Manufacturers Monthly May 2025

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MANAGEMENT >> TECHNOLOGY >> SOLUTIONS

MAY 2025

Supporting Australian manufacturers for tomorrow

INSIDE >>

Official Industry Partners:

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Medical Imaging Technology

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Cover Series: RSM

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Decision Maker: Premcar

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MAY 2025

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Manufacturers’ Monthly Contents

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Editor’s Note

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Weld Comment

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Industry Update

Design: Alejandro Molano

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Manufacturer Focus: Optiscan

Sales/Advertising: Emily Gorgievska Ph: 0432 083 392 emily.gorgievska@primecreative.com.au

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Cover Series: RSM

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Data Analytics

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Robotics Manufacturing

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Industrial Gases

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Streamlining Sales Processes

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Advanced Fibres & Ceramics

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Embracing Industrial Automation

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Women in Industry Awards

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Engineering Focus: Jet Zero

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World Skills Update

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Association Comment: SIAA

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Sustainability Insight

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Avalon 2025

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Association Comment: SEMMA

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Decision Makers Comment: Premcar

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Welding Update

CEO: John Murphy Chief Operating Officer: Christine Clancy Managing Editor: Mike Wheeler Editor: Jack Lloyd jack.lloyd@primecreative.com.au Head of Design: Blake Storey

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Behind the cover Welcome to the May edition of Manufacturers’ Monthly.

For this edition’s Manufacturer Focus, Optiscan CEO Dr. Camile Farah speaks to the company’s digital microscopic imaging technology that has placed it on the path to becoming a global leader.

Next is our Cover Story, where RSM experts Louis Quintal and Mark Nichols provide insights into Australian manufacturing’s current landscape.

Additionally, this edition’s Engineering Focus sees Jet Zero’s CFO, Mac Irvine, discuss the company’s sustainable aviation fuel projects using renewable feedstocks.

Rounding out the issue is a Decision Makers comment from the CEO of Premcar, Bernie Quinn, who reflects on Australia’s automotive legacy and looks forward to a stronger industrial future.

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manmonthly.com.au

MANAGEMENT >> TECHNOLOGY >> SOLUTIONS

MAY 2025

Supporting Australian manufacturers for tomorrow

INSIDE >>

Official Industry Partners:

12

Medical Imaging Technology

16

Cover Series: RSM

48

>>

Decision Maker: Premcar

manmonthly.com.au Manufacturers’ Monthly

3

EDITOR’S NOTE JACK LLOYD – EDITOR, MANUFACTURERS’ MONTHLY

Optimism surrounds a forever evolving industry

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he Australian manufacturing sector has faced its fair share of challenges over the past few decades, with many questioning its future. Too often, the narrative has been that manufacturing in Australia is no longer viable, given that other nations can produce goods cheaper and faster.

However, within the May edition of Manufacturers’ Monthly, CEO of Premcar, Bernie Quinn, offers a much-needed change in perspective within the ‘Decision Maker Column’. Reflecting on Australia’s automotive legacy, he argues that reclaiming our manufacturing mindset is key to a stronger, more resilient industrial future.

As Quinn puts it, the problem facing Australian manufacturing isn’t about factories, assembly lines, or automation – it’s about us. For years, we’ve been told that manufacturing in Australia is too difficult, too costly, and not worth the effort.

But Quinn’s message is clear: we should manufacture in Australia, and we should do so as much as possible. His insights serve as a roadmap for how the country can once again thrive in this vital sector, providing a shift of mindset and commitment to long-term investment.

In line with this optimistic outlook, this year’s

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Manufacturers’ Monthly May 2025

Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW) is a timely reminder of the sector’s potential. As we step into early May, manufacturing is back in the spotlight, and we’ve seen numerous developments over the past month, from the Federal Budget to advancements in sovereign steel and aluminium production, transport manufacturing, and defence.

We begin the issue with a cover series of expert analysis from RSM Australia. First, RSM Australia’s Manufacturing Leader, Louis Quintal speaks about the Federal Government’s Future Made in Australia Initiative and its potential to revitalise local manufacturing. Next, RSM Australia partner, Mark Nichols, explains why manufacturing business owners must strengthen their operations, finances and frameworks to attract investors, funding or prepare for a successful exit.

Following the cover series is a success story residing within medical technology, where Optiscan is currently revolutionising diagnostics with a pen-sized digital microscope for cellular imaging.

Company chief executive, Dr. Camille Farah, speaks to the it’s devices – manufactured in Melbourne – that are helping to detect diseases earlier and improve patient outcomes in surgery, pathology, and research settings.

