Smart Manufacturing

Black Sky Industries launch in Australia a boost to sovereign defence industry capability

Defence industry and technology company Black Sky Industries has formally launched in Australia, announcing the establishment of its multi-million dollar headquarters in Logan, in South East Queensland as well as launch, test and manufacturing facilities throughout Western Queensland. Black Sky aims to greatly accelerate the production capability of sovereign scaled rocket motor and defence systems. Black Sky Industries, formerly known as Black Sky Aerospace, is Australia’s only sovereign developer and supplier of solid rocket propellant and solid rocket motors to the defence sector. Black Sky Industries was founded by aerospace, defence and manufacturing industry veterans Blake Nikolic and Karl Hemphill, and Dr Vu Tran, who co-founded $3 billion-plus technology startup Go1. L TO R: Black Sky Industries founders Dr Vu Tran, Blake Nikolic and Karl Hemphill. Black Sky has ambitions of creating hundreds of advanced manufacturing and defence industry jobs over the next decade. Recent key hires at the company include former L3Harris Technologies director David Johnson as general manager, enterprise development and defence innovation veteran Stephen Delo. Black Sky is reimagining how rockets are designed, developed and manufactured at scale. As a local producer of ammonium perchlorate (AP) – crucial to conventional solid rocket motors used in aerospace and defence industries – Black Sky produces solid rocket propellant and motors, and offers its homegrown, proprietary Wagtail Rocket Assisted Take-Off (RATO) technology for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and drones. Cortex1, Black Sky’s proprietary software platform, underpins all aspects of its operations, from research and development and manufacturing to powering products and platforms, including launch control, tracking and mapping through data-driven propellant formulation and characterisation technology using artificial intelligence. Black Sky’s rapid-fire pace to innovate is in line with a key tenet of the federal government’s 2024 National Defence Strategy, to better integrate existing and emerging technologies, […]

Has Industry 4.0 left your operations vulnerable?

Trevor Dearing, Director of Critical Infrastructure Solutions, Illumio For three years running, manufacturing has been a top-attacked industry, according to the IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2024. Attackers see manufacturers as an increasingly attractive target. Smart factories open new attack vectors, and as new industrial control systems (ICS) become more connected, the opportunity for malware to spread grows. This is placing increasing pressure on manufacturers to make their operations resilient enough to withstand attacks, with the 2024 World Economic Forum Global Cybersecurity Outlook revealing that operational disruption is the greatest cybersecurity concern for almost half (45%) of leaders. Here I will discuss how Industry 4.0 is changing manufacturing cybersecurity and why deploying a Zero Trust approach can help protect against vulnerabilities from smart factories and ICS. The benefits and challenges of Industry 4.0 Industry 4.0 has revolutionised manufacturing through automation and connectivity. Now, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems handle everything from taking orders to overseeing production. New ICS technology provides more data and control by using smarter applications built on standard platforms which in turn extends the operational life of the systems. Because of Industry 4.0, manufacturers are improving how well their supply chains work. But this also means their systems are more connected and vulnerable to cyber threats. These threats can target ICSs and cause serious problems. New ICS environments more at risk than ever In the past, ICS attacks were mostly simple malware and known weaknesses. But with smarter systems now available, attackers have more opportunities. These new systems connect and communicate in complex ways that leave security gaps and blind spots. They also connect to the internet which opens even more ways for attackers to breach and exploit systems. These changes have led to more sophisticated attacks such as zero-day exploits and targeted hacks. There’s also more […]

