-back of Rio Tinto plc shares will now total a maximum amount of US$1,119 million and will commence on 28 February 2019 and will be completed no later than 28 February 2020. All shares purchased will be cancelled. Due to the significant oversubscription for the […]

Aurecon and Seequent lead on NZ’s largest transport infrastructure project

Global engineering and infrastructure advisory company Aurecon and Seequent, a developer of revolutionary visual data science software, are leading the way for digital engineering on New Zealand’s largest transport infrastructure project ever to be undertaken. Auckland’s City Rail Link (CRL) project is a 3.45km twin-tunnel underground rail link up to 42 metres below the city centre, transforming the downtown Britomart Transport Centre into a two-way through station that better connects the Auckland rail network. Infrastructure projects this size are challenging enough, without the added complexity of building them in a city located on a volcanic field. Embarking on a massive project like the CRL through an area of complex geology, including volcanoes, requires a very clear assessment of the ground conditions. This demanding task fell on the shoulders of Aurecon. To help attain and communicate this detailed technical analysis, Aurecon used Seequent’s 3D geological modelling solution, Leapfrog Works, which is specifically designed for the Civil Engineering and Environmental industries. Helping reduce risk on infrastructure projects Critical in any major infrastructure project, Aurecon needed to carry out detailed technical analysis of the ground conditions to identify the risks and then clearly communicate and mitigate these risks to the consortium of engineers and architects involved. Philip Kirk, Geotechnical Team Leader, Aurecon, says, “We didn’t want the construction team to encounter unexpected ground conditions that would compromise or delay the project. We had to get it right.” Seeing the complex volcanic geology To make informed decisions on structural design, services locations and construction methods, engineers and construction teams needed to ‘see’ how these ground conditions interacted. Using Leapfrog Works, Aurecon’s ground engineering and engineering design colleagues were able to readily visualise in 3D and were quickly surprised by how effective a communication tool Leapfrog Works was. A key feature in the development of […]

Aurecon appoints CSIRO leader to manufacturing practice

Will bring advanced technical capability and strategic thought leadership to Aurecon’s manufacturing business. Global engineering and infrastructure advisory company Aurecon has appointed Dr Ingrid Appelqvist as its new Client Director for Manufacturing. The appointment of Dr Appelqvist, effective September 17, comes as Aurecon grows its manufacturing work in response to Australia’s and New Zealand’s growing importance as a food supplier to Asia. The Australian Trade Commission says that by 2050, 60 per cent of the global demand for food will come from Asia.[1] Dr Appelqvist is a distinguished food scientist with a strong track record as a leader. She joins Aurecon from CSIRO, where she led the Food Structure group at the Agriculture and Food Business Unit – a position that saw her working on healthier foods that retain palatability and nutrition-uptake in the body. Her expertise in food design includes advanced food manufacturing processes and technologies, an expertise she will facilitate for Aurecon’s agri-food clients. Dr Alex Wonhas, Managing Director – Energy, Resources and Manufacturing at Aurecon, said the hiring of Dr Appelqvist will bring advanced technical capability and strategic thought-leadership to Aurecon’s manufacturing business at a time when Australia’s and New Zealand’s agri-business industries are gearing up for growth. “There is growing demand for high-quality and innovative food products from Asian markets. The ANZ agri-food-dairy industry has an opportunity to capture the most lucrative segments of these value-chains,” said Dr Wonhas. “Dr Appelqvist will help our clients implement leading-edge technologies and processes to give them an advantage in these growth markets.” Dr Wonhas said advanced manufacturing techniques – underpinned by new innovative process technologies, sensors, automation and machine learning – could enable higher quality and higher margin products. Aurecon’s food manufacturing practice takes a supply-chain view of the industry and focuses on quality of the product, food safety […]

Manufacture like a boss

Every part manufactured has a story – the story of how something is made, how much something costs, how much something can be sold for, and if you make it again. A good manufacturing story will be filled with precise detail, perfect accuracy, and guide your future based on a truthful history. And this means your customers will want more. Why? The answer is simple – if you are manufacturing you: Master the four key transactions: Purchasing Receipts, Issuing Material, WIP to FG, Shipping/Invoicing. Know your costs (freight, labour, outside services, overhead, other, material) with accurate precision. Price your parts competitively and profitably. Quote your jobs correctly with speed and accuracy. Reduce your risk by knowing and not guessing. When you are doing the above you are making parts faster, making parts better, watching it all in real time, and knowing exactly what everything costs – otherwise known as “manufacturing like a boss”. Prepare to win Manufacturing can be won or lost in how prepared your company is, not just a person. Employees must be well trained to accurately capture data. Garbage in, garbage out. Employees must hold each other accountable. If you see something, say something. Employees must understand daily processes and how each action impacts costing. If you do not know, ask first. Accurate bills and routers When a work order is generated to drive how much and how long it will take to make the parts, the accuracy of the bill of materials and routers impacts runtime, setup, lead times, and quantities. If the lead time is incorrect, it will tell purchasing to order material at the wrong times, leading to overstock of product or expedited fees to get product in. Realistic due dates If the due date on a work order (often driven by sales) is […]

How Independent Power Producers Can Improve Sustainability

When considering power infrastructure for a mine site, there are three options available to mine operators: rent temporary power solutions, build their own power supply station or contract an independent power producer (IPP). While short-term power solutions have their benefits, independent power producers offer the best of both worlds by providing mine sites with stable, energy-efficient power which is geared for long-term results. This can improve sustainability for businesses and communities while enabling the use of renewable energy innovations. Independent power producers can improve the sustainability of a mine site in a number of ways: Renewable Energy Innovations Renewable energy is an innovative benefit of engaging an independent power producer. Not only can IPPs utilise renewable energy to boost their normal power production, but these methods can also improve cost-efficiency and reduce emissions and waste. Renewable innovations such as waste heat recapture and solar/diesel hybrid technology are what set IPPs apart and can make a large difference in reducing the cost of maintenance and downtime. IPPs which have made the investment into renewable energy will be able to both reduce costs and help to conserve the local environment. Lower Implementation Costs Constructing, running and maintaining your own power station can require a vast outlay of initial capital and, depending on the specifications of a site, can even be cost-prohibitive in the long term. Contracting an IPP avoids the temporal and financial pressures process of power station construction and ownership, saving valuable capital which can be invested into further energy efficiency measures such as renewable energy. The lower initial capital investment of an IPP means that a mining company can be more flexible with their funding, taking advantage of short-term opportunities and lowering their financial risk profile. Manage Safety Independent power producers take on the costs and risks involved in the […]

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