industry news
ABB celebrates 60 years of transformer manufacturing in Perth ABB hosted an event on 13 October at its Malaga factory to celebrate the milestone of 60 years of transformer manufacturing in Western Australia. Guided factory tours were provided for invited guests, which included Dr Mike Nahan, who unveiled a plaque to mark the milestone in front of key customers, employees and stakeholders. The organised tours provided guests with glimpses of the behind-the-scene operations and a review of the cutting-edge technology and processes currently utilised at the transformer manufacturing plant. The 9,100sqm facility specialises in producing distribution transformers up to 10MVA and 33KV. “I congratulate ABB Australia on reaching the major milestone of 60 years of manufacturing transformers in Perth,” said Dr Nahan. “I am pleased this locally-based manufacturing capability has continued to provide an important contribution not only to the security of electricity supplies for the State, but also to the overall prosperity of WA.” “We were delighted to be celebrating this anniversary with so many of our longstanding customers, employees, suppliers and key stakeholders,” said Axel Kuhr, Managing Director for ABB in Australia. “Our Perth operation has proven itself a reliable technology partner for government, utilities and the resources sector and has helped ABB to become one of the leading brand names in the power and automation marketplace in Australia.” Its 60-year supply history has seen the factory reliably provide distribution transformers and services that
have helped to develop one of the world’s largest and most isolated electricity networks, operated by local utility Western Power. The plant has also built a strong reputation over many years as a supplier of preference for transformers designed and manufactured to suit the rigour of long-distance transport and the harsh operating conditions found in regional WA. ABB transformers whose manufacture date goes back to early 1960-
70s can still be found stabilising the power at iconic and remote mining and oil & gas operations, including Rio Tinto, Alcoa, BHP Billiton, Woodside and most recently Roy Hill. Among those present at the plaque unveiling ceremony were Paul Italiano, Chief Executive Officer of Western Power, representatives from key resources sector customers and members of ABB Australia’s senior management.
NMW 2016 to host Inside 3D Printing Reed Exhibitions Australia has announced that its flagship manufacturing event, National Manufacturing Week (NMW) will next year be co-located with MecklerMedia’s Inside 3D Printing Conference & Expo. Inside 3D Printing is the largest professional 3D printing and additive manufacturing event worldwide, giving industry a first-hand look at how 3D printing is revolutionising industries including manufacturing, medicine, architecture, aerospace, and more. NMW is Australia’s largest annual showcase of manufacturing innovation, information and inspiration. Scheduled for 11-13 May 2016 at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, NMW 2016 will build on outcomes of the previous events, where visitors were updated on industry trends, sourced innovations and placed orders for new products and services. Christoph Rowen, Managing
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AMT November 2015
Director Asia-Pacific for MecklerMedia, commented that the co-location is based on a natural fit between NMW and Inside 3D Printing Conference & Expo. Rowen described NMW’s Additive Manufacturing Zone – which showcases processes for building up components – as the logical home for Inside 3D Printing exhibitors, while Inside 3D Printing conference delegates will see added value in the opportunity to visit NMW 2016’s comprehensive exhibition. John Gorton, Executive Director, Reed Exhibitions Australia added: “Reed Exhibitions is delighted to announce our strategic cooperation with MecklerMedia to co-locate NMW 2016 with the Inside 3D Printing Conference & Expo. Inside
3D Printing is a world-leading event for a game-changing area of technology. As it evolves, 3D printing technology is transforming almost every major industry: especially manufacturing, where it is already beginning to disrupt existing processes and open up exciting new opportunities for industry. “By co-locating with the Inside 3D Printing Conference & Expo, NMW 2016 will give visitors a broader, deeper access to the technologies, strategies and opportunities associated with additive manufacturing. We are confident this expanded offering will maximise the value of participation in NMW 2016 for exhibitors, sponsors, conference delegates and trade visitors.”