Smart Manufacturing

Manufacturing: Future Landscape of Technology

Charlie Hales, Managing Director, Waterstons Australia In a study conducted by Waterstons Australia, 80% of manufacturing businesses have a heavy reliance on manual work and are still using spreadsheets whilst 40% of businesses see process inefficiencies and a lack of proactivity to change as real issues. The future landscape of technology within manufacturing not only includes the implementation of new technologies but the adaptation of current tech, people and processes to future-proof these businesses. Looking to the past to prepare for the future, retrofitting current equipment and tech is currently a viable option for many manufacturing businesses to improve their current situation. Through the Waterstons Innovation Fund, manufacturers are testing out new processes and software with old technology. Retrofitting existing equipment with cameras and sensors combined with machine learning. The purpose is to automatically detect quality issues in outputs as well as to proactively detect when a piece of equipment isn’t operating as normal. This type of retrofitting is typically low cost, not requiring new machinery or systems. The Human Asset Looking at the human element of the future landscape, it’s imperative that manufacturing business remain highly educated and connected with their tech. Integrating training on something as simple as Microsoft Excel and a retraining program on current technology within the business can often be a huge edge for the business. Looking at cyber security, many infiltrations of a company’s systems begin with a stolen password. The importance of your human element is imperative to the future of any manufacturing business. Cultivating a strong company culture can sometimes be overlooked by organisations. However, ensuring your human assets and culture are cohesive, collaborated with and trained correctly reduces the risk of potential disdain from employees who could potentially leak data. There are a multitude of instances like this which can incur […]

Q& A: Karl Pfeffer Supply Chain Director, Viatris Australia

Why was the pharmaceutical industry your chosen sector? I’ve worked in the pharmaceutical industry for almost all my career. It is always rewarding to know the work you do is helping others live a healthier life. I am also involved in different community groups and charities and donate a lot of my time every week to them, which Viatris encourages its employees to do. Therefore, working in the pharmaceutical industry is a natural fit with what I value. Can you tell us a bit about how you have grown in your career through a role in pharmaceutical supply chain? I have been very fortunate to have headed up our supply chain through a period of significant and sustained business growth and transformation. In my time, I’ve led the supply chain through the combination of Mylan and Upjohn into Viatris, in which we’ve built a new Distribution Centre and we’ve almost doubled our distributed volume and product range. This has meant leading a lot of interesting and challenging projects and having the opportunity to grow my team and develop new leaders and talent which has been really rewarding. What has been some of your biggest career highlights? Any awards or moments of celebration? A big career highlight has been overseeing the development of our new distribution centre. Before the centre, we were reaching our limits of warehouse capacity and had a complex supply chain as we were operating out of various locations. Along with the expert employees in the team, we were able to consolidate our supply chain from one location to service our customers and by extension the Australian patients who rely on our medicines. It has also been great to see our supply chain team continue to maintain an excellent safety record. Internal assessment and audit are core components […]

Hydraulic tension benefits industrial machinery

When commissioning industrial machinery, the importance of correct bearing installation is paramount. Bearing manufacturers say incorrect installation is directly the cause of 16 percent of all failures – and maintenance specialists say it is likely to be a big contributor downstream to generally shorter service life and resulting maintenance safety hazards. “When a new bearing is incorrectly mounted – be it by way of poor fitting, brute installation force, or incorrect tools – it can lead directly to premature and sometimes very swift bearing failure,” says internationally successful hydraulic tensioning tool manufacturer John Bucknell, who is Founder and CEO of Technofast. “A poorly installed bearing is not only a pending production liability in terms of service life, but also in terms of expensive downtime and the OH&S factors involved in getting the worn part out again when it fails prematurely,” he says. “Crude approaches may be quick, but they can be nasty and dangerous, risk damage to machinery shafts, and make subsequent bearing failure analysis either difficult or impossible,” says Mr Bucknell, whose safety-engineered and money-saving hydraulic tensioning solutions are used in time-critical fastening and service applications ranging from mining and quarry conveyors and comminution equipment, through to applications in conventional and nuclear power stations. Bearing sleeve withdrawal These same qualities of speed, precision and avoidance of downtime while ensuring worker safety were demonstrated in service recently with a bearing sleeve withdrawal operation when assembling a new mobile crusher and conveyor. It was being commissioned on-site to make road-base gravel for applications such as new highways and worksite infrastructure. The newly imported machine – purpose-built to be assembled where needed for immediate service – required precision technology that was demonstrably superior to old methods such as using a hand-made jig laboriously fabricated for the purpose, with no way of determining […]

