Industry Update - Issue 146 - Oct 25

Australian Manufacturing Awards winners revealed at gala event

The winners of the Australian Manufacturing Awards have been revealed at a gala event in Sydney, with over 400 guests on hand to pay tribute to the best and brightest of Australian industry.

The big winners were Eilbeck Cranes, who picked up the prestigious St.George Bank Manufacturer of the Year prize, and Dave Vinther of Moduplay, who won the individual Gold Award for Excellence

in Manufacturing, sponsored by Investment NSW.

John Notaras of Atom Industries was also honoured with the Lifetime Acheivement Award for his decades of service to the industry, presented by SugarCRM.

The event, held at the luxurious Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, was a true celebration of the manufacturing sector, handing out 22 prizes that covered every corner of industry.

Hosted by respected journalist

Tracey Spicer, the night began with keynote addresses from Tim Ayres, Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation, and Amber Stanley of Investment NSW, before the Awards were handed out.

Health and wellness manufacturers Morlife were the most successful

Continues page 22

Meet the oil filtration revolution

that every manufacturer needs to know

about

Oil is at the heart of manufacturing, quite literally greasing the wheels that keep machines running, industry humming and processes moving along.

Given the centrality of oil, manufacturers must constantly be vigilant about how they treat it, especially in avoiding damage to expensive machinery and equipment.

Oil filtration is at the heart of maintenance, ensuring that everything can keep running smoothly without costly breakdowns or expensive changeover processes.

Continues page 44

Why the personal touch matters in bearings

Besa Deda and John Spender of William Buck, Scott Filby of Industry Update and Matt Kelly of St.George Bank

The

All Lasers come with our National CNC Support and Service, commissioning, testing and operator training.

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• Local Service and Support

• Oxygen & Nitrogen Regulators with hoses included

• Five-year factory warranty on - Bodor Thinker Control System, Bodor Power Laser Source, Bodor Genius Laser Head See Website for T&C’s

Publisher SCOTT FILBY scott@industryupdate.com.au

Advertising & Sales Manager

PAUL FERRIS paul@industryupdate.com.au

Editor MIKE WOOD editor@industryupdate.com.au

Sub Editor RENATA GORTAN subeditor@industryupdate.com.au

Universities & Collaboration Editor DAVID SLIGAR unieditor@industryupdate.com.au

Publisher’s Assistant and Administration Manager

JERIN BURZACOTT jerin@industryupdate.com.au

SCOTT FILBY scott@industryupdate.com.au

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Production Manager DUMINSHA UDESHIKA copy@industryupdate.com.au

Video Editor & Producer CHARLIE LOUGHLIN video@industryupdate.com.au

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Finance & Accounts

MICHELLE ALCOCK michelle@industryupdate.com.au

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Printer IVE Group

Automation experts make key appointment in Australia & NZ

Swisslog, a leading provider of best-in-class warehouse automation and software, has announced the promotion of Steve Dimitrovski to Director of Sales for Australia and New Zealand.

He has a strong background in the retail sector with experience spanning more than 19 years, including several senior leadership and business development roles.

Dimitrovski started with Swisslog Australia and New Zealand in 2021 and was instrumental in delivery of major warehouse automation projects with market leading blue-chip companies.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a double major in Economics and Marketing from the University of Wollongong and a Master of Business Administration from the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM).

“Steve is focused on leading our sales team to build on the momentum we are seeing in the market for automation solutions that deliver tangible and measurable results for customers,” said Dan Ulmamei, Managing Director of Swisslog Australia and New Zealand.

“His comprehensive understanding of consumer trends and customer challenges, combined with his deep industry expertise, will enable Steve and his team to work closely with our customers to bring value to their operation and ensure

our automation solutions help them meet their business objectives.”

As Director of Sales for the Australia and New Zealand region, Dimitrovski will bring a transformational focus to understanding customers’ unique needs and helping them understand Swisslog’s best-in-class solutions and software, including its CycloneCarrier shuttle system, ACPaQ automated mixed case palletiser, multi-temperature AutoStore solutions, ItemPiQ robotic piece picking, IntraMove AMRs and SynQ management software.

Swisslog automation experts work closely with customers to determine which solution best fits their facility constraints, operational needs and business objectives.

“I’m excited to step into this new role, where I can work with leading Australian and New Zealand companies to utilise data-driven and robotic solutions to improve throughput, optimise space, cut energy usage and enhance delivery performance,” said Dimitrovski.

“Australia and New Zealand are embracing automation as a way to solve challenges. Now that industry is readily adopting automation, the key is to think intelligently about the future and implement the right solution now to enable flexible, sustainable and scalable growth.”

Swisslog - swisslog.com

Steve Dimitrovski is the new Director of Sales for Australia and New Zealand at Swisslog

• Extended reach: Units available with reaches between 5m to 28m

• Cost effective: Reduces labour reliance and improves throughput

• Warranty coverage: Backed by a 2-year / 4000-hour warranty for reliability and performance confidence

• Enhanced safety systems: The use of safety bars, e-stops and audible beacons provide greater peace of mind for operators and businesses

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Publisher Scott Filby

Thank you to all Australian Manufacturing Awards sponsors and finalists! What a night it was!

The first Australian Manufacturing Awards is in the books, and we can all reflect on the amazing event at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. It was exceptional for our sector to have its name up in lights at a glamorous location and with such a successful outcome.

When I first thought of this idea, it was because I believed it was a long overdue event for our industry.

I am truly astonished that so many people outside the manufacturing industry are so unaware of how much our sector impacts their daily lives. Forget death and taxes - manufacturing is everywhere from the moment we are born to the second we die!

I have made it my personal ambition to help people understand how manufacturing intertwines with everything we do.

Two-thirds of the world would go into meltdown without their phones, but more of that another time.

For a long time, we have hidden our light under a bushel as a sector, content to put in the hard work but rarely willing to shout from the rooftops

about what manufacturing brings to Australia. That’s true in economics - and we’re still over a million workers and 5% of GDP - but also in more broad terms around innovation and progress, where our industry adds expertise and value in more intangible ways.

It was humbling and rewarding to see so many faces in the audience of people finally being rewarded.

Among that crowd were manufacturing stars that I have known for over 30 years, long-standing advertisers and friends, who backed this event wholeheartedly through sponsorship, and without whom it would simply not have been possible.

That longevity of purpose is at the core of what Industry Update does, and it was humbling to see it reflected at the Awards.

I thank all of our sponsors, advertisers, nominees and winners as well as the wider manufacturing community without whom Australia would be in deep trouble.

With a heart full of joy and pride, I say thank you to everyone!

Many faces were new to me, especially among the finalists, proving that no matter how long you have been in this game, there is always a pioneer for you to meet.

That excitement about the future is what keeps manufacturing moving forwards, at the cutting edge of the Australian economy. I thank all the finalists, and all the companies that nominated, and of course, I congratulate the winners.

Perhaps most impressive of all was Minister

for Innovation and Industry Tim Ayres, who travelled straight from trade talks in Washington DC to attend the awards..

A direct link between my table and Donald Trump’s certainly wasn’t in the planning for the Awards, and it would have been easy for Tim to pull out given the circumstances, but to see the Minister undertake such a journey to be present in front of our industry underlined both the importance of the event and the Minister’s personal commitment to manufacturing.

I thank him for that, and for his kind words. If you’ll permit me the indulgence, here are a few paragraphs.

“It makes an enormous contribution for manufacturing firms, for people interested in manufacturing policy to have somebody who’s prepared to put their heart and soul into publishing the journal, engaging with the industry, advocating for the industry, lifting the profile,” he said of me.

“It’s a really important contribution to the country, Scott, so thank you very much for that.”

For someone who has worked over 30 years in this sector, it means a lot. Manufacturing never stops, however, and neither do we.

We are already working on the 2026 Awards, which will be held in Melbourne, and I encourage anyone who wants to come onboard as a sponsor or partner to get in touch today - we have already received five sponsorship bookings which is just incredible.

Once again, a big heartfelt thank you - and long live manufacturing!

Editor Mike Wood

There’s a lot of fun to be had in this job. Working with manufacturers every day is, of course, a pleasure, as is the chance to travel all over and see the cutting edge of our industry first hand.

Few things, however, can compete with this edition’s special features.

Myself and Scott had a long, fruitful meeting with Federal Minister for Innovation and Industry Tim Ayres, a great chance to take the temperature of Australian industry with one of the most important figures in it.

There was the Awards, too, a real triumph for both Industry Update - in terms of getting that many people into a room, but also reading all the nominations, seeing so many friends in person and celebrating our great manufacturing community.

There was even a trip out to Kardex, who opened a new factory in Sydney with full Swiss regalia, including alphorns.

Cede the floor, however, for the best of the best: this edition’s St.George Bank case study special with the Cookie Man.

Yes, there’s great value for the reader in understanding how financial partners can help classic Aussie brands. There’s plenty in there on how an old name moved to the forefront of automation.

There’s even something in the chance to talk food manufacturing, one of the most important areas of our sector. But top of the list is sending humble, hungry magazine editors to biscuit factories.

I love a steel fabrication facility, a metals smelter and a heavy manufacturing plant as much as the next man, but come on: more cookies, please.

Rethinking workplace safety: From compliance to competitive advantage

Most Australian businesses approach workplace safety through the lens of compliance. Regulations set the minimum standard, and companies work to meet them.

But treating safety as just a compliance exercise can leave major blind spots and productivity opportunities on the table.

The real cost of an incident isn’t just the fine or the audit finding. It’s the downtime when a production line is halted. It’s the forklift that’s out of action. It’s the employee who doesn’t come back to work for months.

Safety failures ripple outward, hitting productivity, morale, and even customer relationships.

Forward-thinking operators are beginning to shift their approach. They’re moving beyond just compliance and starting to treat safety as a strategic driver of productivity and business resilience.

This is where integration - bringing barriers, guarding and systems together - becomes critical.

When barriers and guarding are installed reactively, one near miss

here, one compliance notice there, the result is a patchwork of fixes.

Each might address an immediate risk, but gaps inevitably remain. Worse still, uncoordinated systems can slow workflows, frustrate operators and create new bottlenecks.

By contrast, integrated safety systems address the whole environment. They separate people and vehicles at every crossing point. They secure machinery in a way that still allows efficient access. They flex and adapt as layouts evolve.

Nick O’Kane, National Sales Manager at Barrier Group, puts it simply.

“We see two kinds of facilities,” he said.

“The ones that treat safety as a necessary cost, and the ones that treat it as a performance enabler.

“The latter group has fewer disruptions, stronger morale and better productivity. Safety pays for itself when it’s done properly.”

For managers looking to reframe safety as a productivity enabler, here are three areas to prioritise:

REDUCE MAINTENANCE COSTS ON OVERHEAD CRANES

1. Vehicle-Pedestrian separation

Forklifts remain one of the leading causes of workplace injuries. Vehicle incidents are the single biggest cause of workplace deaths in Australia, accounting for 42% of all worker fatalities.

That’s why physical separation between people and forklifts isn’t optional: it’s the frontline of protection. Polymer systems like FlexGuard absorb impacts, protecting both workers and assets.

2. Machine Access Control

Machinery incidents are often severe and commonly preventable. Modular guarding systems, such as ISF Machine Guarding, provide robust protection while still enabling efficient operator access. Integration with interlocks and controls ensures productivity isn’t sacrificed for safety.

3. Scalability and adaptability

Facilities evolve. A good safety system should evolve with them. Modular designs allow barriers and guarding to be reconfigured as workflows change, avoiding the sunk cost of ripping out and reinstalling outdated infrastructure.

The push toward integrated safety isn’t just best practice, it’s becoming unavoidable. As automation spreads, new collision risks emerge between people, forklifts, Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and robots.

Insurers are tightening requirements, with premiums and exclusions increasingly tied to proactive guarding and controls.

At the same time, labour shortages mean retaining skilled operators can depend on providing a

visibly safe environment.

While in procurement, safety performance is now often an ESG marker: major customers routinely score and benchmark suppliers on it.

Together, these pressures make integrated safety systems not only a productivity driver, but a competitive necessity.

The value of integrated safety goes well beyond compliance:

• Reduced downtime: Fewer incidents mean fewer stoppages

• Lower costs: Damage to forklifts, racking and machinery is minimised

• Stronger reputation: Clients, insurers and regulators trust facilities that demonstrate visible, proactive safety measures

• Employee engagement: Workers who feel protected are more focused, productive and loyal.

Industrial safety is often seen as simply a compliance matter, but forward-thinking businesses see it as an asset.

By moving from a compliance mindset to an integration mindset, businesses protect not just people, but performance.

Barrier Group has been helping Australian facilities make this shift for decades, delivering turnkey solutions that combine our extensive range of safety solutions, including the FlexGuard polymer barriers and ISF Machine Guarding, into one seamless system.

Because the safest workplaces aren’t just compliant, they’re the ones best equipped to keep moving, no matter what.

Barrier Group are at the forefront of workplace safety

NSW INDUSTRY NEWS PRESENTED

INVESTMENT NSW

NSW launches strategy to create Sydney’s Silicon Valley

Acorridor of central Sydney

could become Australia’s Silicon Valley after the NSW Government announced a new strategy to bring the best in innovation to Australia.

The Tech Central Economic Development Strategy will see six square kilometres designated as ‘Tech Central’, spanning from South Eveleigh to Camperdown to Haymarket in the immediate southwest of Sydney’s CBD.

The area is already home to globally significant businesses such as Atlassian, SafetyCulture and Canva, as well as world-leading research institutions such as UTS and the University of Sydney.

The new strategy will see policies around housing, business, tourism and industry come together to attract new start-ups to the area - as well as a $5 million investment from the NSW Government to help relocations.

That cash comes on the back of $80m in the state budget for this financial year as part of the 2035 Innovation Blueprint, just less than half of which was already set for

$66m boost for

Renewables manufacturing in NSW has received a major boost thanks to a $28 million deal from the Minns Government to build a new Renewables Manufacturing Hub in Blacktown.

The investment is designed to make the state the home of renewables manufacturing in Australia, and will form just a part of a wider $66m investment, with Sell & Parker, a long-established name in the sector, to provide the other $38m in co-investment.

The cash comes out of the Renewable Manufacturing Construction Ready Stream of the NSW Government’s $480 million Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative, a major investment in domestic manufacturing capability and the transition towards Net Zero.

Around 140 people are expected to be employed over the lifetime of the project, which will create turbine anchors, torque tubes and other infrastructure items for renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.

“The Minns Labor Government

Image credit: UTS

Tech Central.

“Tech Central is already home to a thriving tech ecosystem, producing more research and inventions than anywhere else in NSW,” said Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong.

“The time is now to define our vision for Tech Central’s future

– one that is supported by innovators, for innovators.

“With a world-class metro system opening the precinct to more Sydneysiders than ever, and unicorn companies like Atlassian building its new Australian HQ in the precinct, our strategy ensures we consider the whole picture – from housing to

nightlife – to secure the precinct’s success for years to come.

“The Tech Central Economic Development Strategy provides a shared roadmap for Tech Central’s future, with industry, university and government collaboration at its core.”

renewables manufacturing in Western Sydney

is driving new jobs and this new Renewables Manufacturing Hub is a perfect example of the way NSW is building the industries of the future right here at home,” said Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe, at the announcement.

“This facility will not only deliver the steel components needed

for renewable energy projects across the state, but it will also strengthen Western Sydney’s role as a powerhouse of innovation and manufacturing.”

Sell & Parker have 60 years of steel manufacturing experience and are Australian-owned, with a pre-existing facility in Smithfield.

“Fast-tracking our build of steel turbine anchors, solar trackers components and transmission monopoles means we can supply more renewable projects with Aussie steel made right here in Western Sydney,” said Simon Preston, Group General Manager, Sell & Parker.

Turbine and solar manufacturing in Western Sydney has received a major boost

Swiss automation giant opens new Sydney hub to serve ANZ manufacturers

Manufacturers are rarely the kind of people to toot their own horn - so sometimes, you need someone else to do it for you.

That was the vibe at Kardex’s office opening event in Lidcombe, Sydney, where the Swiss-based brand rang in their brand new office and showroom with a full Alpine horn show and bell-ringing.

Swiss Consul General Elisabeth Bösch Malinen was on hand to cut the ribbon, while assembled guests, media and clients were given a tour of Kardex’s landmark automation infrastructure.

Industry Update was present and managed to sit down with Alan Gemmell, Kardex Head of Commercial for Kardex Remstar and Grant Smith, Director of Business Development AutoStore, to talk through the global plans and local expansion.

“We’re really proud of how we’ve come together to pull this all off,” said Smith of the office, which is the culmination of years of work.

“The collaboration between Kardex, which has been long established in the Australian market and the new division that came about in 2021 with AutoStore, gave us the ability to take a different focus.

“We probably underestimated the growth potential in the Australian market and the appetite for AutoStore in particular, but now, we have a suite of products that cater not only to those dipping their toe into automation but also to

well-established organisations.

“The most important thing is knowing where the right solution fits and that’s something we’re discovering more and more.

“There’s a real interest in the market for education - understanding how automation works for businesses, regardless of size.”

Gemmell, who travelled from Europe for the event, could reflect the universality of Kardex Remstar’s Vertical Lift Module (VLM), which continues to lead the market after several decades at the top and the breadth of industries globally that use it.

“Every year our board in Switzerland ask me if something disruptive is going to come along and replace the VLM, because it’s our cash cow,” he joked.

“The reason it’s hard to replace is that it’s so versatile.

“One of the interesting things about working with Kardex is the sheer number of industries we serve.

“For example, in the US, our number one customer is the American government - primarily the military - who buy hundreds of these each year for naval and army bases, both domestic and abroad, storing everything from food and bedding to ammunition and weapons.

“In Spain, where I’m based, we have over 500 hospitals using VLMs or VCM (Vertical Carousel Module) models for storing anything from bedding and clothing to blood samples at minus 30 degrees.

With the new Sydney office,

Kardex will be able to better apply that global expertise locally, with the necessary adaptations to ANZ market conditions.

In particular, Smith underlined how small businesses, which are more predominant in Australia and New Zealand over larger companies, could use the VLM and AutoStore products to access automation where they are, without having to go the whole hog at a huge upfront cost.

“We’ve often seen a tendency to over-automate,” he said.

“The thinking is: if you’re going to automate, go all in - automate packaging, handling and every other element.

“For smaller businesses, that’s not just unjustifiable, it’s often irrelevant. You can still gain the benefits of automation without doing everything at once.

“For instance, the first system we installed in New Zealand was over 6,300 bins. In comparison, our largest installation in Europe is 234,000 bins.