After delving into these advanced technologies, the magazine takes a sustainable turn as our Engineering Focus covers Jet Zero Australia – a company leading the charge in sustainable aviation fuel development. This involves projects focused on decarbonising aviation and boosting regional economies using renewable feedstocks, the first of which is set to be delivered in 2028.

This focus on a circular economy continues through to an industry feature on ACCIONA’s Turbine Made initiative that repurposes decommissioned wind turbine blades into new materials. This case study sees Draft Surf utilise these materials to create surfboards, showing the potential of advancing recyclability of renewable energy infrastructure.

We also hear from association partners such as Weld Australia, Southeast Melbourne Manufacturing Alliance, and for the first time, WorldSkills Australia and the Space Industry Association of Australia.

As we continue to move through a 2025 that has been full of industry defining developments, Australian manufacturers continue to dabble with technologies and services that are proving a solution in hopes of a future of innovation, sustainability and sovereignty.

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COMMENT

GEOFF CRITTENDEN, CEO, WELD AUSTRALIA

As global pressures and skills shortages threaten industrial resilience, Weld Australia CEO, Geoff Crittenden, outlines solutions to rebuild sovereign capability.

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ustralia’s manufacturing sector stands at a critical juncture. For decades, we’ve watched our industrial capabilities erode – undermined by globalisation, offshoring, and a lack of long-term vision. The decisions we make now, particularly in the wake of the Federal Election, will determine whether Australia reclaims a sovereign manufacturing base capable of delivering jobs, innovation and strategic security.

Two of the most pressing challenges facing the sector are the increasing fragility of our power generation infrastructure and the deepening shortage of skilled welders. These issues are not isolated; they are interlinked symptoms of the broader failure to prioritise and invest in domestic industry.

Power under pressure: The ticking time bomb in Australia’s energy system While Australia is on a path toward renewable energy, coal-fired power stations remain essential for stabilising the grid. The unfortunate truth is that we are not yet ready to retire these ageing assets.

Fast-start gas turbines and modern electronic grid stabilisers, which are necessary to complement variable renewable sources, are not yet in place at the scale needed. As a result, we remain dependent on coal-fired stations in the short to medium term.

But these power stations are struggling. Many have exceeded their design life – some by two or three times. Their critical systems, including boilers and turbines, are deteriorating rapidly under the strain of extended operations and inconsistent load demands. Designed for continuous operation, they are now expected to ramp up and down in response to the fluctuating input from solar and wind. This places extraordinary stress on equipment that was never intended to operate in such a flexible manner.

Compounding the problem is a shortage of qualified boiler welders. These are not generic tradespeople – they are pressure welders trained to work in confined spaces under demanding conditions. As the generation of welders who have maintained these systems for decades retire or

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Manufacturers’ Monthly May 2025

become physically unable to perform such work, a dangerous vacuum is emerging.

Planned outages – once a routine part of station maintenance – are increasingly falling short due to poor-quality repairs and the unavailability of skilled personnel. Boiler tube failures are becoming more frequent, leading to unplanned outages. When no qualified welder is available, these outages can stretch from a few days to several weeks, costing millions and pushing electricity prices higher. In the worst-case scenario, simultaneous failures could trigger widespread blackouts.

The implications go beyond energy supply.

Power reliability underpins every element of modern manufacturing. Without a stable grid, it becomes impossible to operate efficiently or competitively. In short, energy uncertainty equals industrial vulnerability.

Australia’s welding workforce: A skill crisis with national consequences The skills shortage in welding is now approaching crisis levels. While previous projections estimated a shortfall of 70,000 to 80,000 welders by 2030, current trends suggest that finding 5,000 competent welders in the coming years may be a stretch.

The real issue isn’t just about numbers. It’s about capability. Many of the projects essential to our national future – renewable energy infrastructure, the AUKUS submarine program, Defence manufacturing, and even nuclear power [if it proceeds] – require highly specialised welding skills.

These include work on high-pressure systems, welding to strict international standards, and fabrication in confined or hazardous environments.

Unfortunately, the existing training ecosystem is not fit for purpose. Traditional apprenticeships are extremely valuable but slow. They are not producing the volume or quality of welders needed in a modern, technologically advanced manufacturing economy.

