Developments

IC3D, a leading provider of hardware and software solutions for the Manufacturing, Architectural and Engineering industries, has launched IC3D Steel – the first SolidWorks-based application designed for modelling and detailing steel constructions. Distributed nationally in Australia and New Zealand by Intercad – the largest SolidWorks distributor in the region – IC3D Steel builds on a longstanding and collaborative partnership with Intercad to find a dedicated SolidWorks solution that saves time and cost in the design, development and manufacture of steel fabrications. IC3D Steel manages the key phases of the steel construction process, from the creation of three-dimensional models to the compilation of the Bill of Materials and drawings of the steel constructions. The application integrates seamlessly with SolidWorks and includes an SQL database that permits advanced and coherent project management in the SolidWorks environment. Mike Gilliland, IC3D Software and Consulting Services Manager, says existing steel construction design solutions often compromise the industry-standard SolidWorks approach. “Other modelling applications enforce a rigid workflow on the steel fabrication designer, requiring participants to install identical packages to allow teams to collaborate effectively,” says Gilliland. “IC3D Steel eliminates these restrictions. Users can create and manage information relating to the key phases of the steel construction process, from modelling to design and assembly. “Because of its native integration with the 3D SolidWorks environment and SolidWorks file format, IC3D Steel also ensures interoperability between all SolidWorks users involved in the construction process, regardless of whether or not they all have IC3D Steel installed. We have been careful to develop IC3D Steel in collaboration with a representative group of 20 SolidWorks users, which is how we can be so confident that it will meet the needs of the ANZ market.” Other benefits include support for all common ANZ profiles and standard joints, saving hours of design time for […]

Tom Griffiths, General Manager of Melbourne Truck Centre (left) receiving the 2014 Dealer of the Year award from Stavros Yallouridis, IVECO Brand Leader at IVECO Trucks Australia. More than 70 staff representing 28 Dealers from across Australia gathered in Melbourne recently for the 2014 IVECO Dealer Conference. Hosted by Stavros Yallouridis, IVECO Brand Leader at IVECO Trucks Australia, the event included presentations and a gala dinner where the 2014 Dealer of the Year award was announced.  At the dinner, held high above the Melbourne skyline at the prestigious Eureka 89 restaurant, the guests were entertained by MC Vince Sorrenti who also took part in the official proceedings. Four awards were presented to Dealerships in recognition of their achievements, support for their customers and commitment to IVECO during the past year. Melbourne Truck Centre (MTC), based in Hampton Park, Victoria, took home the major prize which was awarded for the overall performance in all aspects of its business including vehicle sales, spare parts and customer service. MTC also achieved a customer satisfaction rating well above set targets indicating an outstanding commitment to its customers and support of the IVECO brand. Yallouridis introduced presentations by senior managers from sales, service and parts divisions of IVECO Trucks Australia. The sessions throughout the conference highlighted the successes and milestones of 2013 and the strategy for 2014, including a presentation by Matt King, Head of CNH Industrial ANZ outlining the vital place IVECO has in the overall global corporate structure.   IVECO Australia’s manufacturing base in Dandenong, Victoria was commissioned in 1952 and has produced more than 225,000 truck and bus chassis. The Dandenong plant represents a major investment in the local truck and bus industry and employs more than 600 people Australia wide. IVECO creates employment in Australia for thousands of people in related […]

In 2008 there were six companies manufacturing cars in Australia but by 2017 there will be none. The motor industry in Australia has been struggling for years and now with the demise of Toyota, there is urgent need for the future of manufacturing there to realign itself – especially to the plight of the component manufacturers who by 2017 will be struggling to exist, unless they start now to find some new markets for some new products. It has basically become unsustainable for companies to continue producing cars in Australia. Ford, Holden and Toyota have each blamed multiple factors rather than a single issue. The common factors have been a high Australian dollar that has hurt export opportunities – mostly for Toyota and Holden – and sweetened deals for those brands importing, Australia’s high production/wage costs, and a car market that has become too small and fragmented – 50-odd automotive brands compete for a slice of a million-vehicle market. Despite government industry assistance that has been estimated at between $500 million and $1 billion annually, the local car makers have struggled financially. Ford has lost about $600m since 2008, Holden was profitable only twice between 2005 and 2012, and while Toyota posted a $149m profit in 2012 it lost $150m over the three previous years. Once Ford declared in May 2013 it was planning to abandon local production of the Falcon large car and Territory SUV in October 2016, there were immediate fears for Holden and Toyota due to the implications for the critical automotive parts supplier base in Australia that served the trio. The closure of the five Victorian and South Australian production facilities operated by Ford, Holden and Toyota will directly result in the loss of approximately 6600 manufacturing jobs by 2017: 2500 from Toyota’s Altona plant, 2900 […]