The Creative Class

Australian manufacturers are facing their biggest energy risk in decades – Most haven’t noticed yet

By Jonathan Pooch Let me be direct: most Australian manufacturers are carrying a significant energy risk right now, and most of them don’t know it. That world of low, stable energy prices where energy sat in the engineering manager’s inbox and not the boardroom is gone. And the organisations that haven’t updated their thinking are the ones most exposed to what’s coming. The federal government’s Demand Side Statement of Opportunities (DSOO) is a signal worth paying attention to. The study, currently in development by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water with CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator, is expected to be released later this year. It will for the first time formally model the value of industrial energy users as active participants in managing the grid. The CSIRO’s FlexCost study alongside it puts a price on what it costs to incentivise businesses to flex their energy loads, shifting consumption to off-peak periods, storing heat or power for later use, responding dynamically to grid conditions. The first FlexCost report is due this quarter. This is a fundamental shift in how the energy system is being designed. And most manufacturers have no idea what it means for them. Here’s what it means. We are entering a new world of renewables, batteries, solar and electrification, and with it comes a significant and growing risk for manufacturers who haven’t started thinking strategically about energy. Gas prices are up. Price volatility is increasing. The grid is becoming more complex. And at some point, government funding becomes irrelevant, because the energy price itself will force decisions. The question is whether you’re making those decisions under pressure or whether you’ve already mapped your options and can move fast when the moment arrives. I’ve been in enough boardrooms to know that energy is […]

Wind and Transmission Towers a Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity for Australian Manufacturing

Weld Australia says renewable infrastructure build-out can unlock jobs, capability and regional industrial growth Weld Australia has welcomed growing momentum behind domestic wind and transmission tower manufacturing, describing it as one of the most significant industrial opportunities available to Australia’s fabrication, steel and manufacturing sectors. The Federal Government’s most recent Capacity Investment Scheme results demonstrate the scale of the opportunity. Announced in late May, Tender 7 selected 19 projects and exceeded the original 5GW target by more than 50%. The projects will deliver 7.8GW of generation capacity, which is enough to power four million households across the National Electricity Market, with associated hybrid projects adding a further 7.9GWh of storage capacity. According to Weld Australia CEO Geoff Crittenden, the scale of this build-out presents a direct opportunity for Australian industry. “This is not an abstract future opportunity. It is happening now,” Crittenden said. “Every wind farm needs towers. Every transmission project needs steel. Every major energy project requires fabrication, welding, logistics, engineering and skilled workers. These are exactly the capabilities Australian industry already has.” The Federal Government has already recognised the potential, with the Department of Industry, Science and Resources recently consulting on domestic manufacturing of wind and transmission infrastructure. The Department stated that Australia has a “unique opportunity to build a competitive, viable and resilient domestic manufacturing industry for wind and transmission towers.” Weld Australia is now calling for practical policy settings that convert opportunity into long-term industrial capability. “Australia has a choice,” Crittenden said. “We can import the majority of the fabricated steel components needed for the energy build-out, or we can use this pipeline of work to rebuild manufacturing capability, create skilled jobs, support regional communities and strengthen supply chains.” The opportunity is already being demonstrated on the ground. At Squadron Energy’s Uungula Wind […]

data-center-with-rows-computer-racks-generative-ai_431161-22716

Cooling is becoming the constraint: how data centre design is changing under pressure

Data centres have traditionally been designed with a focus on compute capacity, with cooling treated as a supporting system that can be scaled as needed. That assumption no longer holds. As demand for data processing continues to grow, driven by cloud services and artificial intelligence, cooling is becoming a primary constraint on how infrastructure is designed, operated and expanded. This shift is particularly relevant in Australia, where rapid growth in digital infrastructure is being balanced against constraints around energy availability, cost and sustainability expectations. As new facilities are developed and existing sites are expanded, operators are facing increasing pressure to optimise both performance and resource use. One of the clearest indicators of this change is the scale of energy required to run modern data centres. Cooling alone accounts for a significant portion of overall consumption, and total demand continues to rise as compute intensity increases. This is not just a question of efficiency. It is a question of whether existing approaches to cooling can keep pace with increasing thermal loads while remaining viable in a constrained energy environment. The result is a shift in how cooling is viewed. It is no longer a downstream engineering decision. It is a core determinant of performance, cost and scalability. This becomes more pronounced as rack densities increase. Traditional air-based systems remain effective at lower densities, but their limitations become more apparent as heat loads rise. Liquid cooling has emerged as a practical response. By using the thermal properties of liquids, systems can remove heat more efficiently and support higher-density infrastructure. However, this is not simply a technology shift. It requires a different approach to system design, integration and operation. In this environment, performance is no longer defined by capacity alone. It is increasingly defined by control. Cooling systems must operate in dynamic conditions, […]

