Company News

Investment in new Yawei sees Jmar expand capabilities and customer base

Shepparton based Jmar Engineering was founded by Mark and Janice Hooper and recently celebrated 25 years in business. Its ongoing success is based on a commitment to providing outstanding customer service, staying abreast of local trends and ongoing diversification. Through its precision turning and milling equipment, Jmar specialises in component manufacturing, repairs and maintenance across a broad range of industries including a considerable amount of ‘reverse engineering’; fabricating components and parts that customers may have previously bought from overseas suppliers, whom in many cases are now defunct or uncontactable due to COVID-19. In addition to component manufacturing, the company has been a supplier to the agricultural industry for almost twenty five years with a unique product called the Christopher Dairy Bails; a retrofit product suitable for herringbone dairies that allows the farmer to feed in the bail at milking time. Jmar have also heavily invested in 3D modeling which has been a great sales tool given they can now provide customers with an accurate representation of the concept design prior to actual full-scale production. Nearly all of Jmar’s business comes from around the Goulburn Valley area within a 50km radius of Shepparton. Expanding its sheetmetal and cutting capabilities with a view to obtaining more local work was what prompted Mark Hooper to originally invest in a fiber laser. “Our original laser proved a huge success in securing us heavier and more voluminous work and expanding our customer base – particularly those companies that had previously sent work to Melbourne or Sydney,” Mr Hooper said. “We ended up becoming a contract cutter and it was this that prompted us to invest in an additional Yawei fiber laser. We were struggling to keep up with the work and we couldn’t afford to let our customers down; this second machine ensured we could […]

First US sale for AI petri dish scanner

The Australian manufacturer of an artificial intelligence instrument to scan the contents of petri dishes has made its first US sale.Andrew SpencePrint articleRepublishNotify me Based in Adelaide, health technology company LBT Innovations told investors it had completed the sale to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. The APAS Independence technology uses an algorithm to detect bacterial colonies and incorporates computer vision to hasten the time required to detect infections in samples from patients. The sale was made by LBT’s 50 per cent joint venture company Clever Culture Systems and follows its first European sale, made to German clinical laboratory Labor Dr Wisplinghoff in October 2019. The APAS instrument is based upon LBT’s intelligent imaging and machine learning software and remains the only US FDA-cleared artificial intelligence technology for automated imaging, analysis and interpretation of culture plates following incubation. In a global first, the technology has been connected to HCMC’s Lab Information System through Data Innovations middleware. Establishing this middleware platform will support future APAS installations with Data Innovations existing customer base. Data Innovations has installations in about 65 per cent of US laboratories. HCMC is a medium-sized clinical lab, processing about 500 specimens a day including 300 urine plates for analysis. Over the past two years it has been operating as a centre of excellence for APAS, supporting the development of new analysis modules. HCMC Director of Microbiology Dr Glen Hansen said the ability to automate the reading of culture plates with APAS had increased lab efficiency and motivated staff. “It has been a real pleasure to work with the teams from LBT and CCS over the past two years,” he said. “Their commitment and excitement towards the technology is obvious and I look forward to continuing the collaboration into the future.” LBT Innovations CEO Brett Barnes said HCMC’s status […]

Waterco buys Automated Pool Products

International water treatment and swimming pool equipment manufacturer and merchant, Waterco Ltd. continues to invest in Australian innovation by acquiring leading distributor of hardware for the domestic pool market, Automated Pool Products Pty Ltd (APP) – home of the iconic Kreepy Krauly. The move bolsters Waterco’s extensive range of filtration, sanitisation and heating equipment while consolidating its position as one of the industry’s last remaining Australian-owned and operated companies. “Purchasing APP, or Autopool as it’s known, is part of our strategy to strengthen Waterco’s market share, especially in Western Australia and Queensland,” explains CEO and Chairman, Soon Sinn Goh. “Autopool’s established brand name, excellent market reputation and digital transformation will enable us to offer comprehensive pool and spa solutions to customers throughout Australia.” General Manager Grant Craig, who will continue working for Autopool, says he’s excited to partner with Waterco. “It is pleasing that Autopool will continue on as normal,” he says. “We will maintain our existing locations and with our existing team of professional staff. It is an exciting time for Autopool to join with Waterco and we look forward to continuing to provide high-quality products and service that we have become known for.”

Australian steel wins deal to supply $35b frigate build

Australian steel is set to be used in a $35 billion project to build nine Hunter Class Frigates in South Australia after a deal was signed with BlueScope Steel AIS. More than 1500 tonnes of steel plate will be delivered to ASC Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of BAE Systems Australia, under the $2.6 million contract. BlueScope chief executive Australian Steel Products John Nowlan said the steel would be supplied for the prototyping phase of the program, where five representative ship blocks are being built at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide. “The company has a long and proud history of supplying steel into defence projects – in the 1990s we supplied more than 20,000 tonnes of steel into the original ANZAC-Class Frigate fleet that the Hunter Class ships will replace,” Nowlan said. He said the contract was an important first step for BlueScope in potentially supplying steel into the build phase of the nine submarine hunting warships. “Manufacturing is a key part of Australia’s history and today BlueScope is not only a world class manufacturer but we are also internationally competitive,” Nowlan said. BlueScope now has more than 100 facilities in 18 countries, employing around 14,000 people globally. ASC Shipbuilding is designing and building nine Hunter Class ships, which will be among the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare frigates, for the Royal Australian Navy. The contract is the first awarded to Australian businesses in the lead up to the Hunter program beginning with the five representative ship blocks built at the Osborne shipyard over two years. It follows news of the first new construction shed Building 20 being finished in the $500 million upgrade of the shipyard and the handover to ASC Shipbuilding getting underway. Five new sheds in the shipyard are being fitted with cutting edge construction equipment, and ASC […]

