Developments

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 […]

Major Milestone: Six King Long EVolution low-floor electric buses enter Victorian service

Six brand-new King Long EVolution low-floor electric chassis have entered service in Melbourne — a significant step forward for the brand and a strong demonstration of the world-class capability of the EVolution platform. Purpose-built for the most demanding of missions, these vehicles were custom-designed for high-frequency airport operations. Running 24/7, they are engineered to meet the toughest duty cycles — proving beyond doubt that the King Long EVolution is not only capable but trusted for the hardest passenger transport tasks. This milestone is the result of a powerful collaboration between King Long, one of the world’s largest bus manufacturers, and Global Bus Ventures (NZ), New Zealand’s leading body builder. The vehicles were finished in Australia, delivering a final product with market-leading local Australian and New Zealand build content. This trans-Tasman approach supports local jobs and industry, combining globally respected chassis technology with craftsmanship that meets Australasian standards. Together, this partnership unites local build content with global innovation and scale — delivering the best of both worlds for operators who demand reliability, performance, and class-leading efficiency. Pete White, Managing Director of Bus Stop Sales — the exclusive Australian distributor of King Long, said the milestone cements King Long’s growing presence in Australia: “SkyBus is one of the most demanding applications for passenger transport, with aroundthe-clock operations and the highest expectations for reliability. For the King Long EVolution platform to be trusted in this environment sends a powerful message — that King Long delivers world-class technology with the performance and dependability Australian operators need. This is global leadership, delivered locally.” King Long’s EVolution chassis is the cornerstone of a fast-growing zero-emissions portfolio now operating in Australia. From 12-metre low-floor city buses to resource industry coaches and now high-frequency airport fleets, King Long electric buses are already proving themselves across diverse Australian conditions. […]

Hunter manufacturing embraces innovation and growth

Manufacturing in the Hunter is undergoing a quiet resurgence, with $26 billion in annual output and a growing number of businesses embracing clean energy, digital transformation and inclusive practices. That shift is reflected in a record number of applications for the Hunter Manufacturing Awards, with a 44% increase in applications, including 11 first-time entrants. The strong response points to a sector in transition, with significant growth seen in award categories such as innovation, product design and sustainability. The introduction of two new categories, Diversity in Manufacturing and Digital Transformation, was also met with enthusiasm, reflecting how manufacturers across the Hunter, Central and Mid North Coasts are adapting to the demands of a modern, resilient economy. “This year’s entries tell a bigger story than just numbers,” said HMA Chair Jacqui Daley. “They reveal a sector that is shifting gear, embracing advanced technologies, investing in cleaner, smarter production, and creating more inclusive workplaces.” Manufacturing continues to be one of the most important industries in the region, second only to mining in terms of output. While traditional industries such as steelmaking, aluminium and machinery fabrication still play a key role, the Hunter’s manufacturing landscape is being reshaped by growth in clean energy technologies, defence and aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage production. “In every corner of our region, we’re seeing manufacturers step up with creativity and capability, from batteries and boats to breakfast cereals and biotech,” said Daley. “The 2025 entries showcase the real breadth and depth of talent we have here.” Now in its 21st year, the Hunter Manufacturing Awards program continues to celebrate the people, processes and progress shaping the region’s industrial future. Winners of the 2025 Hunter Manufacturing Awards will be announced at the gala event on Thursday 30 October 2025 at NEX, Newcastle . The event brings together manufacturers, […]

Robots red meatAMPC interim CEO Edwina Toohey

Robots, red meat and resilience: driving productivity and sustainability in the processing industry