To combat this, Weld Australia has developed an innovative micro-credentialling program aligned to the ISO 9606 standard. This allows individuals to

Image: The Cheroke/stock.adobe.com

Strengthening Australia’s manufacturing base: Skills, sovereignty and solutions

The challenges Australian manufacturing faces are complex, but the solutions are within reach.

gain internationally recognised welder certification in just 4 to 12 weeks. The training is targeted, efficient, and tailored to the exact skill sets required in today’s workplaces.

This program has already proven successful in non-traditional training environments, such as Victorian correctional facilities, and is now expanding to engage school leavers, women in welding, Indigenous communities, and others historically underrepresented in trades. Our goal is to fast-track the development of a highly skilled, diverse, and resilient workforce that is capable of supporting the next wave of sovereign projects.

But this is only one piece of the puzzle. Training must be coupled with opportunity. And that means rethinking the rules that govern procurement and project delivery across Australia.

Local content laws: From empty promises to enforceable action The closure of Keppel Prince, mainland Australia’s last wind tower manufacturer, stands as a stark indictment of our failure to protect domestic industry. Despite the rhetoric around sovereign capability and local jobs, Keppel Prince was forced to shut its doors due to cheap, substandard

imports – products made with heavily subsidised Chinese steel and without adherence to Australian quality standards.

This situation is the result of decades of weak policy. For more than 20 years, successive governments have championed free trade and globalisation without safeguarding Australian industry. The result? A race to the bottom. Our steel, our skills, and our strategic capability have all been traded away in the name of short-term savings.

It’s time to rewrite the rules. Australia must adopt enforceable local content laws similar to those used successfully in Canada and the United States.

These laws must go beyond vague targets and voluntary guidelines.

Weld Australia is calling on the Federal Government to take immediate action to ensure all new renewable energy projects require the use of 100 per cent Australian steel, fabricated by Australian welders – unless there is a legitimate reason why this cannot be achieved.

To ensure compliance and transparency, we propose the establishment of an independent body – an Australian Fabrication Authority – with the power to monitor, audit, and enforce local content obligations. Exemptions should be rare and subject

to rigorous public scrutiny.

This isn’t about protectionism, it’s about pragmatism. Local content laws support not only jobs and businesses but also national security, quality assurance, and environmental sustainability.

5. Cross-sector collaboration: Government, industry, unions, and training providers must work together, as they did under the economic leadership of figures like Bob Hawke, to deliver practical, lasting reform.

A national roadmap for manufacturing revival

It’s time to back ourselves

The challenges we face are complex, but the solutions are within reach. If we are to rebuild Australia’s manufacturing base, we need a clear, coordinated national strategy that includes: 1. Rapid, high-quality workforce development: Expand programs like ISO 9606 certification nationwide to build a skilled welding workforce at scale.

2. Mandatory local content rules: Enforceable laws for government procurement that prioritise Australian-made steel and fabrication.

3. Investment in training infrastructure: Establish welding academies and industry-led training hubs in regions with high demand.

4. Support for SMEs: Ensure smaller manufacturers are not locked out of major projects by providing access to upskilling, finance, and procurement opportunities.

Australia has the talent. We have the natural resources. We have the ingenuity. What we lack is a policy environment that values long-term industrial resilience over short-term cost-cutting.

If we continue on our current path, we will watch our most critical projects – Defence, energy, infrastructure – be built offshore using inferior materials and outsourced labour.

We will forfeit our ability to train the next generation. And we will face a future marked by increasing vulnerability.

But if we act now, with conviction and clarity, we can reverse this decline. We can build an advanced, sovereign manufacturing sector that delivers quality, security and prosperity for generations to come.

Let’s stop outsourcing our future.

Let’s build it here, with Australian hands and Australian steel.

manmonthly.com.au Manufacturers’ Monthly

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INDUSTRY UPDATE

Volgren QLD manufactures 2000th bus Image: Volgren

Volgren’s senior management team and industry partners assembled in Eagle Farm to witness a milestone in sovereign transport manufacturing.

Volgren Queensland (QLD) has delivered its 2000th locally built bus, marking a defining moment in what has been a 45-year journey in sovereign transport manufacturing.

The 2000th bus handover was celebrated at Volgren’s Eagle Farm facility, which, since opening in 2009, has been at the heart of bus manufacturing in QLD, delivering more than 1000 buses to Brisbane City Council. The facility even set a record in 2024, when it produced more than 180 buses

“Queensland has played a crucial role in Volgren’s national success, and we remain committed to investing in local manufacturing and delivering topquality buses for our customers,” said Volgren CEO, Thiago Deiro.

“Reaching this milestone would not have been possible without the dedication of our staff, past and present, whose expertise and commitment have been the foundation of our success.”