Combatting rising costs by optimising operational efficiency

James Robinson, SYSPRO Head of Services Asia Pacific. Over the past five years, the manufacturing sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience, enduring many different challenges. Today, manufacturers face a renewed and formidable challenge with unexpected higher inflation raising the risk of yet another rate hike, threatening to destabilise the core economics of manufacturing businesses across Australia and the Asia Pacific region. The challenging economy has dominated the news for over two years, placing the manufacturing industry in the spotlight as it grapples with the challenges it presents. SYSPRO’s recent Global CFO Manufacturing Survey showed that over 80 per cent of respondents across the Asia Pacific region cited high inflation and interest rates as a cause of drag in the manufacturing industry. Meanwhile, 67 per cent of companies surveyed have been buffeted by economic uncertainty and supply chain disruptions. Yet, as history has shown, within every challenge the manufacturing sector has faced lies an opportunity for innovation and efficiency improvements. Strategies for optimising operational efficiency To counteract the effects of rising costs, manufacturers need to optimise their operational efficiency. Integrating their ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and MOM (Manufacturing Operations Management) systems can be a game-changer in achieving this goal. Here are several strategies for manufacturers to consider: Invest in technology and automation Embracing advanced technologies and automation is essential for the manufacturing sector. Innovations like ERP and MOM systems can significantly enhance operational efficiency by reducing reliance on manual labour, minimising errors and centralising information. Together with advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning, provide real-time data and insights, enabling informed decision-making and improved productivity. Optimise supply chain management Efficient supply chain management is crucial for minimising costs and ensuring a steady flow of materials. ERP systems help manufacturers enhance supply chain efficiency by diversifying […]

South Australian satellite Kanyini successfully launches into space

In an Australian first, South Australian owned and manufactured satellite Kanyini was successfully launched onboard a SpaceX rocket from the United States. Kanyini is the first State Government-funded satellite in the nation and was built by a local team of South Australian-based companies – SmartSat CRC, Inovor and Myriota. The $6.5 million mission is helping to create hi tech jobs in the state’s space sector and develop vital space capabilities in the State. Now that Kanyini is in orbit, the next milestone for the project is to establish stable communications through an operations centre located at Inovor Technologies in Lot Fourteen, Adelaide. Once fully commissioned, Kanyini will deliver critical space data for use by government and research institutions, particularly in the areas of sustainability and climate impacts. The research initiatives to be undertaken by Kanyini include early bushfire detection – with technology that can detect fires from space 500 times faster than traditional processing. The satellite will also support a program – led by South Australian Department for Environment and Water and Greening Adelaide – to sense urban heat islands in the state. Data collected by Kanyini will also be used to develop robust and trustworthy predictive AI capabilities that can accurately predict natural disaster events such as landslides and flooding, being led by Queensland University of Technology and European Space Agency Phi-Lab.

REMONDIS Industrial Service Pathway AUS MN

REMONDIS provides employment leg-up while addressing skilled worker shortage in WA

Thinking outside the box has resulted in REMONDIS Australia boosting skilled worker numbers via a training program that provides opportunities for long term unemployed people. REMONDIS’ Industrial Services Pathway was launched at the company’s specialised liquid processing plant at Henderson south of Perth last month. The conclusion of the three-week program has seen ten recruits, nine men and a woman, receive intensive hands-on training and obtain industrial services tickets and licences across areas including health and safety, high pressure water jetting, forklift operation, gas testing and working at heights and in confined spaces. The workers are also obtaining Heavy Rigid (HR) truck licenses. The program guarantees longer-term employment, with participants staying on in full-time capacities for at least 12 months. That involves initially being buddied with experienced operators so participants meet competency and compliance requirements to obtain full operators’ licences. The program was conceptualised and delivered by Gnalla Enviro, an Aboriginal owned and managed company specialising in commercial and industrial waste. Not-for-profit employment services provider Workskil Australia was pivotal in supplying the trainees. The program was endorsed by REMONDIS Australia WA Industrial Services Manager Steve Tunbridge. “The skills shortage is so severe that trying to find workers through advertising and word-of-mouth is often futile,” Steve said. “So we thought let’s tailor-make a training program ourselves and develop skills that match our needs. “The intensive three-week training is just the start. The program leaves the door open for full-time employment and mentoring, enabling each participant to take their skills and qualifications further. “In a very short timeframe we’ve produced a fresh cohort of workers champing at the bit to contribute and grow. It’s a win for each worker and a win for the skills-starved industrial sector.” Gnalla Enviro CEO Jason Collard said the program was run through the organisations training arm […]