“That’s a massive difference, but it shows automation has a place in businesses of all sizes - whether that’s VLM, AutoStore or another product from our suite.

“We help take customers on that journey to assess what’s appropriate and it’s not an extensive or overwhelming process.

“Customers always want to know: what’s our value proposition? What are we doing differently?

“One of the key things we’ve focused on globally is speed to market - our ability to respond quickly and help customers make informed decisions from the outset about whether automation is the right fit.”

Gemmell added that, as a company, Kardex valued longevity in the market and products that customers could buy once and use for a long

time, with the company on hand to support throughout.

“I’ve been with Kardex for 10 years, and from a sales perspective, our quality is almost too goodcustomers don’t want to replace the machines because they still work perfectly after 30 years,” he said.

“But from a service perspective, it’s fantastic. Customers want to maintain and keep them going. That quality really sets us apart.

“Competitors may imitate, but they can’t duplicate the quality, reliability and innovation that define our solutions. That’s the Kardex difference. The VLM’s strength lies in its versatility - seamlessly adapting as customers scale, diversify, or reconfigure their product lines. From tiny components to oversized parts, the VLM stores it all. It’s modular, scalable, and a technology designed not just for today’s challenges, but for tomorrow’s growth.”

About Kardex

Kardex is a leading global partner for intralogistics solutions in an attractive and growing market. The Group offers premium automated products, standardised systems, and life cycle services that guarantee high availability and low total cost of ownership. Kardex provides an intelligent entry into automation with its dynamic storage and retrieval systems, offers integrated material handling systems, small parts storage systems, and acts as a global AutoStore partner, offering flexible and modular storage and order fulfillment solutions. The Group employs around 2,500 people in over 30 countries. Kardex Holding AG has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 1989.

Kardex - kardex.com

Swiss Consul General Elisabeth Bösch Malinen cuts the ribbon

There was a Swiss feel to the event

Australian made to last: Why quality matters to BAC Systems

At BAC Systems, we like to help customers store their tools effectively - and this means letting them know the usable storage.

With the patented BAC Modular Drawer System, BAC can help you choose your dimensions from our large range, select your drawer heights to suit your tools, and select a suitable number of drawers.

We can also offer to you a selection of toolbars for your drawers, tool clips, posts and dividers – all of which can be used to give you an ordered means to store your tools.

Australians expect longevity and value for money.

A Rollcab from BAC Systems is built with large roller bearings instead of telescopic runners - and these bearings don’t wear down for many decades, despite the tool weights in your drawers, and drawers always run smoothly and reliably.

BAC Single Drawer Locks, a thumb-operated latch on the front of the drawer, are the most reliable method for preventing a cascade-tip on your trolley, while still allowing you the freedom to choose to open

more than one drawer at a time.

The Single Drawer Lock is prominent and is reliable – you will never have a jamb!

The Rollcabs manufactured by BAC Systems, more commonly referred to as BAC Trolleys, are built to be reliable and user-friendly.

They are built to take hundreds of kilograms of tools, and to give you ready access to these instantly.

They are built to be safe, but not to hinder you with nanny-like one-drawer-at-a-time features forced upon you.

BAC Trolleys are built in Australia and offer fantastic value for money compared to the other big-name toolboxes. BAC Trolleys, most importantly, are modular and can be set-up to suit your inventory of tools and how you wish to access them.

To have a look at our range of BAC Trolleys, rollcabs, toolboxes and mobile storage solutions for your workshop, contact our BAC Technical Sales Team to arrange a free site visit to help you work out a suitable storage solution here.

BAC Systems - bacsystems.com.au

BAC Systems are a world-leading provider of cabinets, made in Western Sydney

By Bob Griffin, BAC Systems

FROM THE MINISTER

Understanding the biggest pro-manufacturing agenda in Australia’s history

The whole of my working life to date has been spent in and around Australia’s manufacturing, construction and engineering sectors.

As a trade union official with the AMWU, I advocated not just for the rights and conditions of ordinary Australians in the industrial relations context, but also for the importance of the sector as a whole in national interest terms.

I took that line with various governments and public sector regulators, because I knew that an Australia lacking in strong and resilient manufacturing capability was in fact an Australia lacking in strength and resilience, full stop.

The work that Australian apprentices, workers, supervisors, owners and investors do in the manufacturing sector really matters for the living standards of every Australian citizen.

The past few decades have been tough for this sector.

Despite the hard work, capital investment, skills upgrades and world-class research that happens every day in Australian manufacturing, there has been a tendency on the part of some to talk Australian industry down.

I’ve always resisted that, and I continue to resist it.

Because Australia’s history and geography, as well as its place in a rapidly changing world, make this country’s sovereign manufacturing capability as vital as it has ever been.

This is a really important moment for Australia. There is zero room for complacency about Australia’s capacity to meet some of the big national challenges in front of us.

The geopolitical situation is tougher than it has been at any previous moment in my adult life. The region in which we live, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, is the theatre for so much of that competition and uncertainty.

There are challenges for Australia’s economic resilience, demonstrated by the trade volatility at the moment; the imposition of tariffs on our economy and many economies around the world; subsidies in some economies that unfairly tilt the terms of trade in favour of Australia’s economic competitors.

That’s to say nothing of the challenge of decarbonising Australian industry, reducing carbon emissions in ways that enhance, rather than undermine, good blue-collar jobs in Australia’s regions.

Together, those challenges point me to a few conclusions.

First, manufacturing and industrial capability are going to be central to Australia and Australians being able to navigate our way through the next few decades.

Second, the structural decline in Australia’s industrial capability over the last two decades is nothing less than a self-imposed handicap on our ability to rise to the occasion.

The weak productivity growth, the declining diversity of Australia’s export mix, the decline in private sector investment in research and development; each of these things is driven, at least in part, by the erosion of our manufacturing sector.

Since the Albanese Labor Government came to office, we have been delivering the biggest pro-manufacturing agenda in Australia’s history.

That agenda includes $22.7 billion Future Made in Australia package, comprised of production credits, tax incentives and other measures; the National Reconstruction Fund, which involves $15 billion worth of capital for strategic investment in industries where Australia will enjoy a future competitive advantage; and the Strategic Examination of Research and Development, which will report to me on how Australia’s R&D system can get the very best value out of Australia’s smartest researchers.

And I’ve been consulting with industry on the design of the new $5 billion Net Zero Fund, which will repurpose some of the National Reconstruction Fund’s capital to crowd-in the much-needed investment that will drive electrification and emissions reduction in Australian heavy industry.

In October, I accompanied the Prime Minister on his trip to the United States. Our extraordinary and successful visit to Washington D.C. reaffirms for me that Australia’s purposeful engagements overseas have an important role to play in creating opportunities and jobs in

Minister for Industry and Science Tim Ayres

manufacturing here at home.

The core outcome of the visit was a new Critical Minerals Agreement between Australia and the United States that builds on all of Australia’s existing competitive advantages.

The Prime Minister is fond of saying that Australia has the whole periodic table underneath our feet. He’s right, of course.

This continent is rich in every sort of critical mineral that really matters in the twenty-first century economy – for clean energy and battery technologies, defence supply chains and IT manufacturing.

In addition, Australia has the world’s best wind and solar resources. And we are geographically located on the doorstep of the fastest growing markets the world has seen yet.

The agreement delivers on the promise of a Future Made in Australia by securing joint investment, from the governments of the United States and Australia – and in the case of one project, our partners in Japan as well – in new critical minerals mining and processing initiatives.

That partnership means the Alcoa workforce in Western Australia will start extracting, processing and refining gallium, a critical mineral that the world needs to produce semiconductors and to feed into defence supply chains.

It will mean that Arafura’s Nolans Rare Earths project in the Northern Territory will produce neodymium and praseodymium – key components in the powerful magnets needed in electric motors, fibre-optic cables and much else.

In sum, the agreement offers an $8.5 billion pipeline of investment, and that is just the start.

The Alcoa facility in Western Australia could be producing 10% of the world’s gallium products before long, and the Arafura project in the Northern Territory could be the source of 5% of the world’s Rare Earths.

There is a long way to go, of course. But a really strong foundation for rejuvenating regional industries, preserving good jobs and lifting Australia’s economic resilience has been laid.

The Critical Minerals Agreement shows that Australia and its partners are invested in the future of sovereign industrial capability in this part of the world.

And thanks to the manufacturing sector’s highly engaged workforce, talented managerial leadership, vocational education and training settings and its vibrant networks of ideas – Industry Update foremost among them – I have no doubt that Australian industry will rise to the challenges of the moment and turn them into opportunity.

Industrial strength solutions to keep manufacturing workspaces clean

In manufacturing environments, performance and safety go hand in hand. While equipment maintenance and staff training are key to a safe and efficient workplace, cleaning often plays an underestimated role.

Oil spills, grease, rusted surfaces and hard water build up aren’t just unsightly, they’re hazards that can cause injuries or equipment downtime.

The importance of equipment reliability and maintenance lies in ensuring consistent productivity, minimising costly downtime and safeguarding both workers and assets from preventable failures.

According to Safe Work Australia, slips, trips and falls remain one of the leading causes of workplace injuries, responsible for more than 21% of serious claims - over 30,000 2 preventable incidents each year.

In workshops and factory floors where oily surfaces are common,

the right cleaning solutions can help minimise these risks while supporting productivity.

Trusted by Australian industries for decades, CLR offers two multi-purpose cleaning solutions designed to handle the toughest grime without introducing new hazards.

Surface rust, calcium and mineral deposits can compromise equipment and infrastructure over time.

CLR Calcium, Limescale & Rust Remover is a powerful industrial strength solution that is formulated to dissolve rust, oxidation and limescale, making it ideal for sinks, wash bays, glass and metal surfaces.

Its antibacterial action kills 99.9% of germs, and also tackles algae, soap scum and fibreglass yellowing, delivering a cleaner, safer workspace.

Recognised under the EPA’s Safer Choice Program, CLR’s phosphate-free, bleach and ammonia-free, biodegradable formula provides

Multi-Purpose

heavy-duty cleaning performance while supporting safer and more sustainable workplace practices.

CLR Grease & Oil Remover is a fast-acting, industrial-strength cleaner that cuts through grease, oil, tar and built-up grime on floors, driveways, engines, machinery and tools.

The non-flammable, non-acidic, solvent-free formula makes it safe for use in enclosed spaces where fumes could endanger workers.

Simply apply, allow to rest for five minutes, scrub, then rinse with cool water for a clean surface that reduces slip risk.

Proudly made in Australia, CLR’s range is engineered for diverse manufacturing environments, from mechanical and automotive workshops to fabrication and processing facilities. By combining industrial-grade performance with safer chemistry, CLR helps maintenance teams reduce hazards, minimise cleaning time and maintain compliance with workplace safety standards, helping to keep productivity on track.

CLR - clrclean.com.au

Calcium Limescale & Rust Remover can help prevent workplace accidents

Return of the Cookie Man: How an Aussie favourite came roaring back

Cookie Man was once a fixture of Australian life, a family favourite with retail outlets across the country dating back to 1958.

The famous brand disappeared from shopping centres over a decade ago, but thanks to ingenuity, supportive finance and - surprisingly - a global pandemic, they have returned stronger than ever, with a plan to grow bigger than ever before.

In fact, thanks to smart strategic thinking, it’s possible that Cookie Man products are now more widely consumed, not to mention more profitable, than at any point since they hit the market more than half a century ago.

Industry Update travelled out to their manufacturing facility in Mount Kuring-gai to learn how the Cookie Man came back - and how St.George Bank helped them to revive an Australian favourite.

“Cookie Man has been around since 1958, so it’s not a new business - though most people think of it as one,” explained Michael Elligett, Managing Director at Cookie Man.

“Originally, it was a retail business, franchised across shopping centres around the country. At its peak in 2008–09, we had 60 or 70 stores.

“Then Mrs. Fields bought Cookie Man and converted all of the stores into Mrs. Fields locations, effectively retiring the Cookie Man brand.”

The name lay dormant for a decade, until the unlikely intervention of the pandemic - not to mention some gold old-fashioned manufacturing smarts - helped kickstart it back to life.

“In 2020, I developed a plan to relaunch Cookie Man as a wholesale business, selling into supermarkets, petrol and convenience (P&C), export markets, anywhere we could

took a chance on us, even though the brand hadn’t been in the market for ten years.

“They launched two SKUs into their in-store bakery section. That’s where the modern Cookie Man began again.”

Alongside the Cookie Man throughout was St.George Bank. They were able to see the potential, provide the financing and understand the challenges that would come along the way.

“After relaunching Cookie Man, we were almost debt free, but we were growing fast and needed help to sustain that growth. That’s where St.George came in,” said Elligett.

“With our previous bank, it didn’t feel like a partnership. With St.George, it wasn’t just lip servicethey followed through.

“I’d only dealt with one bank in 15 years, so I assumed all banks worked the same. This was different.

“St.George sat down with us and genuinely worked out what the business needed to grow. It wasn’t about fitting into a pre-built box, it was about tailoring solutions to suit our operations.

“Our previous bank didn’t understand manufacturing. With St.George, I didn’t have to teach someone how manufacturing works for them to understand our business case. The story and the numbers aligned.”

The support and financing enabled a three-fold growth in turnover, as well as a huge expansion in automation that can help sustain that success long into the future.

apart from retail,” said Elligett.

“The vision was to diversify. We were heavily reliant on the franchise model and had a factory with a huge amount of underused capacity.

“I had everything ready to relaunch in March 2020 - then COVID hit. Oddly enough, it gave us the opportunity to relaunch properly. We had no retail to run when everything was shut down, so we had time to redevelop the Cookie Man brand and innovate.

“We developed our “loaded cookie” product, a high-inclusion, indulgent cookie with fillings and extras like choc chips or nuts. That became our game changer.

“We worked out how to automate it during COVID, partnering with equipment manufacturers and mechanics to figure it out.

“By the end of the pandemic, we launched with a fresh, innovative line we could scale. Woolworths

“Initially, when we were only supplying our own retail stores, automation was minimal,” explained Elligett.

“We relied heavily on manual processes, with much of our equipment over 40 years old.

“The first step was modernisation, then as St.George came on board, we moved into automation.

“In the cookie space, automation can be tricky, but we went from manually handling every product to running full lines where no human touches a cookie until it’s on the retail shelf.

“In the last six months, we’ve doubled the size of our facility. We were bursting at the seams, and St.George supported us in that expansion.

“Our next goal is to go to $50 million turnover in five years - we’ve got the capacity, and we’ve got the backing from St.George Bank.”

St.George Bank - stgeorge.com.au

The Cookie Man are back - with help from St.George Bank

Tente underline commitment to manufacturing mobility with Foot Master addition

Combining movement with stability has been a long-standing problem in industrial and technical settings - but industry staple Tente might have a solution that fits all uses.

They have added Foot Master levelling castors to their range, providing a practical answer by integrating a transport wheel with a stabilising foot for optimal functionality.

These castors allow heavy or sensitive equipment to be rolled into position with ease. Once in place, the levelling foot lowers to the ground, creating a secure, vibration-free base.

This mechanism ensures precision, prevents unwanted movement, and safeguards delicate machinery from misalignment. Their versatility has made them a trusted choice across industries. Laboratories rely on them to keep

instruments steady, workshops use them to support machinery, and healthcare facilities benefit from their mobility and safety. By reducing the effort needed to reposition equipment, they also improve workplace ergonomics and efficiency.

What sets Foot Master apart is its consistent focus on quality engineering. Constructed with robust materials and designed for longterm performance, their levelling castors balance durability with ease of use.

For businesses seeking adaptability without compromise, Foot Master levelling castors represent more than just a component - they are an essential tool that redefines the relationship between mobility and stability.

Tente - tente.com.au

Foot Master levelling castors are now

Everything manufacturers need to know about SBR

By Sean Wengel, Partner Restructuring & Insolvency and Helen Ali-Haapala, Senior Manager Restructuring & Insolvency

It is no secret that business insolvencies in Australia have been on the rise since the COVID relief measures were rolled back by Federal and State Governments after the pandemic.

Insolvency numbers would have been much higher had the Government not introduced a groundbreaking new debt relief measure during that period, the Small Business Restructure (SBR).

Four and a half years after the introduction of SBRs into the Corporations Act 2001, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has released a report card on the regime, Report 810 Review of small business restructuring process: 2022-2024.

Looking into 3,388 SBR commencements since July 2022 (ASIC Review Period) the report has found that SBRs play an important role in assisting struggling small businesses to survive.

What is an SBR?

This initiative offers a fresh approach to insolvency, allowing company directors to maintain control while working with creditors to develop a plan for settling existing creditor debts and ensuring the continuity of the business operations.

A qualified Restructuring Practitioner (an ASIC Registered Liquidator) is engaged by the struggling company to review its financial position, put a pause on debt collection actions by creditors, and make an offer to creditors that will give them a better financial outcome than if the company were to simply liquidate.

In circumstances where financial pressures might typically signal the end of a business, SBR offers a lifeline for eligible businesses, enabling them to restructure their debts and operations under the expert guidance of a Restructuring Practitioner.

When to consider an SBR

The circumstances that may give rise to an SBR appointment can include a loss of key customers, significant bad debt exposure and other unexpected, out-of-the-ordinary events affecting the company’s profitability and cashflow.

To qualify for the SBR program, businesses must meet certain criteria:

• Total debts must be under $1 million.

• There must be sufficient compliance with taxation lodgement obligations, with payment of all tax debts not a requirement.

• Employee entitlements, including superannuation guarantee amounts, must be up to date.

• Current or recent company directors must not have participated in an SBR within the past seven years.

How does Small Business Restructuring work?

The SBR process is quick, taking 35 business days from the date of appointment of the Restructuring Practitioner to the final date for approval of the restructuring plan by creditors. If needed, this period can be extended by an additional 10 business days.

The proposed plan for a business restructure could be designed in various ways, such as through future trade contributions, debt or equity contributions.

However, upfront cash payments to creditors with a clear timeframe for payment are often the most appealing, as they provide a quick resolution and reduce the risk associated with longer term proposals.

How successful are SBRs?

The recent ASIC report into SBRs found that, of the SBR restructuring plans that commenced during the ASIC Review Period, 87% were

WilliamBuck can assist with all manufacturing accountancy needs

approved.

This success rate is encouraging for companies that are struggling under unmanageable debt and considering whether to explore their eligibility for an SBR.

93% of the companies that fulfilled their commitments under a restructuring plan remained registered as at 30 April 2025.

This is a ringing endorsement for the success of the regime and should encourage companies considering an SBR to put forward a realistic plan to creditors that they can fulfil.

