Business

Lee Hawskley, President of Asia Pacific and Japan, UiPath AUS MN

How automation is paving the way for greener manufacturing in Australia

Lee Hawksley, President, Asia Pacific and Japan, UiPath Australia’s manufacturing industry is a key pillar of economic growth and innovation for the nation, and at the forefront of Industry 5.0. While technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G dominated Industry 4.0, the next industrial revolution is focused more on how humans and technology will work together to deliver broader societal benefits. According to McKinsey, automation and AI technologies present an enormous opportunity for national and personal income growth and could add up to $4 trillion to Australia’s economy. This substantial impact is driving the manufacturing industry to seize new opportunities with automation tools to reduce labour costs, achieve high levels of productivity, and with today’s context, help them comply with new regulatory obligations that include creating a more sustainable approach to manufacturing. Understanding going green The manufacturing industry is a leading consumer of natural resources and a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. While modern industrial practices have allowed manufacturers to improve efficiencies in how they produce and deliver products to market, many current processes still heavily rely on resources that impact the environment. This is why state and federal government agencies are now investing in green manufacturing, which goes beyond compliance and being environmentally responsible to a whole new approach to manufacturing that aims to preserve the environment while, at the same time, delivering significant benefits to manufacturers in the form of cost savings, improved operational efficiencies, and enhanced brand reputation. By adopting green manufacturing practices, manufacturers can contribute to environmental conservation efforts while improving their bottom line. How AI-powered automation supports a greener future As society focuses its efforts on a greener future, automation is emerging as an invaluable tool in achieving sustainability goals. Some examples of how automation enables green manufacturing include: ESG […]

The Budget 2024: Comment and Feedback on Energy Policies

Attributed to Jack Curtis, co-founder of Neara Cost of living/bill relief p“The Albanese government’s $3.5 billion energy bill relief scheme will alleviate pressure on households and small business owners across Australia struggling to manage rising electricity prices. Yet despite the short-term financial support, concerns are rising around the growing cost of the energy transition. The clean energy transition is crucial to Australia’s future. But years of rising energy costs and reduced reliability as we transition from fossil generation to renewables are becoming harder to justify for many. The $300 energy bill relief package for home owners is a great initiative, but it’s not enough. The cost of the clean energy transition could easily blow out within the next six years and continue to increase financial pressure on consumers. Equal focus and investment must be applied to the underlying drivers of rising energy costs, particularly those related to the energy transition, and what can be done differently to mitigate them. To offset costs and stabilise energy prices, the government must source the most efficient, cost-effective pathway to 82% clean energy by 2030. This means embracing a holistic strategy encompassing all generation and network capacity sources whilst leveraging new technology that can optimise both. Put simply, more money needs to go further. Australia doesn’t have the same depth of funds as our overseas counterparts, specifically compared with the United States Inflation Reduction Act. Federal and state governments need to work closely on the strategic deployment of funds by stress-testing each proposed pillar of the energy transition and its potential cost before rolling out the initiative. The renewable energy infrastructure toolkit we’ve been relying on is essential, but it’s expensive, time-extensive, and continues to face increasing headwinds. Australia has alternative solutions to stress-test costs and bring renewable energy online faster. We must actively explore […]

The Budget: Skill funding welcomed

RSM Australia National Leader – Manufacturing Services, Jessica Olivier: Rather than the manufacturing sector as a whole, the Budget focused on Critical Minerals, Clean Energy and Green Technologies, however it was pleasing to see the announcement of $500m for the tertiary sector to increase skills in manufacturing and clean energy, as well as the announcement of various initiatives to lift private investment and workforce skills, and boost local supply chains. Beyond that announcement and as expected, we saw the Federal Government set out their agenda for the recently announced Future Made in Australia Act and highlight their priorities by focusing investment on transformational opportunities. Last year’s $15b National Reconstruction Fund has been rolled into the Future Made in Australia policy, which on a positive note saw a 51% increase in the overall funding allocated to Future Made in Australia totalling $22.7b. This also included “picking winners” such as the $1 billion for the Solar Sunshot production of solar panels in the Hunter Valley and $1 billion to build the world’s first fault-tolerant quantum computer in Brisbane, along with $840 million for Arafura’s rare earth metals production in the NT. WA will be the primary beneficiary of the $566m allocated to GeoScience Australia to map what is under Australia’s soil and seabed to uncover mineral deposits for critical mineral processing. We also saw the Government demonstrate their commitment towards a cleaner, greener future in Australia with funding towards green energy, critical minerals and renewables in Australia – in particular $13.7 billion in production tax incentives for green hydrogen and processed critical minerals. In terms of grants (both new and extended programs), it should have been a significant part of the new measures announced to bolster manufacturing, however there was little specifically targeted at this sector. In relation to other incentives and over 8 years […]

