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Cutting edge tool for underwater recovery developed

Blueprint Lab, an Australian robotics manufacturer, has developed custom jaws for their Alpha robotic arm which will allow for greater grip on fabric when resurfacing underwater drowning victims. This tool was developed for the Hutterian Emergency Aquatic Rescue Team (HEART). HEART are a volunteer group of certified divers from Manitoba, Canada who specialise in emergency water search, rescue and recovery. Using a combination of highly-skilled human divers and specialised technology, they are able to recover victims of tragic drowning accidents from the waterways of their region, including arctic underwater environments. The HEART operators have been using Blueprint Lab’s Reach Alpha subsea robotic grabber to assist them in recovery missions but were having trouble with the intense grip stability required to resurface deceased victims. They got creative and temporarily installed a makeshift DIY nail modification to their grabber in the short term, and then approached Blueprint Lab for an engineered solution. Blueprint Lab’s engineering team began developing and testing a grabber upgrade that would fulfil these specific task requirements, resulting in a new tool specialised for Search and Recovery – the Reach Alpha Special Recovery Tool. As well as looking the part, the Special Recovery Tool is strong, sturdy, and sharp making it an effective solution for HEART’s requirements. The Blueprint Lab team are thrilled to have worked with HEART to ensure their continued mission success. Always keen to rise to the operational challenges faced by partners and customers no matter how unique or challenging. “Here at HEART Team we use the Blueprint Lab manipulator on our VideoRay Pro 5 ROV for body recoveries. We had an opportunity to speak with the folks from Blueprint Lab about our work and the need for a grabber that is more suitable for taking hold of fabric during recoveries without pulling free. They […]

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Coal is passé in much of China

Australian coal exports to China plummeted last year. While this is due in part to recent trade tensions between Australia and China, our research suggests coal plant closures are a bigger threat to Australia’s export coal in the long term. China unofficially banned Australian coal in mid-2020. Some 70 ships carrying Australian coal have reportedly been unable to unload in China since October. This is obviously bad news for Australia’s coal exporters. But even if the ban is lifted, there’s no guarantee China will start buying Australian coal again – at least not in huge volumes. China is changing. It’s announced a firm date to reach net-zero emissions, and governments in eastern provinces don’t want polluting coal plants taking up prime real estate. It’s time Australia faced reality, and reconsidered its coal export future. First, the coal ban In May last year, China’s government effectively banned the import of Australian coal, by applying stringent import quotas. As of last month coal exports to China from Newcastle, Australia’s busiest coal exporting port, had ceased. In 2019, Australia exported A$13.7 billion worth of coal to China. This comprised A$9.7 billion in metallurgical coal for steel making and A$4 billion in thermal coal for electricity generation. The latest official Australian data shows these export levels fell dramatically between November 2019 and November 2020. Comparing the two months, metallurgical and thermal coal exports to China were down 85% and 83% respectively. Several Chinese provinces experienced power blackouts in late 2020. China’s state-backed media said the shortages were unrelated to the ban on Australian coal. Instead, they blamed cold weather and the recovery in industrial activity after the pandemic. We dispute this claim. While Australian coal accounts for only about 2% of coal consumption in China, it helps maintain reliable supply for many power stations in China’s southeast coastal provinces. Coal mining in China mostly occurs in the western […]

Indigenous WA business a formidable force in PPE supply chain

In the picture: Tim Bray (Nextsite) Matt Rear (Spinifex Protect) Jonathan Shih (Nextsite) Adam Barnard (Spinifex Protect). Spinifex Protect is a majority Aboriginal owned business established as part of the response to the Prime Ministers “Call to Arms” for Australian manufacturing with relevant capabilities to join the fight against COVID 19. During the peak COVID 19 period, Spinifex Protect was formed as a joint venture between Spinifex Brewing Company (Majority owned by Rivergum Aboriginal Corporation) and Limestone Coast Brewing. Pivoting immediately Spinifex Protect was able to supply significant quantities of Hand Sanitiser and in July 2020 completed what has now become the largest ethanol manufacturing plant in Western Australia with capacity approaching 50,000 litres per week. “Following months of negotiations Spinifex Protect are pleased to announce today the launch of our latest project entering the supply chain for the provision of the full range of PPE for the Resources, Hospitality and Medical/Aged Care sectors says Rivergum Aboriginal Corporation Chairman and Yamatji man Mick Little” Powered by Nextsite, Spinifex Protect PPE has partnered with major brands such as Mongrel Boots (Aussie born and Bred) Blundstone, FXD, CAT, Bisley Workwear and Typhoon Tools. For further information including launch capability statement for the resources sector visit www.spinifexprotect.com.au