Choosing an appropriately qualified and reputable Restructuring Practitioner is important to ensure that the highest chance of success is realised when putting a restructuring plan together.

It is important to choose a practitioner that can quickly understand your business, can formulate a unique plan to suit your circumstances and who knows how to communicate with your specific creditors.

In the ASIC review period, only 46% of Registered Liquidators took an SBR role – so not every liquidator is experienced in this type of engagement.

Tax debts

It is important to note that appointing a Restructuring Practitioner is a valid response to a non-lockdown Director Penalty Notice, or DPN,

issued by the ATO. This action allows directors to avoid personal liability for tax debts.

During the ASIC Review Period around 87% of funds distributed and categorised as unsecured creditor payments was paid to the ATO (approximately $88 million). The median dividend rate was 20 cents in the dollar (average: 21 cents in the dollar).

This insight shows us that the ATO was by far the largest creditor and on average they agreed to accept plans proposing 20 cents in the dollar as full and final satisfaction of their debt.

In just over four years SBRs have evolved as a very effective tool for struggling businesses to be given a lifeline, a second chance at making it work.

With the right advice and a realistic SBR restructuring plan in place there is a high likelihood that unmanageable debt will become a thing of the past and business owners can put their resources back into what they do best and focus on the future.

Contact your local William Buck Restructuring and Insolvency advisor if you would like any further advice on the Small Business Restructuring Regime.

William Buck Australia williambuck.com

The final frontier for manufacturing set for lift off after landmark deal

Western Sydney is set to become a centre of space manufacturing in Australia after the signing of a new partnership between the NSW Government, the Bradfield Development Authority (BDA) and leading Australian space technology business Space Machines Company (SMC).

The Rapid Australian Production & Integration for Distributed Space (RAPID) agreement will place the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF) in the new suburb of Bradfield at the heart of NSW’s space industry, bringing high-paid jobs and inward investment with it.

Under the provisions of the partnership, it is expected that the SMC will use the capacity of the AMRF to build 30 units per year, which could triple or more by the end of the decade.

SMC produce satellites which can help repair other satellites which are already in space, and, thanks to this deal, hope to be able to manufacture them at scale in the Second Building - next to the current First Building in Bradfield - as part of a

new Hyperscale Satellite Production Facility.

“Western Sydney is the ideal location to establish Australia’s sovereign space manufacturing capability,” said Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO of SMC.

“Through our partnership with BDA and the AMRF, we are not just building satellites – we’re creating the critical infrastructure that will safeguard space for Australia and our allies.

“Space production at scale is essential for national security in the modern era. This partnership enables us to build from tens of spacecraft annually and scale toward producing hundreds by 2030, giving Australia and allied nations the rapid response capabilities essential for protecting our critical space infrastructure.

“As space becomes increasingly contested, having sovereign manufacturing capability ensures we can both defend our interests and protect the space-based systems that underpin our modern way of life.”

The partnership was heralded by the Minns Government as a key

pillar in the sovereign space manufacturing capacity of both NSW and Australia, as well as a new pathway for global space technology to be made in Western Sydney.

“This agreement is part of growing Bradfield’s role as Australia’s new high-tech manufacturing and advanced industries capital,” said BDA CEO and AMRF Chair Ken Morrison.

“The Second Building will be a cornerstone of this transformation, enabling advanced semiconductor packaging and micro-electronic capabilities that are critical not only for satellite production, but for the broader space ecosystem we’re building here in Western Sydney.

“By fostering collaboration between industry, researchers, and Government, we’re laying the foundation for sovereign space capability and positioning Bradfield as a global hub for innovation, resilience and economic growth.”

Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF) amrf.sydney

Western Sydney is set to become Australia’s space manufacturing hub

The Second Building will be the centre of the AMRF’s space programme.

Have a problem to solve or innovative idea?

The Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF) is where ideas find momentum.

Located in the heart of Bradfield City’s innovation-enabled ecosystem purpose built for collaboration, the AMRF helps turn potential into progress and drive business growth. It’s where industry, research and imagination come together to shape the future of Australian manufacturing. Here, you can test, trial and transform with confidence, guided by world-class expertise and powered by advanced technology.

At the AMRF, innovation isn’t reserved for the few. It’s where every organisation with a bold idea can scale and create what’s next.

amrf.sydney nsw.gov.au/bradfield

Australian Manufacturing Awards winners revealed at gala event

company present, picking up two separate awards in the Best Medium Business and Best Regional Manufacturer categories.

Other notable victors were Packserv, who scooped the Best Small Business Award, and the Aluminium Revolutionary Chassis Company, who won the prestigious Australian Made Award.

“These Awards were designed to recognise the huge impact that manufacturing has on the Australian economy,” said Scott Filby, Publisher of Australia’s largest circulating manufacturing magazine, Industry Update, organisers of the Australian Manufacturing Awards.

“To see so many people in the room enjoying themselves and celebrating our industry was truly inspiring.

“Industry Update started these Awards to shine much needed light on our sector, and from day one, we knew they would be a success.

“The reception from industry in terms of sponsorship, then in nominations and finally tonight in attending the event only vindicates the decision further.

“I would like to thank our sponsors, our independent judging panel and our event team - and to congratulate all of our winners!”

Let’s talk.

Quality, Service & Delivery

AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING AWARDS 2025

The amazing story behind the Australian Manufacturing Awards trophy

The Australian Manufacturing Awards (AMA) were a groundbreaking event for the manufacturing industry, and required a suitably spectacular statue to mark the occasion.

That’s why Industry Update called in the experts to make a trophy that not only looked great, but also meant something significant to our sector.

The AMA Trophy is designed and printed by the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF), based in the new city of Bradfield, using the most advanced printing and design techniques to showcase the capabilities present at their First Building site in Western Sydney.

The AMRF exists to help manufacturers to accelerate their research and development, providing a crucial link between design and market, offering businesses the chance to enhance productivity and speed to market by accessing the most modern and advanced manufacturing capabilities available in Australia.

The internal structure incorporates a body-centered cubic (BCC) unit cell. The cell map, which defines the layout of where each unit cell

within a lattice will go, conforms to the curves of the helix geometry.

Each award was designed in nTop and Solidworks software, produced from Inconel 625 supplied from Tekna, programmed with Autodesk NetFabb, processed using the Additive Industries MetalFab Metal 3D Printer, and sliced with a Fanuc Robocut Wire EDM.

“It’s exciting to partner with Industry Update to produce the 2025 awards, designed and manufactured entirely in-house at the AMRF,” said AMRF Director of Manufacturing Technology Steve Milanoski.

“The design was inspired by the distinctive helix geometry seen in drilling and milling - a product that with each iteration unlocks new levels of productivity for manufacturing.

“The concept pays tribute to this simple tool while showcasing the innovation and complexity made possible through emerging manufacturing methods such as metal additive manufacturing.

Industry Update provided a brief to create a trophy that represented the complexities of manufacturing,

but also the inherent similarities that every manufacturer will recognise from their own processes.

“We didn’t just want a trophy for the winners - we wanted a story, a piece of manufacturing art that nodded to both the past of manufacturing and the future of the industry,” said Scott Filby, Publisher of Industry Update.

“The AMRF is one of the most

exciting developments in the NSW manufacturing sector that I have seen in 30 years of working in the sector in the state, so to partner with them and show off the amazing things that they can do was a perfect opportunity for our first Awards.

“We’re so excited to show the trophies off - and to see the faces of the winners when they pick one up!”

The Australian Manufacturing Awards trophies are here!

AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING AWARDS 2025

Gold Award for Excellence in Manufacturing

Winner: Dave Vinther, Moduplay Group

Sponsor

Finalists

• Automation Engineering Services - Tony Vercoe

• Camcast - Troy Rath

• Lindner Quality Socks - Andrew Lindner

• Moduplay Group - Dave Vinther

Manufacturer of the Year

Winner: Eilback Cranes

Sponsor

Finalists

• Apollo Engineering

• Nissan Casting

• Plasser Australia

• Southern Ocean Subsea

• Tindo

• Eilbeck Cranes

AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING AWARDS 2025

Australian Made Award Innovation Award

Winner: Aluminium Revolutionary Chassis Company

Winner: Innovate Ag Finalists

•

AMTIL Advanced Manufacturing Award

Winner: BlockTexx

Safety Award

Winner: McNeall Plastics

AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING AWARDS 2025

AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING AWARDS 2025

Why getting your bearings in-person still makes all the difference

Why sourcing your bearings still needs the personal touch.

Manufacturing can often seem to be an increasingly automated process.

While that can be convenient, it can also miss out on the nuances that can make or break a purchase, especially in the critical manufacturing sector.

Industry has traditionally relied upon Part Numbers, prefixes, suffixes and brand lines to ensure correct supply - but a more hands on relationship with your supplier is always recommended.

Action Bearings, who have been in the game for 50 years, have noticed the shift since Covid that has occurred with customers increasingly buying product online.

Their business can boast welltrained, experienced staff and an ability to match products to processes as a result of in-field history.

Our industry has become smaller with an online presence,” said Jason Bradley, Director at Action Bearings.

“We want people to know that there’s someone on the other end of the phone who wants to help and has the reliable information required, at their fingertips.

“Nearly all of our guys at both our branches have had 20 years of experience in the bearing industry.

“We’re finding that instead of trying to get into a generic, pricedriven space, we want to be a place

where people can come and get help, and have someone on the end of the phone who knows what they’re talking about.

Action have found that their expertise has been able to move with the times, dialling in knowledge on their own products and using that to help customers solve increasingly complex technical problems.

“From where we started - just being a bearing company - we’ve expanded into the automation area,” said Bradley.

“We haven’t gone outside of what we’re experts in. We don’t sell tools and bolts. We’re generally a bearing service company, with an add-on for some aluminium profiles and anything that’s going to be automated in the future.

“We’ve geared ourselves around that, and all of our staff have been trained accordingly. So the person on the end of the phone knows what they’re selling. They’re not guessing.”

That expertise has enabled Action to get a jump on bigger companies you can offer more products, but have less ability to find the correct one for their clients, particularly in manufacturing where needs are constantly bespoke.

“The Australian market has shrunk, the manufacturing market has shrunk and there’s not as many orders as there once were,” said Bradley.

“We’ve found that the big multinationals have now decided that, to

either increase turnover or increase sales, they’ve opened the market to a lot of players.

“Where it was once important to be a distributor of a particular brand, now nearly everyone in the industry now has access to three, four, five, six, even seven brands. There’s no brand loyalty anymore.

“A lot of bearing companies have seen the market disappear and they’ve tried to get into other markets.

“Whether it’s selling tools, nuts, bolts - they want to become basically a Bunnings for bearings.

“We’re more an old-school “pick up the phone and talk to someone” type of business. We design, build and install - and follow the project right from its initial concept through to the end.

“Our hands are on it the whole way and work with the customer and their requirements to meet whatever their needs are.”

That approach allows Action to function across multiple industries in the manufacturing sector, from food & beverage to pharma and beyond.

Their niche and bespoke approach can help reduce downtime, and sometimes even save machinery that otherwise would have had to be replaced entirely.

“In the bearing industry, the bigger services are basically only in Queensland and WA for mining - that’s the bulk of the bearing

industry,” explains Bradley.

“The rest of it is in food, pharmaceuticals, which are much smaller in scale. You don’t see the volume you would see out of Western Australia or Queensland from mining.

“For food and pharmaceuticals, we specialise in self-lube stainless steel bearings that are used in washdown areas.

“In the foam and plastics industry, we’ve built whole conveyor lines. There’s a lot of pick-and-place and automation work.

“In injection moulding, the buckets come out and need to be picked, packed and placed. We’ve supplied linear robots and cobots as well as conveyors.

“Sometimes there’s a breakdown and they can’t replace something - for example, motors and pumps are often throwaway items in some industries - but in others, where the gearboxes are larger and cost more to replace, they have to be rebuiltwe can come in. We can identify and replace a part pretty much straight away.”

Action Bearings can be found at either of their Victorian locations: 48 Industrial Drive in Braeside or Unit 5, Cnr Arden & Lloyd St in Kensington.

Action Bearings actionbearings.com.au

Action Bearings are all about the personal touch

Raising the standard in efficiency in the logistics sector

The logistics sector across Australia and New Zealand continues to evolve under the influence of e-commerce growth, labour availability and increasing compliance requirements.

With over a billion parcels delivered across Australia each year, these factors are encouraging businesses to look closely at how they manage loading and unloading trucks and containers, a stage of the supply chain that remains both labour-intensive and high-risk.

Adept Conveyors see this as an area where measurable improvements to efficiency can be achieved.

To support this, they have partnered exclusively with ConveyXpress, a global specialist in telescopic conveyor technology.

Telescopic conveyors extend directly into trucks or containers, helping to reduce unnecessary product movement and manual handling while shortening vehicle turnaround times.

More importantly, the technology continues to develop in ways that

address the operational, safety and compliance priorities of modern logistics.

Key Advancements

• Extended reach

Units available with reach between 5m to 28m.

• Enhanced safety systems

The use of safety bars, e-stops and audible beacons provide greater peace of mind for operators and businesses.

• Cost effectiveness Reduces labour reliance and improves throughput, to deliver strong long-term ROI.

• Warranty coverage

Backed by a 2-year or 4000-hour warranty for reliability and performance confidence.

• High quality components

Exclusively uses high quality components, including Nord Drive units and Schneider Inverters

• Integrator-friendly

Designed for seamless parcel handling and easy deployment within broader automated systems. The benefits are tangible: faster

dock operations, safer working environments and more consistent product flow.

For consultants, integrators and logistics operators, telescopic conveyors offer an opportunity to design facilities that are more efficient and better aligned with evolving industry requirements.

As the sole importer and distributor of ConveyXpress telescopic conveyors in Australia and New Zealand, Adept Conveyors is committed to more than supplying equipment.

They work closely with customers to support smarter logistics strategies, enabling technology that helps operations run more safely, efficiently and reliably.

Loading and unloading is a critical part of the supply chain – and by applying the right technology, it can also become a key source of operational improvement.

Adept Conveyors adeptconveyor.com.au

Adept Conveyors are efficiency experts

MOTORS & DRIVES

Aussie expansion, global backing with SEW-Eurodrive

Motors and drives keep manufacturing running - and if you’re in the business of keeping them going, then you probably know SEW-Eurodrive.

They’re not only one of the world’s leading names in drives, but also one of Australia’s fastest growing.

Already a huge player in the sector, they’ve superpowered that in the last few years with a string of expansions designed to get their services and products closer to the end users, adding convenience and expertise where it is needed most.

In the last 12 months, SEWEurodrive have opened new facilities in both South Australia and Queensland, complementing their existing network of sites that covers all major manufacturing and mining centres.

Industry Update has followed their entire expansion journey, and sat down with Rob Merola, Managing Director of SEW-Eurodrive Australia, to reflect on a huge period in the company’s history.

“Our most recent journey when it comes to investment has occurred during and since COVID,” he said.

“During that period, we were extremely busy. We remained open because we were considered an essential service - providing drives and servicing for food and beverage, which was critical at the time. Downtime was not an option.

“We had the privilege of working through that period without losing a

single day. Due to the large inventory we’ve always kept, we became even busier.

“As other supply chains dried up, more people came to us. We were selling everything off the shelf - even the slow-moving items that hadn’t sold in years. Business wide, it was an amazing period.

“Since then, as normality has returned and supply chains have improved, we’ve become a bit slower. Competitors have product to sell again, and they’re trying to reassert themselves in plants and installations they missed out on recently.

“Business has become cutthroat, competitive and political. That’s not a bad thing - it keeps us sharp.

“During that time, we decided to invest strongly in service. We saw a large gap in the market with service levels.

“Many of our competitors don’t provide anywhere near the levels of service we’ve offered for over 40 years. So our investments went into new service facilities - servicing everything from small geared motors right through to large mining-sector drives.

“In fact, we began servicing our competitors’ drives, which were neglected. That built rapport and credibility.

“When those drives reached the end of their serviceable life, we were able to offer bespoke, drop-in replacement units. That’s been a growing part of the business.”

facilities there as well. That site has also gained strong traction since opening nearly a year ago.

“In Melbourne, we’re spacepoor, so we’ve leased two buildings around the corner in Tullamarine. They’re also at full capacity.

“So we haven’t been sitting on our hands for the last few years. We’ve spent tens of millions of dollars solidifying our position as the optimal service provider in the industrial gear market.

“We must be where our customers are. We must deliver what they want, when they want it.”

This expansion has not gone unnoticed. SEW-Eurodrive is a huge global company with 5,000+ employees at the headquarters in Germany alone.

Now, their Australian division is being used as a poster child for successful growth with smart strategic underpinning.

That was the start, and SEWEurodrive took the initiative and run with it.

“To do all this service work, the formula is simple: you need space and you need people. So we started by acquiring or building space,” said Merola.

“We set up in Mackay around seven or eight years ago - that was our pilot project for the service model. It was an instant success. The original plant was around 1800 square metres, and we recently added another 1000 square metres, which is already nearing capacity.

“The biggest problem isn’t the space - it’s finding good, competent people. Sadly, it’s a boom or bust cycle in the mining sector.

“When resource prices are high, mines throw obscene salaries at people, and they chase the money.

“They become like mercenaries - working two or three years, then disappearing when a bust hits. Then they come looking for jobs with companies like SEW-Eurodrive again. That’s the nature of the beast.

“In the last few years, we’ve also built a new dedicated service facility in Newcastle - three and a half thousand square metres - which has gained traction quickly. We installed load testing facilities in both Mackay and Newcastle.

“Then we set our sights on Adelaide. We purchased an old, rundown facility in Wingfield and refurbished it, installing load testing

“SEW-Eurodrive globally has always followed the model of centralised manufacturing with decentralised assembly. We’ve applied that same model to service,” explained Merola.

“In Australia, I believe we’re cutting edge - world leaders within SEW-Eurodrive in terms of industrial gear service. No other country in the group has the network we do or does what we do.

“We punch well above our weight for a small country of 27 million. We probably represent only 2-2.5% of the global turnover - yet we’re leading in many ways.

“They (the global team) have been incredibly supportive. The confidence and backing we’ve received for our business plans and investment requests has been amazing.

“Our business cases stack up. Everything we’ve planned and delivered has been successful - no white elephants.

The expansion is getting huge buy-in from the bosses back in Europe - and there might be more to come.

“With a track record like that, it’s hard for them to say no,” said Merola.

“They know Australia is a unique market - because of our natural resources and the number of industrial gears being used and sold here. So yes, we’ve delivered - and the results speak for themselves.”

