Company News

Workloads affect ability to connect with colleagues

Two years on from a world-first study into workplace psychological safety (1), results announced today by R U OK? show organisations can be doing more to ensure colleagues feel connected. The 2019 Australian Workplace Psychological Safety Survey (2) surveyed 1,093 Australian employees and found that just under a quarter (23%) do not currently do any activities to connect them with colleagues. One of the biggest barriers found was not having time due to workload. This is concerning considering leading suicidologist Dr Thomas Joiner’s work, which describes a lack of connection (or lack of belonging) as one of the three forces at play in someone at risk of suicide. Workplace mental wellness expert and R U OK? Board Member Graeme Cowan is calling on workplaces to address this, pointing to both the social and economic benefits to organisations when a workforce feels connected and psychologically safe. “A ‘psychologically safe’ workplace is characterised by a climate of interpersonal trust and mutual respect in which people feel comfortable being themselves and to ask for help,” says Cowan. “Organisational workload will always be a barrier, however those who create opportunities for employee connection such as morning teas or celebrations for birthdays foster a positive culture” “While there are benefits to individuals and a duty of care from organisations, psychologically safe teams have also been shown to be the most innovative – and in a worrying development, only 28% of respondents said they felt safe to take a risk in 2019 compared to 34% in 2017. “The results demonstrate more needs to be done to educate organisations on these benefits, to ensure all Australians are seeing the rewards of psychologically safe workplaces.” These results were announced at R U OK?’s annual Conversational Leadership event in Melbourne, which brought together 100 managers for a practical workshop on […]

Leopard Systems win Asia-Pacific awards for top performance

Leopard Systems, Australia’s leading enterprise mobility solution provider, received not one, but two esteemed awards at Zebra Technologies Corporation’s annual Channel Partner Summit held in China in May. Leading a field of over 150 major Asia-Pacific APAC resellers and partners, Leopard Systems was recognised as Zebra’s highest performing APAC Partner Of The Year and APAC Service Partner Of The Year. Ryan Goh, Vice President and General Manager of Sales at Zebra Technologies Asia Pacific, and Joe White, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Enterprise Mobile Computing at Zebra Technologies Inc presented the awards to co-Managing Director of Leopard Systems, Robin Fowler, at a special ceremony at Guilin’s Shangri-La Hotel. The accolades honoured Leopard’s success in attaining major contracts within the APAC region, and providing superior service support to their Zebra hardware customers. “This year everything aligned for us. We were fortunate to secure multiple 1000+ Zebra device contracts with several major Australian and New Zealand customers that added up to around 14,000 units sold, helping put Leopard Systems well ahead in the regional channel,” said Robin. The coveted awards mark a prized achievement for Leopard Systems since revolutionising their support services in hardware fleet management and supply chain mobility over recent years. “We’ve really concentrated on better serving our large corporate customers. Supporting and cultivating these partnerships has resulted in a significant number of new contracts providing Zebra devices, as well as accompanying service warranties, being purchased,” said Robin. Further, recent changes to expand the Australia/New Zealand awards to include Asia and Pacific countries has substantially raised the bar for achieving industry recognition. Hence, receiving the APAC awards cements Leopard Systems’ strength and continuing focus to provide world-class end-to-end solutions. At the Summit, Zebra Technologies announced a future priority to build cloud data services that greatly enhance the ‘supportability’ […]

Empower Factory Productivity and Scheduling Software recognised

Empower Software, locally owned and operated is based in NewMarket, Auckland. Founding Directors are Dave Garrett (right) and Sean O’Sullivan. New Zealand, Australian and International manufacturers and engineers, from 5 up to 150 factory staff are investing in the Empower Software technology on their factory floors and using their Factory Productivity and Scheduling Software for live production scheduling, tracking of jobs and individual factory staff times on jobs and job status. Production Managers are the main users and drivers of the technology and software as it is their role and their responsibility to plan and drive daily and weekly factory production and productivity effectively. Manufacturers and engineers install large TV monitors on factory walls and office walls to display live production and productivity data for everyone in the company to see. The performance of individual jobs and individual factory staff is live and continuous throughout the day and their individual productivity becomes totally transparent to all factory staff, management and administration staff. This technology and software drives labour times on jobs and labour cost on jobs down typically by 20% to 40%. TIN100, a well-respected and recognised New Zealand Network of technology-based companies, including all stakeholders to the NZ Technology Industry, recently recognised Empower Software.