AUSPACK 2021 postponed, relocating to Melbourne May 2022

After careful consideration, the APPMA Board has made the difficult decision to postpone AUSPACK 2021 in Sydney, and re-schedule the next event for Melbourne 2022. Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) Chairman Mark Dingley said, “With an event of this scale and significance, the most important factors in our decision were if we held the event in 2021, the uncertainty around protecting the health and safety of our industry community when it comes together, and preserving the experience and value that exhibitors and visitors alike receive from attending an event the calibre of AUSPACK. “This exhibition is known for the depth of products and services on the show floor, and the unique networking opportunities available from the many events held around the show. With the continuing uncertainty around domestic state-border openings, and the very likely reality that international flights will not be allowed until the second half of 2021, we felt we could not deliver this experience to the same high standards as previously. Moving the event to 2022 was, therefore, the right thing to do from the perspective of human health and the financial and marketing value that exhibiting businesses would receive.” Mr Dingley said the APPMA Board did not want to add to the congestion created by other commercially focused exhibitions moving dates from 2020 to mid-2021. “It’s not really ideal for the industry to have a slew of shows held so closely together, and we believe the value to exhibitors and visitors will be vastly reduced. As an industry-based association, the APPMA believes moving AUSPACK to a later ‘quieter’ date provides the best outcome for industry, including the best financial ROI for exhibitors and visitors.” Jon Perry, Event Director with organiser Exhibitions & Trade Fairs, said, “The last edition of AUSPACK in 2019 at the Melbourne […]

Why choose local manufacturing?

The case for local manufacturing has never been stronger. While some SMEs do, of course, benefit from regular contracts outside of their own back yard, for many the income from local trade is what keeps them afloat. This holds as true for B2B as it does for B2C. In fact, for small and medium sized businesses, choosing local manufacturing options, while perhaps a little more expensive in the short term, brings about many advantages. The case for staying local The Australian manufacturing industry is experiencing its biggest shake-up in decades. After years of languishing in the doldrums, the government has finally put in place many financial incentives and grants to allow SMEs to innovate and expand. The needs of Aussie organisations are somewhat unique. This is in part due to the geographical location, but also because of the proximity and ease of cheap imports from nations, such as China. Local manufacturing can rarely, if ever, compete on price with commodities from outside the country. However, cost alone shouldn’t be the driving factor. Choosing a local manufacturer for your needs comes with multiple advantages: Better understanding between manufacturer and customer: This is crucial to ensure that the product is as you expect. Being local and able to meet up in person and throughout any process is hugely valuable – something that can’t be done if your items are being produced thousands of miles away No shipping or customs barriers: Local companies can usually turnaround orders in a far more timely manner than those that are shipped in from another country/continent The personal touch: Face to face conversations lead to better communication. It also enables easy tracking of orders or chasing up should any issues arise The strict adherence to national and international standards: When it comes to health and safety, it’s […]

Going public helps Mayfield bring manufacturing home

The 84-year-old company has listed on the Australian stock exchange as part of a bid to boost its manufacturing in South Australia and grow its business. Electrical manufacturing business Mayfield Group Investments completed the back-door listing on Wednesday with the reverse takeover of ASX-listed Stream Group. The new entity, known as Mayfield Group Holdings (MYG), listed at an initial public offering (IPO) price of $0.36 on Wednesday and by the close of business yesterday the share price had risen to $0.60 with a market cap of $50.84 million. Headquartered in Edinburgh north of Adelaide, Mayfield also has offices and manufacturing facilities in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and some 200 staff. The company was founded in Adelaide in 1936 as FR Mayfield and provides a suite of electrical products and services for renewables, transmission and industrial infrastructure for a number of sectors including defence, mining and oil and gas. Its products include high voltage electrical switch rooms for power distribution and control for renewables (wind and solar), mining, heavy industry and utilities. While the IPO only set out to and successfully raised $1.2 million, Mayfield CEO and managing director Jon Hobbs said the listing would enable a significant growth phase to begin. “We have a growth mindset and certainly we have targets but the first step for us was to list and be able to access equity markets,” he told InDaily. “I would call us a conservative company with high aspirations, so for us it was about achieving a public listing, doing this very responsibly and with good governance and then preparing ourselves to take the next strategic step when we would come back to the market. “We are pleased that the market sees the value in our business purpose and in the trends we see in the market but equally […]

Beyond Great

–Arindam Bhattacharya, Nikolaus Lang, Jim Hemerling Great is no longer good enough. Beyond Great delivers a powerful new playbook of 9 core strategies to thrive in a post-COVID world where all the rules of the game are being re-written. Beyond Great answers to two fundamental questions which face business leaders today in a world shaped by daunting and disruptive technological, economic, and social change. First, what is outstanding performance in this new volatile era? Second, how do we build competitive advantage in a world with new and often uncertain rules? Supported by years of research and hands-on consulting practice, this book presents a comprehensive framework for building a high performing, resilient, adaptive, and socially responsible global company. The book begins by taking an incisive look at these disruptive forces transforming globalization, including economic nationalism; the boom in data flows and digital commerce; the rise of China; heightened public concerns about capitalism and the environment; and the emergence of borderless communities of digitally connected consumers. Distilled from the study of hundreds of companies and interviews with dozens of business leaders, the authors have distilled nine core strategies – the new winning playbook of the 21st century. Beyond Great argues that business leaders today must lead with a new kind of openness, flexibility and light-footedness, constantly layering in new strategies and operational norms atop existing ones to allow for “always-on” transformation. Leaders must master a whole new set of rules about what it takes to be “global,” becoming shapeshifters adept at handling contradiction, multiplicity, and nuance. This book will show them how.

