With Australia exiting the Covid-19 pandemic and manufacturing growing, there is evidence manufacturers are increasing their reliance on the VET training system. A new report shows an increase in the proportion of employers using the VET system, increasing 5.7 percentage points from 2019 to 2021, with 56.6 per cent of Australian employers engaged with accredited…
Robotics and automation leader Barry Hendy is scratching his head about why Australia is investing in outdated, often overseas submarine and heavy rail technologies when technological change offers ways for Australian industry to leapfrog ahead, and become an exporter rather than an importer. We have long lamented the demise of the Australian car industry and…
South Australian businesses spent at least $35 million in preparation for the now-abandoned construction of Attack-class submarines. Up to 350 small and medium SA businesses made investments and an estimated 175 SA companies had qualified as suppliers for the submarines according to the Australian Industry & Defence Network. Network head Brent Clark said each company…
Satellite communications infrastructure and services provider Av-Comm will join Lockheed Martin Australia’s (LMA) delivery of a next-generation, sovereign military satellite communication (MILSATCOM) capability for the Australian Defence Force. With experience spanning the government, defence, and telecommunication sectors, Sydney-based Av-Comm will support the installation of high capacity wide-band antenna and radio-frequency subsystems at satellite ground stations.…
Three small manufacturers will deliver products into the prototyping phase of construction of nine Hunter class frigates now underway at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide. BAE Systems Maritime Australia announced SMEs in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia would supply a range of manufactured parts for prototyping blocks now under construction. Successful companies…
Automotive engine and industrial supercharger manufacturer Sprintex has announced two major deals which increase its involvement with the hydrogen economy and the Chinese wastewater market. Perth-based Sprintex designs and manufactures superchargers for use in a wide variety of combustion engines, industrial and hydrogen fuel cell applications. Its equipment is used in production and processing, for…
French defence contractor Thales Australia will invest $6.5 million in the first phase of a plan to redevelop its Lithgow Arms facility in regional New South Wales. The investment will create a new manufacturing and integration hub for the design, development and precision manufacture of next generation weapons systems for the Australian Defence Force, industrial…
A major sub-system destined for one of the most sophisticated visual and infra-red optical telescopes ever built has arrived in Germany from its Australian makers. The sub-system for the European Southern Observatory’s 4MOST instrument has arrived at the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) ready for testing and installation on the four-metre VISTA telescope located…
Solar PV glazing technology company ClearVue Technologies will have its products manufactured in the United States under a five-year manufacturing and distribution agreement signed with a Philadelphia company. Commercial glazing manufacturer Graboyes Commercial Windows and Glass Solutions will be ClearVue’s sole distributor in the Pennsylvania and non-exclusive distributor throughout the US. ClearVue is commercialising clear,…
Perth additive manufacturing group Aurora Labs (A3D) has announced the completion of its four-stage technology development pathway for its metal 3D printer. The Perth company declared the printer was now ‘commercial ready’, and would plug a gap in the market for a high productivity, mid-range, mid-cost machine. The printer had been independently validated and products…