Comment by Peter Roberts With coronavirus wrecking its havoc on the Australian economy, I can’t help thinking that there is no cloud without a silver lining. This might just be the time when the general public wakes up to the importance of a healthy, capable and broad-based manufacturing sector. A few of us diehards have…
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Australian Manufacturing Forum member viewpoint by Allen Roberts Hallelujah! The Government has announced cash flow assistance for small businesses, turnover limit an arbitrary $50 million, impacted by the Corona virus. Perhaps the precarious position many small businesses are finding themselves in has finally pricked the Canberra political bubble. The assistance is intended to keep people…
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The first “green shoots” are starting to appear for Australian wine exporters into China as the Asian powerhouse emerges from its coronavirus lockdown.
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Five of the 12 brick making plants operated by Brickworks in the United States are to close immediately as fallout spreads from the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. The Sydney company announced today that Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf had ordered all non-life-sustaining businesses in the state to close their physical locations to slow the spread of Covid-19.…
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The 2020 version of the annual Wohlers Report, tracking the evolution of the global 3D printing industry, has been released.
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The federal government’s efforts to boost defence exports seems to be working to increase the pool of local defence exporters. Defence industry minister, Melissa Price released the fourth edition of the government’s Australian Military Sales Catalogue, which lists a growing number of exporters. The 2020 Catalogue showcases 170 Australian businesses – a 49 per cent…
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Perth’s Orbital Corporation had broken into the Singapore defence market, signing a memorandum of understanding with one of that country’s largest defence companies. The agreement with the company, which has not been named, is for the design, development and initial low-rate production of multi-fuel engines for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A week ago Orbital deepened…
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Digital gaming is underpinning confidence by gaming machine manufacturer Aristocrat Leisure that it can weather the coronavirus storm. The Sydney company moved into the fast-growing digital and online space some years ago, and now gets 40 per cent of revenue from those sources. Sales of gaming machines and land-based gaming contribute 30 per cent each.…
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Composites technology company Xtek (ASX:XTE) has achieved what it says is a small but important first commercial order for armour parts produced using its XTclave curing system. The buyer is named as Tote Systems Australia, which will use Xtek’s lightweight ballistic armour plates in a soft armour and tactical vest system. The end product will…
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Now that the true extent of the health challenge facing Australia is evident, attention is turning to the economy where sales slow-downs, disrupted supply chains and closed markets are taking their toll. Today BlueScope steel and Boral became the latest in what has become a flood of large manufacturers forced to rethink sales and profits…
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