AMPC Innovation Showcase, Brisbane 10–11 September, 2025 The Australian red meat processing industry broke three of its own environmental performance records this past year, thanks in large part to practices driven by new technologies and innovation. The industry is coming together in Brisbane for the second Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) Innovation Showcase, where processors, researchers and supply chain participants will gather to talk about how the industry is improving global competitiveness and productivity, while reducing its environmental impact. The red meat sector includes beef cattle, sheep, goats and buffalo. The processing industry is a major contributor to the Australian economy. It currently supports the employment of more than 189,000 people and generates more than $25.4 billion in direct and industry value adds. The two-day Showcase event will bring together more than 400 delegates to look at how red meat will be processed in the next decade, and how technology can help make it safer, more sustainable and more efficient. The program reflects the growing role of innovation in securing food supply, reducing climate impact and shaping the future of work in regional communities. AMPC’s interim CEO Edwina Toohey says rigorous research and development is driving incredible innovation in the red meat processing industry. “Our latest industry Environmental Performance Review showed industry broke three records last year: lowest intensity results for greenhouse gas emissions since reporting began in 1998; industry’s lowest water intensity; and the highest water recycling levels. Environmental improvements have also massively shifted, with bioenergy now having taken over from coal as the second most used thermal energy source. “Those incredible results come at the same time as tech, AI and innovation are opening the industry to a broader workforce, creating even better-quality products and delivering world-leading food safety outcomes. This showcase will give delegates a chance […]

(L-R) Minister Tara Moriarty, representative of Australian Juice Processing and Bottling in Leeton, Helen Dalton NSW MP for Murray (1)

Minns Government delivers $23.4 million boost for Riverina’s economic development and more jobs

The Minns Labor Government is investing in four key projects to boost the Riverina’s local economy and deliver jobs as part of its plan to build economic development in regional NSW. This funding is part of the Minns Government’s approach to delivering smart investment, with local partners, to make a real difference for regional communities. The Minns Government’s NSW Regional Development Trust will firstly invest $5.72 million and funding recipients will invest a further $17.74 million, to deliver new manufacturing technology and expand tourism. The four Riverina economic development projects receiving funds are as follows: $2.5 million – for a new state-of-the-art bottling line at the Leeton Juice Facility ***see attached image*** Australian Juice Processing and Bottling will install a new bottling line featuring automated and continuous operation that will include heating and blow moulding of containers, as well as filling, capping and labelling functions. This equipment will increase facility output to up to 100,000 containers per hour. (L-R) Minister Tara Moriarty, representative of Australian Juice Processing and Bottling in Leeton, Helen Dalton NSW MP for Murray. $2.27 million – to develop a Regional Demonstration Hub for chilling and freezing Staughton Group will build a Regional Demonstration Hub for inline chilling and freezing to transform regional food processing. The project will deliver new technologies to upgrade chilling and freezing infrastructure for regional food processors and provide equipment and services to regional NSW abattoirs and food manufacturers. The new technologies will help make food manufacturing more sustainable and profitable. $568,959– to build the Hillston Arid Zone Botanic Garden Carrathool Shire Council will develop an eight-hectare Arid Zone Botanic Garden in Hillston which will include the delivery of water and electricity services to the site, irrigation systems, a free camping and caravan area, an Aboriginal cultural learning area, irrigation systems, and the conservation of […]

Terry Smagh, Infor senior vice president and general manager for Asia Pacific and Japan

Turning Tech into ROI: 4 Practical Strategies for Manufacturers

By Terry Smagh, Infor Senior Vice President and General Manager, APJ Australia’s manufacturing sector is at a crossroads. Rising operational and energy costs coupled with labour shortages are affecting local production. Despite the Government’s ambitious ‘Future Made in Australia’ policy that envisions a transformative path for Australia’s economy over the next decade, the manufacturing sector has struggled to maintain competitiveness, create jobs and attract global investment. Securing Australia’s place in a rapidly changing global environment is vital to boost private sector investment and build a stronger and more resilient economy. Amid global geopolitical tensions, technology investments are vital to drive a transformation in manufacturing. According to research by McKinsey, technology centricity is an imperative rather than an alternative. Nearly half of top-performing companies have adopted product- or platform-centric operating models. The rest are trying to catch up. Recent research from Infor found that 80% of organisations expect to increase investment in technology by 20% or more over the coming years. Technology transformation is becoming an imperative in Australia as manufacturing businesses adopt advanced technologies like IoT, AI and cloud computing. These technology investments are effective when coupled with preparedness. Unfortunately, some Australian manufacturers are grappling with operational issues like staff shortages and resistance to adapting to new technologies. The nation’s ageing workforce, in particular, has widened this gap. Bridging the industrial skills gap through tech Adapting the workforce for a digital-first environment is critical for growth. Infor’s research sheds new light on this challenge, highlighting a significant gap between the most and least productive industrial organisations in terms of access to skilled talent, with a 22.7% difference in their ability to meet market demands. The talent crisis is being intensified by the rapid evolution of manufacturing technologies, which demands a workforce with more advanced skills than ever before. This presents […]