SEW-Eurodrive sew-eurodrive.com.au

SEW Eurodrive have undergone a massive expansion

SEW-Eurodrive celebrating as another new facility opens

This has been a huge year for SEW-Eurodrive - and it’s about to get even bigger with the opening of another new location.

Fresh on the back of an expansion to activities in South Australia thanks to a site in Wingfield that was launched at the start of the year, the company will end 2025 with a second ribbon-cutting ceremony, this time at Bundamba in Queensland.

The official event is scheduled for October 24, but the team has been on site amid the building work for several months, after taking ownership last year and then supervising a complete re-fit to suit SEW’s purposes.

“It was a new building, not purpose-built for us, so we’ve retrofitted it, installed all the new assembly lines, refurbished the cranes, extended the office space to cater for more staff,” explained Jason Forrester, Queensland Sales Manager at SEW-Eurodrive.

“Over the last 12 months, we’ve been balancing the upgrade while also working out of the facility. The plan is to have it all up and fully functional by the official opening in October.

“A lot of the credit - basically all the credit - has to go to our operations manager Chris Jarvis. He’s the one who’s been driving and project managing this upgrade from start to finish.

“We’ve been working out of the same facility. We moved into the facility in December and basically had to work around the works being done.

“It was all very cosy while the office was being extended, but now that it is complete, we’ve added about 400 square metres of office space to cater for all our different divisions and teams here in Brisbane.

Located on the outskirts of the city, close to Ipswich, the building is just over 4,400 square metres in total with about 800 square metres of office space available, which should enable greater manufacturing capability and service offering, while also lowering turnaround times for in-state customers.

“The fundamental purpose of our Bundamba facility is to increase our capability of building our standard product line of gearmotors - to be able to service Queensland from Queensland for all new builds, end

users and OEMs,” said Forrester.

“Basically, any industry that requires a standard gearmotor with a short lead time, we can now facilitate.

That is good news for the diverse client base that SEW-Eurodrive services.

“Here in Queensland, most of our clientele are end users in the food and beverage industry,” said Forrester.

“As you can imagine, downtime for them is critical. Having a local gearbox company that can assemble a gearbox within 24 hours - or even

within a couple of hours in some cases - and get their machines back up and running, that’s what we’re here for.

“That’s how we differentiate ourselves from some of the other manufacturers who have their assembly facilities in New South Wales or Melbourne. Their products have to be transported up here. We don’t have to worry about that now.”

SEW-Eurodrive sew-eurodrive.com.au

Quality, Service & Availability

SEW-Eurodrive’s new facility in Bundamba, Queensland

MOTORS & DRIVES

How Deprag’s technology keeps manufacturing motoring along

On mine sites and industrial areas, with wet, dirty or explosive environments are unavoidable, air motors provide an ideal solution. Pneumatic motors are also perfect for high start or stall torque as required.

Compact air motors run cool, are available in sealed versions and many have ATEX approvals for use in hazardous areas.

Despite the vast performance offerings, sealed or ATEX approved electric motors can be expensive and are often much larger than standard pneumatic motors. Unfortunately, air motors have some design challenges.

Typical air motor systems can be expensive to run on long duty cycles - a typical 1kW vane powered air motor would need a 10kW compressor to run continuously. The energy costs can be very significant over time.

Another issue of using an air motor to drive these applications is that air motors’ load specifications are rated at half of their idle speed. If there is no load on the equipment, a vane motor will run at

twice its rated speed, and the air consumption will increase to 130% of the rated consumption. This high speed can damage the pump, conveyor, mixer and even the motor. When using a pneumatic vane motor on this type of equipment, operators need to ensure that the motor is always under load or decide how to handle the low-load situation.

Another disadvantage of vane motors is that they require regular maintenance and larger motors need lubrication.

Assembly Technologies: a proud supplier of Deprag pneumatic motors for over 19 years

Deprag, originally from Germany, has over 80 years of experience in air motor design and manufacture, addressing and improving upon all the limitations of typical air motor systems.

Since they entered the industry, industrial air motors have developed from piston motors to the current, modern vane motors - and now,

Deprag is pioneering industry-leading new technology to revolutionise the air motor industry.

Their new range of ATEX approved turbine powered air motors offer a significantly more efficient solution to the standard vane motors.

They include a speed governor which keeps the speed relatively constant with changing loads and automatically reduces the air consumption when there is low load.

vanes or contact parts inside the motor and the only wear parts are the gearing and the bearings.

The integrated speed governor limits the idle speed to 118% of the loaded speed and further reduces the air consumption under no load conditions.

These two features offer enormous energy and design savings on long duty cycle applications like pumps, conveyors and mixers.

Deprag’s turbine motors do not require lubrication. There are no

This range of motors is ATEX approved for potentially explosive areas and are fully sealed so external water and dust cannot enter the motor. If the air supply is clean and dry, very little maintenance is required.

Energy Efficient Air Motors

• 40% More Efficient: Reduce compressor energy usage significantly.

• Integrated Speed Governor: Automatically reduces air consumption and limits idle speed.

• Fast Payback: Ideal for long duty cycle applications like conveyors, pumps, and mixers.

• Versatile: 8 gear ratios available with speeds from 70 to 2,880rpm.

• Durable: Longer life, less maintenance and lower noise levels.

• Safety Approved: Fully sealed, contain food grade grease, and ATEX approved.

MOTORS & DRIVES

Six checks to extend the working life of your servo drive

By Darius Kowalewski, Director at DataFactory

An electronic servo drive is a complex system controlling high performance electric motors. Industrial systems are dependent on electronic servo drives. Servo drives are everywhere. For example, they can be used to power up a CNC router or a robotic arm, they can drive a conveyor in a warehouse and they can even make the

Mars Rover move around.

Yet despite the crucial role they play, no one pays much attention to them until they fail. It follows that you should look after a servo drive proactively in order to make it work as long as possible.

There are a few simple measures that can help you to do just that:

1. Keep it clean

Clean the control cabinet, check if its seals are in good shape, preventing dust and machine oil droplets from congregating on the servo drive electronic boards.

2. Keep it cool

Check if the cooling fans mounted on the servo drive and the control cabinet work. Check if fan louvres are not choked by dust and debris. Many very expensive servo drives fail because a failed cooling system causes thermal stress of its internal components.

3. Keep a backup of the servo drive application program

The back up comes in very handy if the servo drive’s memory gets corrupted or wiped out.

4. Keep manuals and line circuit diagrams

Trying to troubleshoot a problem without them is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

5. Keep a machine log book

Make sure you record odd and unusual behaviour and the way it was resolved. In case of a breakdown

this becomes a priceless guide for a troubleshooting engineer.

Furthermore, ensure that you have professional back up - someone you can call in case you come across a problem that your support team cannot solve.

All this may sound like boring old fashioned preventive maintenance, but consider the alternative: replacing a faulty drive with your machine down as a long queue of urgent jobs piles up.

The most likely outcome is that you discover your current drive is obsolete, and that a replacement offered by vendors requires re-engineering, a new application program and a new interface between the drive and the control system.

You would even have to buy a new servo motor, as well as paying for an expert to re-commission your whole system.

When you consider these alternative scenarios, it just makes sense to look after your existing gear and, if the worst happens, try to bring it back to life.

DataFactory datafactory.com.au

DataFactory are servo drive repair experts

MOTORS & DRIVES

GreaseMax products in action

Why a little grease can go a long way in keeping motors up and running

Lubrication improvements can significantly assist in increasing the life and reliability of electric motors.

Premature motor failure is likely to be caused by bearing failure, for which lubrication is a major factor.

Lubricants have a finite life, so re-lubrication is essential for longterm motor reliability.

However re-lubrication itself can introduce human error factors which will reduce motor life such as the application of the wrong grease, too much grease, or missed lubrication.

The way in which a motor is re-lubricated has a significant influence on

the outcome. Re-greasing the motor with the motor stopped (as is mostly the case to comply with OHS requirements) may result in a temporary excess of grease and this excess being forced into the motor internals when the motor is re-started, even if the motor has a grease relief.

Grease purging from the relief when a stopped motor is greased indicates an over-filled bearing but this purging may not be enough to prevent excess grease still remaining from getting into the motor internals when the motor is re-started.

Typically the greasing may be done on a down-day so that the motor is cold. In these conditions

• Repairing of complex electronic boards, including obsolete boards that are no longer supported by vendors

• Design and construction of multi-drive systems

• Professional Control Systems Integrators

• Repairing/retrofitting of electronic AC, DC and servo drives: Yaskawa, Stober, HAAS, Baumuller, Siemens, Allen Bradley and others

• Laboratory & Clean Room

older, or colder grease in the grease relief may make the relief less functional and an excess grease input may not exit via the grease relief as it will do if greasing is done with the motor operating, the temperatures stabilised and in this condition the grease relief functioning more effectively.

Continuous lubrication provides the best lubrication results for improved bearing life. Re-greasing the motor when it is running allows a more effective, controlled result.

Bearing life is improved, there is a reduced possibility of excess grease being applied and contaminating the motor internals, and the problems of the wrong grease being used, foreign matter contamination from dirty grease nipples or lubrication being missed are eliminated.

GreaseMax single point automatic lubricators provide a continuous controlled grease output and are ideal for motor lubrication. GreaseMax overcomes motor lubrication problems and works reliably in all conditions – hot, cold, wet, vibrating and without maintenance or adjustment.

This adds up to less maintenance downtime and therefore increased productivity and ROI.

GreaseMax fan bearing

lubrication

GreaseMax continuous automatic lubricators provide an effective solution for improved fan bearing lubrication and reliability.

Often the operating conditions are hot, or humid, perhaps both. Correct lubrication is therefore a critical reliability factor.

GreaseMax continuous lubrication ensures that lubrication-related failures are eliminated or minimised.

Continuous lubrication ensures that grease degradation issues arising in difficult operating conditions, such as where heat and humidity are factors, are eliminated. Physical access issues are also reduced.

GreaseMax lubrication offers increased reliability, operational efficiency, simplicity of use and cost-effectiveness.

It is simply and easily installed and operates without needing maintenance or adjustment, and has no electrics or mechanical items.

It also has a completely reliable steel body that can handle pressure and heat, can be used on moving and vibrating applications, feed lines and underwater.

It Intrinsically safe in all situations – including for static discharge - and the end of its operating period, it is quickly and simply changed over.

GreaseMax - greasemax.au

Bonfiglioli’s

300M Series presents a powerful solution to timber sector challenges

New Zealand’s timber sector is facing a number of challenges including labour shortages, climbing operating costs and downtime risks, as well as market fluctuations such as a decline in demand for timber by large export markets.

However, the reprieve of US tariffs is welcome news for the sector, ensuring that it can continue exporting to the US – the third largest timber log export market for New Zealand.

“To remain competitive in a shifting landscape, wood processing plants will need to embrace solutions that enhance productivity, efficiency and safety all while reducing downtime,” said Paul Savage, Manager of Bonfiglioli New Zealand.

“Having collaborated with market leading equipment OEMs and customers in the sector for decades now, Bonfiglioli has developed the products, solutions and engineering

expertise to support the sector”.

Bonfiglioli provides robust solutions tailored to meet the unique challenges of this sector in applications ranging from log bucking and drum debarking, to roundwood handling systems and chippers.

“Wood processing facilities typically operate in harsh environments characterised by heavy loads, shock loads and long periods of continuous operation,” said Savage.

“These conditions demand equipment with exceptional durability, efficiency and reliability.

Bonfiglioli’s gearboxes are designed to withstand these demanding conditions, ensuring optimal performance and minimal downtime”.

Designed for heavy-duty applications, the Bonfiglioli 300M Series planetary geared unit is the ideal solution for the wood processing industry.

With its high torque-to-weight ratio and a torque capacity up to

1,286,700 Nm, it offers exceptional power density and efficient power transmission.

It’s also robust, built to withstand the high shock loads and harsh operating environments associated with timber and wood processing.

Renowned for its long service life, efficient heat dissipation and low maintenance costs, the 300M Series meets stringent quality standards. With optimised gear geometry, it ensures reduced energy consumption and improves productivity.

The 300M Series is highly versatile, with a modular, space-saving design.

“With a variety of customisation options, this unit is easily tailored to meet specific application requirements,” said Savage.

“In addition, it can be combined with various motor and brake combinations, to meet project needs.”

A key differentiator in Bonfiglioli’s offering to the sector is its established local presence. The company’s New Zealand facilities include an expansive warehouse, allowing for assembly and aftersales activities, as well as stockholding.

“We understand that customers

rely on agile support and engineering expertise,” explained Savage.

“With our local footprint, we mitigate delays and ensure fast turnaround on customer orders and service requests.”

Looking ahead, Savage anticipates that the timber sector will explore new avenues for market growth and will continue to embrace automation technology in the pursuit of cost reductions and efficiency gains.

“Bonfiglioli’s complete solutions are designed to meet evolving production needs, delivering high-performance motion control. We’re ready to support the long-term success of this sector,” he said.

Bonfiglioli - bonfiglioli.com

Trusted to power operations for over 60 years

For over 60 years, Bonfiglioli has developed tailored transmission and drive solutions for industrial automation.With a network in 80 countries around the globe,we bring tried and tested world-class solutions. Let’s build the next 60 years, together.

Bonfiglioli is your trusted partner.

https://www.bonfiglioli.com/australia/en

Bonfiglioli are leading the way in the timber sector

Seizing the AI opportunity: precision selling in manufacturing

Australian manufacturing is on the move. Billions in new investment in clean energy, defence and infrastructure are creating fresh opportunities for local firms.

The sector’s importance is growing, and with it the pressure to win bigger contracts, defend against offshore competition and build resilience when margins are tight.

Against that backdrop, many manufacturers see AI as a turning point. Unlike past waves of traditional software tools that often felt like a distraction, AI offers something different: a chance to focus on what matters.

It promises sellers more time with customers and less time clicking boxes. For manufacturers, it feels less like catching up and more like an opportunity to leap forward.

A harder job than ever

Selling has never been easy, but it has become harder. Globally, quota attainment for sales teams has dropped from around 60% to below 50% over the past 15 years.

In Australia, the pressure is compounded by staffing shortages.

Ai Group’s 2024 CEO Survey found

that 73 percent of manufacturers are struggling to fill critical roles, forcing smaller teams to do more with less (Ai Group CEO Survey 2024).

Meanwhile, labour productivity in manufacturing has been largely flat over the past five years, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, making it harder to grow output and protect margins without rethinking how work gets done.

The answer is not more dashboards or reports. Executives want clear visibility into pipeline risk, while sellers want tools that prepare them for customer conversations rather than bog them down in admin.

This is the idea behind precision selling: using AI to highlight the most important opportunities, flag risks early and guide teams through actions that make a difference.

AI can now show a seller which account is most likely to close this month, explain why, prepare a meeting brief in minutes and capture outcomes automatically.

The result is not replacing the salesperson, but empowering them so they spend more time with customers and less time dealing with screens.

WaterCo, a Sydney-based manufacturer of pool and spa products,

has already moved in that direction.

“We didn’t have a proper tool to measure what was happening with customers,” said Marco Contreras, ANZ IT Manager at WaterCo.

“Everything was in someone’s head. If the rep left, so did the knowledge. You, as a customer, are the one who suffers.”

With productivity gains stalling and competition intensifying, resilience will come from smarter ways of winning and retaining customers.

AI offers a way forward. By surfacing risks early, guiding managers to coach more effectively, and helping sellers act with precision, manufacturers can strengthen revenue without inflating costs.

The future of manufacturing sales will not be defined by who deploys the most systems, but by who uses intelligence to act with precision.

AI gives manufacturers a chance to spend less time wrestling with processes and more time fighting for the contracts that matter. Those who seize this opportunity now will not simply keep pace with global rivals, they will define the next era of Australian manufacturing.

AI is a taking over in manufacturing

How students keep Monash Motorsport moving

Monash Motorsport is a student-run racing team competing in Formula SAE - the world’s largest engineering design competition.

Since its founding in 2000, the team has grown into a powerhouse of innovation and performance, consistently pushing the boundaries of what student engineers can achieve.

What sets Monash Motorsport apart is its multidisciplinary approach.

The team brings together students from engineering, commerce, science, design and law, creating a diverse and dynamic environment where technical precision meets strategic thinking.

Every component on the carfrom the aerodynamic package to the business case presentation - is student-designed, built and tested. This holistic approach has led to a culture of excellence that translates

directly into results.

Monash Motorsport has a long history of success at FSAE-Australasia, consistently finishing on the podium and dominating the competition.

Their impact extends globally, with standout performances at prestigious European Formula Student events, including those held in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.

As of January 2025, the team ranks among the world’s top contenders in the Formula Student World Rankings - a testament to its technical depth and operational discipline.

Innovation drives the team forward, as they compete in both the Driven and Driverless classes at competitions.

This cutting-edge project combines software engineering, control systems and mechanical design to compete in both the Driven and Driverless classes. The goal is clear: to lead the global field in performance.

Partners like Treotham play a critical role in enabling this pursuit of engineering excellence. Treotham supplies Igus high-performance engineering plastics, which the team machines into precision bushings for critical systems such as anti-roll bars and pedal pivots.

These bushings are lightweight, corrosion-resistant and maintenance-free, making them ideal for high-stress applications that require heavy braking and dynamic loads.

Their use helps reduce unsprung mass and improve reliability, both of which are crucial for optimal race performance.

Igus components are also integrated into the pedal-box rails,

allowing for rapid driver changes during competition. This adjustability ensures that each driver can perform at their best, with personalised ergonomics and precise control.

The partnership between Monash Motorsport and Treotham exemplifies how industry support and student ingenuity can come together to create real-world engineering solutions. As the team continues to innovate - both with electric and autonomous vehicles - they carry the knowledge, skills and ambition that define the future of engineering.

Treotham Automation treotham.com.au

Monash Motorsport run on Igus energy chains

Meet the oil filtration revolution that every manufacturer needs to know about

Manufacturing sites typically use a wide range of equipment that requires oil to operate. Going from hydraulic to turbine systems, this equipment requires extensive filtration due to the build-up of particles and contaminants which, if left untreated, cause damage to parts and ultimately, result in breakdown.

Moreover, the dirtier the oil gets, the less efficient the machinery works, with commensurate knock-on effects in operational efficiency.

While most systems have some level of oil filtration, Basil VR Greatrex can go one further than most - with a product that actively cleans oil while the machinery is in operation.

That means that manufacturers don’t need to replace the lubricant at all, extending the life of the oil, a bonus both for the bottom line and for the environment.

