Analysis by Peter Roberts The Australian Financial Review has an extraordinarily tantalising piece of gossip today which, if confirmed, will mark a milestone for private equity investment in manufacturing. Normally PE suppliers take positions in manufacturers under strain, only to onsell the businesses after stripping them of assets and offshoring operations. Few genuine PE investments…
The federal government’s naval shipbuilding plans are ramping up with progress building massive new facilities in Adelaide, and the laying down of the keel of the first Arafura class offshore patrol vessel (OPV). Defence announced more than 50 tonnes of Australian steel has been assembled at Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide marking the official completion…
Brickworks (ASX: BRK) has powered to a record profit for the half year to January 31 of $160 million, up 37 per cent on the year before. After tax profit was up 18 per cent to $115 million. Chairman Robert Milner said: “Our strong financial performance during the period again reinforced the benefits of our…
Sleep apnea manufacturer ResMed (ASX: RMD) and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare have settled their longstanding patent infringement dispute. The settlement involved no payment or admission of liability on either side, and both parties will pay their own costs. The two have been in dispute over aspects of the technologies in ResMed generators and masks, and…
By Forum member, Adam Hyland, principal of Franke Hyland Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys. There is a tendency for outsiders to think of Asia, and particularly China, as a place where intellectual property goes to die. As a place where it is not worth trying to protect your intellectual property because it is too hard…
Analysis by Peter Roberts Defence minister, Christopher Pyne is one of many MPs and Ministers retiring at the upcoming election – and one who will be sorely missed by industry. Pyne stands head and shoulders above colleagues on both sides of the house in recent years in restoring industry to its proper place as an…
Toyota’s shuttered Altona car plant will be turned into a hydrogen industry hub with funds from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). The financing body will provide $7.4 million to produce green hydrogen for transport as part of a larger transformation planned for the former car assembly plant. ARENA will provide $3.1 million towards the…
The University of Newcastle has unveilled an innovative solution to reducing the cost of solar photo voltaic power. The University this week inaugurated a printed solar demonstration plant made from photo sensitive and conductive inks printed onto ultra-thin, clear laminated sheets. The 100 square metre PV site was rapidly manufactured, enabling accelerated deployment in the…
The F-35 Lightning, the world’s most advanced fighter plane, will be used to develop the world’s most advanced digital supply chain under a new partnership. BAE Systems Australia and the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) will bring Industry 4.0 to reality through a $750,000 project to develop a new approach to supply chain digitisation. The…
Australian anti-drone security company, DroneShield (ASX: DRO) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia’s Public Telecommunication Co to enter Middle East markets. Public Telecommunication’s STC Specialized group, which is ‘guided’ by the Saudi government to partner with leading foreign companies, has added DroneShield to its partner list. The company said in a statement:…