Products

Australian-based Protective Industrial Products completes acquisition of Honeywell’s Personal Protective Equipment Business

Protective Industrial Products, Inc. has completed the acquisition of Honeywell’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Business. The acquired business includes globally recognised brands such as Fendall™, Fibre-Metal™, Howard Leight™, Bisley Workwear™, Puma Safety™, Morning Pride™, North™, Oliver™, Salisbury™, and others. The move marks a significant step in Australian-based PIP’s growth journey, with the expansion delivering additional warehouses and jobs across Australia and New Zealand, courtesy of PIP dramatically upscaling its local operations. The acquisition creates a world-class portfolio of protective equipment and solutions through the addition of powerful brands and products that are highly complementary to PIP’s. The combination broadens and strengthens PIP’s head-to-toe protection offering, covering worker safety, electrical safety, hearing protection, head protection, respiratory, fall protection, eye protection, footwear, first aid, and first responder equipment. In addition, the acquisition expands PIP’s global manufacturing and distribution footprint to approximately 50 countries and will enhance supply chain and product development capabilities. Curt Holtz, President and CEO of PIP, said, “This acquisition is an exciting moment for PIP and our industry that will enable us to offer more growth opportunities for our valued customers around the world by significantly enhancing our product offerings, geographic reach, and manufacturing capabilities. “In combining the strengths of both companies, we are passionate about creating an industry leader that is more agile, more innovative, and more capable of providing unmatched expertise and service to help our customers grow.” David Gazal, APAC CEO of PIP, added; “This is an exciting new chapter for our team and our customers. The move will be a significant one in the APAC region and will allow us to dramatically upscale our operations and create additional employment opportunities. “The strength of PIP’s offering has always been strong but this acquisition further cements our position as market leaders, enhances our product line and increases […]

NT gas industry welcomes crackdown on activist lawfare

The NT gas industry says the Territory Government’s moves to clamp down on lawfare will boost investment and energy security. Australian Energy Producers NT Director David Slama welcomed the Petroleum, Planning and Water Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, set to be introduced in Parliament this week, as an important step in stopping activist groups from vexatiously using the legal system to delay critical gas projects in the Territory. “We commend the Territory Government for moving decisively to stamp out activist lawfare putting at risk economic and energy security for Territorians,” Mr Slama said. “At a time when Australians are facing cost-of-living pressures, the Territory Government has recognised the need to remove barriers to new gas supply so Territorians continue to have reliable and affordable energy. “It is not in the public interest for activist lawyers to damage the Territory’s attractiveness as a place to do business and to invest, undermining our economic and energy security.” Mr Slama said activists exploiting the Merits Review process had deterred much-needed investment in the Territory. “A long list of vexatious cases has exposed the extreme tactics of activists who are more interested in delaying projects than genuinely representing the interests of Territory communities,” he said. “Removing the Merits Review process is a significant step towards streamlining approval processes to enable new gas supply to be brought online sooner. “We need to expedite project delivery and improve environmental outcomes.”

Master Lock launches key storage products

Master Lock has launched four new key storage products, highlighting their innovation in access sharing. Master Lock’s three new next-generation key storage units include permanent wall-mount, and both portable shackle and cable versions. With a sleek, modern ergonomic design that makes them easier to use, the new key safes also offer increased security through a solid metal body construction, as well as greater resilience against the elements with a durable weather resistant cover. All three units boast increased storage capacity to secure more than ten standard house keys, as well as larger modern RFID car keys and fobs, access cards and extra-large home, office and storage keys. Offering elevated convenience and security, the new Master Lock 5481EURD Wall Mounted Key Lock Box (RRP $59.95) provides permanently installed unrivalled storage capacity and usability. Whether it’s for an office, or a construction site, the lock box is designed to grant access to trusted individuals seamlessly and reliably. The Master Lock Portable 5480EURDAU Shackle (RRP $65.95) and 5482EURDAU Cable Key Safes (RRP $69.95) offer even more application and functionality. Each product’s respective shackle and cable is removable, allowing for easy placement in a wide range of locations. Ideal for using at work, on equipment, vehicles, fences or gates, these products provide unmatched installation flexibility and adaptability. For those with late night or early morning starts, the new Master Lock 5424DAU Portable Combination Light-up Key Safe (RRP $61.95) is a must-have. Perfect for securing keys, it features a light up combination panel, making it easy to use in low-light situations. The new Master Lock key storage products are available at Bunnings Warehouse (5480EURDAU, 5481EURDAU and 5482EURDAU) Mitre 10 and Home Timber and Hardware stock all four products.