Xefco Q & A: Tom Hussey, CEO and Co-Founder

What is your role at Xefco and what does it involve? Xefco was born to transform the textile industry by tackling problems of functional performance and sustainability in fashion. Traditional wet dyeing and finishing is a huge part of the textile supply chain with the process making up about 36% of the industry’s carbon footprint and about 3% of all global carbon emissions. What’s more, it’s an extremely water and chemical-intensive process leading to about 20% of all industrial wastewater. With Xefco’s innovative technologies, Ausora and XReflex, we are creating advanced materials for a sustainable future. In my role as CEO and co-founder, I drive the business forward through innovation and as we commercialise our solutions. This means working with investors, building and leading a motivated team and ensuring we’re working efficiently with innovation at the forefront of everything we do. I’m currently focused on using our latest capital to grow the team and commercialising Ausora, which is a novel way of dyeing and finishing textiles without water. How is Ausora is benefitting the environment? Ausora is a waterless dyeing and finishing solution using a unique shower plasma process to produce the same look, feel and performance properties without the environmental footprint. Ausora’s solution not only eliminates the use of water but cuts energy, chemical consumption and cost compared to conventional wet dyeing and finishing. In removing the need for water, Ausora is also removing polluted water from being discharged back into waterways. The shower plasma process also consumes 97% less chemistry and uses 90% less energy compared to conventional wet dyeing and finishing processes. As such, Ausora has the potential to stop millions of tonnes of waste entering our waterways and CO2 from entering our planet. Reducing cost production of textiles. How does this work? Within textile production, the […]

The Pure Food Co. a winner

Nutrition technology company The Pure Food Co has taken out the Innovation of the Year category at the recent Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards in Singapore, recognising the best food and nutrition system on the market developed to improve the health of older people. Co-Founder Sam Bridgewater and Australian Director Chris Deed. The Pure Food Co, which was founded in 2013 to nourish the world’s seniors, was recognised for the development of a nutritional system to improve the health of aged care residents and hospital patients in Australia, New Zealand and now France. While improving the nutritional value of food, The Pure Food Co also provides wrap around support and training for staff. By providing a nutrition system, clinical benefits include maintenance of weight and muscle mass, resulting in reduction in falls and serious illness. The team also provides on-the-ground training and implementation support for staff, creating strong compliance and understanding of the system.

How automation is paving the way for greener manufacturing in Australia

By: Lee Hawksley, President, Asia Pacific and Japan, UiPath Australia’s manufacturing industry is a key pillar of economic growth and innovation for the nation, and at the forefront of Industry 5.0. While technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G dominated Industry 4.0, the next industrial revolution is focused more on how humans and technology will work together to deliver broader societal benefits. According to McKinsey, automation and AI technologies present an enormous opportunity for national and personal income growth and could add up to $4 trillion to Australia’s economy. This substantial impact is driving the manufacturing industry to seize new opportunities with automation tools to reduce labour costs, achieve high levels of productivity, and with today’s context, help them comply with new regulatory obligations that include creating a more sustainable approach to manufacturing. Understanding going green The manufacturing industry is a leading consumer of natural resources and a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. While modern industrial practices have allowed manufacturers to improve efficiencies in how they produce and deliver products to market, many current processes still heavily rely on resources that impact the environment. This is why state and federal government agencies are now investing in green manufacturing, which goes beyond compliance and being environmentally responsible to a whole new approach to manufacturing that aims to preserve the environment while, at the same time, delivering significant benefits to manufacturers in the form of cost savings, improved operational efficiencies, and enhanced brand reputation. By adopting green manufacturing practices, manufacturers can contribute to environmental conservation efforts while improving their bottom line. How AI-powered automation supports a greener future As society focuses its efforts on a greener future, automation is emerging as an invaluable tool in achieving sustainability goals. Some examples of how automation enables green manufacturing include: ESG […]

All systems go for Australia’s first software degree apprentices

Australia’s first cohort of software engineering students to combine an apprenticeship with a degree, rubbed shoulders with defence industry leaders today in an official launch of the program at UniSA. Thirteen UniSA students have started work this year with three Adelaide defence employers – BAE Systems, submarine company ASC and electronic warfare specialists Consunet – combining work and study in their first year of a Bachelor of Software Engineering. The UniSA students will support South Australia’s growing defence sector, ahead of the construction of nuclear-powered AUKUS submarines. Following the UK’s lead, where software degree apprenticeships are delivered in conjunction with BAE System’s submarine shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, the students are earning and learning in a fusion of academic education and practical workplace training. SA Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Blair Boyer MP, officially launched the degree apprenticeship program this morning at UniSA’s Enterprise Hub, joined by industry partners and UniSA Provost & Chief Academic Officer Professor Joanne Cys. The program is a partnership between UniSA, the State Government, the defence industry and the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group). Funded by the State Government with a $450,000 commitment over three years, the Australia-first initiative of blending university study with paid work could set a precedent for other industries depending on its success. “This is a tangible way in which the Malinauskas Labor Government is supporting key defence industries in South Australia, helping to create a skilled, qualified pipeline of employees,” Minister Boyer says. UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd says the degree apprenticeship is a natural fit for UniSA. “We are extremely proud to lead the country in co-designing this Australia-first program with industry and the State Government. “The apprenticeship is designed to embed software engineering students into SA’s defence sector from day one. By learning – and earning – on […]