To commemorate the occasion, Deiro presented a

special plaque and key to Kangaroo Bus Lines.

“Delivering our 2,000th Queensland-built bus is more than just a number, it represents 45 years of hard work, dedication, and strong partnerships with operators like Kangaroo Bus Lines,” he said.

Alongside staff from Kangaroo Bus Lines, Volgren’s senior management team, as well as representatives from Volvo, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR), QBIC, and Kangaroo Bus Lines – the recipient of the milestone vehicle – were present.

Following the official ceremony, the event took on a more light-hearted note as the CEO of Kangaroo Bus Lines, Darren Webster, cut a bus-shaped cake.

Yuri Tessari, CCO of Volgren, emphasised the importance of partnerships like this in driving Volgren’s success across Australia.

“Strong, long-lasting partnerships with industry leaders like Volvo and Kangaroo Bus Lines enable Volgren to continue celebrating milestones like this.

It’s an honour to have them with us today,” he said.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to all of our customers and partners who continue to place their trust in Volgren.”

The milestone is a part of Volgren’s legacy in Australian manufacturing that involves 10,000 buses having been built over 45 years of continuous production.

Australia’s first guided weapons factory lands in NSW

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Manufacturers’ Monthly May 2025

Investment Program is set to allocate $16-$21 billion to ensure that the investment outlined in the Australian Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Plan moves forward.

Defence aims to strengthen Australia’s A new Kongsberg Defence Australia missile factory is expected to begin production in 2027.

national security by establishing domestic missile manufacturing and acquiring long-range strike capability.

Missile production at the factory is expected to begin in 2027.

Image: v_blinov/stock.adobe.com

The Department of Defence has signed a contract with Kongsberg Defence Australia to establish a missile factory in Newcastle, NSW. Following the Federal Government’s initial announcement of intent on 22 August 2024, this next step will establish the nation’s first guided weapons production facility. Located within the Newcastle Airport precinct, the factory is set to manufacture Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and international partners.

“This world-class factory is an Australianfirst and, based on current schedules, will be the first outside of Norway to manufacture and maintain both the Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile,” said chief of guided weapons and explosive ordnance, Air Marshal Leon Phillips OAM. “This would not be possible without Australia’s strong relationships with the Norwegian Government, Kongsberg Defence Australia and its parent company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.”

Over the next decade, the Defence Integrated

Opportunity is growing in Australian manufacturing. Is your business prepared to grow with it?

With renewed government focus on revitalising the manufacturing sector, and an increase in available funding and investment, there is real opportunity ahead. Whether you’re preparing for growth, seeking funding, or considering succession, the most successful outcomes come from early preparation.

At RSM, we help manufacturing businesses take practical steps to improve performance, enhance financial visibility, manage risk, and prepare for growth, investment or succession. rsm.com.au

Visit our website for more insights.

For a free consultation, contact Louis Quintal National Leader, Manufacturing T 02 8226 4692 E louis.quintal@rsm.com.au

Mark Nichols Partner, Business Advisory T 02 8226 4637 E mark.nichols@rsm.com.au

INDUSTRY UPDATE

Yamaha Motor acquires Australian boat manufacturer Yamaha Motor Australia has signed a purchase agreement to acquire all the shares of Telwater, an Australian aluminium boat manufacturer.

This acquisition is premised on obtaining the clearances, permits, etc, required by competition laws and other regulations.

Telwater is one of Australia’s oldest boat manufacturers and one of the major producers

and sellers of boats in the Southern Hemisphere.

Telwater has brands that include Quintrex, Stacer, and Savage. The acquisition of Telwater is intended to strengthen the foundations of Yamaha Motor’s marine business. The company aims to not only expand its sales network in the country but also reinforce the foundations of its outboard motor business.

Yamaha Motor positions the Marine Products business as a core business in its new Medium-Term Management Plan announced this February.

Going forward, Yamaha Motor is set to continue to accelerate its growth by making strategic investments, offering its products and services, and expanding global sales channels.

Image: chocolatefather/stock.adobe.com

With decades of experience, Telwater has built a reputation for producing high-quality, durable boats.

Hysata welcomes new Hydrogen Headstart funding Electrolyser manufacturer, Hysata, has welcomed the announcement of Australia’s first Hydrogen Headstart recipient, a milestone in Australia’s green hydrogen industry.

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ Murchison Green Hydrogen project in Mid-West Western Australia near Kalbarri will receive $814m in funding from round one of the Hydrogen Headstart program.

