Developments

Collapse of Australian car manufacturing will harm R&D in other sectors: study

-Abbas Valadkhani, Professor of Economics, Swinburne University of Technology By the end of next year, car manufacturers Mitsubishi, Ford, Holden and Toyota will all have largely exited Australian manufacturing, taking their assembly lines overseas where the cost of production is significantly lower. This will create a vacuum for 260 businesses that supply accessories and components to the Australian automotive sector. But beyond the direct impact to suppliers, our research shows there will be a significant impact on output and tens of thousands of job losses in downstream and upstream industries, and in particular, the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PSTS) sector. This sector, defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, currently employs more than one million people, or around 8.5% of the total workforce. There are several reasons for the closure of Australia’s car manufacturing industry. The Australian market is too small and the industry cannot fully exploit economies of scale. To remain solvent they have no choice but to use cheaper foreign production inputs including both labour and parts. The domestic market conditions in Australia has become untenable with a) the lowering of import tariffs and the signing of Free Trade Agreements; b) higher wages and better work conditions demanded by the unions; and c) the appreciation of the Australian dollar. It is very difficult to compete when labour costs in some Asian countries are only one-fourth of that of Australia. But the car manufacturing industry does not operate in isolation. In 2009-2010 there were approximately 73,772 full-time employees in the motor vehicle industry (which includes the production of other transport equipment as well as parts), producing a total gross output of approximately A$20 billion. The output and employment multipliers in this industry are two and seven respectively, suggesting that $1 million in additional final demand can directly and […]

Bearings answer challenges of smaller bridge construction and upkeep

Smaller bridge construction and maintenance can benefit from cost-efficient Herculon type D sliding bearings in capacities up to 60 tons per bearing. A challenge facing builders and operators of thousands of smaller bridges throughout Australasia is ensuring such structures can flexibly and cost-efficiently cope with internal movement and stresses caused by changing loads, vibration, thermal expansion and other common attritional factors. The ability to provide cost-efficient and maintenance-free solutions to such issues is especially important to road and pedestrian access projects demanding high safety, such as those undertaken in metropolitan infrastructure projects, including health and carpark facilities. Such capabilities are also important in remote area service vehicle and pedestrian access facilities, such as those providing supply, exploration and service routes to mining and energy and oil and gas projects, where movement within access structures is caused by factors such as climate, changing uses and delivery of plant including conveyors, motors, turbines and reticulation systems. “Low maintenance is equally important also to government authorities as they face demands from local businesses to refurbish and renew private and public regional infrastructure,” says Mr David Booty, Manager, Hercules Engineering (a division of Cut To Size Plastics). “It is estimated* that there are more 30,000 timber and concrete bridges maintained by local authorities, for example, of which more than a quarter are in poor or fair condition,” *Source: National State of the Assets Survey 2015. Many of these are smaller road bridges or pedestrian walkways or bridges and could benefit from a no-maintenance, cost-efficient solution provided by Hercules Engineering through its range of Herculon Type D Bearings (HLD/SG, HLD/FF & HLD/FX), which are widely proven on applications ranging from steel and concrete beam engineering structures through to materials handling and processing facilities. Herculon HLD Bearings are part of a comprehensive range of Hercules composite […]

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 […]

The Ford plant closure is sad loss of manufacturing know how

Geoffrey Brooks, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Future Manufacturing), Swinburne University of Technology The closure of Ford’s casting plant in Geelong does make you wonder how losing the ability to make our own engines can be a step forward. Australia should take stock and contemplate what kind of society we are becoming. Critics of the decision to allow the car industry to leave would argue that governments should subsidise their local car manufacturing industries because of the benefits the industry brings in terms of employment and raising the general technological level of that country. In An Economy is not a Society, Dennis Glover argues that we are making a tremendous social and economic mistake in allowing such industries to close in the name of global competition. Glover outlines how the support for manufacturing in the post second world war era provided a base for many ordinary people to lead better lives, leading to many positive social and economic outcomes. He argues that the type of economy we have developed since the 1980s favours a few over the many. Certainly, the current government has shown more enthusiasm for making submarines than it did for car manufacturing, how does that extraordinary $50 billion dollar investment stack up, in terms of jobs and flow on effects? With the closing of the automotive industry, our knowledge of metals casting will clearly dive. Those employed at Ford and similar employees at Toyota and Holden don’t have equivalent jobs to take their deep knowledge to. The opportunities in the metals industry in this country are thin on the ground. The large casting plants are now in Asia, though the high technology end still prospers in part of Western and Northern Europe. The Chinese are currently known more for the low value end of metal castings but they are likely to […]