Victorian construction industry utilising first Australian Bluetooth contact tracing solution

The Victorian construction industry is forging ahead on the road to recovery and taking advantage of the latest Bluetooth contact tracing technology, becoming the leaders in Australian safety. Despite a year of constant setbacks, The Commonwealth and Victorian governments have committed to supporting construction jobs across Victoria by jointly investing an additional $525 million to deliver infrastructure projects and urgent road safety upgrades. Within the past three months, Major Roads Projects Victoria (MRPV) and their construction partners Decmil, Fulton Hogan Industries Pty Ltd, John Holland Group Pty Ltd, McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd, Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd and Seymour Whyte Constructions Pty have all implemented a new contract tracing system as part of a rigorous COVID safe plan across their sites to keep these critical projects on track and Victorians in work. Over 8,700 Contact Harald cards have been distributed across these worksites, with more to follow. Contact Harald is a wearable contact tracing card that is given to all on site visitors including workers. The technology then records and stores interactions that last over two minutes and within a 1.5 metre radius. If a visitor declares symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19, only the recorded users in close proximity to the suspected or confirmed case will be sent an SMS and email via the secure Contact Harald database, owned and administered by the construction company – removing the need for external agencies and nullifying cyber security concerns. In the event of a suspected or confirmed case, this new contact tracing system will notify only those with recorded close contact – this advancement enables construction to continue with minimal disruption. Director of Health and Product at Contact Harald Elissa Reid, said: “Now is the time for key infrastructure to take shape as we ease back into day to day […]

Rio Tinto’s partnership with SM TAFE, WA Government wins global award

Rio Tinto’s partnership with South Metropolitan TAFE (SM TAFE) and the Western Australian State Government has been globally recognised at the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics 2020 Awards of Excellence. The partnership won Gold in the ‘Partnership with Industry’ category for its work in developing and deploying the first nationally recognised vocational qualifications in automation. The World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics is an international network of colleges and national and regional associations of colleges. A total of 113 nominations were received for the awards from organisations around the world. In 2017, Rio Tinto committed $2 million towards the development of automation qualifications to provide pathways to emerging jobs in the field of automation. Since then, pilots for a Certificate II in Autonomous Workplace Operations, as well as a Certificate IV in Remote Centre Operations, have been completed with broader enrolments planned for 2021. A pilot micro credential Course in Working Effectively in an Automated Environment qualification is ongoing with wider enrolment options planned for 2022. Scott Browne, Vice President of Human Resources from Rio Tinto said, “Our partnership with South Metropolitan TAFE has been vitally important in terms of providing workers in the resources sector, and others looking to join it, with new pathways to the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in an increasingly STEM-based world. “We are delighted to win this award which is a recognition of the bridge this partnership has built between STEM and formal education in the workplace and is a demonstration of what can be delivered when industry, government and education work together.” Terry Durant, Managing Director of South Metropolitan TAFE, said, “South Metropolitan TAFE is honoured to win this award. The workplace is rapidly changing and it is very exciting to be at the forefront together with industry; and to be […]

Energy Renaissance appoints Dr Bruce Gregory as new Chair

Energy Renaissance, Australia’s first lithium-ion battery manufacturer, announced today that it has appointed Dr Bruce Godfrey as its new Chair. Bruce takes over from Su McCluskey, following her appointment in July 2020 as a Commissioner to the National COVID-19 Commission Advisory Board. Su will continue as a Director of the company. A Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, Bruce brings to Energy Renaissance over four decades of experience in business, innovation and technology investment. He has successfully helped advance and commercialise a range of renewable and non-renewable energy technologies and has played a strategic role in promoting the investment readiness of products, companies, innovation policies and programs. His background in working with distributed energy resources technologies, including energy storage, will prepare Energy Renaissance for its next phase of growth and expansion. Mark Chilcote, Managing Director of Energy Renaissance said, “Bruce’s appointment signals a new chapter for Energy Renaissance as we start to build our first battery manufacturing facility in Tomago, NSW and plan for significant growth including export of our superStorage products. The Board is delighted to have Bruce work alongside the Energy Renaissance leadership team.” “Energy Renaissance is taking the lead in Australia’s ambitions to be a battery nation and a trusted partner in the global energy storage industry. I look forward to working with both the Board and entire team as we deliver the company’s strategy and growth, including the completion of our first manufacturing facility in Tomago,” said Dr Godfrey. Bruce is currently Vice-President Diversity of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, a Director of Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre Limited (FBI CRC) and of Science in Australia Gender Equity Limited (SAGE). He is a Member of ARENA’s Advisory Panel and of the ANU’s Energy Change Institute and is Chair of the […]

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