Smart Manufacturing

Celebrating 30 years – Camco Engineering continues to expand

First established in 1995, Camco Engineering now employs some 550 personnel in four Western Australian locations close to its customers and the company continues to expand with operations nationwide and into export markets. With Head Office located in Canning Vale and engineering facilities also in Belmont, Welshpool and Karratha WA, this privately owned company recently celebrated its 30th anniversary providing high level engineering services to diverse markets such as Mining, Power Generation, Oil & Gas, Energy, Transport and Rail along with general engineering work. Whilst work is primarily in Western Australia the company undertakes work nationwide and also has long term contracts in Papua New Guinea. “Such is the engineering capabilities of our staff that we have a policy of never turning away a job no matter how challenging,” said Group Operations Manager Matt Casley. “We just find the right solution for our customers and our work covers refurbishing sizes, crushers, vibratory screens, conveyer pulleys, magnetic separators, exciters, gearboxes wheel grippers, bogies, cryogenic pumps, expander generators, marine loading arms, rope access work and sub-sea manufacture plus much more,” he said. The engineering services this private company provides covers full engineering and design with CAM/CAD design facilities, fabrication, welding, robotics, gear cutting, inspection and metrology, machining plus design and manufacture. There are four design engineers and six draftsmen currently in the team. “In our engineering shop we have two Okuma machining centres and two Okuma CNC lathes and a strong working relationship with Okuma WA that ticks all the boxes. With reliable, stable precision engineering outcomes, strong technical support from the factory with skilled local technicians, user friendly programming and training, it is a company that goes the extra mile. “An example of this is the commissioning of a new Okuma machine and training in our Karratha facilities some 1,500km or […]

DroneShield_DroneGun Mk4 and RfPatrol Mk2

DroneShield secures $49.6M European military contract

DroneShield has received a contract totalling $49.6m for a European end-customer. A significant portion of this hardware is on-the-shelf with deliveries and payments expected to be completed in Q1 202. DroneShield Limited has received a contract for $49.6 million from an in-region European reseller that is contractually required to distribute the products to a European military end-customer. The contract is for handheld counter-drone systems, associated accessories, and software updates. DroneShield has a large portion of this stock on-the-shelf and expects to complete all deliveries in Q1 2026. Cash payments are also expected to be fully received in Q1 2026. No additional material conditions need to be satisfied. Over the past three years, DroneShield has received 15 contracts from this reseller totalling over $86.5 million. There are no obligations for any additional contracts from this reseller or end-customer.

Time is money: Why digitising attendance tracking is critical for logistics providers

By Damien Durston, head of people management solutions at OneAdvanced ANZ In logistics, time truly is money. Every minute lost to inefficiency or inaccuracy impacts delivery schedules, margins and customer satisfaction. Yet, many logistics providers still depend on manual or outdated systems to monitor employee attendance. Manual processes might seem manageable, but they carry a chain of risks that can be avoided. Paper timesheets, spreadsheets and manual data entry all leave room for errors, from misreported hours to lost records. These mistakes can lead to payroll disputes, compliance breaches and unnecessary overtime costs. In a sector already under pressure from rising costs and labour shortages, inefficiency is something few can afford to tolerate. Accuracy and compliance go hand in hand Adhering to Australia’s Fair Work legislation is established by the Fair Work Act 2009, requires accurate record-keeping and transparency when tracking hours. Manual entry of attendance data can lead to inconsistencies, increasing the risk of underpayments or non-compliance with award conditions. Digitising time and attendance tracking eliminates this uncertainty. By linking attendance data directly to payroll systems, businesses can automatically calculate hours, leave and allowances without manual input. The outcome is fewer errors, quicker processing and improved compliance assurance. Digital systems also help produce accurate records during audits, thus safeguarding both the company’s finances and reputation. Real-time visibility for dynamic operations The logistics workforce is mobile and widely distributed, with drivers, warehouse staff and field technicians often working across multiple locations. Managers need more than a static record of who clocked in. They require a live view of their workforce. Cloud-based time and attendance systems provide that visibility. Staff can clock in using mobile apps or secure biometric systems, while managers get real-time updates on attendance, shift compliance, and absenteeism. If a site has unexpected absences or higher demand, managers can respond quickly by reallocating resources to ensure timely deliveries. Operational gains through better data Digital attendance systems not only guarantee accuracy but also offer valuable data insights that […]

Australia’s national AI plan has just been released. Who exactly will benefit?