Using Cloud ERP to mitigate sourcing challenges in procurement

By Paulo De Matos, Chief Product Officer, SYSPRO Manufacturers continue to face challenges like increased demand, enduring labour shortages and rising direct material costs. Buying better is also simply not enough and manufacturers will now need to answer the call for sustainability in ethical sourcing and focus on investing in supplier partnerships and innovation by accelerating the adoption of digital and analytics. Previously procurement strategies were driven by cost-reduction, low-cost sourcing and relied on single-sourced suppliers, with limited risk management. Now manufacturers have had to reset and focus on digitalisation for strategic sourcing to improve operations and ensure profitability. As industries are working towards rebuilding their supply chains to be more robust, collaborative, and accessible, some procurement strategies are likely to include: The diversification of supply chains by collaborating with local suppliers, developing new delivery strategies, and sourcing from multiple vendors Improved systems for automated procurement and traceability to ensure ethical sourcing Focusing on supplier relationship management strategies Here’s how manufacturers can use cloud ERP to manage current sourcing challenges and maintain competitive advantage: Repositioning the supply chain for strategic sourcing Manufacturers are now having to balance the trade-offs around cost versus risk. Is it still best to find the cheapest raw materials by sourcing overseas and accept the heightened risk of non-delivery? Reports also show the cost of shipping increased by 600 percent in 2021 and the impacts in shipping delays and bottlenecks are widespread globally. Manufacturers should consider repositioning their supply bases by shortening their supply chains and consider dual sourcing strategies to mitigate risk. Through a supply chain portal enabled by a cloud ERP system, manufacturers can obtain increased connectivity and visibility across the supply chain, which allows them to identify alternative sources of supply more easily. With cloud ERP, analytics can be used to improve, classify, […]

Australian EV truck manufacturer doubles assembly capacity

Electric truck manufacturer SEA Electric has extended its commitment to the Australian market by doubling the size of its local assembly facility for zero-emission trucks in the Melbourne suburb of Dandenong. The company leads the world in terms of a comprehensive range of highly adaptable electric truck options, with its present plant expanding to now cover 8,000m2 on a total site of 15,000m2, giving SEA Electric the capacity to produce eight trucks per day, or up to 2,080 units per annum. Founded in Australia in 2012, SEA Electric released its first electric commercial products in 2017, while last year it launched its new range of medium and heavy-duty electric cab chassis models, distributed and supported by an extensive dealership network. “Australia doesn’t need to search the world to attract EV manufacturers – SEA Electric is proud to be a global leader in commercial eMobility technology, homegrown here in Victoria,” said Tony Fairweather, SEA Electric Founder and CEO. “Since launching our new range last year, we have attracted incredible interest from a wide cross-section of leading companies and government bodies, who seek to improve their environmental sustainability, despite a lack of policy and incentives to fuel growth in the sector on these shores. “The recent change of Federal Government and the subsequent increase in EV activity, has provided SEA Electric with renewed confidence that appropriate policy and incentives maybe close. There are many examples of successful policy in EV progressive countries such as the US that we should simply emulate. “Despite Australian passenger car production wrapping up in 2017, we still have vibrant engineering, development, and manufacturing capabilities, of which we should be proud.” SEA Electric’s existing facility has for the past 12 months enjoyed the benefits of a 100kW rooftop solar array, […]