Vinicius Rossi, a mechanical engineer at Basil VR Greatrex, told Industry Update how their system helped one key client in the sugar industry.

“They would need to use 10,000 litres in their turbine every year to properly address the situation,” he said.

“As the cost is prohibitive, their ‘band-aid’ solution is to replace 2,000 litres as a top-up, and then every five years replace the whole lot.

“Steam turbines are very sensitive and expensive equipment, and they were experiencing severe varnish formation on their turbine oil. However, the partial oil change is not solving the varnish formation issue completely.

“The test to measure varnish is called MPC (Membrane Patch Colourimetry) and it gives a number from 1 to 100.

“A virgin oil usually gets an MPC of 1. Results above 15 already require close monitoring, and results higher than 35 are critical and require a complete oil change.

“The last oil analysis done by the site came back with MPC results in critical levels.

“We did an in-house trial of the RecondOil system for the sugar mill, where they sent us approximately 60 litres of used oil along with a virgin

oil sample.

“We ran the used oil through our RecondOil Box and carried out oil analysis on four samples: virgin oil, used oil and two reconditioned oil samples.

“The results we got were amazing. The MPC level changed from critical (32.9), indicating a recommended complete oil change, to a low level (3.2) that allows for the continued use of the oil for a longer period.”

The key is a far tighter filter than the average system.

“When you have your oil tank, for example, it’s known that around

80% of the contaminants in your oil are nano-sized particles,” explained Rossi.

“Most traditional filters in the market typically filter down to around 3 to 4 microns.

“A good analogy is like a sieve— some have bigger holes, some smaller. But even a fine filter at 3 microns misses the majority of the contamination.

“The RecondOil system removes particles down to 0.1 micron. And because 80% of the contamination is below 3 microns, this is where it makes a real difference.

“By removing those very small particles, we prevent the oxidation of the oil. Oxidation is a chemical reaction between the contaminants in the oil and the moisture that gets in.”

Studies have shown that these microparticles interact with other contaminants, accelerating oil oxidation. This process reduces the oil’s lubricating properties and promotes the formation of varnish and deposits.

That moisture is vital, because most people know that oil and water

Continues on page 46

Continued from front page

The RecondOil is a game changer for manufacturers who use large amounts of oil

SKF RecondOil Box

Makes it possible to use the same oil over and over again

Imagine never having to change your oil again but still getting better performance and cleaner oil than ever before. The RecondOil Box makes it possible, turning waste oil into a sustainable asset.

By adopting circular use oil, you will improve your machine’s reliability and reduce your CO2 footprint at the same time. It’s a win for your business and the environment.

Microparticles make up most of the contaminants that conventional filters remove and make up about 20% of the total surface area of all particles in an oil. At the same time nanoparticles that normally slip though conventional filters constitute the remaining 80% of the surface area. The nanoparticles cause severe harm and they are a catalyst for oxidation which accelerates the oil’s aging process.

Eliminates nanoparticles

Prevents varnish buildup

Removes water proficiently

Improves machine efficiency and reliability

do not mix, but in a manufacturing context, things are a little more complicated.

Water in oil can exist in three distinct phases: dissolved, emulsified and free.

In the dissolved state, individual water molecules are dispersed throughout the oil, and can be present in significant amounts without visible signs. Industrial oils can hold 200 to 600 ppm of dissolved water, with aged oils capable of retaining three to four times more.

When the oil becomes saturated, excess water forms microscopic droplets, creating an emulsion that gives the oil a hazy appearance. If more water is added, it separates into a distinct free water layer, typically settling at the bottom of tanks or sumps due to the lower specific gravity of mineral and synthetic oils.

“It’s not water you see. If you’re seeing water in your oil, you’ve got a major problem!” joked Rossi.

“We’re talking about humidity, which is moisture from the air. Most systems are not 100% sealed. Air gets in, and with it, tiny amounts of water that end up in the oil. That, combined with particles, starts the

oxidation process, which is what degrades the oil over time.

“SKF RecondOil removes the particles and the water. You’re removing the ingredients for oxidation, because without oxidation, the oil doesn’t age.

“It keeps its quality. Some oils we can extend for five, eight, even ten years. Sometimes you’ll do a partial

top-up, but mostly you keep using the same oil.”

The system works as a kidney loop, with the SKF RecondOil added to the existing oil tank but independent of it, with its own pumping and filtration - and can even run when the machine is not.

Best of all for manufacturers, it can provide a ROI much faster than

expected.

“People think it’s too good to be true,” said Rossi.

“But when you factor in unplanned breakdowns, wear and tear, and replacement oil, the ROI is usually one to two years.

“We always assess oils before proceeding, but for 99% of clients, it’s compatible. Pretty much all industrial oils - hydraulic, turbine, gear, compressor, transformer oils, even very thick oils - we’re working with a client using 1000 centistokes oil.

“On top of that, environmentally, it’s a big benefit. You’re not dumping oil or sending it for recycling - which is better than nothing, but it’s not well recycled.

“Your machines are working better because the oil is cleaned continuously.

“You’re not allowing it to get dirtier and dirtier before changing it. It’s just clean all the time - less wear and tear, fewer breakdowns. And, of course, you’re also getting better performance from your machines.”

Basil VR Greatrex - bvrg.com.au

Altrac Jib Crane

Altrac Gantry Crane

Altrac Monorail Crane

How the RecondOil system works.

AUSTRALIAN MADE AUSTRALIAN MADE

Security the Australian Made way with Crimsafe

Since launching the original

‘Crimsafe Regular’ screen in 1996, Crimsafe has become an industry leader in stainless steel security systems.

Known for its iconic Tensile Tuff steel mesh screens that are used on windows and doors, Crimsafe can be found in countless homes and businesses across the country today.

The company’s strength lies in its local manufacturing and continual testing and development. At launch, Crimsafe revolutionised the industry with its technological advancements and shows no signs of slowing down.

From its famous 0.9mm 304 structural-grade Tensile Tuff stainless steel mesh to the patented Screw-Clamp technology that “bites down” on the mesh for incredible strength, Crimsafe stands as an example of Australian ingenuity and unwavering appetite to improve.

Located in Yatala, Queensland, “The Crimpact Zone” is the company’s Research and Design facility

and where the local R&D team are continually seeking ways to test and enhance the effectiveness of Crimsafe’s product range.

“We may have the strongest mesh security screen products in Australia, but we’re never satisfied,” said Tom Woodward, Crimsafe’s Group General Manager.

We never stop looking for ways to set new benchmarks in the security screen industry. From real-world intruder tests, to storm, heat attenuation and fire testing, we have put our screens through some of the toughest tests possible.”

Some of the Crimpact Zone tests involve knife shears, kicking, bats and battering rams – which may seem extreme, but are performed to ensure that families and businesses can feel safe when Crimsafe is installed. Crimsafe’s screens have been independently tested by Australian universities, which found that they exceed the safety levels required by the Australian Standards.

that we’re very familiar with the safety standards that Australians require,” said Woodward.

“Crimsafe security screens don’t just meet the standards – they exceed them.”

While Crimsafe screens prioritise strength and security, the range of products also addresses other issues faced by Australians, including keeping out insects, letting in air flow, offering energy efficiency or simply removing unsightly bars and grilles –all without compromising on safety.

“Crimsafe not only blocks 53% of solar heat gain to stop heat gain or loss and help Australians to save on their air-conditioning bill, it also provides UV protection, blocking 62% of UV rays,” said Woodward.

“Crimsafe screens are also made to provide protection from bushfires and cyclone debris.

“As a building material, it’s a unique solution for architects, engineers, designers and builders that brings uncompromising strength and limit-

Crimsafe’s network extends around the country, with over 120 Crimsafe Authorised Licensees that employ directly and indirectly over 2,000 hardworking Australians.

“Our local security experts are embedded in the community and help their neighbours to live safer in their homes, every day,” said Crimsafe CEO Jim Sturgess.

“We’re exceptionally proud of our commitment to deliver Australian Made home security products to our customers while also contributing to the employment of hard-working Australians.”

Since 2020, Crimsafe has displayed the famous green and gold kangaroo logo on its locally manufactured product range.

“Crimsafe is Australian Made because we value supporting local jobs, and it’s a fundamental part of our business that we manufacture here”, said Woodward.

“We’re proud to be a global business founded in Australia.”

ELECTRONICS

In conversation: Robotics, AI and how manufacturers can get ahead

Explore the intersection of robotics and physical AI –artificial intelligence systems that are embedded in the physical world – with a focus on how autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are transforming industrial and commercial environments in Australia through this Q&A between Shawn Luke, Technical Marketing Engineer at DigiKey and Bob Card, Marketing Manager at onsemi and Theo Kersjes, Industrial Business Development & Solutions Leader at Onsemi.

AMRs rely on a range of sensors - such as LiDAR, cameras and ultrasonic detectors - to enhance safety, improve productivity and operate effectively in complex spaces. As these technologies evolve, AMRs are poised to become even more autonomous, adaptive and essential in sectors ranging from Australian logistics and manufacturing to agriculture and infrastructure inspection.

Shawn Luke: What design considerations are necessary with today’s smarter robots?

Bob Card: Industrial robots have been around for decades in Australia and globally, so they’re experts at what they do, but they can also be dangerous for humans to work alongside in warehouses and factories. Industrial robots aren’t designed to move around freely in their environment, especially if that environment is dynamic. Smarter robots come into play to ensure that humans working alongside robots are working in physical harmony.

Theo Kersjes: A variety of sensors, including ultrasonic, image, LiDAR, radar and more, allow a robot’s algorithm to process and navigate its environment with human safety at the forefront.

Robots can aid in solving problems that humans cannot, like picking up a car or large equipment, and can complete tasks that are safety hazards or very repetitive work. Smarter robots can accomplish more with greater flexibility and can complete a broader range of tasks enabled by the convergence of physical AI and robotics.

Luke: Could you tell us more about Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) and how it works?

Card: SLAM starts with using a virtual model of a warehouse for a robot to learn its environment. The robot uses trial and error to

learn how to navigate the environment before it is ever physically in it. When the robot is deployed, it is well-trained and will keep updating its environmental map. It can even navigate around dynamic objects like other robots that are in the environment.

Kersjes: In the automotive space, this concept is known as the “first car.” An AMR vehicle that first encounters a road or a new roadblock must learn from its environment and then send the experience back to the network for other AMRs to learn from and update maps.

Modern robots can use two distinct approaches to robot control and decision-making, referred to as “System 1” and “System 2,” which correspond to the different levels or approaches to control and cognition. This is analogous to the human cognitive systems. System 1 in robotics is characterised by fast, reactive and often pre-programmed behaviours, similar to how humans react instinctively. System 2, on the other hand, involves more deliberate, analytical and potentially slower decision-making processes, requiring more complex computations and reasoning. Both types are

needed for robots to become safe and self-sufficient around humans.

Luke: What types of robotic technology are standing out to you?

Kersjes: The technologies we’re seeing used across various evaluation boards and customer products are image cameras. For AMRs, sensor placement is important. For example, if a view is blocked (e.g., by carried objects), sensor clusters in corners are often used to achieve a 360° field of view.

Technologies like e-fuse (electronic fuses) and graceful reset capabilities are important for managing power and enabling higher-level robot functions, such as intelligent behaviour during power faults or navigation issues.

There’s also interest in demonstrating real-world system-level benefits of components (beyond lab testing like pulse or thermal tests) by integrating them into functional robotics simulations and evaluations.

Card: Power management is especially critical in mobile robots, which rely on battery packs rather than stable AC power.

Because battery voltage can vary

significantly (e.g., 30–42V for a 10-cell pack), efficient DC-DC converters (like the FAN65000 family) are necessary.

These converters, with an efficiency of over 95%, help maintain multiple DC rails for subsystems and directly impact battery life and efficiency providing longer runtime.

Luke: Where do you see the future of robotics headed?

Card: We see 2025 as ‘the year of proof that the robot can do it,’ with so many new levels of innovations that are becoming more mature in the space.

From things like indirect-timeof-flight (iToF) cameras that can measure distances to objects by analysing how modulated light waves reflect off surfaces and return to the sensor, to physical AI that helps accelerate the training process for robots.

All the different sensor technologies that are needed for various use cases help the robotics systems remain safe and effective across multiple applications - leading to robotic use and volumes taking off in the coming years.

Smart vehicles are just one area of improvement

Powering Progress: The critical role of battery testing in a sustainable future

By David Erdmann, Master Instruments

In today’s fast-evolving energy landscape, batteries are more than just power sources - they’re central to the advancement of technologies that define modern life.

From smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, reliable batteries are crucial. Behind the scenes, one vital process ensures that these power systems perform as expected: battery testing.

As the global demand for energy storage grows, rigorous testing is no longer optional - it’s essential. Comprehensive battery testing safeguards reliability, ensures safety and verifies performance across a battery’s lifecycle.

It identifies crucial issues such as capacity degradation, thermal instability and service life limitations, enabling manufacturers to fine-tune designs and uphold quality standards. Moreover, testing under different

environmental and usage conditions supports accurate product evaluation, fault diagnosis and planning for obsolescence.

In an era where energy efficiency and sustainability are paramount, effective battery testing is not only a technical necessity but also a means to build consumer confidence and accelerate innovation.

At Master Instruments, we’ve long recognised the strategic importance of precision testing.

That’s why we’ve invested heavily in world-class battery testing technologies from renowned global specialists such as Arbin Instruments and Cadex Electronics.

These cutting-edge systems allow us to deliver a wide spectrum of testing services tailored to the needs of Australian industries - from consumer electronics to critical infrastructure.

Our engineering teams employ a range of sophisticated test procedures to evaluate battery performance and application suitability, conduct failure analysis and plan for end-of-life cycles.

Through detailed diagnostics and data-driven insights, we help customers identify performance gaps, optimise design choices and make informed decisions based on price, performance and total cost of ownership.

Recent upgrades to our dedicated testing labs in Sydney and Perth, including the integration of advanced Arbin testing systems, have significantly expanded our capabilities.

These systems complement our

existing fleet of testers from Cadex, West Mountain Radio and Vencon, enabling us to perform deeper analysis with a broader range of functions.

Whether you’re developing a new product, troubleshooting an issue or evaluating long-term performance, our engineering team is ready to partner with you.

Battery testing is more than a service - it’s a strategic advantage. And at Master Instruments, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this essential discipline, helping to power the future - reliably, efficiently and sustainably.

Creating safer working environments

Proudly Australian Made

Why Verge?

The Verge range of Safety Barriers & Gates is designed and made in Australia to suit Australian conditions and standards.

Our national team are ready to guide you through the complete process from a free project assessment to supply and installation across Australia!

Steel & Polymer Heavy Duty Forklift Barriers

Pedestrian and Vehicle Gates

Mezzanine Handrail & Safety Gates

Loading Dock Safety Gates

Asset Protection Barriers

Expert Support and Consultation

Testing batteries is crucial to their correct operation

Take control of your operations by bringing blasting in-house

In today’s fast-moving manufacturing and fabrication industries, efficiency and quality are no longer optional - they’re essential for survival.

Yet many businesses still outsource their abrasive blasting, often thinking it saves money or reduces complexity.

In reality, relying on third parties can create the very challenges companies are trying to avoid.

When blasting is outsourced, businesses are immediately at the mercy of someone else’s schedule.

Jobs can be delayed for days, sometimes weeks, depending on the workload of the contractor.

Add to that the costs of transportation, handling and logistics. Quickly, what should be a routine process becomes a source of lost time and mounting expenses.

Quality control is another issue, as outsourced blasting can lead to inconsistencies, with standards shifting depending on who is handling the job.

For companies that pride themselves on precision, this lack of control can erode customer trust and reduce competitiveness.

The solution is to bring blasting in-house. Having your own blasting facility eliminates the bottlenecks of outsourcing and puts you back in control of both scheduling and quality.

Instead of waiting in line or negotiating with third parties, your team decides when blasting happens, ensuring projects move seamlessly from one stage to the next.

The benefits don’t stop there. In-house blasting reduces transport and handling costs, safeguards margins, and allows businesses to maintain their own strict quality standards every single time.

It transforms blasting from a potential roadblock into a strength - one that adds speed, reliability and consistency to your operations.

Beyond cost and scheduling, bringing blasting in-house also provides practical, long-term advantages:

• Improved efficiency

Having blasting within your workflow removes doublehandling and unnecessary downtime. Jobs can move directly from blasting into the next stage of production without waiting on external contractors.

• Enhanced safety and compliance

By investing in modern blasting equipment with proper dust collection and ventilation systems, you can ensure safer working

conditions and compliance with environmental standards.

• Flexibility for your projects

In-house blasting means you can take on urgent jobs or last-minute changes without relying on a third party’s availability. That flexibility translates into faster turnaround and greater customer satisfaction.

• Better protection for your assets

Owning the process means you decide on the abrasive media, blasting techniques and quality standards, ensuring consistent finishes that extend the lifespan of your products and equipment.

Australian Made and trusted for over 50 years

Bringing blasting in-house is not just about reducing external costs; it’s about building longterm capability and resilience into your business.

It gives you control over one of the most critical stages in surface preparation - a control that can make the difference between just keeping up with competitors or pulling ahead of them.

This is where Protoblast can make the difference. With over 50 years of experience, they have been trusted by industry leaders across Australia to design and build abrasive blasting systems that deliver durability and efficiency.

Each solution is engineered to meet the demands of real-world operations, ensuring customers gain not just equipment, but a long-term partner in productivity.

Proudly Australian Made, Protoblast systems are built locally to the highest standards, supporting Australian industry and providing confidence that your investment is backed by a company that understands your environment and your needs.

Their clients value not only the performance of our systems, but also the professionalism and support of the Protoblast team.

“We’re genuinely pleased with the end result. It’s been a very well-executed project overall,” said one customer.

“The commissioning team has done a fantastic job, highly professional, cooperative and accommodating throughout the process.

“We look forward to continuing our relationship with Protoblast over the next 30 years and beyond.”

This feedback captures what many Protoblast customers

experience: confidence in the quality of their systems, appreciation for their professionalism and the assurance of long-term reliability.

It’s time to take control of your operations. By moving blasting into your own facility, you can eliminate delays, cut unnecessary costs and guarantee the quality your

customers deserve.

And with Protoblast as your partner, you’ll have the confidence of working with an Australian manufacturer that has helped businesses succeed for more than half a century.

Protoblast - protoblast.com.au

Protoblast are proudly Australian Made

Combilift celebrate milestone with good cause giveaway competition

Irish-based manufacturer

Combilift, a global leader in multi-directional and customised handling solutions, has reached yet another remarkable milestone with the production of its 100,000th Combilift vehicle.