“Programs like Hydrogen Headstart have the potential to do more than improve the economics

10 Manufacturers’ Monthly May 2025

produce 900,000 tonnes of green ammonia each year.

Managed by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), Hydrogen Headstart provides funding for renewable hydrogen projects in the form of a production credit.

“Hysata’s high-efficiency electrolysers will deliver billions of dollars in CAPEX savings for major projects, reinforcing Australia’s ability to lead in renewable hydrogen,” said Barrett. “Hydrogen Headstart, combined with recent legislation to establish a hydrogen production tax incentive and the earmarking of $500M under the Future Made in Australia Innovation.

“Fund to support domestic clean technology manufacturers, including for electrolyser manufacturing, are all necessary to ensure Australia can capture both the economic and decarbonisation benefits of the energy transition.”

Green hydrogen is set to be critical in delivering the final ten to 15 per cent of emissions reductions needed to achieve net zero, mainly through its use as a chemical feedstock in hard-to-abate industries.

Image: Negro Elkha/stock.adobe.com

Green hydrogen is set to be critical in delivering the final ten to 15 per cent of emissions reductions needed to achieve net zero.

of green hydrogen; they could lay the foundation for a competitive domestic supply chain,” said Hysata CEO, Paul Barrett. “…Hysata is a key part of this supply chain, producing high-efficiency alkaline electrolysers.

Our technology will drive down the cost of green hydrogen and support major projects enabled by programs like Hydrogen Headstart.”

The project involves large-scale production of renewable hydrogen and ammonia including up to 1.5GW of electrolysis, with stage one expected to

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MANUFACTURER FOCUS

Manufacturing an alternative to invasive diagnosis Optiscan CEO Dr. Camile Farah delves into the company’s technology and capabilities that have positioned it on the path to becoming a global leader in real-time digital microscopic imaging. Jack Lloyd writes.

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Images: Optiscan

ounded in 1994 by Peter Delaney and Martin Harris, Optiscan is an Australian-based global medical technology manufacturer that aims to transform diagnostics and surgical decision-making with live cellular imaging. The company’s pen-sized digital microscope – that is built upon proprietary miniaturised technology – can produce 3D and invivo digital imaging instantly.

“As the manufacturer of the only fully integrated, miniaturised confocal laser endomicroscopy system, Optiscan enables real-time cellular imaging,” said CEO and managing director of Optiscan Imaging, Dr. Camile Farah. “Our technology provides a highresolution imaging solution that enhances precision and efficiency across a range of surgery, pathology, and preclinical settings.”

By doing this, Optiscan technology can detect diseases earlier and improve patient outcomes by reducing the need for a traditionally complex and costly biopsy or slide-based pathology.

“This innovation is reshaping how tissue is examined in areas such as cancer detection, surgical guidance, and scientific research,” said Farah. “While traditional methods require tissue biopsy, fixation, transportation, processing, and staining, Optiscan’s technology digitally visualises living tissue at the single-cell level at point of care, enabling faster and more accurate decision-making.”

It was the potential impact of the company’s technology that, in 2021, attracted the attention of now CEO and managing director, Farah. Four years later, he continues to bring his experience – of over two decades in pathology, oncology, dentistry, medicine and medical research – to the company.

“Since 2021, I have worked with Optiscan to transform the company into a pioneer in digital health solutions, with a portfolio of hardware and software products,” he said.

Covering all bases

Optiscan’s pen-sized digital microscope can produce 3D and in-vivo digital microscopic imaging instantly.

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Beginning as a research project at Monash University – where scientists discovered a way to shrink complex microscope components using optical fibre technology – Optiscan’s suite of technology offerings has continued to evolve.

“This revolutionary technology has now been tailored and designed specifically for use in surgery,

Optiscan began as a Monash University research project to shrink complex microscope components.

pathology, life sciences and beyond,” said Farah.

With a variety of systems, Farah acknowledged the functionality and purpose of what each Optiscan product brings to different applications.

This begins with InVue, a surgical imaging device that uses sterile probes that were designed with a surgeon’s input. It targets an array of surgical applications in operating rooms. This system provides clinicians with imaging of tissue during surgery to enable high-resolution cellular visualisation at the point of contact.

“InVue is designed to be used in a variety of surgeries such as breast as well as head and neck, with additional applications to be introduced as clinical evidence expands,” said Farah.

Additionally, InVue is designed to enhance precision in tumour resection by allowing surgeons to assess margins in real time and reduce reliance on frozen sections.

