Company News

Geelong strengthens its carbon fibre industries x2

Two developments in two days have strengthened Geelong’s carbon fibre industries showing the coastal Victorian city is more than capable of giving itself a future after the closure of the city’s Ford stamping and engine plants. CSIRO and Deakin University have patented a new method for making carbon fibre which should be both stronger and with more consistent quality across its length than existing methods. A wet spinning line was launched at Waurn Ponds just outside Geelong. Carbon fibre combines high rigidity, tensile strength and chemical resistance with low weight and is used in aerospace, civil engineering, the military, cars, and also in competitive sports. Only a handful of companies around the world can create carbon fibre, each using their own secret recipe.” Also this week the Australian Manufacturing Growth Centre announced $250,000 project funding for Geelong-based carbon fibre composites manufacturer, Quickstep Holdings. Quickstep has its own fast curing process for composites, makes vertical tail parts for the F-35 fighter jet, and manufactures rocket fairings for European customers. The investment will help the company develop a carbon fire fender for the European market. AMGC claims that the project has the potential to generate $25 million in revenue and increase in-demand jobs in the region. The funding comes on top of $250,000 in project funds the AMGC granted to the Advanced Fiber Cluster Geelong. This funding will directly support the Geelong Manufacturing Council in collaboration with Carbon Nexus, a Deakin University research centre. Picture – CSIRO’s carbon fibre spinner.Show less

Konecranes extends steel industry and advanced technology leadership

In the picture:Konecranes staff at the 2016 Steel Convention. From left to right, Daniel McCarney (Operations Manager), Peter Monaghan (National Industrial Equipment Sales Manager), James Dowe (Managing Director, Australia, New Zealand and Philippines) and Steve Gagnuss (Head of APAC Region). Global crane manufacturer and service leader Konecranes is extending its technology and leadership involvement in the steel industry by being a major sponsor of the Australian Steel Convention for the 5th year in a row. At this year’s convention, hosted in Melbourne CBD from September 11-13, Konecranes, which employs over 12,000 people across 600 locations in 48 countries, demonstrated its UNITON crane. UNITON is particularly applicable to the steel industry and related uses such as materials handling, manufacturing and maintenance. A strong focus this year was on advanced technologies such as SMART features, lifecycle care through yourKONECRANES and the new Konecranes parts store, all of which are designed to provide a greater level of safety, reliability and information that can help to better plan maintenance and service schedules. “Our continued support of this convention provides us with a valuable opportunity to discuss the steel industry with other experts and help shape its future into one that is safe, efficient and reliable,” said Konecranes Managing Director, Australia, New Zealand and Philippines, Mr James Dowe. Mr Dowe will also personally be attending Konecranes’ booth at the convention, along with Konecranes Head of APAC Region, Mr Steve Gagnuss, National Industrial Equipment Sales Manager, Mr Peter Monaghan and Operations Manager, Mr Daniel Mccarney in order to answer any questions about Konecranes technologies or the steel industry in general. “Our company has a strong ethos of safety, which is vital to the steel industry. I’ve had some insightful conversations about the future of the steel industry at past conferences, and I’d invite anyone who is […]

Sundance Energy Australia’s Borrowing Base $67 Million

DENVER – Sundance Energy Australia Limited (ASX:SEA) (“Sundance” or the “Company”), a U.S. onshore oil and gas exploration and production company focused in the Eagle Ford and Greater Anadarko Basin, is pleased to announce the completion of its second quarter 2016 borrowing base redetermination. The borrowing base under its Revolving Credit Facility with Morgan Stanley has been reaffirmed at $67 million. CEO and Managing Director Eric McCrady commented, “We are pleased with the outcome of the semi-annual redetermination of our borrowing base and appreciate Morgan Stanley’s support.” The Company’s Term Loan with Morgan Stanley remains unchanged at $125 million. The Revolving Credit Facility matures in May 2020 and the Term Loan matures in November 2020. Sundance Energy Australia Limited is an Australian-based, independent energy exploration company, with a wholly owned US subsidiary, Sundance Energy Inc., located in Denver, Colorado, USA. The Company is focused on the acquisition and development of large, repeatable oil and natural gas resource plays in North America. Current activities are focused in the Eagle Ford and Greater Anadarko Basins. A comprehensive overview of the Company can be found on Sundance’s website at www.sundanceenergy.net.

Company tax reform a boost for Australia’s resource industry

Statement by AMMA Chief Executive Steve Knott Australia’s resource industry welcomes the Turnbull Government laying out a roadmap to bring Australia’s company tax rate into line with the OECD average. While immediate support for small and medium businesses will provide junior miners, explorers and suppliers to the resource industry with welcome tax relief, the 10-year plan to have a 25 per cent company tax rate across the board will provide a great boost for investment in new major resource projects. The resource industry is in the business of long term planning and development, with multi-billion dollars investment decisions often having lead times of more than 10-years. Thus, certainty and stability is critical for Australia’s resource industry to remain a globally competitive place to invest, employ and do business. AMMA urges the opposition to take a bi-partisan approach to company tax reform; one that will see both major parties commit to the 25 per cent target within 10 years whether in government or opposition. These important budget measures must be complemented by other reforms that maximise the proportion of Australians in jobs, paying tax and generating growth. Australia cannot allow our unbalanced, increasingly uncompetitive workplace relations system to remain in a holding pattern, creating barriers to jobs and growth. The next Australian Government must tackle the growing imperative for workplace relations reform. Implementing key recommendations from the Productivity Commission’s review of our workplace relations framework would be a very positive starting point.