Power surge: Deakin study finds sharing energy cuts costs and boosts fairness

Australia’s first-ever large-scale randomised control trial exploring a new technology that enables households and small businesses to buy and sell solar and battery power, has found to have increased access to solar and battery use, lower electricity prices, and encourage greater perceptions of a fairer energy system. The Virtual Energy Network (VEN) study, led by Deakin Business School and funded by Energy Consumers Australia’s Grants Program, has explored how households and small businesses can be enabled to sell excess solar or battery-stored power directly to others via a digital platform. Dr Andrea La Nauze, lead researcher and energy economist at Deakin University, said the project shows a potential blueprint for creating a more inclusive and flexible energy system in Australia. ‘Helping more people access the benefits of solar and battery power is vital to supporting Australia’s successful transition to net zero,’ Dr La Nauze said. The Virtual Energy Network allows people with solar to decide who their surplus power goes to, and how much they charge for it. It also shows how we can help more Australians access clean energy – even if they cannot install panels themselves. Our research is a significant step toward leveraging this distributed energy resource for the benefit of all Australians, not just those able to install solar themselves.’ About 300 participants from QLD, NSW, Vic and SA joined the study, which has been running since June 2025. One-third of participants did not have rooftop solar or batteries. The online platform allows energy sellers and buyers to trade based on mutually agreed prices. Buyers stand to benefit from power that is typically cheaper than standard electricity rates, while supporting the broader use of local renewable energy. The VEN led to increased utilisation of solar and also helped increase perceptions of a ‘fairer’ energy system among participants. Importing households […]

Fuji SMBE Macquarie and New Edge Group deliver critical electrical infrastructure for major fulfilment centre

Fuji SMBE Macquarie and New Edge Group have collaborated to deliver critical electrical infrastructure to a major new fulfilment centre in Western Sydney, NSW. This project is the first of two new fulfilment centres being built, with $490 million being invested across both facilities. This first facility spans 80,000 square metres and has the capacity to hold up to 1.6 million items, including large products like garden equipment, furniture and televisions. As the lead electrical contractor for the project, New Edge Group selected Fuji SMBE Macquarie under a Design and Construct agreement to deliver the electrical switchboards and associated infrastructure. “Fuji SMBE Macquarie is a reputable switchboard company with large project experience, and crucially for this project, they can handle everything from design to construction under one roof,” says New Edge Group Senior Project Manager, Antony Brizgala. Tailoring designs to complex site requirements Challenges Fuji SMBE Macquarie and New Edge Group worked through included limited switchroom space, modifying existing equipment to meet customer requirements, and designing for future expansion. “Fitting the boards within the switchroom required us to work closely with construction engineers to design the appropriate structural pit and operate within strict dimensional and weight constraints. Fuji SMBE was highly responsive and proactively coordinated with us and the engineers to adjust designs accordingly,” says Brizgala. The project involved Fuji SMBE Macquarie: Designing, manufacturing, and supplying three Main Switchboards. Designing and supplying three Main Distribution Boards. Designing and supplying 41 Distribution Boards servicing the fulfilment centre. Completing a comprehensive Arc Flash Study in accordance with current Australian Standards and site safety requirements. Completing full factory and site testing of Automatic Transfer Schemes (ATS), power monitoring systems, photovoltaic (PV) remote control interfaces, and shunt trip control systems. Coordinating and executing same-day site joining works aligned with switchboard delivery to maintain program […]