Jake Goldenfein, Senior Lecturer, Law and Technology, The University of Melbourne. Christine Parker, Professor of Law, The University of Melbourne, Kimberlee Weatherall, Professor of Law, University of Sydney. The Labor government has released the long-awaited National AI Plan, “a whole-of-government framework that ensures technology works for people, not the other way around”. With this plan, the government promises an inclusive artificial intelligence (AI) economy that protects workers, fills service gaps, and supports local AI development. In a major reversal, it also confirms Australia won’t implement mandatory guardrails for high-risk AI. Instead, it argues our existing legal regime is sufficient, and any minor changes for specific AI harms or risk can be managed with help from a new A$30 million AI Safety Institute within the Department of Industry. Avoiding big changes to Australia’s legal system makes sense in light of the plan’s primary goal – making Australia an attractive location for international data centre investment. The initial caution is gone After the public release of ChatGPT in November 2022 ushered in a generative AI boom, initial responses focused on existential risks posed by AI. Leading AI figures even called for a pause on all AI research. Governments outlined plans to regulate. But as investment in AI has grown, governments around the world have now shifted from caution to an AI race: embracing the opportunities while managing risks. In 2023, the European Union created the world’s leading AI plan promoting the uptake of human-centric and trustworthy artificial intelligence. The United States launched its own, more bullish action plan in July 2025. The new Australian plan prioritises creating a local AI software industry, spreading the benefit of AI “productivity gains” to workers and public service users, capturing some of the relentless global investment in AI data centres, and promoting Australia’s regional leadership by becoming an infrastructure and computing hub in the Indo-Pacific. Those goals are outlined in the plan’s three pillars: […]

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Reflections on 2025

Matthew Addley, Senior Director of Product and Industry Market Strategy, Infor Reflecting on 2025 have there been any key industry developments that surprised you or perhaps met your expectations? This year delivered a few unexpected turns for manufacturers. Evolving regulations and increasing market pressures prompted organisations to overhaul the way they source products and validate data from suppliers, helping them stay compliant, manage risk, and advance sustainability goals. Meanwhile, rapid innovation, rising customer expectations, and broader economic shifts intensified the push for change – such as moving to automated, real-time verifications platforms – and highlighted the importance of a technology-first approach. Shifting gears to look ahead now, with supply chain risks increasing, many businesses are moving to ‘just-in-case’ resilience by diversifying and nearshoring. How can businesses balance this approach with keeping operations lean and profitable in 2026 and years to come? With recent geopolitical developments and weather events, companies have moved from ‘just-in-time’ models to adopt ‘just-in-case’ strategies, which include diversification of suppliers and nearshoring. However, the balance is now to ensure that ‘just-in-case’ doesn’t mean inventory blow-out and lost profitability. Technology is a critical enabler of this shift, with platforms offering end-to-end visibility and real-time data from suppliers and logistics partners to mitigate the risks with a balanced, ‘just-enough’ approach. It’s the convergence of innovation, increasing customer demands, and global economic factors that drive this need for transformation, and the viability of a technology-centric response. With the rise of automation comes a demand for new skills but how do businesses take action on their initial, urgent needs for new capabilities while still working towards their long-term ambitions? The rise of automation, AI, and robotics isn’t about replacing workers, but should be seen as augmenting their capabilities to create the ‘connected worker’. Enterprise applications are evolving to be more […]