Why procurement leaders in manufacturing must rethink risk in the age of supply chain volatility

By Eamon Williams, procurement solutions specialist, OneAdvanced For procurement leaders in Australia’s manufacturing sector, risk is no longer a minor consideration; it’s a daily reality. From the Red Sea shipping crisis to the ongoing impact of inflation, trade tariffs and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, procurement professionals are navigating an era defined by disruption. In the past, risk management was largely about switching from unreliable suppliers or ensuring compliance with agreed service levels. Today, that’s just the beginning of the challenge facing the profession. The volatility of modern supply chains requires a more dynamic, data-driven and holistic approach to risk, one that goes beyond spreadsheets and static supplier assessments. The good news is that the manufacturing sector’s procurement leaders now have access to a new generation of technology solutions that are designed for this environment. Source-to-contract platforms offer real-time visibility, predictive insights, and built-in agility, giving businesses the tools to make smarter, faster, and more resilient procurement decisions. The risk landscape has shifted The global business environment has fundamentally changed over the past five years. The pandemic exposed the fragility of lean, just-in-time supply chains. Since then, the list of disruptive forces has grown to include wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, economic sanctions, climate-related events, inflation and labour shortages across critical sectors. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, nearly one in five businesses (19 per cent) reported supply chain disruptions in 2024, up from 15 per cent the previous year. For procurement leaders, this means risk can arise from almost anywhere and often without warning. A supplier operating in a previously stable region may suddenly become inaccessible. A shipping lane may close due to military action or piracy. A raw material price may spike due to climate-related harvest failure. These scenarios are no longer theoretical. The latest McKinsey Global Supply Chain Leader Survey suggests that when it comes to supply chain resilience, companies are taking their foot off the gas. Traditional risk models, which rely on past performance and static supplier records, are ill-equipped to deal with these variables. A supplier with a perfect track record may still be highly exposed […]

Australia’s Economic Reform Roundtable August 21-25, Canberra – a focus on Productivity

Decades of strong and continuous growth cemented Australia’s reputation as the “lucky country.” Most Australians took this economic exceptionalism for granted. And who could blame them? It was just a fact of life. While economic engines elsewhere faltered with bursting bubbles and financial crises, Australia powered ahead. Yet, around 2016, Australia’s economic engine started running out of puff and is now at risk of stalling. In the golden years (1993–2016), per capita GDP grew at 1.8 per cent a year. The post-2016 growth rate has averaged just 0.6 per cent, and, since 2020, it has been negative. Above decks, many missed the trouble brewing in the engine room. An extended mining boom, strong population growth, and a massive stimulus bump during the pandemic years kept the party going. Optimism prevailed: This is Australia, things are different here, and “she’ll be right, mate.” Up on the bridge in Canberra, lagging indicators masked slowing underlying momentum. Inflation, terms of trade, and immigration propped up headline economic numbers and the budget. At the same time, the passengers—especially older, first-class passengers—were buoyed by some of the world’s highest house prices. Since 2008, the average net wealth of Australians has doubled, remaining on par with the United States as the highest per capita among major economies. As much as 70 per cent of this increase came from property values. Spending by older home-owning cohorts remains healthy, while younger Australians—who have record-low home ownership—are tightening their belts. Now, Australia’s economic doldrums are increasingly apparent. In recent years, living standards in Australia have declined faster than in any other developed economy. Consumer prices, mortgage interest repayments, and income tax have increased sharply. At the same time, Australian real incomes are 2 per cent below their pre-pandemic high, while those of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development […]