Australian made concussion diagnosis device exported to US

Every four minutes, someone in Australia is hospitalised with a head injury, with 24 per cent of all concussive episodes caused by sport.* The time taken for a patient to be diagnosed with concussion has largely been based on rudimentary field assessments, and diagnosis is often delayed as patients are transported to scanning equipment in hospitals. As a result, the potential for misdiagnosis or delay in treatment is high. With support from AMGC, Headsafe will change this, with the introduction of a ‘brain scanner in a briefcase’ dubbed Nurochek. Nurochek is a world-first device able to be deployed in mobile and clinical settings for rapid assessment and response to head injuries at the point of injury and at treating doctors or clinics. Verified extensively in the United States (US) and Australia, this US FDA-cleared portable headset uses patented technology to measure the brain’s electrical activity and sends the results to an online AI algorithm for analysis and later to the ‘cloud’ for secure storage. In a two-minute assessment, Nurochek will aid doctors and patients understand if a concussion has occurred. If so, then the patient can be appropriately managed and ensured a safer return to activities. Nurochek has multiple applications beyond sport, offering assessments for Traumatic Brain Injury from: Falls Motor vehicle accidents Military incidents and potentially early-stage diagnosis of other acute and chronic brain conditions. The two-year project, involving 11 collaborative partners, saw Headsafe adapt the technology to suit in-the-field deployment including the development of the technology while improving the data, processing, and usability capabilities of the product. Headsafe and its collaborators designed a new user interface, analysis algorithms, device design, power usage and cloud analysis capabilities. CEO and Founder of Headsafe, Dr. Adrian Cohen said, “Speed and accuracy of concussion diagnosis is key to better patient outcomes. Far […]

Kemppi launches all-in-one weld and clean machine – a new industry benchmark

Kemppi, has released a groundbreaking machine that delivers high-quality ACDC TIG welding and professional weld cleaning capability in the one unit, to set a new industry benchmark. The unique Kemppi Minarc T 223 ACDC GM features built-in electrolytic weld cleaning. Welders can quickly convert a TIG torch to cleaning mode, where the new MAX WeldClean cleaning process uses an efficient combination of electric current and phosphoric acid to remove oxidation and discoloration fast for perfectly clean high-quality welds. MAX WeldClean lets welders complete high-quality welds without using a separate weld cleaning machine. Just convert the TIG torch to cleaning mode and you are ready to go. “By combining weld cleaning with the ability to deliver quality welds in the one machine, the Minarc T 223 provides the welder with considerable convenience as they can perform both tasks in the one spot. This saves them precious time to help boost productivity and revenue,” explained Stuart Orr, Sales Director, Kemppi Australia. Powerful and versatile, the new Minarc T 223 is a 220 A single-phase AC/DC TIG welding machine. This multi-voltage machine provides precise and accurate welding thanks to its highly stable arc. The machine is also remarkably portable. Compact and lightweight, welders can easily carry the machine anywhere on site for fast, quality welding and cleaning. Other practical features of the Kemppi Minarc T223 include: Quality welding performance with AutoPulse The AutoPulse with frequency control feature helps deliver fast, high-quality, low spatter welds. This capability ensures welders consistently achieve great looking welds, saving them both time and money. Handy memory channels The Minarc T 223 is also equipped with memory channels to customise and save personal settings. Welders can quickly retrieve settings for faster set up and greater productivity. Easy to read display panel and control options for effortless operation The T […]

