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Downer Group NSW General Manager Daniel Chaplin with Hi-Vis Group CEO Brett Watson and HMA Chair Jacqui Daley. Downer Group has been the HMA major sponsor for 16 years. jpg

Winners in the Hunter, for the World

A market leader in highly intelligent visual information systems and a telemetry products maker swept the pool at this year’s Hunter Manufacturing Awards, collecting their gongs at a gala presentation at NEX in Newcastle on Friday, 20 October. Carrington-headquartered Hi-Vis won the 2023 Manufacturer of the Year – 50 Employees or More Award, along with the Excellence in Sustainable Operations Award and the Excellence in Manufacturing Capability Award. As a market leader in highly intelligent visual information systems (HIVIS), its products have been keeping Australians safe for more than 40 years. Hi-Vis has made significant investments in manufacturing technology and enjoys a close relationship with the engineering department at the University of Newcastle. Hi-Vis CEO Brett Watson said the company was deeply honoured and felt very privileged to win three awards. “We were completely stunned on the night,” Mr Watson said. “All my gratitude goes to my fabulous team who ‘turn coffee into award-winning products’. To win Manufacturer of the Year is a huge achievement. Thank you to my team who worked tirelessly on the submissions to the HMA. We are proud to be a Hunter manufacturer.” In the picture: Downer Group NSW General Manager Daniel Chaplin with Hi-Vis CEO Bett Watson and HMA Chair Jacqui Daley. The other major award winner, for Manufacturer of the Year – Less than 50 Employees, was telemetry products maker Senquip. The Taylors Beach-based business manufactures telemetry equipment that monitors and controls remote machinery in harsh industrial environments. Senquip also picked up the Excellence in Product Design Award. Its patented telemetry products are highly adaptable and replace the need for bespoke solutions. Senquip sells globally with significant potential for growth in each of its international markets. Senquip CEO Norman Ballard said the company was honoured to be recognised as a manufacturing leader in the […]

How can manufacturers deliver faster while coping with volume demands?

-James Robinson, Vice President of Services for Asia Pacific, SYSPRO The Industrial Machinery and Equipment (IME) industry is an important sector within the global economy, encompassing a wide range of products such as heavy machinery, construction equipment, agricultural machinery and more. There is a growing list of challenges facing IME manufacturers, but delivering products faster while coping with ever-increasing volume demands stands out as the primary one. Additional challenges include inaccurate inventory forecasting, supply chain disruptions, and disconnected legacy systems. To succeed in this highly competitive industry, IME manufacturers need to find ways to provide more accurate price forecasting, implement strong financial controls and have full traceability, so they can implement warranties on the industrial equipment they make. The level of precision required to provide more accurate costing requires a complex Bill of Materials (BOM), unique scheduling, end-to-end supply chain visibility and integrated Quality Management capabilities. Complex Bills of Materials and accurate costing One of the fundamental challenges faced by IME manufacturers is the highly complex specification and production required for their products. Their machines often consist of thousands of components, sub-assemblies and materials, which all need to be accounted for. This intricacy extends to the bills of materials (BOMs) required to assemble these machines. With an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system tailored for manufacturing, IME producers can excel in managing the accuracy of their BOMs, while providing precise costing information on demand in real-time. Unique scheduling and resource management IME manufacturers frequently deal with custom orders, specialised machinery and unique production schedules. A standard ERP system may not be equipped to handle these intricacies effectively. To manage their unique scheduling requirements better, ensuring efficient resource allocation, meeting lead times and minimising downtime, they should consider complementing their ERP system with a fully integrated Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) solution. MOM […]

Q & A: Cathy Clennett, Head of Commercial and Corporate Development, Hiringa Energy