To celebrate this historic achievement, the company is offering the chance to win this exclusive forklift through a special competition, with all proceeds donated to UNICEF Ireland’s Children’s Emergency Fund.

The 100,000th Combilift was debuted at IMHX in Birmingham, UK, giving attendees the premier opportunity to see this exclusive model up close.

Combilift aims to raise in excess of €100,000 ($177,00 AUD) to help UNICEF deliver urgent aid to children impacted by conflict and natural disasters, providing life-saving support wherever and whenever it’s needed most.

UNLOCK EVERY INCH OF YOUR STORAGE SPACE!

Thanks to this fund, UNICEF maintains its status as one of the fastest responders working in over 190 countries to deliver critical support such as clean water, medicine, therapeutic food and temporary schools.

Every ticket sold not only brings you closer to owning a piece of Combilift history but also makes a real difference in the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children.

Choose your tickets, answer a quick multiple-choice question and confirm your entry. All proceeds go to UNICEF, and the winner will be announced on 16 December 2025.

Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of Combilift history while contributing to a worthy cause.

Combilift - combilift.com

Contact Us Today

To

Combilift are celebrating their 100,000th vehicle with a competition for charity

No Sweat: Cooling solutions that work on demand

In industrial environments, heat is more than a byproduct, it’s a challenge that demands constant attention.

Whether it’s a manufacturing line, a chemical process and a food production facility, managing temperature is essential to maintaining safety, efficiency and product quality.

Atlas Copco Rental’s air-cooled chillers are designed with this reality in mind. Built specifically for rental use, they offer a flexible solution for businesses facing seasonal peaks, emergency breakdowns and planned maintenance.

With capacities ranging from 50kW to over 1,000kW achievable through multi-unit configurations, these systems can be scaled to meet a wide range of cooling demands.

For single-unit applications, maximum capacity typically reaches around 750kW. They deliver cooling temperatures between -9°C and 15°C, making them suitable for diverse industrial applications.

The chillers are used for applications like district cooling, peak shaving and product storage.

In food and beverage production, for example, precise temperature control is critical, from fermentation tanks to packaging lines.

Maintaining consistent cooling helps ensure hygiene standards and product integrity, especially in

operations where even minor fluctuations can have major consequences.

What sets this approach apart is the service model. Rather than simply dropping off equipment, Atlas Copco Rental works with clients to develop tailored solutions.

Their team handles logistics, commissioning and energy management, making integration smoother and downtime shorter.

Technically, the chillers are built for performance. They feature high-efficiency compressors, lownoise fans and environmentally conscious refrigerants.

Advanced controls help maintain stable temperatures even under changing loads and the weatherproof design means they’re ready for tough conditions.

Safety and compliance are also key. Each unit meets Australian standards and is tested before deployment. Experienced technicians oversee installation and support, helping ensure reliable operation from the start.

In industries where cooling is non-negotiable, having access to reliable, adaptable equipment can make all the difference. Rental chillers offer a practical way to meet those demands without the longterm commitment of ownership.

Atlas Copco - atlascopco.com

Atlas Copco can keep your facility cool

MATERIALS HANDLING

On time, on budget: Cranes without delay for new Brisbane factory

For almost 50 years, Hydromech has built and supplied hoists and cranes that exceed expectations - meetin strict Australian standards, backed by local support and trusted worldwide.

Why choose us?

Faster Hoisting - 1 6t, 2t & t t o-fall models for speed-critical jobs

Local Reliability - Australian support, o plian e and spare parts on hand

If you need to deliver quality to your customers, it helps to have quality in your factory as well.

For HM Gem Engines, a leading Australian engine rebuilding service with over five decades in the trade, cranes are of paramount importance - so when they needed equipment for their new facility in Brisbane, they came to Hydromech.

to ship in 24 hours

in Australia now- 3 2t, 5t, 3t & 0t four-fall hoists

HM required a ten tonne crane plus three three tonne cranes, and thanks to close co-operation between the two parties, they were able to get all four installed, on time and on budget despite significant

One of the reasons why they were able to work so fast was Hydromech’s on-hand availability of

Hydromech boast a range of hoists with different lifting speeds, heights and capacities, crunching lead times

In this case, a NHA10T 4 Fall hoist and trolley with a nine metres height of lift was fitted to an overhead travelling crane and shipped to Brisbane.

Hydromech can do this because they have the product on hand and ready to go, without international shipping lead times, and because they test incoming product in house before sending out to customers.

There was no need to second guess when the crane arrived on site, where it dropped and ran as a plug and play operation for HM Gem Engines.

“HM Gem Engines are an Australian manufacturer, and

we pride ourselves on a quality product, so we share a lot of core values with Hydromech,” said Dean Taylor, General Manager – HM Gem Engines.

“We understand the importance of supporting local companies that share our passion for excellence.

“Hydromech are a trusted project partner because we know they’ve actually been building their own hoists and cranes for 50 years.

“We’re able to lean on their expertise in the field knowing that if they approve a product for use in the Australian market, we can rely on it.

“We use lifting equipment we can trust because we can’t serve our clients without it.”

HM Gem Engines also provide crankshaft/camshaft and cylinder head servicing, and use state-of-theart equipment to deliver the best results for their customers.

The NHA model hoist from Nante Cranes is now working all across Australia, helping manufacturers to minimise down time, save on what can be expensive spare parts and, ultimately, maximise profits.

Hydromech’s in-house experience both as a manufacturer themselves and as a distributor and tester of imported products enables quick lead times, custom or standard crane designs and easy installation. Their latest range of shop-tested Nante cranes are in stock and ready to ship - so don’t delay.

Hydromech Hoist and Crane hydromech.com.au

Hydromech test all incoming product in house before sending out to customers

Infrastructure giant secures site with Verge safety barriers

One of Australia’s largest infrastructure and logistics companies has finished a major re-fit of their safety architecture thanks to forklift barrier experts Verge.

Qube Logistics recently completed a full safety upgrade at their 28,000m² intermodal facility in Moorebank, NSW, fitting over 600 metres of new barriers to help separate forklifts and pedestrians.

As one of Australia’s busiest freight hubs, the site manages continuous movement of containers, forklifts and heavy vehicles in a demanding environment.

To meet these operational challenges, Qube chose the Verge Impact Range.

The polymer barriers were installed to define movement zones, protect key areas, and maintain a professional, low-maintenance finish.

The upgrade also featured Verge

High Wall systems and Vivid V-Gates with integrated audio alerts, helping staff remain alert and reducing risk at key intersections.

Unlike conventional materials, Verge polymer barriers absorb impact and return to shape without rusting, cracking or requiring frequent replacement.

The project was delivered from initial enquiry to full installation in under six weeks, showing how quickly results can be delivered without compromising on quality.

For manufacturers who are planning a safety upgrade or need clearer separation between people and vehicles in your facility, Verge can provide tailored solutions which can support staff, improve overall efficiency and increase safety within a facility. Verge Safety Barriers vergesafetybarriers.com.au

Seamless Hygienic Health & Safety Flooring

Understanding that every food and beverage production facility is unique, we offer customisable hygienic flooring solutions. From choosing the right colour to opting for specific textures that enhance safety, we collaborate with you to develop the ideal flooring system that meets your operational needs.

Our flooring systems can be tailored to resist specific chemicals or temperatures, ensuring maximum longevity & performance in your production facility.

Durable with superior long lasting protection.

Verge fitted over 600m of barriers

SAFETY

Meet the next generation of polymer safety barrier

With forklift barriers, like with many things in manufacturing, the devil is in the detail.

Barriers are ubiquitous, but they were not all manufactured equally and, crucially, looks can be deceiving.

For companies like A-Safe, who are constantly pushing the barrier market forward, the technicalities are massive, and in the high stakes field of safety, there are no small differences.

They brought the world’s first all polymer barrier to market in 2001 and, in 2026, will debut Generation 4 of the product - the first to be 100% polymer, with no steel base platesto the Australia market.

As Robert Soban of A-Safe Australasia explained to Industry Update while demonstrating the barrier at the 2025 Sydney edition of the Workplace Health & Safety Show, this new product could be transformational for manufacturing safety.

“Our previous system relied on the impact absorbation of the post and rails, but we’ve taken the stress off the parts by developing a polymer spring coupler system,” he said.

“As it impacts, the spring takes the load out of the barrier and then it allows it to recover back without any damage.

“Now, with this new coupler, we’ve taken that out of the equation, so it’s going to give people a better return on their investment and performance of the product.

“With our previous barriers, A-Safe used steel base plates, which had some drawbacks where the barrier post impact varied to the rail system.

“But now the impact on our system is all the way through. So, the post is rated the same as the barrier rails.

“The only tooling required to install the new barrier system is when you bolt it into the ground. Everything else is click, clip and wind. Very, very simple.

“It’s PAS 13 compliant and PAS 13 certified, which is a critical thing. Complying to PAS 13 and certifying to it are two completely different things.

“Because of that we’re confident, when we sell the product, that we can give the customer an impact rating with a certificate that proves it.”

For high-value providers such as A-Safe, legitimacy is a major calling

card.

The certifications, production values and ratings are everything, and when the product is forced into use in a safety situation, those features will be of vital importance.

The new polymer post that forms a critical part of the barrier system will be 100% polymer construction, which will be particularly of interest to the food and beverage manufacturing sector, where the current steel base plates which are being used could become redundant.

“There’s a lot of yellow barriers out there, and this is what we’re stressing at the moment: it’s not just another yellow barrier,” said Soban.

“In the food sector, it’s perfect because it’s 100% sealed.

“With some barrier systems, the way they’re made is by pressing a pipe onto a base plate.

“A-Safe barriers use a sealing ring to limit the amount of potential

water that could get inside the post, where others just press a plastic tube onto a steel plate.

“This new design takes away this issue as the baseplate and post are one complete integrated unit.

“Our barriers have always been designed to be food safe, to stop the entry of water or contaminants inside the barrier, because that is where you start to get the unhealthy environment.

“A-Safe components are PFAS free, when you put it in a manufacturing area - especially with food - the risk of PFAS coming off the barrier does not exist.

“We sell to distribution centres, food manufacturers, alcohol manufacturers, milk manufacturers - and obviously warehousing and distribution for supermarkets.”

“It is the way of the future. It’s the next way to lead the industry forward into safety. We’ve improved on

a very successful product and taken it to the next level.

“We’ve found improvements the industry has been asking for and taken these suggestions and implemented them into the next generation of A-Safe barriers.

“The other thing the barrier is unique for is we’ll be introducing a smart impact cap, which has already been developed. It’s currently going through rigorous testing.

“With that, when the barrier gets impacted, a light goes off and you receive a text message to say ‘you’ve had an incident, go down and have a look at it’.

“That’s another world first. It’ll be the only one on the market, which is something that A-Safe is very proud of, adding a new level to safe interaction between forklifts and pedestrians.”

A-Safe - asafe.com

A-Safe demonstrated their new safety barrier at the Workplace Health & Safety Show

Pitch Perfect: How a start-up turned an idea into $50k

Trade shows work because of the human touch, the chance to meet people and see products close up.

Nowhere is that more true than in health and safety, where knowledge sharing and best practice are of vital importance, as well as keeping up with the latest developments in a fast- changing industry.

For three start-ups, the Workplace Health & Safety Show (WHSS), held in late October at Sydney Olympic Park, wasn’t just a chance to showcase businesses and share experiences - it was also the opportunity of a lifetime.

Workers compensation and personal claim service provider, the EML Group, funded a live Pitch Off event on the Spotlight stage for emerging safety businesses, offering a $50,000 accelerator prize to the winning idea.

“At EML, we’re always looking for innovative ways to partner with industry, from prevention through to return to work, and to explore better ways of working,” explained Sue Brown of EML.

“The Pitch Off was a great opportunity to connect with early-stage innovators who have bold, game-changing ideas, but just need some support to activate them.

“We offered a $50,000 accelerator prize, developed clear criteria around what we were looking for, then partnered with the WHSS

“We were thrilled to receive 36 entries, which we narrowed down to a final three, all of whom pitched live on the Spotlight stage at the show.”

The three were Handled, a phonebased risk tool that allows workers to log potential hazards; Vision AI, which used AI and CCTV footage to pre-identify risk in real time; and Safety Compass, an augmented reality solution that allows for geo-located safety information.

For Safety Compass founder Adam Poole, the money could be transformational.

“The EML Pitch Off was an amazing experience,” he said.

“From the initial application to the online pitch prep and the support from EML, we couldn’t have asked for more, and I’ve pitched dozens of times!

“For Safety Compass, the opportunity to pitch at the WHS Show was unmissable: the audience and live voting was great and the quick final decision on who won was very exciting.

“Winning the EML Pitch Off is a game changer for Safety Compass, look out for us in a worksite soon!”

EML will now work with Safety Compass to support the next steps in development and piloting the initiative.

“Safety Compass is just a small startup, and they’re absolutely stoked with winning this opportunity,” said Brown.

working to bring this idea to life, and this opportunity is set to transform their entire business,” said Sue Brown.

“Over the next 12 months, we’ll be supporting with $50,000 to help activate, pilot and implement this solution. This will allow us to closely monitor its progress and impact.

“Our goal isn’t just to provide a one-off payment, but to understand the outcomes and explore how this

into the support we provide to EML Group customers through the Mutual Benefits Program.

“At EML, we place a strong focus on prevention, education and building capability - and when incidents do occur, we’re committed to providing a robust support system that helps workers return to work as quickly and safely as possible.”

Workplace Health & Safety Show

in just one

Tailored Growth Plan

Let’s talk.

The EML Pitch Off was won by Safety Compass

Safety specialists add new line of anti-fatigue products to growing range

Workplace safety specialists Global Spill & Safety are excited to introduce Notrax industrial anti-fatigue and safety matting into its ever-growing range of safety products.

Notrax is a leading ISO-certified matting manufacturer globally, with over 75 years of experience, and are a welcome addition to the Justrite Safety Group family of brands, which includes Global Spill & Safety.

The Notrax range includes an extensive selection of anti-fatigue mats, electrical safety mats, food processing mats, entrance mats and more.

The scope of matting products makes them suitable for applications in a wide variety of industries, including industrial, commercial and food service.

Whether businesses require mats for high-traffic areas or specialised environments, Notrax has a solution to meet their needs.

Reducing injury risks whilst improving employee productivity

Anti-fatigue and safety mats are

enhance both workplace safety and comfort for employees.

Anti-fatigue mats, in particular, are scientifically proven to prevent chronic illnesses associated with long-term standing. By reducing fatigue, these mats not only improve worker productivity but also contribute to lower absenteeism rates. Additionally, anti-slip properties in Notrax matting reduce the risks of slips and falls, which are responsible for an estimated 20-30% of accidents that cause long-term interruptions of work in multiple businesses.

Independently tested for performance

Notrax products undergo rigorous testing by independent laboratories to ensure they meet the highest safety standards.

This commitment to quality is further exemplified by the fact that the matting is manufactured in ISO-certified facilities, ensuring consistency and reliability across the entire range.

Global Spill & Safety

NOTRAX ANTI-FATIGUE & SAFETY MATTING

ADVANTAGES OF NOTRAX MATTING:

• One of the largest manufacturers of floor matting in the world with over 75 years experience

• Huge range of anti fatigue mats, electrical safety mats, food processing mats, entrance mats and more

• Anti-fatigue mats are scientifically proven to prevent chronic illnesses associated with long-term standing

• Mats are put through rigorous testing by independent laboratories

Notrax & Global Spill are part of the Justrite Safety Group family of brands.

Another boost to Western Australian wind manufacturing with new turbine deal

The Western Australian Government’s ongoing investment in wind turbine technology has continued with a $900,460 project set to be launched by Neerabup-based manufacturer Turbine Solutions.

The grant, awarded as part of the WA Government’s Wind Energy Manufacturing Co-Investment Program and administered by the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC), will see Turbine Solutions’ $453,230 matched centrally.

Turbine Solutions will be able to leverage their experience in gas turbines from the fossil fuel industry to commercialise services in the wind turbine sector alongside an experi-

we’re building a specialised team, toolkit and service model tailored for the wind energy sector, focused on boosting turbine performance and cutting downtime,” said Eugenio Sanchez, a Director of Turbine Solutions.

“The Wind Energy Manufacturing Co-Investment Program has been the launchpad for Turbine Solutions to use our oil and gas turbine experience and apply these capabilities to wind.

“As a result, we will deliver a scalable, high-impact maintenance wind-turbine servicing model that improves safety, reduces disruption, and builds critical local capability in Australia’s clean energy supply chain.”

ingenuity and industrial capability to lead the nation in renewable

strengthening WA’s economy.

“The Cook Government is proud to

Unlock opportunities with AMGC

AMGC’s purpose is to transform Australian manufacturing.

AMGC backs Australian manufacturers through its co-investment programs nationwide. AMGC currently has the following programs open to manufacturers:

The Wind Energy Manufacturing Co-Investment Program (WA)

AMGC Connect operating as an Industry Partner Organisation (National)

Wind turbine manufacturing in WA received a boost

Smart power, smart industry: German excellence for Australian compressors

As Australian industry continues to evolve toward smarter, more sustainable operations, the demand for energy-efficient, intelligent machinery has never been greater.

Enter Alup’s latest innovation: the Largo 55-90 kW and Evoluto 45-90 kW oil-injected screw compressors.

Rooted in German engineering excellence, Alup has a long-standing reputation for precision, reliability and innovation - qualities that are clearly reflected in this new generation of compressors.

At the core of this new range is Alup’s proprietary compression element, paired with high-efficiency IE4 motors.

This combination delivers up to 4% more Free Air Delivery (FAD) and reduces energy consumption by up to 3% compared to previous models. For operations where compressed air is a critical utility, these improvements translate directly into lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint - key considerations in today’s ESG-conscious industrial landscape.

The Evoluto series features Variable Speed Drive (VSD) technology, which dynamically adjusts motor speed to match air demand. This ensures optimal energy use at all times, particularly in applications

with fluctuating load requirements.

The Largo series, with its fixedspeed configuration, offers robust, consistent performance for operations with steady air demand.

Both models are equipped with the Airlogic²T touchscreen controller, a smart interface that provides real-time system monitoring, advanced scheduling and remote connectivity.

Operators can track performance metrics, receive predictive maintenance alerts and optimise settings from anywhere - minimising downtime and maximising productivity.

Durability is another hallmark of the range. Designed to operate in ambient temperatures up to 46°C, these compressors are ideal for Australia’s often harsh industrial environments. Integrated cooling systems, high-grade filtration and optional built-in dryers ensure consistent air quality and long-term reliability.