Indigenous PIC Leigh Harris IDL Creative Director leading the group

Pathways forged for indigenous youth in uniform design and production

Australian Defence Apparel (ADA) proudly announces an industry-first collaboration with Indigenous Design Labs (IDL), marking a significant milestone set to champion and showcase Indigenous youth creativity and community engagement. Chris Dixon, CEO of ADA, emphasised the significance of this collaboration within the Defence and manufacturing sectors, stating, “This pioneering partnership not only represents a groundbreaking endeavour in crafting new apparel, but also underscores ADA and IDL’s commitment to driving positive change and fostering cultural appreciation within Australia’s apparel manufacturing landscape, aligning closely with ADA’s Reconciliation Action Plan. Through innovative design, community engagement, and social responsibility, ADA and IDL are poised to set new standards for inclusive practices.” Phase one of the collaboration will see IDL creating modern and contemporary print artwork applicable to uniforms, bringing a fresh aesthetic to ADA’s warehousing and manufacturing operational crew. Phase two of the collaboration will launch an 8-week training program, integrated into a real[1]world uniform development project, where IDL youth will collaborate with ADA designers to develop a new clothing range from concept to prototype and manufacturing. The launch will coincide with Closing the Gap Day on 21 March 2024, amplifying the initiative’s significance and sparking conversation around social cohesion and economic empowerment. Leigh Harris, Indigenous business owner of ingeous studios and IDL Founder highlighted, “Indigenous Design Labs consist of a team of young creatives focusing on abstract and contemporary designs that reflect a diverse representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. We view every opportunity as a chance to contribute to and expand upon the ongoing narrative of Indigenous design.” Sheree Jacobs, IDL Torres Strait Mentor, added, “We are passionate about ensuring equal opportunities for individuals in regional areas. Partnering with a significant organisation such as ADA, not only grants access to urban opportunities but also empowers us to showcase what is […]

Hydraulink trendsetter doubles commitment with Bayside Brisbane franchise

Martin Smith, left, with the Hydraulink team including partner Andrew Schuler (fifth from left) and Hydraulink Bayside’s Andrew Richardson, (sixth from left). One of the pioneers of the Hydraulink hose and fittings organisation in Queensland has backed the success formula of the of the expanding national network by taking up a neighbouring franchise, in the Bayside district of Brisbane. Martin Smith – who has more than tripled the size of his existing distributorship in Brisbane North over the past nine years – has joined with his business partner Andrew Schuler to extend the range of Hydraulink services available to Bayside businesses seeking the same world standards of safety, compliance, cost-efficiency, and operational uptime. “Brisbane North already has major resources in Brisbane, with a strong engineering home base, established contractors, and a fleet of six vehicles giving 24/7 service. This will be further expanded with more vehicles and resources to back the local knowledge of Hydraulink Bayside’s Andrew Richardson, who is widely respected in the area,” he said. Hydraulink hose and fitting services are used by machinery ranging from forklifts and trucks, through to major civil engineering, primary industry, construction, logistics, manufacturing, warehouse, materials handling, and heavy machinery including tractors, graders, scrapers, bulldozers, diggers, and cranes, including wheeled and tracked equipment. The Hydraulink network – trading under the corporate signature “Best Under Pressure” – now includes 150 service points throughout Australia priding themselves on high ongoing standards of training and product, extensive machinery knowledge, and being able to deliver uniformly high standards of work across single businesses and machines, through to multiple sites and machinery fleets. Queensland Experience Martin Smith has long Queensland experience with the Hydraulink network and the opportunities for its can-do franchise operators, who are selected for their knowledge, enthusiasm for customer service – and willingness to continuously […]