Can you provide some scale on the size of the green hydrogen facility? The GEGHA project will see the installation of the 27 MW Wathagar Solar Farm, which will produce roughly 45,000 MWh of energy per annum — the equivalent to powering over 4,000 homes — used to make 3,800 MT of anhydrous ammonia to displace the equivalent of 6,800 MT of imported urea, as well as enough low-carbon hydrogen to displace more than 1.4 million litres of imported diesel. How long is it estimated the facility will take to construct? Construction for the facility is underway thanks to partial funding from the NSW Government’s Hydrogen Hubs Initiative. The $35.8 million awarded by the NSW Government will help us enhance the capacity of the world’s first Good Earth Cotton farm. We anticipate construction will take up to 15 months, and our objective is to have the facility fully operational by mid-2025. How many jobs will the facility create? During the construction period of the facility, we estimate the GEGHA project will bring approximately 100 jobs to the region with further opportunities in the operations space once the project is completed. We’ve estimated approximately twenty full-time, high-quality operations jobs will result from the GEGHA project. However, we are in discussions with Moree Council and the NSW Government about extending the project to a special activation precinct which would be able to provide the same benefits to farmers in Moree looking to mirror what we’ve done with Sundown Pastoral. In this case, the scale up project would look to employ approximately 40 additional employees — with a diversification of roles beyond pure agricultural work. What are the benefits to the local economy? Australia’s hydrogen industry is at an inflection point, which is forecast to generate $50 billion in additional GDP, and create […]

Remondis Hygrogen Waste Collection truck

REMONDIS Australia’s global breakthrough with zero-emission hydrogen powered waste collection truck

REMONDIS Australia has achieved a global breakthrough by introducing one of the world’s first hydrogen powered waste collection trucks to its operations. After extensive trials, the carbon emission-free truck has participated in its first scheduled residential waste collection in the Illawarra region of New South Wales. The Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) relies on hydrogen which combines with air to generate electricity for motor function. Only water vapour is emitted, and nothing harmful to the environment. L-R, John Edgley (Hyzon), Wollongong City Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery, Chris Wade (Remondis), and Shellharbour City Mayor, Chris Homer. REMONDIS Australia CEO Björn Becker said the truck going into formal operation was historic. “We’re demonstrating that carbon-free transport can and does work in industrial settings,” Mr Becker said. “We’re hopeful that this is the start of a bigger journey whereby companies around the world follow REMONDIS’ lead and turn to fleet decarbonisation. “This should be likely as economies of scale take effect, making the take-up of such technology the norm and not the exception. “REMONDIS has gone all-out to deliver this ground-breaking environmental initiative at the earliest possible time and it’s something we’re very proud of.” REMONDIS NSW South Coast Region Manager Chris Wade said the truck would be fine-tuned through collaboration with its maker, Hyzon Motors, in coming months. “The ultimate aim is to have the hydrogen truck matching our current diesel trucks in all facets,” Mr Wade said. “That includes completing about 1,000 bin lifts over about eight hours. “Trial runs in recent months have been promising, giving us confidence to put the truck into formal operation, serving many of the 300,000 residents in the region. “Putting the truck through full commercial paces will give us additional information and enable adjustments to be made if necessary. “With distinctive markings indicating that it […]

Phasio secures $3.8M to digitise manufacturing and accelerate Australia’s sovereign capabilities

L-R: Sudharshan Raman (CPO and Co-Founder), Harry Conor Lucas (CEO and Co-Founder) Phasio, the manufacturing tech startup, today announced it has raised AUD$3.8 million in a seed round, led by AirTree Ventures to accelerate the manufacturing industry and global productivity. Generating over $113 billion in value in 2020-21, the manufacturing industry is a driving force behind the local economy. But compared to international counterparts, Australia’s manufacturing industry is falling behind. Globally, manufacturing contributes an average of 16% to a country’s gross domestic profits (GDP). But in Australia, the manufacturing industry is responsible for just 5% of GDP. Amidst the backdrop of current geopolitical tensions, there’s a need to increase high-value manufacturing and prioritise sovereign manufacturing capabilities to create a more resilient economy. “Manufacturing accounts for about a quarter of Australia’s national research and development investment. But right now, the industry is stuck with inefficient, siloed processes that are slowing manufacturers’ ability to imagine, design, and create, and with it, our economy,” said Harry Conor Lucas, CEO and Co-Founder of Phasio. Co-founded by Australian entrepreneur, Harry Lucas and ex-CSIRO researcher, Sudharshan Raman, Phasio is digitising how manufacturers quote, design and interact with customers to unlock new ways of working. Phasio’s manufacturing interface provides an end-to-end workflow between stakeholders (buyers and manufacturers) to create instant quotations, collaborate on designs, and manage personalised order experiences. By empowering manufacturers to build better, Phasio is helping to secure supply chains and accelerating the pace of manufacturing. “Our vision with Phasio is to elevate a new wave of local manufacturers onto the global stage. We believe that local manufacturing is the lifeblood of product innovation, and that by empowering local manufacturers to do more, we can in fact grow the manufacturing industry for everyone globally. Phasio offers an alternative to the us-vs-them mentality. We can have our local manufacturing […]