SYPAQ partnering with Amiga Engineering on Corvo X production

SYPAQ is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Amiga Engineering on the sovereign production of Corvo X, bringing together SYPAQ’s innovation in autonomous systems and Amiga Engineering’s world-class advanced manufacturing expertise, ahead of Indo-Pacific 2025. Amiga Engineering is an Australian family-owned business with over 38 years of handson experience in manufacturing and operates the largest metal and polymer additive manufacturing service bureau in Australia. Importantly for Corvo X production, Amiga Engineering is Australia’s only certified company to metal 3D print in Scalmalloy. “Our team is honoured to support SYPAQ in the manufacturing of components for Corvo X, by leveraging advanced materials such as Scalmalloy® and cutting-edge production techniques to help bring their innovative design to life” says Dee Bourchier, Amiga Engineering Head of Media and Marketing. Fresh oƯ their success at the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards being recognised for both Apprentice of the Year and Small Business of the Year, Amiga Engineering is one of the many sovereign Australian Defence companies SYPAQ is proud to partner with to deliver the Australian Army’s DEF129 SUAS Program, establishing SYPAQ as a trusted sovereign Defence Force partner for SUAS capability development. “Our partnership with Amiga Engineering underscores SYPAQ’s commitment to building a truly sovereign capability with trusted Australian partners,” said Amanda Holt, CEO and Managing Director of SYPAQ. “By combining SYPAQ’s innovation with Amiga’s precision engineering and manufacturing expertise, we’re ensuring Corvo X showcases the depth of advanced manufacturing capabilities right here in Melbourne.” With an investment exceeding 90% Australian Industry Capability (AIC), Corvo X is a true Australian success story having been developed in collaboration with the Australian Defence Force over a number of years with all the design, manufacture and support of Corvo X to be completed in Victoria. SYPAQ is proud to showcase Corvo X at Indo-Pacific […]

HMAs Award Winners (30-10-25) - High Res-38

Local manufacturers prove the future is Hunter made

From start-ups and apprentices to global exporters and century-old innovators, the 2025 Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) have celebrated a sector on the rise, one that’s building the industries, technologies, and jobs of Australia’s future. Now in its 21st year, the awards drew a record number of entries, more than 50% up on last year, showcasing the ingenuity, craftsmanship, and courage that continue to define manufacturing across the Hunter, Central Coast, Mid North Coast, and New England. HMA Chair Jacqui Daley said the night was about recognising the strength, innovation, and resilience of a sector that is vital to Australia’s economic future. “Manufacturing in the Hunter is more diverse, more advanced, and more connected to the world than ever before,” Ms Daley said. Our 2025 Manufacturer of the Year winners, Brain Industries and Agrana Fruit Australia, both have export at the heart of their success. They’re taking the Hunter to the world and proving that regional manufacturers can compete, and succeed, on the international stage.” “We’re seeing extraordinary things being made right here, from Elecbrakes revolutionising towing technology through Australian-made automation, to Supacell turning everyday recyclables into sustainable insulation, and from Tomago Aluminium’s digital transformation to Design Anthology’s advanced med-tech design.” “Manufacturing isn’t sitting quietly behind the scenes anymore. It’s the backbone of our economy, the engine of regional jobs, and the platform that will power Australia’s next great leaps in clean energy, defence capability, health, and technology.” Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley congratulated all winners and finalists, acknowledging their contribution to the region’s proud industrial legacy and future growth. “Tonight’s celebration is the best of the Hunter on display, our ingenuity, our craftsmanship, and our courage to reimagine what’s possible,” Minister Catley said. “This year’s Hunter Manufacturing Awards theme, Forging Our Future, could not be more fitting. […]

Aussie researchers develop eco-friendly roof tiles using coal ash and recycled glass, cutting CO₂ emissions by 13%

RMIT University Key facts: RMIT University and Bristile Roofing developed sustainable roof tiles using coal ash and recycled glass, reducing CO₂ emissions by 13% compared to traditional concrete tiles The tiles replace 10% cement with pond ash and 10% river sand with unwashed glass waste, whilst maintaining quality and improving fire resistance Successful full-scale manufacturing trials were conducted at Bristile Roofing’s Melbourne facility, demonstrating commercial viability The technology has also been adapted to create concrete bricks using 35% waste materials, offering 30% better insulation than conventional bricks Australia produces 12 million tonnes of coal ash annually and 1.3 million tonnes of glass waste, making this innovation significant for waste management A groundbreaking collaboration between RMIT University and Bristile Roofing has led to the development of sustainable roof tiles incorporating coal ash and recycled glass, achieving a 13% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to traditional concrete tiles. This Australian innovation addresses the pressing issue of industrial waste management by re-purposing materials that would otherwise contribute to landfill, while offering consumers a durable, fire-resistant roofing option that meets Australian Standards. The full-scale manufacturing trials at Bristile Roofing’s Melbourne facility produced hundreds of these eco-friendly tiles, demonstrating both environmental and engineering benefits. A comprehensive circular life cycle assessment of the new tiles, covering the entire process from raw material production through to end-of-life landfilling, demonstrated a 13% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to conventional concrete tiles. RMIT’s Dr Yulin Patrisia, Bristile Roofing’s Samantha So, RMIT’s Dr David Law and student Madushan Mudiyanselage at the Bristile factory in Dandenong. RMIT project lead, Dr Chamila Gunasekara, said this substantial environmental benefit largely stems from using harvested pond ash and unwashed recycled glass sand, which avoid energy-intensive processing and effectively replace virgin materials. “By replacing 10% of cement with harvested pond ash and 10% of […]

