China’s share of global steel production increased in 2018
International industry association the World Steel Association (worldsteel) has released its figures for global crude steel output in 2018.
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Australia boosts international talks on digital trade
By Helen Hull Australian efforts have ignited negotiations with 75 other members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), representing over 90 per cent of global trade, on the development of new international rules in digital trade. Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham said establishing new international rules for digital trade would help keep…
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NSW launches food and beverage strategy
New South Wales has launched a new strategy to help boost export opportunities for NSW-based food and beverage manufacturers. The NSW Food and Beverage Industry Development Strategy will assist SMEs to access and become established in new domestic and export markets. The strategy coordinates actions across government, industry and research institutions through: # a workforce…
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Chinese links boost manufactured exports
Market knowledge and in-market contacts are vital for export sales, with evidence mounting that close Chinese-Australian links are a major driver of manufactured exports. In November @AuManufacturing reported that locally listed retailer AuMake International (ASX:Au8) was gaining traction in Chinese online and home shopping markets with its range of Australian and New Zealand manufactured products.…
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Why Australia needs to make lithium ion batteries big time
It is amazing how much difference a little policy innovation from governments can make to manufacturing fortunes – in this case in making lithium ion batteries. While there are a number of big factories making vehicle batteries overseas, it is action by the South Australian and, more recently, the Queensland governments which have ignited the…
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Drone manufacturer develops camouflaged UAVs
Drone manufacturer Simbiant Pty Ltd is recruiting to expand its development of a range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and camouflaged drones. CEO Steve Auch-Schwelk said the company was using ‘active and adaptive technologies’ to hide UAVs in plain sight. Recruiting is underway to ramp up its aeronautics division to enter Phase-1 test flights of…
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Manufacturing ignored in Australia Day honours
By Peter Roberts Manufacturers were again largely absent from this year’s Australia Day honours with none being named in the top two groups of awards as Companions and Officers of the order. Professor Mark Dodgson, Professor of Innovation Studies at the University of Queensland Business School, was one of two linked to manufacturing named as…
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Austal builds sustainment business with new contracts
Perth based global shipbuilder, Austal (ASX: ASB) is building up a lucrative business of long term sustainment for the ships its builds. The company’s latest contract, worth US$16.3 (Aud$23 million) is for post delivery sustainment of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 20, the future USS Cincinnati. This is on top of a recently announced US$21.1…
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Foreign direct investment drives global economy
Analysis by Peter Roberts Australia has always relied on foreign direct investment to drive its growing economy, as do other nations according to today’s graphic from Visual Capitalist. Whether it is Chevron’s investment in Australia’s north-west shelf, or Incitec Pivot’s $1 billion ammonia plant in New Orleans, companies often find the best payback in foreign…
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Harbourside bottling for the China market
South Australia is the home of fine Australian wine with one company capitalising on the location of its bottling plant at Osborne near Adelaide’s container port. Harbour Bottling, owned by AWTE Enterprise, began exporting only last year to India, the UK and Canada adding to its usual China market. Company director Wayne Chao said: “So…
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