Matthew Addley, Industry Strategist - Manufacturing, Infor AUS MN

Q&A:Matthew Addley, Industry Strategist, Manufacturing at Infor

How has the prospect of creating artificial realities in motion unveiled a spectrum of opportunities for manufacturers? The application of AI in manufacturing has the potential to transform the way products are designed and launched to market. OpenAI’s latest machine learning tool Sora can create realistic and imaginative scenes from text instructions – a manufacturer could potentially take a drawing off a page and show it in motion in real-life situations and operate it to perfection long before any physical product is built. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning can also analyse data sets – from performance to production schedules – and use this information to identify trends and predict outcomes. This could be invaluable for manufacturers to recognise patterns and forecast disruptions, leading to improved overall product quality. What is the profound impact of being able to animate conceptual designs, long before a physical product has materialised, on market testing and demand generation processes? Being able to animate conceptual designs allows manufacturers to test the waters and predict customer demand well before a product goes to market. This can result in significant cost savings, improved product efficiency and enhanced product quality. Manufacturers could also use additional AI/ML techniques to optimise production processes through its predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring capabilities. What is the inherent and increasing risk of technologies like Sora inadvertently or intentionally misleading customers? Even as Sora offers a faster and less costly way than the current human-led approach using computer generated imagery, it can encourage unethical practices. If the creation process allows a product to perform beyond expected capabilities, presumably but not always with a disclaimer, then the customer could be easily and deliberately misled. The reality is that there will always be challenges when it comes to rapidly evolving technologies but legislative bodies will need to […]

“Celebrating Resilience and Innovation Among Regional Start-Ups.”

Hunter Manufacturing Awards proudly recognises outstanding start-ups. Despite encountering challenges, many Hunter entrepreneurs survive and thrive. Some pivot and many scale. Their ingenuity and initiatives only enhance the region’s manufacturing ecosystem. Lex Forsyth, CEO and Co-founder of Janus Electric, relocated from Brisbane to Berkeley Vale on the Central Coast to launch his business. The HMA outstanding start-up for 2023 aims to electrify Australia’s road transport fleet. With the push for electric vehicles on the rise, Mr Forsyth acknowledged the pressure on the trucking industry to reduce its carbon footprint. The Janus Electric team developed an electric truck conversion kit with a revolutionary exchangeable battery that takes just four minutes to swap over. Jared Lawlor and Claire Jones co-founded smart gardening company Herb Urban six years ago in inner-Newcastle Islington. Mr Lawlor is an electrical engineer and Ms Jones a communications strategist. Herb Urban’s core business is to help people more easily grow their own vegetables. Since commencing operations, Mr Lawlor and Ms Jones used the technology underpinning Herb Urban to start another business, Cloud Grow, which delivers those technology solutions to other companies for green infrastructure products. Janus Electric acknowledges the opportunities the Hunter and Central Coast offer, and is keen to retain, upskill, and attract workers and people. “There are high school students and young men and women who don’t need to go to university,” Mr Forsyth says. “We have to look at TAFE and skills courses and how we attract the younger generation. Particularly those who want to stay in the area.” When Janus Electric commenced as a Central Coast start-up, it had a good base team, which has expanded over the past four years. Mr Forsyth estimates he will need to hire between 200 and 300 employees for his manufacturing plant over the next five years and […]