Flexibility and power with multi-process welding machines

WIA (Welding Industries of Australia) has announced the expansion of its industry leading Weldmatic range of MIG and multi-process welding machines, which now includes three new inverter models; the 250i, 350i and 500i. With all three welding machines utilising inverter technology, they feature sophisticated electronic controls, high frequency switching and high frequency transformers, to achieve consistent and controlled weld output for the professional welder. The Weldmatic 250i is a 240V multi-process industrial welder, suitable for everyday use by vehicle smash and exhaust repairers, fencing contractors and general maintenance applications in workshops and factories as well as on construction and mine sites. Capable of handling MIG, Stick and Lift-TIG welding, the 250i is a versatile and portable machine capable of gas shielded welding of aluminium, mild and stainless steel, as well as gas shielded cored wires and gasless flux-cored wires. Designed for every-day use, the control panel allows easy selection of gas and wire type, with infinitely variable voltage and wire speed, indicated on the digital display. However, unlike other similar machines on the market, the Weldmatic 250i features a 4-roll wire drive which improves wire feed consistency, plus it can accommodate 15kg wire spools. Using a 15kg spool means the machine suits the light industrial user as 15kg spools work out far cheaper per kg than smaller 5kg spools; in short the 250i can improve the welder’s productivity while reducing operating costs at the same time. The Weldmatic 250i is also supplied with a tradesman quality MIG gun with 3.6m cable complete with euro connector for easy fitting and removal, plus a 3m work lead, an industrial twist lock electrode holder, gas regulator, a range of tips and suitable drive rollers. Weighing in at just 25.5kg, the 250i comes supplied with two handles, making it an easy two-person lift and […]

Enerpac extends reach of Jack-Up system for Burkhalter

Enerpac has been awarded a contract by leading engineered heavy lifting, rigging, and transport company Burkhalter to extend the height of Enerpac’s 2000 metric ton (500 metric tons per tower) jack-up system from 20m to 36m for future projects. The near doubling in height will produce the world’s tallest jack-up system, allowing Burkhalter to handle more civil engineering and industrial multipoint lifts. The Enerpac technology used by Burkhalter – which specialises in transportation, engineered heavy lifting and rigging, heavy cargo logistics and plant maintenance and shutdowns – is available locally throughout Australasia. Enerpac’s jack-up system is a custom developed multipoint lifting system. A typical system setup includes four jack-up towers positioned under each corner of a load. The four tower setup has a lifting capacity of 2,000 metric tons. The lifting frame of each jack up tower contains four hydraulic cylinders in each corner which lift and stack steel boxes measuring 1m in height. A load is lifted in increments as boxes are inserted via an automated system, lifted, and stacked; forming ‘lifting towers’. “We had considered using strand jacks for a bridge demolition project, however, the barge-mounted Enerpac jack-up system will be a safer and more efficient synchronised lift of the bridge off its foundations,” said David James, project manager at Burkhalter. “Working with the Enerpac team, we developed the concept of a taller jack-up system that retained the lift capacity and versatility of multipoint synchronised lifting for loads up to 2,000 metric tons.” Increasing the height of the system will involve adding an additional 56 boxes and four strengthened corner bracing units to accommodate the extra 14 boxes per corner. The jack up system is controlled by a central computer control unit. Each tower’s lifting and lowering operations occur simultaneously; the computer control unit’s synchronous technology maintains the […]