Capricornia’s smart road to A$4.74 million Chinese joint venture

Australian scleral lens manufacturer Capricornia Contact Lens has signed a A$4.74 million joint venture with Chinese ophthalmic products distributor, Guangzhou Ruitai Biotech Co., Ltd. The two companies will establish EPICON (Chengdu) Medical Technology Co., Ltd in Chengdu, China. ‘Through the hard work over the past three and a half years, the accelerated registration of the first Rigid Gas Permeable scleral lens in China via the Real World data program was achieved. This is a remarkable milestone for both Capricornia and Ruitai,’ says Tony Capitano, Managing Director, Capricornia Contact Lens. ‘EPICON will focus on the R&D and manufacturing of scleral lens and other ophthalmic products,’ says Yongliang Lin, founder of Guangzhou Ruitai. ‘It will provide a whole set of innovative solutions in areas related to adolescent myopia, ocular surface diseases, refractive correction, and contact lens care products.’ A fast-tracked journey to China Founded in 1985, Brisbane-based Capricornia Contact Lens manufactured its first scleral lens in 1994. It is one of the earliest manufacturers of scleral lens in the world. The firm’s designs include lenses for Orthokeratology, irregular corneas and specifically the treatment of Keratoconus. Capricornia also manufactures a comprehensive range of custom soft and rigid gas-permeable lenses using state-of-the-art computer-controlled lathes. Guangzhou Ruitai Biotech is a high-tech enterprise focused on research and development, manufacturing, and sales of ophthalmic medical devices. Committed to the ophthalmic industry, Guangzhou Ruitai has invested in ocular surface repair, the prevention and control of adolescent myopia, and the treatment of glaucoma. Many of the company’s ophthalmic products enjoy the largest market share in their respective segments. In June 2019, Austrade Shenzhen introduced Guangzhou Ruitai to Capricornia. This came after China’s State Council released a policy allowing the Hainan provincial government to directly approve the import of certain medical devices that were not previously registered and approved by […]

Royal Wolf innovation to the fore

National shipping container company Royal Wolf has engineered a new twist on the backyard pool house with a luxury design that cost almost $50,000 less than comparable structures using traditional building methods. Royal Wolf Geelong Branch Manager Justin Van Loon had received quotes of up to $80,000 to build a 10mx5m pool house from landscaper builders before a lightbulb moment had him approaching Royal Wolf engineers for a solution. “The quote to do it using two shipping containers was significantly cheaper and we actually ended up with a larger pool house than we initially planned,” says Justin, who lives in Leopold, Victoria. “All up it cost about $30,000-$32,000, which included buying two containers, all modifications done by Royal Wolf and then completing other works ourselves like electrical and flooring.” Within weeks of Justin consulting the Royal Wolf team, engineering and workshop plans compliant with building regulations were drawn up, including a design for concrete footings. “The Royal Wolf engineers took into account our home address, wind ratings and all the different aspects that impact building structures and designed the pool house accordingly,” Justin says. “They also advised us on what materials we needed in order to strengthen the 12mx4.8m building and the window openings. The team modified the containers based on the drawings that were supplied by the engineers. “They removed two side walls of one container and one side wall of the other container, which was then strengthened and stiffened up with wide window openings, doors welded closed and the exterior painted.” Once complete, the pool house was delivered and placed by Royal Wolf at the Van Loon home. From sketch to completion, the project took just 10 weeks. “The best part was we had very little disruption or inconvenience at our home – we had the concreters dig […]

Problem solver Aaron Bollinger moves up the ranks to take on Hydraulink Mackay branch manager role

Hydraulink Mackay branch manager, Aaron Bollinger, says building relationships and solving customer problems are the keys to success that he has used to grow his career with Hydraulink A man focused on building relationships and solving problems has risen through the ranks to become Mackay branch manager of the national hose, fittings, and hydraulic service organisation, Hydraulink. Aaron Bollinger started as a service technician with Hydraulink, before moving into mobile service, breakdowns, and installations, then service manager, area sales manager, and now the branch manager at Mackay, Queensland. “Hydraulink provided me with outstanding support and a clear pathway to progress my career. Along the way I learnt from different managers and colleagues, all with different styles and ideas, and all of them helped grow my knowledge,” says Aaron. “In Mackay, we service major industries, such as mining, sugar, and agriculture. The customers we work with want to minimise downtime and ensure safety compliance on their sites, so they trust us to get them moving again,” he added. Hydraulink and sister company Hydraulink CCR’s extensive national network includes 14 company-owned sites in Australia, 135 network partners, and 150 service vehicles offering 24/7 onsite and mobile services to the same uniformly high levels of outstanding service, safety, standards compliance, traceability, and diverse machinery and equipment knowledge. As part of his move to branch manager, Aaron undertook leadership training at the Hydraulink Academy, which he says was practical and hands-on. “It didn’t feel like we were in a classroom – it felt like we were working with real examples that we might encounter next week on the job. We were also given homework, to bring real examples back to the group and describe how we applied our new learnings. It gives us a chance to learn where we could have done better, […]

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