Maintenance has been streamlined with a service-friendly layout. Easily removable panels and direct access to key components reduce service time and cost. Long service intervals further enhance uptime and reduce total cost of ownership.

Sustainability is embedded throughout the design. From

reduced oil carryover and noise levels to energy-saving components and lower CO₂ emissions, the Largo and Evoluto ranges support businesses in meeting both operational and environmental goals.

For industries such as manufacturing, food and beverage, automotive and logistics, where compressed air is essential, Alup’s new screw

compressors offer a compelling solution.

They combine efficiency, intelligence and resilience in a package that’s ready for the future of Australian industry.

Atlas Copco - atlascopco.com

Keeping compressor lines silicone-free with Kaeser

Kaeser Compressors now offers certification that its rotary screw compressors are entirely silicone-free.

At Kaeser’s production facility in Germany, extensive efforts in production, quality management and purchasing have eliminated silicones throughout the entire manufacturing process.

Silicones are substances that interfere with paint wetting (LABS) and are the main cause of punctual, funnel-shaped depressions in the paint layer.

In order to avoid such paint faults, Kaeser offers rotary screw compressors that are entirely silicone-free according to the Volkswagen Test Regulation PV 3.10.7.

Volkswagen’s PV 3.10.7 is the most widely-used test standard for substances that impair paint wetting ability.

In all production and social areas of the Kaeser factory, only silicone-free materials such as

lubricants, greases, hand-washing pastes, lotions or hand care creams are used.

In addition, all production employees and service technicians are thoroughly trained on the issue through annual briefings and relevant work instructions. The effectiveness of the measures is checked and documented by regular audits.

The selection of suitable, silicone-free components is already controlled during product development and continues consistently during production and acquisition.

When ordering a new Kaeser rotary screw compressor, customers specify the machine with the silicone-free option and will receive a certificate documenting the successful completion of the VW PV 3.10.7 test.

Kaeser Compressors is dedicated to producing high-quality compressors, driven by a commitment to excellence and innovation.

By continuously investing in

research and development, Kaeser aims to enhance efficiency and durability, providing customers with dependable solutions for their compressed air needs.

KAESER Compressors au.kaeser.com

Kaeser’s rotary screw compressor production facility is silicone-free

Alup are leaders in oil-injected screw compressors

SPECIAL FEATURE

Meet the LGA driving Victoria’s food manufacturing future

Located in Melbourne’s fast-growing north, the City of Whittlesea is considered one of Victoria’s most dynamic and productive food and beverage industry clusters.

With deep agricultural roots, it offers a thriving ecosystem of innovation, advanced manufacturing and supply chain strength—making it a prime location for scalable, future-ready ventures.

In the 2023–2024 financial year, the City of Whittlesea’s food

and beverage sector, concentrated primarily in the industrial hubs of Thomastown and Epping, generated $3.14 in sales, added $1.3 billion to the economy and provided 12,000 jobs.

With 36% of municipality exports coming from food and beverage, it is considered one of the largest and most influential employment and export sectors within the region.

Offering unrivalled connectivity to Melbourne’s road, rail, sea and air freight corridors, the City of Whittlesea

A strategic location for Food and Beverage

is ideally positioned for food production, distribution and export.

Looking ahead, the planned Beveridge Intermodal Precinct, located in the City of Whittlesea, will further expand freight and logistics capacity, enhancing the region’s national and global competitiveness.

The Thomastown and Epping industrial precincts are the engine rooms of this sector, home to a mix of national and global players across dairy, bakery, confectionery, meat, poultry, pasta and beverage manufacturing and fruit and vegetable processing.

Anchoring the local supply chain is the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Market in Epping, which sees over $2 billion in fresh produce turnover per annum.

The City of Whittlesea’s food and beverage ecosystem is strengthened by strong links with leading education providers including RMIT University, La Trobe University and Melbourne Polytechnic.

These partnerships ensure a skilled and future-ready workforce, collaborative research, development programs and sector-specific training aligned to evolving industry needs.

The RMIT Food Research and Innovation Centre further supports local businesses to develop and commercialise high-value, export-ready food products, strengthening global reach and competitiveness.

While manufacturers drive output through major sales channels, the City of Whittlesea also celebrates its rich multicultural food traditions and strong artisan food culture.

The region is home to a thriving network of boutique producers and a newly established multi-million-dollar winery and estate further elevates the region’s reputation as a destination for premium food

Why the City of Whittlesea is perfect for F&B

2023-24

stats

• $324m in value added across F&B manufacturing

• $476m in value added in groceries, liquor and tobacco

• More than $450m in value added through combined food retail and services

• 30% of food manufacturing output is exported internationally

• 15% of total jobs in the City of Whittlesea are in the food and beverage sector

• 15% of total business output in the municipality comes from this sector

and beverage experiences.

The City’s growth is supported by councils’ strong policy direction, strategies and plans, including the Agri-Food Plan 2023–2026 and the Strong Local Economy Strategy, which prioritise local employment, innovation, economic resilience and sustainability.

In parallel, community-driven programs like the Food Collective are enhancing social impact through food equity, training pathways and social enterprise development.

A strategic location offering cutting-edge infrastructure, education partnerships and a vibrant mix of multinational brands and artisan producers, the City of Whittlesea is one of Australia’s most compelling destinations for food and beverage industry investment.

The City of Whittlesea includes the Thomastown Industrial Area

F&B manufacturing is key to the City of Whittlesea economy

Global strength, local support: Arbon’s formula for smarter docking

Everyone in manufacturing has a product to make and move, and everyone knows the value of doing so as efficiently as possible.

When it all works, it can be a thing of beauty, but when it breaks down, it can be a disaster for businesses that depend on time to market and tight margins.

That’s why the infrastructure that goes into materials handling is so important. For all that manufacturers invest in people and product, the processes by which they interact can often be the pain point.

It’s a problem that Arbon Equipment have decades of experience in solving.

They’ve been operating since the 1950s, initially from their base in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but now with locations around the world.

Arbon Equipment is part of RiteHite Corporation, and was formed to add a sales and distribution arm to the pre-existing manufacturing business.

As Australian General Manager Lee Lorenc told Industry Update, it was that combination of ‘global strength with local knowledge and support’ that made the difference, because customers could see the lineage of the products while having someone on the ground close to them to find a solution that fit.

“One of our standout products is what we call a “Dok-Lok”, a vehicle restraint,” he explained.

“Now, there are a lot of variants of that particular product to suit all sorts of truck applications and dock configurations. Our levelers also come in varying load capacities.

“The main feedback we get is that it saves dozens of emails back and forth, trying to explain how things work. Getting people to come in and have a play with them themselvesit’s fully interactive and everything works as it should.

“Demonstrating these things and showing them off in person makes people say, “Okay, I get it now.”

“You know, they’ve been reading emails, trying to get their head around it - and now they understand.”

“A perfect storm for us is: a new building is going up, a designer has put together an initial concept in conjunction with the end user.

“Then it goes to tender, a builder is appointed, and if we can get the end user, the designer and the builder into the showroom to collaborate and come up with the best-fit solution - that’s what we do.

“We’re in it to solve problems. You can spend all the money you like on a new facility, but unless you have fast, safe and efficient productivity through your loading docks, all that money is going to waste.

“We do lots of lunch-and-learns as well. We might fly customers down, if they’ve got the time, from anywhere interstate. We’ll put them up with accommodation if needed, or put on a lunch. We even allow customers to host their own conferences in our boardroom.”

While some companies that use international suppliers sometimes feel like it is something to hide, Arbon lean into their lineage in the US as a demonstration of their consistency of purpose for over 60 years, and their continuity as a business that adds value to customers.

“We’ve been around since the 1950s,” said Lorenc.

“Arbon is a hybrid of Art and Bonnie White, who were the original founding owners. These days, it was handed over about two years ago to the third generation, so it’s still a privately held company.

“That product was initially conceived by Rite-Hite way back in the late 1970s. Loading dock safety was identified as a problem and they found a solution.

“We like to be first to market. We’re strong on patents, and when patents eventually run out after 20 years, other competitors will introduce similar products.

“But by then, we’ve moved on, improved it, and come up with an offering that effectively no one else can give.

“Our R&D guys have always got something in the pipeline and our warranties are the longest in the market, so you can buy with confidence.”

“One of Rite-Hite’s catchphrases is “always looking ahead” - we’re always looking for new innovations, listening to customers, getting feedback with a view to continuous improvement.”

According to Lorenc, that breadth of product, plus the personal service, leads to better R&D.

“A lot of the products we sell are a result of customer suggestions,” he said.

“Someone might say, “This product’s really good - but have you considered this?” Maybe we hadn’t. Then we look at putting that into R&D and coming up with a more tailored product.

“For example, there are little things on the levelers, like what we call a constant radius on the back of the hinges. That’s all about smooth transition - not having operators get a jolt every time they drive over a leveler. It’s called “smooth transition”.

“We do truck surveys - measure all sorts of things around the trucks: rear impact guards, bed height, total truck height. All that is super important. We want to make sure we get it right the first time, to save stuffing around and rectifying later.

“A lot of the things we sell aren’t off-the-shelf widgets that fit every application. Most items are fully configurable.

“So, when we’re talking about a dock leveler or shelter, that interaction with the customer is crucial - understanding what type of fleet they’ve got, what sort of trucks.” Arbon Equipment arbon.ritehite.com/en/au

Rite-Hite have been providing docking solutions since the 1950s Arbon Equipment

Graph-Pak take next step thanks to on-demand box making

For more than two decades, Graph-Pak Pty Ltd has been a trusted supplier of packaging and print finishing machinery throughout Australia and New Zealand.

By partnering with world-leading manufacturers, the company has consistently delivered advanced technology backed by a commitment to installation, training, servicing and long-term customer support.

This combination of quality machinery and dependable service has made Graph-Pak a preferred partner for businesses seeking greater efficiency, reliability and innovation.

In response to changing industry needs, Graph-Pak has recently expanded its portfolio to include on-demand box making technology - a solution designed to meet the growing demand for customised, sustainable packaging.

As e-commerce and supply chain pressures continue to shape production, the ability to produce corrugated cartons when and where they are needed offers businesses both

flexibility and cost savings.

Among the solutions Graph-Pak now offers are several models from the Boxway range, each designed to provide operational advantages for different production needs:

• Boxway Fixtra 1800

Compact and versatile, this model is ideal for businesses taking their first step into on-demand box making. It offers reliable cutting, creasing and slotting in a smaller footprint, making it suitable for operations with limited space but high expectations for flexibility.

• Boxway Fixtra 2500

A larger-format machine designed for higher output, the Fixtra 2500 combines versatility with greater capacity. It is well-suited to companies requiring a broader range of box sizes or those managing higher-volume production demands.

• Boxway FitSize 1600

Focused on producing right-sized cartons, this model helps companies reduce material waste and shipping costs. It is especially valuable for operations handling diverse product dimensions or seeking to streamline packaging with lean manufacturing practices.

• Boxway FitSize 2500

The most advanced of the range,

this model handles oversized cartons and large production volumes with precision. Its automation and efficiency make it a strategic choice for manufacturers with complex, high-capacity packaging requirements.

Supporting efficiency and sustainability

By enabling just-in-time production, the Boxway range helps businesses eliminate the need for large inventories, reduce excess packaging and optimise transport with right-sized cartons.

These advantages not only improve operational efficiency but also support sustainability targetsan increasingly important consideration across the supply chain.

With the introduction of on-demand box making technology, Graph-Pak strengthens its role as a solutions provider for businesses looking to future-proof their operations.

Backed by the company’s expertise and long-standing reputation for service, the Boxway range represents a step toward smarter, greener and more adaptable packaging production.

Graph-Pak - graph-pak.com.au

The Graph-Pak team with their boxes

Why it helps to be specific in architecture, engineering and design

For architects, building designers and engineers, correct product specification can mean the difference between a successful build and costly rectifications.

To help specifiers get product selection right, Fosroc ANZ’s highly skilled and experienced specification managers provide expert advice and guidance throughout every stage of the construction process, from design and documentation to ongoing maintenance requirements.

“Whether it’s a new build or a remediation project, our technical experts can help specifiers navigate the complexities of product specification and avoid the costly consequences of poor product selection or application,” said National Commercial Manager, Aaron Cusack.

With expertise that spans the full gamut of construction challenges, including concrete durability, flooring, waterproofing, jointing systems and waterstops, the Fosroc ANZ Specification team can support every aspect of a build.

“If we can’t provide a Fosroc solution, our team has access and reach

across the full suite of Dulux products so that we quite literally have every aspect of a project covered,” said Cusack.

“We provide specifiers, engineers, builders and architects with a one-stop shop for advice and construction solutions, saving them time and money and giving them the confidence that all systems are compatible.”

Cusack explains that the earlier clients engage with Fosroc’s Specification Team, the better.

“Bringing the team in early saves time and ensures the project is on the right track from the outset,” he said.

“Architects don’t have to spend precious hours researching the latest products and regulations. They can simply contact our specification team for accurate answers to all their questions.

Through Fosroc’s specification service, clients have access to:

• Advice on product and application selection

• Product documentation including Technical Data and Safety Data Sheets

• Assistance with writing and

MaXXlink is an intelligent solution that unites CAD and ERP systems, closing the critical integration gap that slows manufacturing output and creates risk.

reviewing Specification Clauses

• Assistance with writing and reviewing Method Statements

• Detail drawings

• Test data, including slip data, VOC levels and fire resistance

• Product samples

• Continuing Professional Development seminars

• Contractor referrals

• Advice on Green Star requirements and documentation

Cusack pointed out that the depth of technical expertise offered by Fosroc is unsurpassed.

“There is so much technical capability within the Fosroc team, which is a huge benefit for clients,” he said.

“Every state has one or two Specification Managers, and behind them, we have our technical support specialists who offer that extra level of technical knowledge. In addition, we have our Product Segment Specialists.”

“With Fosroc you’re not just buying products, you’re investing in experience and expertise,” he says.

While specifiers are increasingly turning to online specification

platforms such as Archify and NatSpec, Cusack stressed the advantages of engaging in person with Specification Managers to validate selections.

“Specification platforms serve a valuable role for architects and designers who can leverage them to download products and documentation,” he said.

“But nothing beats speaking directly to a Fosroc specification expert about a particular project and its unique challenges.”

“Construction is an ever-evolving industry, and staying on top of the latest products, standards and regulations can be an enormous challenge for busy architects and designers.

“What used to work, or what was used previously may not be current today. Some products may not be fit for purpose due to changes to the building code or new regulations.

“Referring to online resources is a great first step, however having a conversation with Fosroc in the first instance is always advisable.”

Fosroc - fosroc.com.au

Unlike generic connectors, MaXXlink is purpose-built for manufacturing and engineered to integrate disparate or siloed environments—such as SolidWorks, Inventor, Epicor, and MYOB Advanced—without disrupting established workflows. It transforms engineering BOMs into fully validated manufacturing BOMs with precision, speed, and complete traceability.

Purpose-built for fast-paced manufacturing environments:

Visual BOM Interface — Restructure assemblies with drag-and-drop speed

CAD to E-BOM Conversion — Native compatibility with SolidWorks and Inventor

E-BOM to M-BOM Mapping — Get from design to production-ready structures in minutes

Pull non-modelled parts from your ERP — Drag and drop these parts with full traceability

Local ERP Integration — Works with Epicor, MYOB Advanced, and custom systems

Full Change Control — Built-in version tracking, approval workflows, and audit trails

MA LINK

Advancing sustainability in insulated industrial doors

In today’s industries, insulated industrial doors are essential for sustainable, energy-efficient operations.

EBS Entrance Solutions Pty Ltd offers advanced solutions that help reduce environmental impact while significantly improving energy efficiency.

Cold storage freezers and chillers face the challenge of maintaining temperatures without excessive energy use.

The highly thermally-efficient Thermospeed rapid roll doors by EBS provide excellent thermal insulation and fast operation, minimising energy loss when doors open and close. This reduces the load on refrigeration systems, lowering costs and supporting sustainability. By maintaining stable internal temperatures, Thermospeed doors help HVAC and refrigeration systems operate more efficiently. This not only cuts energy consumption but also extends equipment life and reduces maintenance.

Beyond cold storage, these doors benefit food and beverage production, confectionery, wine warehousing, temperature-controlled workshops and showrooms and the pharmaceutical sector - all industries where temperature control is vital for quality, safety and comfort.

EBS also offers ISOtherm sectional panel-lift doors for robust insulation and ease of use, as well as insulated Thermashutter highspeed roller shutters for added speed and protection - each enhancing energy management and workflow.

Choosing insulated doors like Thermospeed, ISOtherm and Thermashutter high-speed roller shutters delivers immediate energy savings, supports efficient and responsible operations across diverse industries and advances sustainability.

EBS Entrance Solutions ebssolutions.com.au

New Adidas store gets ATDC treatment

Adidas know all about fashion - even when it comes to keeping their stores looking their best.

That’s why they called upon the Australian Trellis Doors Company (ATDC) to fit out their new location in Southeast Melbourne.

Manufactured from locally sourced aluminium extrusions and using high-quality materials and components, the eight marinegrade, heavy-duty aluminium roller shutters supplied for this project are electrically operated with external key switches for added security and internal emergency egress buttons at designated entries.

The installation also included UPS battery backup mechanisms as a precautionary measure to allow uninterrupted operation in the event of a power failure. The

Enter the Drag-on! Magnetic magic for manufacturers

Magnetic masters

Serpent and Dove are known for their commitment to safety in the workplace.

shutters were finished in a standard black Dulux powdercoat.

The project managers were Dandenong South-based Associated Projects, a national fitout company.

The shutters roll into compact slimline pelmet boxes, making them virtually invisible while providing weather protection and vermin resistance, which also makes them suitable for external installations.

This product is designed for securing shopfronts, shopping centres, sports stadiums, schools, factory showrooms, medical centres and banks.

A 12-month warranty applies to all parts, including motors and aluminium slats used in the construction of these shutters.

Australian Trellis Door trellisdoors.com.au

They are one of Australia’s leading providers of magnets to the Australian industrial market, with quality products that are built to last and, crucially, can be relied upon to keep workers safe in hazardous environments.

Top of the line in that regard is their range of Drag-On Magnetic handles, designed to help move metals with maximum ease and minimum risk.

Steel sheets can be difficult and dangerous to select and slide from a stack, and finger injuries can result from using wedges or other means to separate and then drag the top sheet.