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Manufacturers be prepared: AI will be regulated

By Lori Witzel, Director of Research for Analytics and Data Management at TIBCO. Manufacturers are benefiting significantly from artificial intelligence (AI), which allows for better and quicker analysis of products and processes in addition to automation. The use of AI in manufacturing is now common. Research by the Harris Poll and Google Cloud found that 64% of manufacturers using AI every day and 25% were spending 50% of their IT budget on AI-related projects. Why? AI delivers significant benefits to manufacturers in asset management, predictive maintenance, and anomaly detection, among many use cases, while broadly improving decision-making and providing greater flexibility and agility. As a result, leading manufacturers worldwide are deploying AI, but there are complexities to come. As AI adoption grows, regulation follows. If manufacturers are to continue reaping AI benefits, they must track emerging regulations and align their practices with those in regulatory focus. As you’ll learn, it’s worth the effort. Bringing AI into your manufacturing processes can help you outperform competitors. AI delivers measurable benefits McKinsey & Company undertook an in-depth study of detailed study of manufacturing operations, comparing different organisations’ uses of AI against performance. It found that leading adopters achieved three or four times the impact of average players. In Australia, the metal engineering and fabrication company Sevaan Group is already seeing benefits in the workplace and is realising AI’s enormous potential for metal fabrication and machining, enabling outstanding accuracy and quality for both prototyping and production. For example, AI-enhanced predictive maintenance has reduced machine downtime and improved tracking and data collection for better production planning. Predictive and preventative maintenance is done by analysing large volumes of data gathered from multiple sensors on machinery and factory systems, monitoring temperature, noise, vibration, and other parameters to detect any changes that could be indicative of wear, degraded […]

Unpacking the channel’s role in securing Australia’s utilities

By Bryan Stibbard, Director – Channels and Alliances AN/Z at Palo Alto Networks The recent electricity market wobbles have unveiled a level of fragility among some of Australia’s largest utility operators that have surprised many, but this is nothing compared to the potential problems presented by the cyber threat landscape. Operators of utilities and other critical infrastructure around the world have increasingly been targeted by malicious actors, and Australia is not immune from this trend. As recently as April this year, the cybersecurity authorities of Australia, the US, Canada, New Zealand and the UK advised critical infrastructure organisations to implement immediate measures to protect against Russian state-sponsored and criminal cyber threats as the war in Ukraine raged. Not only have such threats demonstrated the rising role that so-called Industry 4.0 technology is playing in the lives of the country and its people, they have also opened a new door of opportunity for channel partners in the local market. It’s no secret that cyber security has quickly become a big ticket item for channel partners around the country. Over the past two years many managed service providers (MSPs) have found themselves building out managed security services in addition to their core offering in order to meet evolving customer demand in this area. With the emergence of Industry 4.0 – the fourth industrial revolution, marked by the incorporation of connected ‘smart’ equipment – even more opportunities are emerging for partners willing to embrace cyber security as a source of growth for their businesses. There are legitimate security challenges resulting from the rise of Industry 4.0 technology in industry. Industry 4.0 businesses are highly automated, digital first businesses. This means any disruption to their digital systems, especially from a cyber incident, can have a material impact to the organisation as a whole. Operational […]