HRS brings packaged solutions for pasteurisation and sterilisation

Pasteurisation and sterilisation are now so well established that it is impossible to contemplate the production of many food and drink products without using these important techniques. Both pasteurisation and sterilisation involve the use of heat, usually in a way which does not affect the fundamental characteristics of the product (in other words, it doesn’t cook it). However, while sterilisation seeks to completely eliminate any micro-organisms which may be present in the product (and so typically uses higher temperatures or longer treatment periods, and is therefore more likely to have an effect on the product’s characteristics), pasteurisation reduces the microbial load by a significant factor (for example by 5-logs), which in normal circumstances reduces them to a level at which they do not pose a hazard. While simple plate heat exchangers may still be suitable for the pasteurisation of simple fluids such as milk and fruit juices, more textured and viscous products, such as cooking sauces, creams and curds, require different solutions in order to maintain their quality and texture. In order to meet this diverse range of requirements, HRS Heat Exchangers has created its Thermblock packaged pasteuriser/steriliser for food products for aseptic filling, as well as any other filling or packing method. Depending on specification and the intended use, Thermblock uses the most appropriate HRS tubular heat exchanger to deliver effective and efficient thermal treatment. All HRS Thermblock systems allow for full adjustment of the heating-holding-cooling cycle of the product, so that it can be tailored to your product/s and method/s of working. They can also be used as HTST (High Temperature, Short Time) units, subjecting the product to high temperatures for a short time to minimise potential side-effects, such as organoleptic changes or nutritional losses). There are three models of HRS Thermblock: HRS Thermblock DTA Series This features […]

Labor needs to put country first not activists

Statement by Greg Evans, Chief Executive Coal Council of Australia If Labor aspires to national leadership it needs to show the way and drag the Queensland government to support the development of the Galilee Basin. The latest environmental manipulation by the Queensland government to delay the Adani coal mine development is a betrayal of the communities in central and northern Queensland. The stalling tactics by the Queensland Labor government reflects poorly on Australia and Queensland as an investment destination and in the case of mining investment, this can be directed to other countries. Other industries and mine owners and developers should receive little comfort that this latest treatment is confined to a single coal mine in the Galilee Basin. It shows that where a concerted activist campaign is waged government will cower to those interests. The agriculture, oil and gas, tourism and other industries with large investment proposals need to be wary that local job providing development and the national interest ranks below appeasing noisy activists. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Resources Minister Matt Canavan have expressed support for coal and the advancement of the coal industry including the Adani Carmichael coal mine. The Labor Party at both federal and state level needs to do the same without qualification. Australia has the opportunity to participate in an unprecedented expansion for coal demand from Asia in the next decade of an additional 500 million tonnes annually by 2030. If we capture just 20% of this increase this will represent a major economic dividend, unfortunately, Green and Labor policies are working to frustrate this benefit to the detriment of the working men and women of Queensland.

Young minds solving global challenges at Calix

Solutions for future global challenges will likely be developed by the younger generation of scientists and engineers charging forward in Australia. Some of these challenges include finding ways to reduce CO2 emissions in construction, generating renewable energy, and making better batteries. Calix is focused on research and development, and its technologies are already being applied to these challenges in Australia and around the world. The technology company’s culture is built on the desire to do something meaningful for the planet and for people. Young scientists and engineers who are passionate about the greater good and about solving these global challenges are finding a strong foothold at Calix. They are encouraged to buck traditional science, engineering, and construction, and develop sustainable industry options to helping to shape the future of the world they will live in. One of the young engineers making his mark at Calix is Simon Thomsen. At just 29, Simon is working in Europe on Calix’s LEILAC project, a carbon capture initiative for lime and cement. Simon leads the work package responsible for the engineering, procurement, and construction activities on the LEILAC project, which has just been officially commissioned. This follows his contribution to the design and build of the CFC15000, the commercial-scale demonstrator of Calix’s core technology. Simon was directly responsible for managing the first major upgrade of this first-of-a-kind plant, which improved on the original design. Simon was handpicked to join the Europe team for the LEILAC project following a successful trial of one of the key developments of the project on the company’s existing manufacturing plant in Australia. This included planning and executing the trial, modifying the production facility, then analysing the test results. Simon completed this project within budget and on schedule without any safety incidents. This was an outstanding success that improved efficiency […]