Adelaide Manufacturing and Innovation to Take Centre Stage at ROKLive 2026

Key sponsor Business Events Adelaide supports the future of industrial automation ROKLive 2026 will build on the success of ROKLive 2025 (pictured) on the Gold Coast, which saw more than 900 problem solvers come together for keynotes, training, networking and a showcase of the latest industrial automation technologies. Rockwell Automation, a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation, will bring ROKLive 2026 to the Adelaide Convention Centre from June 23–25, with a strong focus on manufacturing innovation, workforce capability, and South Australia’s growing role as an advanced industrial hub. The South Pacific’s largest event dedicated to industrial automation will bring together industry leaders, technology experts, engineers, manufacturers and policymakers to discuss the trends and technologies shaping the future of industry. Kicking off the event will be South Australian Minister for Health and Wellbeing Hon.Chris Picton MP and internationally recognised futurist, author, and innovation strategist Anders Sörman-Nilsson, founder of global think tank and trend analysis firm Thinque. Sörman-Nilsson helps leaders understand emerging trends and prepare for future disruption. His keynote at ROKLive 2026 will explore how manufacturers and industrial organisations can navigate rapid technological change, harness the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, and build the adaptability required to thrive in an increasingly digital economy. Internationally recognised futurist, author, and innovation strategist Anders Sörman-Nilsson will present a keynote address at ROKLive 2026 in Adelaide. Business Events Adelaide has joined the event as a key sponsor, supporting Adelaide’s growing reputation as a destination for advanced manufacturing, industrial innovation and business events. ROKLive 2026 comes at a time when Australian manufacturers face increasing pressure to improve productivity, resilience and sustainability while adapting to new technologies and workforce demands. The event’s program has been designed to provide practical strategies and real-world insights that attendees can apply within their own operations. In addition to the […]

Engineers explore pneumatic air spring actuation for 30-40 per cent boost to outputs of industrial energy and rural solar farms

Urban business including commercial, manufacturing and processing plants have been quick to recognise the cost efficiencies of solar power Australia is on track for 82% renewable energy by 2030, according to the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water. This doubling of green energy’s share of the energy mix within the current decade is driven by record solar and wind investments and battery advances. Urban businesses – including manufacturers, food and beverage and primary processors, commercial buildings, transport and warehouse logistics – have been quick to realise the potential of capturing clean, low-cost energy on their rooftops. They are joining miners, energy producers, water, wastewater utilities and farmers in harnessing power from the sun to bring down the cost of energy as a major production input. To maximise the amount of solar energy captured by banks of panels, businesses, engineers, and solar farm operators are seeking the best way to actuate their panels to track the sun, thus increasing energy output by 30-40% compared to fixed systems. High-efficiency and typically less expensive alternatives to more complex actuation methods – such as geared motors and hydraulics – include pneumatic actuators, which can offer a robustly durable, low-maintenance, and cost-effective option, according to current research by the international Science Direct industrial research platform. A current harsh climate case study by ScienceDirect finds pneumatic actuators ideal for rugged environments, using compressed air to maintain optimal sun-tracking angles. Key Features and Advantages: High force-to-weight ratios and high reliability with fewer failure points. Less expensive and much simpler design Cost-Efficient Operation:Lower manufacturing costs compared to conventional systems and ongoing energy savings due to low-duty cycle operation. High Reliability:Pneumatic systems, including rubber and fabric air springs types, can provide millions of cycles with minimal maintenance. Dual-Axis Capability:Used in dual-axis trackers for both altitude […]

Agricultural spraying specialist HARDI curtails downtime and wear with robust LAPP cable harnesses

LAPP cable harnessing solutions built for harsh Australian environments are delivering durability, traceability, and reliability benefits to agricultural spraying equipment specialist, HARDI. Agricultural spraying equipment specialist HARDI is using robust, traceable, and fit-for-purpose cable harnessing solutions from LAPP Australia to reduce downtime, improve reliability, and extend equipment longevity. HARDI’s spraying equipment ranges from compact 1.5 litre hand sprayers through to 10,000 litre trailer sprayers and 54 metre booms. A Danish company by origin, the Australian subsidiary is the largest outside of its headquarters, and is based on a 10 hectare site in Adelaide, where it manufactures the majority of equipment in house. “Australian conditions are often harsher than those typical in Europe, so our gear needs to be manufactured to withstand the elements,” says HARDI Australia Chief Commercial Officer, Zac Harnett. “Having a local manufacturing facility allows us to tailor our equipment to Australian conditions. The demanding operating environment of agricultural spraying equipment places significant stress on electrical systems, and quality cable assemblies can minimise maintenance requirements and costly downtime. “We chose LAPP’s harnessing solutions because their cables and components ticked all our boxes, including chemical resistance, UV resistance, overmolding of connectors, energy chain rated cables capable of withstanding bending motions on booms, and an overall level of robust quality that we were seeking,” said Harnett. LAPP’s Harnessing Solutions Division provides companies like HARDI with pre-assembled, standards-compliant cable assemblies that are fully traceable and ready to install, helping reduce assembly time and complexity. LAPP Harnessing Solutions General Manager, Stuart Fleming, says “Agricultural spraying equipment contains a significant number of cables and components. We deliver these assembled, labelled, and ready to go, which means the HARDI team can install them quickly, and deliver faster to their customers.” Total traceability With so many individual components going into each machine, traceability […]