K-Roc newly launched insulated wall and ceiling panels

Kingspan Insulated Panels (Kingspan)—a global leader in high-performance insulation and building envelope solutions has announced the launch of its new K-Roc wall and ceiling panels. The panels are manufactured locally in Australia at Kingspan’s factory in St Marys, Sydney. The primary advantage of manufacturing the new line in Australia is eliminating the need to ship from the United Kingdom. This change will reduce lead times and ensure that Kingspan’s contractors and clients have full confidence that their buildings will be constructed and completed on time. K-Roc panels are efficient and straightforward to install; they are prefabricated, which simplifies handling and reduces installation time. As a result, K-Roc™ panels can be used to close a building’s outer envelope quickly, letting trades get to work on the inside faster, reducing time on site. This efficiency shortens construction schedules and lowers labour costs, making projects more cost-effective and letting builders meet tight deadlines without compromising quality. K-Roc is suitable for applications where all customers, from designers to end users, are looking for high thermal performance, and high fire rating levels. The K-Roc™ products are bonded laminated materials. They achieve the necessary fire test results, as required by clause C2D10 (6)(g) of the National Construction Code (NCC). Therefore, it can be used wherever a non-combustible material is required by the NCC. K-Roc lets customers build smarter. Architects can select a product that’s high performing and simple to detail from the early design stage. The K-Roc series has six products: K-Roc™ AWP Wall Panel K-Roc™ Evolution Wall Panel K-Roc™ Rockspan Wall Panel K-Roc™ Firemaster Wall Panel K-Roc™ Firemaster Ceiling K-Roc™ Firemaster Ultima Wall Panel. The Ultima range is designed for additional fire resistance requirements. For example, K-Roc Firemaster Ultima Wall Panels are ideally suited for the construction of non-load bearing internal partition walls with fire […]

Arrow Energy Surat Gas Project North expansion to start in late 2024

Arrow Energy has a major expansion of its 27-year Surat Gas Project (SGP) to an area north-east of Miles in Queensland’s Western Downs. Known as SGP North, the development will bring more than 130 terajoules of additional gas to market per day for long-term contract and domestic customers. The expansion is part of the SGP development, which will have the capability to produce more than 4000 petajoules of gas over the life of the project. Construction on SGP North is scheduled to begin later this year, with infrastructure to include up to 450 new gas production wells, a new field compression station, 27km of pipeline, and road and infrastructure upgrades over two phases. Arrow CEO Zhengxin Peng said he was pleased to receive sanction by its shareholders for SGP North, with first gas targeted for 2026. “At a time when more gas is needed for homes, businesses and industries, the SGP North development will solidify Arrow’s position as a major producer of natural gas on the east coast,” Mr Peng said. “Natural gas is an important part of the energy transition, and the expansion demonstrates the faith our shareholders have in our ability to manage and deliver large scale projects.” Mr Peng said the Miles region would benefit from up to 400 jobs to be created from the development. “It means more jobs, more opportunities for local contractors and suppliers, including Indigenous businesses, and other economic benefits for the local community, including upgrades to local roads. “Like the first phase of the SGP, we will be minimising our environmental footprint and impact to the community through our agreement with Shell QGC, which enables us to use existing facilities and infrastructure.” The SGP North development will include: • up to 450 production wells and associated gathering • a 121 TJ/d four-compressor […]

Manufacturing finalists announced

2024 AUSTRALIAN TRADES AND WOMEN’S SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION AWARDS From thousands of entrants from across the nation, 26 have made the Manufacturing Finalists Lists of 2024 Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards and the 2024 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards – two major recognition awards programmes dedicated to spotlighting top-performing small business operators, nationwide. Spanning all capital cities as well as rural, regional and suburban towns, the Trades and Women’s Small Business Champion Awards pay tribute to the vital role of small businesses in Australia’s overall social and economic prosperity. Moreover, the Awards recognise small business owners’ invaluable contributions to their local communities and to their fields of specialty. The Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards is now in its third year and requires at least 50 per cent female ownership of an entrant business. Now in its second year, the 2024 Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards features a total of more than 50 categories, across trades-based retail, services and manufacturing industries.PIC from 2023 Awards. Among this year’s most competitive categories, Manufacturing is proving exceptionally challenging to judge, says Steve Loe, Awards Founder and Managing Director of Precedent Productions, which coordinates the Australian Trades and Women’s Small Business Champion Awards. “The quality of Manufacturing category entrants is very impressive. The shortlisting of this year’s finalists was quite the challenge for our judges. “When the Champion Judges evaluate entries, they consider all aspects of a business: its strategies, growth, eco-friendliness, community contributions, innovation, customer service, and product and service quality – to name but some of the criteria. “The next rounds of judging will be intense as we continue to evaluate the achievements of this year’s 26 Manufacturing finalists to reach just one winner per programme,” says Mr Loe. The 16 Manufacturing finalists of the Australian Trades Small Business […]

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