Thermal energy storage system converts biogas from wastewater treatment plant

Energy storage company 1414 switched on its gas thermal energy storage system (TESS) at the Glenelg Wastewater Treatment Plant in Adelaide today, its first commercial pilot site. The company says the technology is the first in the world to solve the issue of effectively storing biogas as thermal energy to produce heat and electricity on demand. TESS technology takes gas or electricity from any source and stores it as latent heat in silicon which melts at 1414°C. The energy from the latent heat can then be reclaimed and distributed as electricity and/or heat when required. A 10MWh storage unit is about the size of a 40-foot shipping container. 1414 Degrees Executive Chairman Dr Kevin Moriarty said biogas from wastewater management to agribusiness and landfill gas was an increasingly important source of energy globally. “This marks a pivotal phase in the commissioning process, firing the burners for the first time and heating up the thermal energy store. Importantly, we will pay for the biogas we use and sell electricity at market prices to test the revenue model,” he said. “The wastewater management industry is watching closely, as are many other heat dependent industries looking to reduce energy costs, save jobs and lower environmental impacts. “Renewables are about more than wind and solar. It’s time to put our vast sources of biogas to more efficient and sustainable use. Naturally occurring biogas has the potential to lower the cost and increase the stability of energy with reduced demand on fossil fuels.” Biogas is produced when organic waste, including human waste, is broken down in an anaerobic environment with the help of bacteria. The 10MWh GAS-TESS is co-funded by the South Australian Government’s Renewable Technology Fund and … Re

One word and a business can make a difference

Perth: Intrepid Cleaning is a commercial cleaning company in Perth, specialising in tidying up businesses, schools, shops, gyms, and more. The company is known for its eco-friendly approach to cleaning services, using only bio degradable cleaners on-site with their clients. In support of the #trashtag movement, Intrepid Cleaning owner Patrick Elliott wanted to see if his company could also help make a difference — and raise awareness not only about his company’s environmentally focused mission — but also about keeping and maintaining public spaces in Perth cleaner and more appealing to the people using them. “I came from being an office worker myself, and I saw first hand how poorly many professional environments and offices were cleaned and maintained. It seemed like the cleaning companies in charge were more interested in getting away with cleaning as little as possible and just make quick money. “So I saw an opportunity in providing thorough and detailed cleaning to businesses, schools, and other non-private facilities. As an added edge, I wanted to make my new company focused on the environment as well, making the choice easy to go with only eco-friendly and bio-degradable cleaners and supplies. Our clients love us for it.” — Intrepid Cleaning founder, Patrick Elliott. Starting in May, the company offers a free spring cleaning of your Perth office or commercial building if you show that you and your team cleaned a public space. Participation works by gathering your co-workers or employees together — then finding a beach, park, or oval in need of cleaning up. Then, fill up at least one or more large garbage bag. Take both a before and after photo of the area your team cleaned up, and then post them on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or YouTube). Make sure to include the hashtag #trashtag […]

Austech 2019 – Meet the Exhibitors

Austech 2019 – to be held from 14-17 May at Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC) – has already been confirmed as the biggest Austech yet. Co-located with National Manufacturing Week (NMW), Austech 2019 will be an unmissable event for manufacturing professionals, covering the entire spectrum of manufacturing technology, as well as showcasing some of Australia’s best advanced manufacturing companies. To get a flavour of what some of the exhibitors will have on display, you can browse a number of exhibitor previews online at the Austech website. Check out just a sample of what will be on offer at Austech 2019, at: www.amtil.com.au/austech/exhibitor-previews If you would like to attend Austech 2019, register online and start planning your visit at: www.amtil.com.au/austech/visit/

AI module to improve industrial production

Industrial workers can now more easily use the data from their equipment to predict production issues and improve processes with their existing automation and control skill set. The new FactoryTalk Analytics LogixAI module, formerly known as Project Sherlock, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect production anomalies and alert workers so they can investigate or intervene, as necessary. Many existing analytics technologies require deep expertise in both data science and industrial processes. But this add-on module for ControlLogix controllers reduces that burden by doing the job of a data scientist. It fits directly into a control chassis and streams controller data over the backplane to build predictive models. It can continuously monitor a production operation, detecting anomalies against its derived understanding. The FactoryTalk Analytics LogixAI module makes predictive analytics more accessible to help more workers make better production decisions. The module learns your ControlLogix application and tells operators and technicians when things are changing in unexpected ways. This can help them get ahead of product quality issues and protect process integrity. For example, the module can help operators spot performance deviations in equipment like mixers that could affect product quality or lead to downtime. It can also be used as a virtual sensor. Instead of workers taking a reading, like the humidity of a packaged food product, the module can analyse variables from line assets like sprayers, dryers and burners to predict a measurement, virtually. Factory Talk Analytics LogixAI has positive implications for businesses in any sector. By making available data that will assist workers in helping to ensure the smooth running of machinery, customers can empower employees to troubleshoot and solve problems as they arise, reducing downtime and ultimately contributing positively to the company’s bottom line. Workers can then be notified of problems by configuring alarms on a human machine […]

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