Shripathi V, Head of Hexagon's Aerospace Technical Division AUS MN

Collaboration and Compliance:The Keys to Australia’s Enhanced Security and Innovation

Shripathi V, Lead, Aerospace Technical Division, Indo-Pacific, Hexagon Defence organisations are under growing pressure to ensure broader security from expanding threats, while grappling with technology updates, rising costs, and operational challenges. They must also transform to become more agile and responsive to ever-changing geopolitical risks, technological innovations, and shifting priorities. Often, delivering on time and within budget are the most formidable challenges that the defence industry faces when developing the capability of increasing sophistication and complexity. In a period where national interests intersect with global concerns, it is fundamental for defence organisations to use funds judiciously, maximizing value and outcomes for every dollar spent. After a decade of predictability, with Australia’s last Defence Strategic Review (DSR)[1] taking place 11 years ago, the recent DSR—announced in April last year—along with the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), highlights the Australian government’s commitment in enhancing defence capabilities. These renewed commitments emphasize the importance of collaboration among government bodies, industry, and defence unions. To keep up with an operating environment awash with fresh challenges, the Australian government has committed to a $3.4 billion investment over the next decade, as outlined in the ASCA[2], to reconfigure its defence sector. This investment ultimately aims to acquire vital capabilities and is expected to foster job creation within the industry. To discuss further on this topic, we interviewed Shripathi V, the Lead for Hexagon’s Aerospace Technical Division for the Indo-Pacific region, to discuss how these technological and strategic developments align with Australia’s pursuit of agility, engineering compliance, and sustainable innovation. With Australia at a strategic point in reshaping its defence sector, how do you view the impact of recent initiatives like the Defence Strategic Review(DSR) and the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator(ASCA)? These initiatives represent a pivotal moment for Australia’s defence sector. The DSR and ASCA act as catalysts […]

Secop's new BD Nano compressor for E-cars is compact, powerful and quiet AUS MN

New compact and efficient compressor new trend for electric cars

Chilled Drinks and Food During Trips There is an increasing demand and trend for onboard refrigerators in cars, and technology is making this a reality. In response to automotive customers’ constant search for greater comfort, onboard refrigerators will be available as a standard or optional feature in both top luxury brands and more mainstream models. Electric vehicles in particular are already able to supply a cooling unit with power to keep drinks and food perfectly chilled. The BD Nano compressor from Secop sets new standards in reliability and cooling performance of the fridge. Its predecessor, the BD Micro, is the current benchmark in the automotive market and is already used in premium car brand models equipped with a fridge. The BD Nano provides a solution that is smaller, quieter, and more powerful than the BD Micro. Compact, Powerful, and Quiet The compressor BDN45F-A from the BD Nano new series is optimised for R134a/R1234yf refrigerants and offers – in a compact size – premium cooling performance, high efficiency, and low noise and vibration. The BD Nano’s footprint is 93 millimetres tall with a weight of just 1.5 kilograms, perfect for small cars’ fridges to maximise the room for food and drinks. Its efficiency (COP) can reach up to 1.53 W/W (ASHRAE LBP). The result combines low energy consumption, extended battery life, and an optimised total cost of ownership. At 58.7W (ASHRAE LBP), the cooling capacity of the compact Nano continues to push the envelope. It means the temperature pull-down is fast to quickly cool the content of the fridge. Thanks to improved acoustic comfort for noise-sensitive applications, Secop was able to reduce sound levels by 6 dB/A compared to the BD Micro, the predecessor of the BD Nano and current benchmark in the cars’ cooling solution market segment. Another strength of […]

A proactive approach to wellbeing

Fostering mentally healthy workplaces is top of mind for all employers, but actioning this across diverse workforces and in hybrid work environments poses a very real challenge. Medline empower managers and minimise risk Managing the priorities of keeping people safe at work, while also building psychologically safe workplaces, has caused a headache for many HR leaders who feel caught in a reactive cycle. If employees are only talking to their managers about wellbeing issues when things reach a critical point, the impact on the workplace is more widely felt. A proactive approach With this in mind, taking a proactive approach to helping people take care of their wellbeing in a holistic and preventative way can have long-term benefits to our workforces. For global healthcare company Medline, which has staff across manufacturing, warehouse, office and on-the-road work environments, this approach to supporting wellbeing was a puzzle to be solved. HR Business Partner at Medline Alana Rodwell was determined to find a user-friendly option for workplace wellbeing: “We’ve got around 300 people in our business nationally, and a very diverse workforce. For many, English is their second language. We looked to Sonder partly because of the multilingual service. It’s a massive opportunity to provide employees with a service where they can chat to somebody in their language, in a way that feels comfortable for them.” A culture of care While Medline had an existing culture of care, the legislation introduced in 2023 on psychosocial safety in the workplace prompted Alana and her team to look for a more meaningful way to deliver wellbeing support. They wanted a solution that would help their people when they needed it most. Whether that was with an article on how to improve their confidence as a leader, access to medical information around the clock, or simply […]

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