NSW Government seeks to enhance energy savings in hot water system upgrades

The NSW Office of Energy and Climate Change (OECC) has announced several proposed changes to the current Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) for hot water system upgrades. The changes are intended to improve energy savings in hot water system upgrades, ensure consumers have more stake and thus interest in their upgrade process, and align current ‘hypothetical’ energy savings calculations with real world results. Through this exercise, the government hopes to enhance customer engagement whilst also ensuring energy savings are more accurately calculated. Co-Payments: Increasing Customer Engagement Some upgrades under the ESS have required co-payments since 2014. These payments have helped make upgrades under the ESS more accessible to householders and businesses. However, the current $30 (ex GST) co-payment for residential hot water system upgrades and the lack of similar co-payments for small businesses and commercial upgrades have presented challenges. These include reduced customer engagement, perceived lack of legitimacy, and increased instances of high-pressure sales tactics. Efficient Energy Group (EEG) is an Accredited Certificate Provider (ACP) and the company’s CEO Joshua Liptak says the rationale behind co-payments is sound. “They’re there to encourage customer participation in their upgrade projects and help offset the cost of the upgrade. However, the problem for the OECC, and the government, is that when it’s set too low, customers may not be engaged enough to ensure they receive a quality product. Conversely, set the co-payment too high, and it may deter them from getting upgrades done at all. “The effectiveness of co-payments therefore depends on the right balance being struck between these 2 elements, and that’s what these proposed changes are trying to do.” He added, “The current co-payment also doesn’t adequately factor in the high value of the products being installed, which then risks sub par upgrades.” The New NSW ESS Hot Water System Upgrade Co-Payment […]

PepsiCo’s Regency Park site celebrates 40th anniversary and 30 years of team member

PepsiCo’s Regency Park manufacturing facility is celebrating its 40th year of making some of Australia’s most iconic snacks, such as Smith’s, Red Rock Deli, Doritos and Twisties, since its opening in South Australia in 1983. The milestone reflects PepsiCo’s continued commitment to the South Australian manufacturing industry by growing produce, employing local team members and making foods locally. To make its snacks, PepsiCo purchases 40,000 tonnes of potatoes from South Australian farmers in Angle Vale, Parilla and Langhorne each year. The site, is the proud birthplace of the premium potato chip brand Red Rock Deli, and also makes the world-famous Doritos range, including the innovative new limited-edition coriander flavour. It also manufactures the Smith’s Oven Baked range, which was launched in 2020 as a ‘better for you’ potato chip. The Regency Park site employs 310 South Australian residents, including Anna Marie Dykstra, who is also celebrating her 30th anniversary this year. A much beloved team member over her three decades with the business, Anna Marie started working as a packing check way attendant, and has had multiple roles before her current Training Leader role. “This is my second family. I say that because sometimes when you’re tired, you still want to come in, because you are looking forward to seeing your friends, to work again,” said Ms Dykstra. “I enjoy working here, I really enjoy it, and I’m so proud of being an employee of PepsiCo.” “South Australian farming and manufacturing is an integral part of our business at PepsiCo – a third of the potatoes we use nationally are sourced from South Australia,” said Doug Stakic, PepsiCo ANZ Manufacturing Director, who has been at the Regency Park site for 37 years. “We are proud of our contribution to the South Australian economy through our Regency Park facility over the […]