“This capability minimises the need for revision surgeries by ensuring more complete tumour removal, ultimately improving surgical outcomes and efficiency,” said Farah.

Next, Optiscan’s pathology imaging device, InForm, is manufactured to image ex-vivo tissue samples in pathology labs, including fresh or fixed tissue. This model is a single probe type system, mounted on an articulating arm. It also has an inbuilt macro video camera for further guidance.

“The InForm enables faster, more efficient workflows for pathologists and lab technicians,” said Farah. “It is designed to allow seamless adoption into digital pathology systems, eliminating traditional timeconsuming processes.”

Covering another vertical of the medical industry,

Optiscan’s InVivage is the company’s dental imaging device that features shorter probes tailored for oral use.

InVivage supports the early detection of oral cancer by providing high-resolution imaging of the oral mucosa.

“This capability reduces unnecessary biopsies by allowing immediate assessment of suspicious tissue,” said Farah. “It provides real-time, noninvasive imaging of oral tissues, allowing dentists and oral specialists to assess potential lesions instantly,” said Farah. “It also enhances precision in oral surgery, ensuring clear margins during lesion excision.”

Finally, the company’s preclinical and life sciences research imaging device, ViewnVivo, provides imaging in live animal models and tissue samples. With a range of probes, contrast agents and dyes, Farah said this system provides flexibility for different research applications.

“It helps researchers study cellular dynamics, disease progression, and treatment responses in real time, making it particularly valuable in longitudinal cancer research, immunology, and drug development,” he said.

These products combine to form a portfolio that Farah believes stands apart from any other microscopic imaging technology available today.

“It offers the highest imaging resolution – 0.55µm – among competing products and it’s the only technology that can dynamically adjust the focal depth in real time, ensuring clearer and more precise images,” he said.

Farah adds that there are more products and applications to come in the veterinary, gastrointestinal and robotic surgery domains.

Growing a capability to match such an ambition Despite a clear evolution since the company’s foundation, Optiscan has maintained a local production capability with all its instruments being manufactured and assembled at its headquarters in Melbourne, Victoria.

“We currently manufacture approximately 50 systems and associated probes per year, but we have established efficient manufacturing processes to scale our production numbers when required,” said Farah.

At this facility, the company’s production team consists of dedicated precision technicians, engineers, production managers and R&D engineers.

Farah said these operations also see the use of components and advanced manufacturing equipment to ensure precise manufacturing.

“We source electronic boards, metal components, and other parts primarily from partner companies in Victoria,” said Farah. “We utilise advanced equipment, including fibre splicers, laser welders, microscopes, curing ovens, optical power meters, and a range of custom-built instruments tailored for precision manufacturing.”

Despite a growing sovereign presence, Optiscan is also expanding with manufacturing support, product development, and business development staff in multiple regions. Alongside staff scattered in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, the company also has a regional office in Rochester, Minnesota, U.S and presence in Asia and Europe.

“Our Rochester office focuses on clinical and regulatory affairs, in addition to a business development manager working across North America,” said Farah. “Also, our European presence

manmonthly.com.au Manufacturers’ Monthly

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MANUFACTURER FOCUS is expanding, with an outsourced business development and sales operations team supporting market growth.

“In Asia, Optiscan works with key distribution partners to support adoption in China.”

Optiscan currently manufactures approximately 50 systems and associated probes per year.

Ensuring quality is sustainable To ensure the consistency of products that are breaking into a global audience, Farah said Optiscan has numerous quality assurance and control [QA QC] measures in place. This includes company positions that are dedicated to procurement, quality assurance, and regulation, and inspection processes at every stage of production.

“Our rigorous quality control measures – from incoming material inspection to in-process quality control and final product testing – ensure our products meet the highest industry standards, in compliance with ISO 13485 and FDA requirements,” he said. “Our Corrective and Preventive Action [CAPA] system helps us address any potential issues, while Change Control Management ensures product updates maintain safety and efficiency.”

The company also monitors supplier performance, conducts internal audits, and embraces continuous improvement to maintain precision and reliability.

Yet, Farah said Optiscan are equally as committed to the safety and environmental sustainability of its products, represented through a sustainability model included in the company’s environmental, social, and governance [ESG] principles.

Optiscan’s digital pathology solutions reduce waste by providing a biopsy and slide-free alternative and by minimising transportation emissions that are associated with having to send physical samples to laboratories. The company also represents a commitment to sustainability by prioritising what It was the potential impact of the company’s technology that attracted Dr Camile Farah to Optiscan.