Konecranes units and onsite maintenance scales new heights at Sino Iron

In the picture: One of the 125 Konecranes units assisting in the smooth running of CITIC Pacific Mining’s Sino Iron project One of Australia’s largest crane installations at CITIC Pacific Mining’s Sino Iron project is benefiting from the safety, efficiency and reliability of Konecranes CXT and SM cranes. Konecranes supplied a total of 125 units – a mixture of CXT wire rope hoists and SM winches from 1.5 tons -125 tons lifting capacity to the Sino Iron project, Australia’s largest magnetite mining and processing operation located at Cape Preston, 100 kilometres south west of Karratha in WA’s Pilbara region. The SM winches, in 75t and 125t options, are generally used for process related tasks in the ball mills, aggregate mills and magnetic separators, such as loading new balls into the mill. The CXT monorail hoists handle the comparatively lighter loads and are generally performing non-process related tasks such as service and maintenance. Konecranes’ world leading safety and efficiency technology is backed by local knowledge and support with over 31 sales and service locations across Australia and New Zealand. “The Konecranes units certainly benefit our operations, particularly where there’s no pedestrian access,” says Mr Alan Shepley, Senior Coordinator, Maintenance Services, CITIC Pacific Mining. Konecranes has just recently completed the assembly and installation of several new 75t and 125t SM cranes for the concentrator at Sino Iron. Konecranes Branch Manager for North West WA, Mr Steven Greenshields said the operation went very smoothly. “It has to date been a safe and highly successful build and install carried out by a professional and competent on-site install team.” To provide further support to the Sino Iron project, Konecranes has two technicians permanently stationed on site for 12 hours a day, every day of the year to perform service and maintenance on all the cranes, […]

‘5 Reforms Over 5 Years’ – Resource industry launches workplace relations campaign

Australia’s resource industry has launched a campaign for 5 Reforms Over 5 Years to get our workplace relations system back on track, and ensure our resource industry and broader business community can compete globally and attract job-creating investment to Australia. “Australia needs to do better on how we regulate work and workplace relations,” says AMMA chief executive Steve Knott. “A modern and competitive workplace relations system needs to do more than provide protections for employees, it must also support individual choice, flexibility and agility to ensure businesses can invest, prosper and create job opportunities. “These five reforms would deliver growth, productivity and a more positive operating environment for businesses of all sizes and across all industries. They address significant flaws and imbalances in the current Fair Work laws that create barriers to employment, investment and doing business in Australia.” The 5 Reforms over 5 Years draws from AMMA’s federal election survey in which over 100 leading resource employers, employing more than 85,000 Australians, detailed their experiences working under the Fair Work Act. The five reform priorities are as follows: 1. Focus enterprise bargaining, and ensure legally protected strike action can only be taken over claims pertaining to the employment relationship, not union ‘wish lists’ of claims. 2. Return balance to union workplace entry laws by creating an enforceable code of conduct and removing union access to employee lunch rooms when other suitable meeting rooms are available. 3. Expand agreement making options to facilitate employment arrangements, both individual and collective, directly between employees and employers. 4. Reform unfair dismissal and ‘general protections’ laws to ensure employers are not forced to pay ‘go away money’ to settle claims without merit. 5. Replace the Fair Work Commission with modern, balanced institutions by creating an Australian Employment Tribunal and a separate Employment Appeals Tribunal. “Australia has a choice […]

NMW 2016 finishes on a strong note

This year’s National Manufacturing Week (NMW) – May 11 – 13 in Sydney – has ended on a solid footing for the more than 200 exhibiting companies, 50 speakers and over 5,000 visits by attendees at the combined NMW-Safety First Conference and Expo event. Feedback to organisers, Reed Exhibitions, is that participants have gained new insights, information and all-important inspiration for growth in their businesses. This year’s events were defined by the twin themes of innovation and collaboration: with several Seminar Theatre sessions focusing on opportunities for manufacturers to break down the barriers to innovation. “The time for action is now,” urged The Hon Karen Andrews MP, Asst Minister for Science, in a Keynote Address on NMW’s final day, Friday May 13. “I know that SMEs have had some hesitation in the past around approaching the universities for partnership – due to barriers such as cost – but I invite businesses to come talk to the Department of Industry, or to me personally: because there are some real opportunities on the table, and we are keen to help business make connections that can support your growth.” The Assistant Minister’s comments were reflected throughout the NMW Seminar Theatre program: including in a Day 2 panel discussion focusing on funding for business innovation. Several SMEs,, including Marathon Targets, HMS Equipment and more, joined AusIndustry to share examples of how government assistance can help connect growth-hungry businesses connect with potential partners, and new ideas for growth. In a separate Day 2 session, Western Sydney University’s Dr Sasha Alexander challenged visitors with the observation that “Everytime a stranger enters the business, innovation happens.” Dr Alexander went on to explain how an outsider’s view of your business – from industry partners, consultants and even competitors – can challenge your assumptions, opening your eyes to new […]

Australian manufacturing is misunderstood

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