SYSPRO contributes to 100% improvement in AF Gason’s results

Customer Profile AF Gason designs and manufactures world-class broadacre farm machinery as well as industrial and wood-heating products. The company’s Industrial Services Division provides technical solutions for commercial and industrial applications across multiple sectors. AF Gason distributes and supports all its products via an extensive dealer network across Australia and New Zealand. The Business Challenge At the time of implementing SYSPRO in 2011, AF Gason needed an enterprise system which could be used across the entire length of its supply chain to ensure one source of the truth. The Solution AF Gason uses SYSPRO as its enterprise system across the entire length of its supply chain. The SYSPRO solution including SYSPRO MOM, records everything on the manufacturing side of the business from shop floor recording to shop floor data, job management, traceability, procurement and inventory management. It also covers all finance functions such as sales processing and invoicing, payables, receivables and cash management. The Outcome “We’ve had 100% improvement in our results over the past couple of years, and a great deal is related to being able to use the information out of SYSPRO to give us better decision-making capability in the business,” says Leon Nash, Chief Financial Officer at AF Gason. AF Gason has adopted many of the new elements in the system, including SYSPRO Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM). “We attribute the major payback on our investment to SYSPRO MOM and the ability to use shop floor recording and job recording appropriately. Our job recording accuracy levels have improved by more than 20%, and we’re close to 50% improved efficiency on the shop floor,” says Mr. Nash. Jason Yole, AF Gason’s Production Manager, agrees. “SYSPRO MOM has opened our eyes to what we can do with the business. We can see down to the job level of a […]

Rae-Line saves 20% in quality and time through SYSPRO implementation

Established in 1972 and based in Melbourne, Australia, Rae-Line is a market leader in the design and manufacture of commercial upholstery, sports and safety padding solutions. From humble beginnings, the company has grown steadily. Rae-Line now employs more than 140 staff and supplies its products to some of the biggest names in the automotive, heavy transport, recreational vehicle and sports padding industries. The Business Challenge Rae-Line’s inhouse ERP solution was no longer keeping pace with its growth. The system didn’t include Material Requirements Planning (MRP) and the financial system was separate. Management identified a need for a fully integrated, robust system to meet its changing requirements and support future expansion. The Solution Rae-Line evaluated six ERP suppliers before selecting SYSPRO based on an in-depth presentation, the capabilities of the solution and the responsiveness of the team. “From bulk upload of sales orders to managing those jobs through bills of material, inventory controls, stocktakes, Material Requirements Planning (MRP) and all the way through to the financial processes, SYSPRO is strongly aligned with our business processes.” – Dave Moody, General Manager and SYSPRO Project Leader The Outcome As a single point of entry, SYSPRO supports the 60% growth in staff and orders experienced by Rae-Line over the past two years. In addition, Rae-Line has seen a 20% improvement in quality and time through its ability to feedback information, resulting in fewer mistakes and reworks. Meeting stringent customer demands In recent months, several major customers have increased their demand by around 50%. This, combined with the 60% growth in staff and orders over the past two years, brought with it challenges which required a strong system. Commenting on the increase in orders, Moody says: “Because SYSPRO has a strong front end and can upload bulk sales orders, we’ve been able to satisfy the […]

Professor Andy Koronios, CEO, SmartSat CRC

SmartSat CRC increases investment in ACT to support Canberra’s new space agenda

Australia’s leading space research centre, SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), has announced a suite of new R&D projects and university appointments in support of the ACT Space Update 2023, bringing its joint investment in the ACT to over $7M. With the launch of the ACT Space Update 2023, SmartSat is amplifying this commitment by injecting new funds into research in space technologies addressing bushfire resilience, spacecraft system autonomy, space objects surveillance and cybersecurity. One of two new research projects co-funded by SmartSat and ACT Government brings together the Australian National University (ANU) and EOS Space Systems to deliver advanced manufacturing technologies for the OzFuel instrument. This is a key payload of an Earth Observation Resilience satellite mission that aims to improve continental scale fire management and environmental monitoring tailored specifically to Australian Eucalypt forests. The second project brings together Infinity Avionics, UNSW Canberra and Nominal Systems to develop capabilities in Space-Based Space Surveillance (SBSS), a vital tool for both defence and commercial space operations contending with the risks of navigating increasing debris and space objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). SmartSat has also recently approved funding research capabilities in cybersecurity and resilient artificial intelligence for space systems at UNSW Canberra. This is in addition to two SmartSat-backed Professorial Chairs at ANU: Professor Hanna Kurniawati, Professorial Chair for System Autonomy, Intelligence and Decision Making; and Professor Kirk McKenzie, Professorial Chair of Precision Measurement in Space. SmartSat CEO Professor Andy Koronios, says that the $7M joint research investment in ACT demonstrates SmartSat’s commitment to supporting the national space sector. “Since 2020, SmartSat has demonstrated its commitment to building the ACT’s space R&D capabilities, funding over ten projects at ANU and UNSW Canberra. We are excited to support this proactive agenda laid out by the ACT government. “This fresh round of research investment by SmartSat delivers […]

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