While Tech Giants Build Humanoid Robots, This Australian Startup Solves the Harder Problem First

MotionLogic Selected as Finalist in Australia’s First AI and Robotics Sprint NEWCASTLE: Traversal Labs has been selected as a finalist in the inaugural Propel-AIR program, Australia’s first dedicated AI and Robotics Sprint, with their MotionLogic platform. While the world’s largest tech companies pour billions into building humanoid robots, Newcastle-based Traversal Labs has taken a contrarian approach. They’re teaching machines to understand human work patterns first. Their MotionLogic platform transforms ordinary factory video into detailed maps of human motion and interaction. This creates precise training data future robots need to work safely alongside people. “Everyone’s building the robot body,” said Alex McClung, founder of Traversal Labs. “We’re building the robot’s understanding of how humans actually work.” The AI-powered platform analyses camera footage to extract key performance data. It measures motion waste, task breakdowns, safety risks, and ergonomics. Workers’ movements are tracked in 3D space, measuring everything from walking distance to joint angles and tool handling efficiency. Australian Innovation Gains Industrial Traction MotionLogic is already deployed with enterprise clients in the heavy-manufacturing sector, with negotiations underway in the Aerospace, Rail, and Maritime sectors focusing on customers with complex assembly processes. The technology delivers immediate value through process optimization. A typical deployment reveals insights like total walking distance per shift, frequency of awkward postures, and opportunities for improved factory layout. The software provides production staff with detailed visibility into when tools are active versus idle and when workers are engaged in task-time versus non-task-time. But the long-term value lies in robotics training data. “Just as self-driving car companies use real-world driver data to train autonomous vehicles, MotionLogic feeds real-world human work patterns into industrial robot training,” McClung explained. From Ergonomics to Automation The platform’s multi-layered approach captures three distinct layers. The person layer tracks ergonomics and body movement. The tool layer monitors interaction […]

Fuel and fertiliser for the future: regional hydrogen and ammonia power Aussie farming

Hiringa Energy, Sundown Pastoral Company and the NSW Government have announced Financial Close has been reached on their Good Earth Green Hydrogen and Ammonia (GEGHA) project. GEGHA has satisfied all development milestones, with construction scheduled to begin in October this year. This achievement highlights the sustained opportunity for Australia’s green hydrogen industry, proving right-sized, demand-led projects can succeed. The GEGHA project is an integrated solar energy to low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia operation. Once complete the plant will be located adjacent to Sundown’s Joint Venture Wathagar cotton ginning facility, near Moree NSW. GEGHA will produce up to 4,500 tonnes of low-carbon ammonia annually, displacing high-carbon fossil fuel-based nitrogen fertilisers and removing up to 17,000 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions each year – the same as taking 6,500 passenger cars off the road or planting half a million trees. GEGHA fertiliser will be consumed by Sundown to support production of its positive net-zero, traceable Good Earth Cotton, with excess supply also available for other regional growers. In addition to ammonia production, the facility will supply ~224 tonnes of green hydrogen per annum for direct use. Green hydrogen is set to be consumed as part of Hiringa’s heavy-vehicle refuelling network, as well as on-farm to displace diesel in irrigation pumping, further decarbonising the agricultural supply chain from paddock-to-port. “Getting the green light for green fertiliser production isn’t just about producing low-carbon ammonia,” says Hiringa co-founder and CEO Andrew Clennett. “It’s a model for overcoming the obstacles that have held back the establishment of these new green industries. By strategically partnering with Sundown Pastoral Co, we’re anchoring demand with supply to meet the immediate needs of the agricultural sector.” Transforming supply chains GEGHA will offer East Coast Australia’s first green fertiliser supply, delivering regional producers with competitive, stable pricing for their fuels and feedstocks. […]

1 2 3 4 ›»

News Ticker

Developments