Message from the Chief Executive

MESSAGE FROM THE ASI CHIEF EXECUTIVE

The feature of this edition of steel Australia is Technology, Research and Development. The advent of more sophisticated technology and automation is enabling the Australian steel industry to augment and improve its production processes. From investments in technology at the Whyalla Steelworks by Liberty Primary Steel (see page 38), through to idec's automation journey (see page 36) and DSI Underground's process advancements (see page 34), this uptake is improving efficiency and capacity throughout the steel supply chain.

In the realm of Research and Development, the Steel Research Hub at the University of Wollongong is leading the charge in Australia (see page 46). Having just received an additional $28 million in funding, the Hub is set to embark on its second phase of operations, which will investigate projects in areas such as process integration and sustainability, product innovation and technology, advanced corrosion performance and operational efficiency and steel supply chain transformation.

2021 AUSTRALIAN STEEL CONVENTION

Planning is well underway for the upcoming 2021 Australian Steel Convention. With the theme of Vital and Adaptive, the Convention will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney from 12 to 14 September.

We are monitoring the continually evolving COVID-19 situation and will keep members informed of any updates. Our first priority is the health and safety of attendees, presenters, sponsors and stakeholders.

The program will bring together key industry leaders and innovators to discuss opportunities, showcase industry successes and examine what the future can, and will, look like. Just some of our speakers include Professor Veena Sahajwalla (Director, SMART at University of New South Wales), Vik Bansal (CEO, InfraBuild), Dr Paul Pietro (Director, Facility for Intelligent Fabrication), John Nowland (Chief Executive Steel Products, BlueScope), Davina Rooney (CEO, Green Building Council of Australia), Des Watkins (Director, Watkins Steel), and Mark Campbell (CEO, DBM Vircon). I urge all ASI members to register now. Further information is available via https://www.steel.org.au.

YEAR IN REVIEW

ASI recently released its 2020-2021 Year in Review. This document provides an overview of our activities and achievements across the last 12 months. To access a copy of the 2020-2021 Year in Review, scan the QR code below.

ASI COMPLIANCE SOLUTIONS

The supply of non-compliant, unsuitable, and often faulty building products is increasingly being seen in building, infrastructure and resources projects in Australia, ranging from small local developments to major projects involving international teams. Buying Australian manufactured and processed steel brings many advantages to customers beyond the broader economic benefits, from reduced delivery times and freight costs, to greater reliability of supply.

The ASI has produced a range of solutions and tools to help our stakeholders ensure cost-effective, compliant outcomes, and structures that are resilient and achieve the intended design life. These steel compliance solutions include: the National Structural Steelwork Compliance Scheme (NSSCS), the Environmental Sustainability Charter (ESC) and ShedSafe. The ASI's recently released Steel Compliance Solutions document outlines these three schemes. To access a copy, click on the links below.

ASI eLEARNING RESOURCES

Launched in mid-2020, the ASI’s eLearning portal brings together highly relevant, quality learning material for all steel industry stakeholders. Month-on-month, course uptake by has increased. Over 560 course seats have been sold to date. This uptake has been bolstered by subscription models with

Mark Cain Chief Executive Australian Steel Institute

both a major Australian university (using the eLearning portal to support their Masters coursework), and international consulting engineering firm, ARUP.

Universities and engineering consultants alike are realising the benefits of the ASI's eLearning courses to support the education and training of the next generation of steel experts. For further information on the eLearning platform, visit: https://learn.steel.org.au.

NEW CORPORATE PARTNERS

I'd like to welcome the ASI's new corporate partners. In recent months, we've had Banjo (an innovative online lender for SMEs), eftsure (for protection against payment fraud and errors) and NCI (a leading provider in trade credit services) partner with the ASI to support the Australian steel industry.

We also recently announced our Exclusive ASI Member Offers program. To kick off the launch of the program, we've created a 'Motoring Package'. Whether you're looking to purchase a luxury Lexus, fill up your tank with WEX Motorpass, or hire a Europcar vehicle, the ASI's motoring package has got you covered (see page 51).

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ASI'S 2020-2021 YEAR IN REVIEW >>> CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ASI'S COMPLIANCE SOLUTIONS >>>