Serpent and Dove’s Drag-On Magnetic Handles are designed to keep hands away from sharp edges and provide a low-cost, safe and convenient way to clamp a ‘handle’ onto a steel sheet.

Using immensely strong, shallow

magnetic fields, a single sheet can be selected and pulled from a stack, or more safely dragged into guillotine and press operations.

Simply attach the magnetic handle to the surface of the sheet, then lock into place with the handle. There are three different options for strength - 50, 100 and 200 kilos of pulling power - and, when the job is done, they can be released easily with a forward kick of the handle.

Serpent Dove Australia serpent-dove.com.au

Doors at the new Adidas shop in Southeast Melbourne

Thermospeed shutters from EBS can improve sustainability

Drag-On Magnetic handles from Serpent and Dove

Precision sensors drive efficiency in Australian dairy manufacturing

Precise measurement and 3A sanitary equipment are crucial in the processing of anhydrous milk fat (AMF).

Noshok’s can offer custom solutions for a large butter processing manufacturer, including tank level and line pressure measurement sanitary transmitters.

Their intelligent sanitary pressure transmitters provided unique design and technology benefits resulting in highly accurate and reliable measurement in the AMF production process.

Anhydrous milk fat is manufactured from fresh butter or cream and must contain at least pure 99.8% milk fat and no additives.

Codex Alimentarius standard CODEX STAN 280-1973 defines anhydrous milkfat, milkfat, anhydrous butteroil and butteroil as “fatty products derived exclusively from milk and/or products obtained from milk by means of processes which result in almost total removal of water and non-fat solids.” AMF processing generally involves continuous flow direct from cream/

milk and/or from reworked butter. During this process, there are many stages which require critical tank level and pressure measurements. When the cream is being made into butter, buttermilk is extracted out of the process. This leaves butter which is approximately 80% fat. The butter is then melted and held in a tank.

Noshok’s 3A approved 204

Series Intelligent Silo & Tank Level Sanitary Pressure Transmitters were installed on the buttermilk tank and the raw melted butter tank, which allowed easy programming and range adjustment without test pressure via on-board display.

These highly accurate transmitters provide an accuracy 0.1% of adjusted span and 10:1 turn down, as well as a 360° rotatable display for ease of reading in multiple configurations.

The product is then pumped from the holding tank to a separator which removes any excess water/buttermilk. The butteroil that is left is approximately 99.5% fat. After a final vacuum treatment, the final product, AMF, will be in the oil tank at 99.8% fat.

Noshok’s 254 Series Intelligent

Add intelligence to your plant with element14

element14, a fast and reliable distributor of products and technologies for electronic and industrial system design, maintenance and repair, has launched a single destination for engineers to source high-performance components and technology solutions for smart manufacturing.

The global Smart Industry campaign showcases how element14’s comprehensive portfolio enables engineers to design and build the next generation of intelligent and automated industrial systems.

From IIoT and robotics to machine learning and predictive maintenance, the campaign highlights technologies that help engineers build smarter systems.

It brings together products from element14’s global network of leading suppliers to give customers access to a wide range of solutions that power the transformation to connected and intelligent ecosystems.

Suppliers include Analog Devices (ADI), NI, Arduino, TE Connectivity, Murata, Nexperia, Panasonic, Omega, StarTech, Dwyer, Wurth Elektronik, Traco Power, Molex, Raspberry Pi, TDK and Yageo.

“Smart Industry is not just about connecting machines, it’s about

element14 are a well-known name in the industry

unlocking new levels of efficiency, reliability and innovation,” said Ankur Tomar, Technical Marketing Manager at element14.

“Through this campaign, we’re giving engineers one-stop hub to access the products, insights and expertise they need to transform their factories into intelligent, future-ready ecosystems.”

Smart Industry is the second in a six-part campaign series called Innovative Living, designed to inspire and empower engineers across the industrial and electronic sectors.

This edition provides curated content, application insights, and product recommendations to help customers save time, streamline their procurement process and make confident design decisions as they navigate the rapidly evolving world of industrial automation.

element14 Australia au.element14.com

Pressure & Level Transmitters were installed in the balance tanks and CIP tanks, as well as monitoring various line pressures in the process.

This large butter manufacturing company chose Noshok products due to several unique design and technology advantages, including reduced potential for damage, minimised temperature/position error and greater rangeability reducing required inventory. Noshok also offers an industry leading 3-year warranty to back the quality of its products.

Noshok’s sanitary transmitters are designed with unique flush diaphragm technology that utilises a compact, robust diaphragm with matching substrate to minimise the amount of fill fluid and reduce potential for damage.

The instrument’s diaphragms are laser welded and helium leak tested, and sensors are positioned close to the media to provide active temperature compensation at the point of measurement to minimise temperature and position error.

These sensors also provide local indication of process temperature.

No reference pressure is required for range adjustment. Linearisation can also be made for various tank shapes.

The transmitter’s robust polished Stainless Steel housing is ideal for hygienic applications and harsh, aggressive ambient conditions and Hart protocol is available.

AMS Instrumentation & Calibration Solutions ams-ic.com.au

Noshok transmitters

PRODUCTS

How Exair’s latest Line Vac boosts throughput by 50 percent

The new Ultra Duty Line Vacs from Exair offer the most powerful and durable pneumatic conveyors yet.

Engineered specifically to withstand highly abrasive conveying tasks, the Ultra Duty Line Vac’s design combines a hardened alloy and ceramic material that provides exceptional resistance to wear over extended periods of time.

This makes it the ideal choice for moving abrasive materials such as peat, sand, glass, powders and other fine media commonly found in blasting, grinding and finishing operations.

The Ultra Duty Line Vac utilises

a small amount of compressed air to create an intense vacuum with throughput 50% higher than Exair’s standard Line Vac, making it the best solution for facilities needing maximum durability and performance. Its efficient design ensures instantaneous response, high throughput and the ability to convey materials over long vertical and horizontal runs.

Housing a ceramic insert, the Ultra Duty is especially resistant to wear over longer periods of time and offers a longstanding conveyance solution perfect for filling operations, hopper loading, waste

removal, sampling and much more.

These units are available in 1-1/4”, 1-1/2” and 2” (32mm, 38mm and 51mm) sizes that fit standard hose or tube diameters.

The Ultra Duty Line Vac has no moving parts and requires no electricity, ensuring maintenance-free operation.

Optional mounting brackets simplify installation and flow can be easily controlled with a pressure regulator.

Like all Exair products, the Ultra Duty Line Vac is CE compliant and meets OSHA pressure requirements.

Engineering contractors and manufacturers turn to advanced solutions to plug costly pipeline leaks

Australia’s manufacturing sector relies heavily on efficient water, wastewater and process fluid systems.

From food and beverage to heavy industry, reliable pipeline infrastructure is essential to ensure productivity, safeguard resources and maintain compliance with strict environmental and workplace safety standards.

But ageing assets, climate change and increasing production demands are putting growing pressure on these networks.

According to the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA), utilities alone will nearly double capital expenditure to $12 billion annually by 2026–27 to maintain services, expand systems and adapt to extreme weather.

For manufacturers, this translates into higher expectations for efficiency and stricter scrutiny of compliance.

“Pipeline infrastructure owners and operators face significant

operational, financial and reputational risks if leaks, spills and failures go unchecked,” said Vinh Lam, Technical Product Manager at Air Springs Supply, Australian distributor of Pronal inflatable pipeline stoppers.

“For manufacturing facilities, especially in food, beverage, mining, resources and processing industries, any leakage of potable water or process fluids represents a direct cost, a potential contamination risk and a threat to environmental compliance.”

Leaks are not just a public utility issue. Industrial plants with extensive private pipelines – such as dairies, meat processors, chemical producers and beverage bottlers –face equally urgent challenges.

Pipeline deterioration, soil movement, intrusive tree roots and sudden surges in industrial waste flows can all compromise infrastructure. Swift isolation is critical to avoiding downtime and regulatory breaches.

Pronal inflatable stoppers,

Powering Industrial Connectivity

engineered to international military and civil emergency standards, are designed to meet this challenge.

Quickly deployed and reusable, they allow engineering contractors and in-house maintenance teams to isolate sections of pipe without lengthy shutdowns.

Standard models withstand back pressures up to 1 bar and fit pipe diameters from 45mm to over 2,000mm, with customised solutions up to 3,000mm.

The stoppers can also be fitted with bypass systems, enabling continued service during inspections and repairs.

Constructed from aramid fibre-reinforced elastomer and hot-vulcanised for durability, Pronal plugs are compatible with concrete, cast iron, steel, stainless steel and PVC pipelines.

Inflation can be achieved rapidly via compressor or gas cylinder, making them suitable for both planned maintenance and emergency leak containment.

“For manufacturers, the ability to

Pronal inflatable stoppers are engineered to international military and civil emergency standards.

act fast is essential,” said Lam. “Swift leak isolation not only prevents product loss and protects the environment, it also keeps operations compliant and reduces costly downtime.”

As Australia’s manufacturing industry strives to maximise efficiency and sustainability, technologies like Pronal inflatable stoppers are playing an increasingly important role in safeguarding both productivity and community resources.

Air Springs Supply airsprings.com.au

The new Ultra Duty Line Vacs from Exair

Make light work of metalwork with Colchester Machine Tool Solutions

Colchester Machine Tool Solutions has established itself as a cornerstone in supporting the manufacturing industry through its extensive range of high-quality metalworking equipment and unwavering commitment to customer service.

For manufacturers seeking precision, reliability and versatility, Colchester offers an impressive portfolio of machinery that caters to a wide spectrum of machining needs, whether producing complex one off components or high-volume parts.

One of the flagship offerings from Colchester is their CNC turning machines, including the legendary Harrison Alpha Combination CNC lathe. This versatile machine is renowned for its ability to handle both turning and milling operations.

The Harrison Alpha’s robust construction, combined with advanced CNC capabilities, ensures precision and efficiency for various turning tasks.

Complementing this is the Colchester Tornado high-speed turning centre, engineered for rapid,

high-precision machining of small to medium-sized components.

Its high spindle speeds and quick tool changing capabilities enhance productivity, enabling manufacturers to meet tight deadlines without sacrificing quality.

Colchester’s manual centre lathes are equally legendary, trusted for their durability and straightforward operation.

These machines serve as the backbone of many machine shops, providing dependable performance for both training and production environments.

Their timeless design and built-in accuracy make them ideal for precision work, prototype development and maintenance tasks.

Colchester also offers a comprehensive range of milling solutions.

The Colchester Storm VMCs and CNC turret mills are designed to meet the demands of modern manufacturing.

The Storm VMCs deliver highspeed machining, coupled with superb accuracy, making them ideal for complex geometries and full 3D

machining.

Similarly, the CNC turret mills and manual turret mills provide flexible solutions for production, prototyping and research applications.

For instances where versatility and space are considerations, the Bridgeport Series 1 Knee Mill remains a staple, offering straightforward manual operation for general milling needs.

Meanwhile, the Bridgeport 5-axis CNC VMC extends the range of precision, allowing manufacturers to execute complex, multi-sided machining with ease.

Supporting these machining operations are Colchester’s surface grinders, which guarantee unparalleled finishing precision crucial for high-spec components.

Additionally, their high-performance pillar and radial arm drills serve as vital workshop tools, robust and reliable for drilling, reaming and tapping operations across various materials.

Colchester Machine Tool Solutions CNC and manual machine offerings empower manufacturers to achieve high precision, efficiency and productivity, reinforcing their vital role in shaping the future of the manufacturing industry worldwide.

Colchester Machine Tools colchestermachines.au

Colchester remain one of the biggest names in machinery in Australia

Upcoming Events

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Hunter manufacturing champions recognised at record-breaking awards night

Manufacturing businesses in Newcastle, Mid North Coast, New England and the Central Coast have celebrated their annual prizegiving with the Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) held in Newcastle.

The 21st edition of the HMAs was the biggest ever, drawing more than twice the number of nominations as the year before and packing over 400 people into the NEX to mark the continuing rise of the Hunter’s manufacturing sector.

Brain Industries and Agrana Fruit Australia were the big winners, taking out the Manufacturer of the Year Awards for businesses over and under 50 employees respectively.

HMA Chair Jacqui Daley, who hosted the event, said their success showed how the local area was able to have a global impact, with both businesses centred around export.

“Manufacturing in the Hunter is more diverse, more advanced and more connected to the world than ever before,” she said.

“Our 2025 Manufacturer of the Year winners, Brain Industries and Agrana Fruit Australia, both have export at the heart of their success.

“They’re taking the Hunter to the world and proving that regional manufacturers can compete and succeed, on the international stage.

“We’re seeing extraordinary things being made right here, from Elecbrakes revolutionising towing technology through Australianmade automation, to Supacell turning everyday recyclables into sustainable insulation, and from Tomago Aluminium’s digital transformation to Design Anthology’s advanced med-tech design.

“Manufacturing isn’t sitting quietly behind the scenes anymore. It’s the backbone of our economy, the engine of regional jobs, and the platform that will power Australia’s next great leaps in clean energy, defence capability, health and technology.”

Varley Group were honoured for 140 years of manufacturing in the region with a Hall of Fame induction.

“Varley symbolises everything that’s great about manufacturing in this region, ingenuity, adaptability and pride in building things that matter,” said Daley.

“This is a business that has been operating through the 1800s, 1900s and now the 2000s - they’ve helped define what it means to make things

in the Hunter, creating local jobs, developing skilled tradespeople and delivering world-class capability across industries that are essential to Australia’s future.

“From emergency response vehicles and naval systems to advanced defence, cyber and energy, Varley continues to prove that a company proudly based in the Hunter can lead on the national and global stage.”

All HMA winners are fast-tracked into finals of the 2026 Australian Manufacturing Awards, which will be held next year in Melbourne.

They will travel south with confidence, as one of last year’s winners, Allegro Energy, picked up the Best Start-Up Award at the 2025 national celebration in Sydney.

The keynote speaker at the NEX was Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley, who spoke on the 2025 HMA theme of Forging Our Future.

“Tonight’s celebration is the best of the Hunter on display, our ingenuity, our craftsmanship and our courage to reimagine what’s possible,” Minister Catley said.

“This year’s Hunter Manufacturing Awards theme, Forging Our Future, could not be more fitting. It speaks to our proud industrial heritage and our bold journey into advanced, sustainable and inclusive manufacturing.”

The full list of HMA Winners

• Manufacturer of the Year (under 50 employees): Brain Industries - recognised for strong export performance, innovation and workforce engagement.

• Manufacturer of the Year (50 or more employees): Agrana Fruit Australia - awarded for

high-quality production, innovation and export growth.

• Hall of Fame Inductee: Varley Group - honoured for its extraordinary contribution to the Hunter manufacturing landscape and nearly 140 years of continuous innovation across defence, emergency services, marine, health, cyber and more.

• Apprentice of the Year: Nicole Clifton – Regal Rexnord and HunterNet Career Connections

• Outstanding Start-Up: Australian Electric Vehicle Specialists

• Excellence in Export & Global Supply Chains: Banlaw

• Rising Star: Brandon Lane – Elecbrakes

• Excellence in Marketing: Classic Blinds & Shutters

• Excellence in Product Design: SafeGauge – Push Rod and MultiTool Pro

• Excellence in Innovation: Design Anthology

• Excellence in Manufacturing Capability: Elecbrakes

• Collaboration Partnership Award: SupaCell (iQRenew & Four Seasons Industries)

• Diversity in Manufacturing: Morgan Engineering

• Excellence in Sustainability: Downer Rail & Transit Systems

• Digital Transformation: Jaegersoft (in partnership with Tomago Aluminium)

• Excellence in Manufacturing Leadership: Tony Lobb – Brain Industries International

Hunter Manufacturing Awards hma.org.au

2025 Manufacturer of the Year winners Brain Industries

2026 starts now for trade show as first exhibitors announced

CeMAT, one of the highlights of the Australian manufacturing year, has announced the first slate of partners for their 2026 event in Melbourne.

The premier trade show for the intralogistics, robotics and automation, supply chain management and materials handling industries in Australia will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 23-25 June 2026, backing up a successful showing in Sydney in July of this year.

Supply chain automation experts Dematic will be the official event partner, with SSI Schaefer taking on the Knowledge Theatre speaker platform sponsorship.

The Bar & Networking Function will be sponsored by warehouse management system software supplier Softeon, the Registration Sponsor will be Kardex and the Conference Sponsor will be AutoStore.

Over 5,000 attendees and over 200 exhibitors took part in 2025, a number that Hannover Fairs, who organise CeMAT Australia, will be hoping to beat next year.

Pre-registration is now open for prospective exhibitors, who can book a spot today and get planning on how to best showcase their

PIPE TO PELLETS. PELLETS TO PIPE.

GENOX CLOSES THE LOOP ON PLASTIC PIPES.

brands to the industry in Melbourne next year.

Last chance to secure spots at major show with 90% exhibition slots sold

Companies wishing to exhibit at ARBS 2026 are being encouraged to act quickly, with 90% of available space now sold.

Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 5–7 May 2026, ARBS 2026 will once again bring together the industry’s biggest brands, leading innovators and most engaged decision-makers.

For more than two decades, ARBS has been where the HVAC&R industry connects, the premier platform in Australia for organisations to showcase innovation, launch new products, build brand presence and develop relationships with thousands of buyers, specifiers and key stakeholders. ARBS 2026 is shaping up to be the biggest yet and will once again put on a best-in-class industry showcase with more than 300 exhibitors and over 10,000 visitors expected.

With less than 10% of stand space available, the opportunity to be part of ARBS 2026 is closing fast. Secure your stand today and ensure your business is front and centre at ARBS 2026.

With its multi-rotor design, the Genox J-series easily shreds

pipes of

sizes. Combine it with a

washing plant and pelletising system, and the loop is closed on HDPE pipes. This is the circular economy in action. Genox make world-class recycling solutions, for real-world recycling applications

CeMAT Australia - cemat.com.au

CeMAT is returning to Melbourne for 2026

Fluid Sensors with added value

Fluid+ Platform

Turck’s Fluid+ platform offers flexible installation, intuitive operation, maximum robustness and a uniform look and feel. The IO-Link capable IP69K sensors combine functionality, convenience and usability – for detecting pressure, temperature, flow or level.

Fluid+ Radar Level Sensors measure levels from 0.35 to 10 metres. In contrast to optical or ultrasonic based level sensors the LRS+ is reliable in applications where there is interference from dust, wind or light. The Turck radar monitor, which is integrated into the webserver of the Turck IO-Link masters, can visualise your application and you can simply tune out potential interference signals. Radar Level Sensors

www.turck.com.au