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Farah referred to as local procurement.

“We practice local procurement to lower our carbon footprint, power our manufacturing and on-site operations with renewable energy, and implement recycling initiatives to repurpose assembly parts for training purposes,” he said.

Overcoming challenges to purse future innovation

InVue is Optiscan’s surgical imaging device that is designed for use in operating rooms by clinicians.

Along the way to what now seems like a well-oiled machine, Optiscan, like any pioneering company, faced challenges. Despite this, Farah said that ultimately, “adaptability has been key”. He said challenges that were tricky, but were ultimately overcome, ranged from finding specialised suppliers, to talent acquisition, to even regulatory affairs.

“Finding specialised suppliers has been difficult, so we’ve built strong partnerships and adjusted designs, when necessary. Talent acquisition has also been a challenge given how highly specialised our technology is. We’ve tackled this by investing in internal training and upskilling,” he said. “On the regulatory front, shifting global standards demands continuous attention, and as an Australian company working across global time zones. We’ve refined our processes to stay aligned with overseas partners and regulators.”

Farah said in the long run, these challenges have only helped the company to become more focused and resilient. For a company that has overcome challenges to develop such innovative technology, he said the response from the medical and research communities has been positive.

“They are excited by the ability to access live, highresolution microscopic imaging exactly when and where they need it,” he said. “The enthusiasm we’re seeing reflects the impact our technology could have on the future of medicine.”

In the not-so-distant future, Farah said that Optiscan plans to unveil a solution catered specifically to veterinary medicine that will “bring the company’s technology to a new and unique clinical field”.

Longer term, Farah said that the company is also focused on further miniaturising its microscopes to be able to expand into endoscopic applications.

It is also making great progress in AI-driven image analysis to enhance how people interpret imaging data.

“Later this year we will be unveiling our telepathology streaming software platform which

allows remote viewing and consultations of images captured on our devices anywhere in the world,” he said. “This will bring pathologists into the centre of the operating room and bridge the gap between surgery and pathology for better patient outcomes.”

Moving forward, after five to ten years of further innovation and experimentation, Farah believes Optiscan will become a true global leader in real-time digital microscopic imaging.

Advantages of Optiscan technology

InForm is a pathology imaging device manufactured to image ex-vivo tissue samples, including fresh or fixed tissue.

• Early detection and management of disease.

• Immediate clinical decision-making during diagnostic and surgical procedures.

• Non-invasive imaging, reducing the need for unnecessary biopsies.

• Improved patient outcomes in human and veterinary applications.

• Streamlined pathology workflows, replacing slide-based histology with digital imaging.

• Ethical, cost-effective, and high-quality longitudinal studies in animal research.

• Reduction in high cost of curative medicine and associated procedures.

“Our goal is to make our high-resolution, in vivo imaging platform a standard tool across clinical practice – revolutionising precision surgery and digital pathology,” he said. “As adoption grows globally, we see Optiscan playing a key role in shaping the future of healthcare.”

Applications of Optiscan technology • Enabling real-time collaboration between clinicians and pathologists in hospitals and medical facilities.

• Supporting precision surgery with real-time tumour margin assessment for surgeons and oncologists.

• Enhancing digital pathology workflows with instant cellular analysis in pathology and diagnostic laboratories.

• Providing high-quality care for companion animals and the wider animal sector for veterinary practitioners.

• Providing high-resolution imaging for ethical and efficient animal studies advancing translational research with live-cell and in vivo imaging medical researchers.

Optiscan’s instruments are manufactured and assembled at its headquarters in Melbourne, Victoria.

manmonthly.com.au Manufacturers’ Monthly

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COVER COMMENT SERIES: RSM

Australian manufacturing’s ‘Future Made’ opportunity RSM Australia’s Louis Quintal, explains how the Federal Government’s ‘Future Made in Australia’ initiative could spark a resurgence in local manufacturing.

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he manufacturing sector has been a cornerstone of the nation’s economic development, shaping our cities, creating employment opportunities, and fostering innovation. However, in the face of globalisation, technological advancements, and recent economic disruptions, the industry has faced challenges.

Yet, with the Federal Government’s Future Made in Australia funding initiative, there lies immense potential for a renaissance in this vital sector.

chemicals, there is a growing emphasis on advanced manufacturing, which integrates cutting-edge technologies like robotics, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of local manufacturing. Supply chain disruptions highlighted the vulnerabilities of overreliance on international suppliers. This realisation has spurred a renewed focus on bolstering domestic manufacturing capabilities to ensure national resilience and security.