Rockwell Automation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2015 Results

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cR23lO4xvghttp:// • Fourth quarter sales down 10 per cent year over year; down 2 per cent organically • Fourth quarter Adjusted EPS of US$1.57; diluted EPS of US$1.50 • Full year Adjusted EPS of US$6.40, up 4 per cent despite 5 per cent lower sales; diluted EPS of $6.09 • Record fiscal year free cash flow and ROIC • Company increases dividend 12 per cent • Company provides fiscal 2016 Adjusted EPS guidance of US$5.90 – US$6.40 SINGAPORE – 13 November 2015 – Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK) today reported fiscal 2015 fourth quarter sales of US$1,607.5 million, down 9.8 per cent from US$1,781.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. Organic sales decreased 2.3 per cent, and currency translation reduced sales by 7.6 per cent. Fiscal 2015 fourth quarter Adjusted EPS was US$1.57, down 16 per cent compared to Adjusted EPS of US$1.86 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. Total segment operating earnings were US$335.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, down 15 per cent compared to US$395.8 million in the same period last year. Results in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 included US$12 million of restructuring charges. Total segment operating margin decreased to 20.9 per cent from 22.2 per cent a year ago, primarily due to lower operating margin in the Architecture & Software segment. On a GAAP basis, fiscal 2015 fourth quarter net income was US$201.3 million or US$1.50 per share, compared to US$248.7 million or US$1.79 per share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. Pre-tax margin decreased to 17.3 per cent from 19.0 per cent in the same period last year. Full Fiscal Year 2015 Sales were US$6,307.9 million in fiscal 2015, down 4.8 per cent compared to US$6,623.5 million in fiscal 2014. Organic sales increased 1.1 per cent, and […]

New round of funding for Australian member–based business organisations targeting Asia

Austrade is seeking Expressions of Interest from Australian member–based business organisations for the 2014 Asian Business Engagement (ABE) Plan grant round. The ABE Plan was established by the Australian Government to assist member-based business organisations harness the opportunities emerging in Asia. It is focused on facilitating new initiatives to improve Australian business links into the region through these groups. Under the scheme, grants of between $20,000 and $300,000 will be awarded on merit after a competitive application process. Organisations that applied for the recently concluded round are also encouraged to apply. Applications for the new grant round open on 10 March and close on 8 April 2014. This will be preceded by an optional Expression of Interest (EOI) phase commencing on 10 February. While not mandatory, the EOI phase is part of the process allowing potential applicants to receive valuable feedback prior to proceeding to the full application stage. The majority of organisations that received grants last year indicated that the EOI process helped them improve their applications.

ByRay Australia changes name

ByRay Australia, a provider of cutting tools, plasma consumables and lubrication systems, announced has changed its name to TruCut Solutions. The name change is intended to more accurately reflect the company’s business focus, operations and long-term goals. “We specialise in providing high-quality cutting consumables and technical support to profile cutting and machining industries,” says company director David White. Mr White said that the TruCut Solutions name is expected to provide broader marketplace appeal and recognition. TruCut Solution’s professional staff are driven to find the best solution to their customers’ cutting needs and are able to supply custom tools made in-house to suit all individual requirements. Furthermore, TruCut Solutions has recently been awarded the agency for Hypertherm Powermax hand plasma systems and consumables in the greater Sydney area. Powermax plasma systems cut and gouge a wide variety of metal types, thicknesses and forms. Hypertherm’s Powermax line of products consists of six systems from small to heavy-duty, high-capacity handheld cutting. Products include: For routers and mills: * Solid carbide router and milling cutters * HSK and ISO tool holders * ER collets * Unist micro mist cutting lubricators and coolant * Ceramic spindle bearing replacement and balancing * HSD high speed spindles For plasma profile cutting: * Hypertherm mechanised and hand plasma consumables * Hypertherm Powermax hand plasma systems * Centricut plasma and laser consumables to suit Kaliburn, Thermal Dynamics, Esab and other brands

Qantas cuts 5000 jobs

Qantas Airways will cut 5000 jobs as it moves to speed up its $2 billion cost cutting plan. The cuts,to made over a three year period, will involve the loss of 1500 management and non-operational roles and comes as the carrier booked a $252 million underlying loss for the six months to December 31. Qantas will also exit the Perth-Singapore route and use smaller aircraft on flights from Sydney and Brisbane to Singapore.

Intercad acquires Solidtec Solutions

Intercad Pty Ltd, the leading supplier of 3D solid modelling products and services across Australia and New Zealand, has acquired fellow 3D CAD specialist Solidtec Solutions. As part of the deal, Solidtec personnel will join Intercad to further increase the level of expertise at the company, which over the past three years has transitioned into a full-service mechanical computer-aided engineering solutions provider. “We will merge the two businesses to support a larger range of services,” said Max Piper, Chief Executive Officer, Intercad Pty Ltd. “Established nearly 25 years ago, Intercad is the longest-standing 3D solid modelling specialist in the region, giving us a depth of industry knowledge that is evidenced in the range of services we offer and the breadth of products we represent.” Solidtec sales personnel will join Intercad as a result of the acquisition. Former Solidtec Chief Executive Officer Shane Preston said the sale will ultimately benefit both organisations – their personnel and the customers. “Manufacturing is facing significant headwinds, but it’s a resilient industry and companies are constantly looking to invest in services that increase productivity in a competitive global market,” said Piper. “Intercad is working on developing partnerships with organisations such as IC3D to further strengthen our ability to offer customers a more complete solution that meets their requirements and maximises their investment in SolidWorks, including products for steel fabrication and simple language translation.”

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