Geoff Thomas, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Infor Asia Pacific & Japan (1)

The future of distribution depends on AI upskilling

By Geoff Thomas, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific and Japan, Infor Australia’s manufacturing sector is at a critical crossroads. Rising energy costs, economic shifts and workforce shortages have challenged the industry to remain competitive. On the brighter side, government initiatives and technological innovation have been driving a transformation. In particular, AI has transitioned from a tool promising to simply enhance automation, to a powerful technology that drives significantly smarter decision-making and dramatically improves operational efficiency. Despite its potential, many Australian distributors are still struggling to implement AI at scale. Globally, 82 per cent of supply chain organisations are using AI and GenAI across an array of use cases, according to an EY survey. But the Australian Government’s SME AI Adoption Tracker reveals that our nation lags behind, with only 31 per cent of distributors having adopted AI, displaying higher levels of unawareness compared to our international counterparts as well as other industries such as retail, healthcare and hospitality, which all boast adoption rates of over 40 per cent. Despite the potential of AI to generate real business impact, distributors are not prioritising the adoption of AI, often viewing it as a short-term fix instead of a strategic investment. This can largely be attributed to distributors approaching AI without a clear strategy, subsequently implementing applications that fail to align with core business goals. For true value to be unlocked, distributors need to develop a scalable and flexible foundation, and implement integrated management systems to facilitate the game-changing benefits of AI. Even though roughly 95 per cent of global distributors are exploring AI use cases across the value chain, according to a study by McKinsey, only 30 per cent say they have sufficient talent within their organisation to scale these efforts. Less than 10 per cent report having an AI road map with prioritised use cases for deployment. This is a missed opportunity, particularly with the rise of agentic AI, which can free organisations of lower-value tasks by autonomously performing tasks and pursuing predefined goals. McKinsey’s research also shows that only 23 per […]

Streamlining the onboarding process amidst high manufacturing turnover

Andy Nicholas, WorkJam The manufacturing industry continues to navigate a highly active and turbulent labour market. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, job vacancies across Australia have remained elevated in recent years, with hundreds of thousands of roles unfilled – including persistent shortages across manufacturing and logistics. However, keeping the factory floor fully staffed remains a constant challenge, as employers contend with ongoing labour mobility and competition for skilled workers. This reflects a broader national trend, with workforce churn remaining elevated across frontline and shift-based industries. While robust hiring is necessary to maintain output – with industry bodies such as the Australian Industry Group reporting that more than half of manufacturers are struggling to find suitably skilled workers – many employers are struggling to effectively onboard these new employees. At the same time, the National Skills Commission continues to highlight persistent shortages in key technical and operational roles critical to manufacturing. With vacancies remaining elevated and skills gaps ongoing, employers are feeling increasing pressure to make every hire count. Bringing on a new recruit typically involves dozens of training hours and takes months for the employee to reach full productivity. Furthermore, the average cost of adding a new employee is particularly high in manufacturing due to the extensive safety protocols and specialized training required. To attract and keep talent in this competitive environment, Australian employers are also navigating steady wage growth, with increases tracking at approximately 3.5 to 4 percent annually in recent periods. Today’s workers are highly mobile. While Australia does not track “quit rates” in the same way as the United States, labour mobility remains elevated, particularly across frontline and operational roles. Employees are increasingly willing to change roles for better pay, flexibility, or development opportunities. This makes it more critical than ever for employers to train new individuals quickly, engage them immediately, […]

1 2 3 4 ›»

News Ticker

The Creative Class