Proven and new at the same time: tribo-polymer iglidur E7 for energy-efficient plain bearings

With specifications such as low coefficient of friction and excellent vibration dampening, the tribo-polymer iglidur E7 has already proven its strengths in the sliding elements of the drylin linear technology from igus. Now the plastics specialist has also included the material in its plain bearings catalogue range. This also allows users to benefit from iglidur E7 mechanisms with rotating or pivoting movements. The low coefficient of friction of the material ensures smooth movements, reduces the required drive energy and saves additional costs. In times of advancing automation of the industry, durable, cost-effective and above all energy-efficient machine components are called for. Since 1983, the motion plastics specialist igus has been developing tribo-polymers for plain bearing technology that are free of lubricants and therefore free of maintenance. igus has a total of 57 iglidur materials in its product range for various applications. iglidur E7 is among them. The tribo-polymer has been used in the sliding elements of drylin linear systems since 2012 and has been available in dryspin lead screw nuts since 2018. iglidur E7 has already proven itself in many applications such as camera lenses, train doors and even 3D printers. Above all, the vibration-dampening specifications of the tribo-polymers convince the user. Therefore, igus has now further developed the material for its plain bearing range. The iglidur E7 is specifically designed for low to medium loads in pivoting movements and withstands surface pressures of up to 18 MPa in motion. Due to the very low coefficient of friction of the iglidur E7, the drive energy is reduced, saving costs for the user. The new plain bearing material is suitable for flap or sensor bearings. Further applications are found in packaging, textile machinery and furniture technology. Tried and tested in the field, proven in tests All iglidur materials are tested by […]

DECO Australia achieves business-wide ISO 9001 accreditation

Metal finishing supplier and Building Products manufacturer DECO Australia successfully renewed its ISO 9001:2015 accreditation after a surveillance audit in May 2020. ISO 9001, which is an International Standard that sets out the criteria for a business wide Quality Management System and ensures quality management principles including process controls, compliance testing, customer focus, and continual improvement are consistently upheld. The audit, which is carried out annually by international certification body DNV-GL, was also DECO’s first business-wide ISO 9001 audit. Both divisions of DECO – Architectural, which produces non-combustible aluminium building products, and Industrial, which provides durable surface finishing solutions to a range of industries – were included in this audit. DECO’s audit report for 2020 highlighted its high level of control over all its operations, including internal continual improvement measures, and the auditor found no evidence of nonconformances with the requirements set out by the standard. All staff engaged with the audit and leaders demonstrated evidence of evidence-based decision making. “The glowing results of this audit show how efficiently DECO is meeting our customer’s needs and our business objectives,” said DECO Director Ross Doonan. “We have always shown dedication and commitment to quality, customers and innovation in all our processes. This ISO 9001 accreditation, which extends across all key aspects of our business, positions us as a certified supplier for key industries including defence, engineering and manufacturing, and allows us to confidently guarantee quality products and services that meet customer needs every time.” DECO Australia is a proud member of Australian Industry and Defence Network (AIDN) NSW, the Australian Institute of Surface Finishing and the Australian Corrosion Association.

Site Safety Alliance Toolbox Talk addresses the hidden mental minefield of COVID-19 impacts

Site Safety Alliance’s new HEADSPACE Covid-19 Toolbox Talk addresses the hidden impacts of Covid-19 – the effects it can have on the mental health and wellbeing of tradies who may be facing increased financial, family and home pressures during these unusual circumstances. As Australia emerges from isolation and lockdown measures, mental health impacts are shaping up to be the biggest issue facing the nation. Internationally recognised mathematical modelling by the University of Sydney has suggested 750 additional lives could be lost to suicide each year for the next five years*. One in four of these deaths will be in young people. And that’s just one statistic, with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues causing increased strain for so many Australians. Preliminary results from a Monash University study of 1,200 Australians found that the majority experienced at least mild levels of anxiety or depression, with approximately 30% experiencing moderate or high levels**. A company dedicated to providing engaging safety messages to construction sites Australia-wide, Site Safety Alliance, has introduced a special “HEADSPACE Covid-19” Toolbox Talk pack to help companies address the mental minefield of Covid-19 impacts on workers, including financial strain, family issues and increased pressures at home. The special ‘Headspace Covid-19’ Toolbox Talk packs are available immediately for building, construction and infrastructure companies looking to support the safety and mental wellbeing of their workers. They are designed to ensure that workers feel that support is available to them if they feel more stressed and distracted at this time. Site Safety Alliance, which typically supplies comprehensive monthly Toolbox Talk packs to the building and construction industry, has prepared and produced specific content for site managers and safety managers to support workers on site who might be finding it difficult to cope with increased pressure or a change in routine created […]