The global race is on to secure critical minerals

Amir Razmiou, Associate Professor, Edith Cowan University It’s clear there’s an era of global competition underway. Critical minerals are essential for manufacturing advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles and renewables. And governments everywhere are racing to secure a future supply. Australia holds vast reserves of lithium, rare earths, cobalt and tungsten. This presents both a golden opportunity and a looming challenge. What, exactly, are critical minerals? And what advantages might they offer to Australia? What are they? Critical minerals are the raw materials used to manufacture objects like mobile phones, wind turbines and weapons. They underpin the technologies of the next industrial age, from lithium-ion batteries to F-35 fighter jets. There’s no single list of critical minerals, as countries have their own definitions of what is essential. The Australian government describes them as elements essential for modern technologies, the economy and national security with supply chains vulnerable to geopolitical risk. In Australia, the 31 minerals and rare earths defined as ‘critical’ include lithium, magnesium and zirconium. Rare earths are heavy metals used in electrical and magnetic components. These elements aren’t truly rare in the Earth’s crust but occur in low concentrations, making them difficult and expensive to extract. Geoscience Australia has mapped extensive deposits of critical minerals across the continent. Accessing them could position Australia as a key supplier to global clean-energy industries. The critical mineral lithium is essential to building large rechargable batteries used in renewables projects. Ted Shaffrey/AAP A booming industry Australia’s current Critical Minerals Strategy sets out a plan to move from simply mining and extracting these minerals to going further to refine, process and manufacture them. This is backed by initiatives such as the $4 billion Critical Minerals Facility to support projects aligned with the strategy. This also includes a new 10% production tax credit for onshore refining. Together, these policies form a strong foundation […]

DroneShield announces South Australia R&D facility

DroneShield, a global leader in counter-drone and electronic warfare (EW) solutions, is pleased to announce a $13 million investment in a new research and development (R&D) facility in Adelaide, South Australia. This $13 million investment is a direct contribution to South Australia’s economy, covering three years of operational and capital expenditure. It will initially create around 20 high-skilled engineering roles in Adelaide, focused on radio frequency (RF) electronics, EW, and systems integration, to directly support DroneShield’s mission to deliver cutting-edge defence technologies. The South Australian expansion complements DroneShield’s existing engineering operations in Sydney and supports the Company’s continued growth in advanced RF electronics and EW capabilities. Adelaide has been chosen due to its proximity to leading global defence and aerospace organisations, a highly skilled engineering workforce, and established infrastructure supporting advanced technology development, particularly in EW and RF systems. The announcement comes as DroneShield reaches a significant company milestone, this week surpassing 400 employees globally, nearly doubling its team in the past year and more than quadrupling it over the last two years. Approximately 300 of these employees are software and hardware engineers, reinforcing DroneShield’s position as a world-leading technology company focused on delivering advanced defence capabilities. The Company also has around 100 open roles, reflecting its commitment to delivering on its technology roadmap and supporting customers and allies with speed and scale. Premier of South Australia, The Hon Peter Malinauskas, said, “South Australia is the Defence State, and has been recognised by the Business Council as the best place in the country to do business. We welcome DroneShield making the choice to conduct research and development here in Adelaide, creating 20 highly skilled engineering roles. As a Government, we have a strong focus on growing our Research and Development ecosystem, which has the capacity to build our economic complexity […]

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