Adelaide smart street furniture manufacturer eyes expansion

An Adelaide engineering company has further plans to tackle the global market with an export-friendly line of smart furniture and modular buildings. Since the COVID-19 lockdown, Specialised Solutions has seen strong demand for its line of off-grid park benches and shelters and its modular buildings. Worker and supply shortages in the building and construction industry and councils zeroing in on renewable energy projects are behind the demand for its cutting-edge products. Brad Riddle, the company’s national business development manager, said Specialised Solutions were now eyeing more opportunities on a global scale. Riddle said the company has distributors in the United States and New Zealand but said there is “strong interest” from European and Middle Eastern markets. “We are working on an export version of our products,” Riddle said. “We’re still working on that, but it will be a little more transportable and more modular. “A number of our products are larger and made of aluminum and steel and so we need to look at transport efficiencies to ensure that we can still be competitive in the international market.” Based out of the Tonsley Innovation District in Adelaide, South Australia, the company has been manufacturing its Sedi line of smart furniture for the last three years. The original outdoor bench has since spawned bins, bike racks and heaters harnessing their power from the sun. Designed by JPE Design Studio, the furniture is made from steel and sustainable timber and, using a small battery, can provide Wi-FI, lighting and charging ports to people. Riddle said the company saw increased demand for the unique products during the COVID-19 lockdowns. “I think COVID-19 has put a new focus on public spaces and councils are looking for innovative ways to deliver in those spaces, and our products fit within that perfectly,” Riddle said. “We’ve also seen large public […]

NSW Export Award finalists celebrate economic diversity

New South Wales leading exporters from a range of industries are being celebrated as finalists in the 2022 Premier’s NSW Export Awards. Interim Investment NSW CEO Katie Knight said the diversity of the finalists showcases the growing number of NSW sectors and businesses expanding internationally. “I’m thrilled to see the rich diversity of exporters showcased in this year’s finalist list. From industrial robotic automation and high-tech medical devices to Australian native botanicals, all these businesses play a key role in contributing to our state’s $82 billion export economy,” Ms Knight said. “Exports support one in five jobs in Australia so it is vital we continue to support our state’s exporters to expand and thrive internationally. The breadth of this year’s finalists demonstrates the unwavering international demand for NSW’s world-class goods and services.” Now in its 60th year, the 2022 Premier’s NSW Export Awards are being delivered in partnership with the Export Council of Australia (ECA), recognising businesses across 13 national categories and 4 NSW categories. Chair of the ECA, Dianne Tipping said the Awards have received a significant number of nominations this year across all categories providing the opportunity to recognise the achievements of NSW exporters who have had to respond to on-going challenges associated with trade including global supply chain and logistics issues. “The calibre of entrants for this year’s Awards is outstanding. We are proud to provide a platform for these exporter success stories to be told and celebrated,” Ms Tipping said. One of the finalists in the Regional Exporter category, Lismore based Australian Native Products Company, is the largest grower and exporter of lemon myrtle in the world, and a first-time finalist. General Manager of the Australian Native Products, Ross Norris said being a finalist in the Awards will help boost the company profile and recognise the […]

Aussie manufacturers cracking US market

A growing number of South Australian manufacturers are expanding their footprint into the United States on the back of renewed interest in American and European markets. Global engineering companies, tech firms and manufacturing businesses based out of the Tonsley Innovation District in Adelaide, South Australia are among those broadening their reach across the Pacific and opening offices in cities across the United States. XFrame managing director Carsten Dethlefsen said they launched in the US last year at NeoCon in Chicago, one of the country’s largest commercial furniture conferences. Without using a single nail or screw, the Tonsley-based business has invented a system of interlocking plywood that can be used to build shelters, office pods and studios. “Within two weeks of that conference we had projects on our books,” Dethlefsen said. “We delivered those projects within four weeks of that, so speed to market there. The type of clients I think caught us a little by surprise as well.” A phone booth made by XFrame, which can be easily disassembled and moved. Dethlefsen said there was a “big appetite” for their work post-COVID-19 because many offices needed reconfiguring. Their product allows companies to change their fit-out down the track without costly renovations. Dethlefsen said construction of trade show booths and retail display stands were in hot demand. As a result, the company now has manufacturing partners in Michigan, Oregon, and Grand Junction, Colorado. He said companies also wanted XFrame to build ancillary housing units to meet the huge demand for housing in the US. “The booth we did for that conference was all manufactured in the States, so we used local manufacturing, local supply chains and local labour. “We designed it up, sent it across the desert, they cut the components delivered to our team, they pre-assembled it and stood it up in the […]

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