Greater access regulation will become a new normal after coronavirus

Greater regulation of access to public and private buildings and visitor hot spots may figure among major impacts from the coronavirus affecting architects, builders, facility managers and site owners. “Certainly, there will be a new normal for people-intensive public and private facilities, where owners have a duty of care to protect staff and visitors,” says security and entrance specialist, Boon Edam Australia Managing Director Michael Fisher (Master security licence number: 000104487). The likely changes – including to Government-funded Covid recovery infrastructure spending in Australia and New Zealand – will be particularly relevant also to facilities such as hospitals, health care, schools, hotels, restaurants, tourism facilities and landmark structures and community and cultural assets. Accelerated safety and sustainability access control trends “Coronavirus may well accelerate changes that were already underway to promote greater safety and sustainability within our urban infrastructure. Such changes will be driven not only by the need to protect against health-related risks, but also in some cases to exclude threats such as urban pollution and to counter the rising incidence of physical violence against providers of public services.” “They are also highly relevant to and holders of valuable physical and electronic assets, including data and commercial information,” says Mr Fisher, whose parent Boon Edam organisation is a leading global manufacturer of energy-saving revolving doors and security entrances in 27 countries, including global names in data management and internet services. The 140-year-old family owned company’s top quality entrance control products are used by dozens of Fortune 500 companies as well as social infrastructure, transport terminals, public and private spaces where there are risks ranging from extreme physical intrusions – such as terrorism , violence and theft – to more subtle but sinister threats such as airborne pollution and infected carriers of contagious disease. Security technologies working in harmony Mr Fisher […]

Pyrosales operating at critical capacity during Covid-19 pandemic.

As Australia’s longest established manufacturers of precision temperature, level and flow measurement gauges, sensors and instrumentation, as well as calibration devices, they are helping out the essential services in need. When it comes to the Australian essential services, Pyrosales has always worked with them, even before the pandemic. Assisting with supply and manufacture for the Medical Industry, the most common products are the infrared thermometer to measure the temperature of individuals in a quick and accurate manner and thermal imaging devices that can detect variations in temperature of individuals. Hospitals and private medical businesses can rely on the team at Pyrosales to supplying refrigeration temperature equipment for medicines, blood and IVF storage as well as maintaining the equipment for sterilization, and of course food temperature control. They are also working to help our aged care facilities to control the temperature of their food and medicine. Pyrosales continue to help out the essential services by ensuring food plant manufacturers have adequate thermocouples, RKC temperature controllers, temperature and pressure gauges to maintain food production. “We have solutions for businesses to monitor their employees for fever temperature. Companies are investigating new ways to measure for the virus to reduce the spread into their workplace. Pyrosales has many products to suit any businesses requirements whether it is to meet the volume of employees, their price range or on-site technology. We not only supply to the medical and industrial market, we are also seeing an increase in demand for people to use in their homes,” said our CEO, John Shanahan. With many businesses in Australia struggling in the current climate, it is positive to see an Australian owned business working not only to help those who need it but are helping boost the economy and keep people in jobs.

Wearable devices to diagnose medical conditions

Transforming how common health conditions are diagnosed using point-of-care and wearable bio diagnostic devices is the goal of a new University of South Australia project, which has just secured nearly $2.2 million from the National Health, Medical and Research Council (NHRMC). Through an NHMRC Investigator Grant, UniSA biomedical engineer Professor Benjamin Thierry aims to develop a range of solid-state sensing and wearable technologies capable of diagnosing conditions including preeclampsia, epilepsy, fetal arrhythmias and heart attacks. Prof Thierry hopes these technologies will help address the significant health outcome disparities across the country, which sees Australians living in rural and remote areas experience higher levels of disease and reduced access to health services, compared with their metropolitan counterparts. “Wearable consumer products such as the Fitbit are already mainstream, yet the enormous transformative medical potential of wearable technologies is yet to be realised,” he says. “There is a huge opportunity for us to create wearable devices capable of better diagnosing and monitoring medical conditions, particularly in rural and remote settings where patients often do not have access to the testing and specialist care that is available in cities. “Some of the technologies I hope to develop include wearable devices able to continuously and accurately monitor the ECG, which could in turn predict epileptic seizures or detect preeclampsia and other related pregnancy complications. “These wearables use a cutting-edge solid-state sensing technology called Field Effect Transistors, which can measure bioelectric signals with extreme sensitivity when implemented at the nanoscale.” In addition, Prof Thierry will develop conformal devices based on Magnetic Tunneling Junction sensors to record and map magnetic fields produced by electrical activity in the heart. He hopes this will enable more accurate non-invasive monitoring of fetal cardiac activity and rapid and point-of-care diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome, including heart […]

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