The historical context of Australian manufacturing Manufacturing in Australia has evolved over the decades, from early industrial activities such as milling and shipbuilding to the complex, diversified sector we see today. Post-World War II, Australia experienced a manufacturing boom, driven by the need to rebuild and modernise the nation. This period saw the rise of industries such as automotive, textiles, and electronics, which provided robust employment and contributed significantly to the GDP. However, the latter part of the 20th century brought about a shift. The advent of globalisation resulted in manufacturing offshoring to countries with lower labour costs. Australia, like many other developed nations, saw a decline in its

16 Manufacturers’ Monthly May 2025

The Federal Government’s role in ‘Future Made in Australia’ funding As a National partner, Louis Quintal plays a vital role in RSM Australia’s support of the manufacturing sector. Image: RSM Australia

manufacturing base, leading to concerns about the sector’s future viability.

The current manufacturing landscape Today, Australian manufacturing is characterised by a mix of traditional industries and emerging sectors.

We still maintain strong capabilities in areas such as food and beverage production, machinery, and

In response to these challenges and opportunities, the Federal Government launched the Future Made in Australia funding initiative. This program aims to rejuvenate the manufacturing sector by providing financial support to businesses that invest in advanced manufacturing technologies, research and development, and workforce skills enhancement.

The funding also emphasises sustainability, encouraging manufacturers to adopt environmentally friendly practices and develop green technologies.

By doing so, the initiative aligns with global trends towards sustainability and positions Australian

Image: THINK b/stock.adobe.com

Future Made in Australia funding represents a pivotal moment for the Australian manufacturing sector.

With the infusion of this funding, the short-term potential of the manufacturing sector is promising.

RSM Australia believes that we can expect growth and development in some key areas.

Reshoring and strengthening supply chains One of the immediate impacts of the funding is the potential for reshoring manufacturing activities. By

Advancements in technology The focus on advanced manufacturing technologies will drive innovation across the sector. Companies that embrace automation, AI, and other digital solutions can enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve product quality. These advancements will enable Australian manufacturers to compete more effectively on the global stage.

Sustainability and green manufacturing As the world shifts towards sustainability, Australian manufacturers can lead the way in green manufacturing. The funding’s emphasis on environmental practices will help businesses reduce their carbon footprint, develop eco-friendly products, and tap into the growing market for sustainable goods. This not only benefits the environment but also enhances the reputation and marketability of Australian products.

Creating high-value jobs Investment in workforce development is crucial for the sector’s growth. By equipping workers with the skills needed for advanced manufacturing, the initiative ensures that the industry can access a pool of talented individuals.

This, in turn, creates high-value jobs that offer better wages and career prospects, contributing to overall economic well-being.

Fostering collaboration and innovation The funding encourages collaboration between businesses, research institutions, and government agencies. This collaborative approach fosters innovation by pooling resources and expertise. It also helps bridge the gap between research and commercialisation, ensuring that new technologies and products reach the market faster.

Future Made in Australia funding represents a pivotal moment for the Australian manufacturing sector. By addressing the challenges of globalisation, technological disruption, and sustainability, the initiative lays the foundation for a resilient, competitive, and innovative industry.

With the right support and strategic direction, Australian manufacturing can not only reclaim its historical significance but also forge a path towards a prosperous and sustainable future.

Let us embrace this opportunity and build a manufacturing landscape that is truly Future Made in Australia.

At RSM Australia we can play a pivotal role in supporting the manufacturing sector under the Future Made in Australia initiative by offering advisory services tailored to enhance operational performance, investment strategies, and risk management. Leveraging our deep industry knowledge and global resources, RSM can assist manufacturers in navigating regulatory compliance, optimising supply chains, and implementing innovative technologies to boost productivity and competitiveness. Additionally, RSM’s expertise in strategic consulting and financial management can help manufacturers secure funding, expand into new markets, and achieve sustainable growth.

Today, Australian manufacturing is characterised by a mix of traditional industries and emerging sectors.

Image: Drazen/stock.adobe.com

manufacturers at the forefront of the green economy.

Some of the key components of the funding initiative include: • Investment in advanced manufacturing: The program allocates resources to support businesses in adopting advanced manufacturing technologies.

This includes grants for purchasing new equipment, implementing automation, and integrating digital solutions.

• Research and development [R&D]: Recognising the critical role of innovation, the funding provides incentives for companies to invest in R&D. This fosters the development of new products, processes, and technologies that can enhance competitiveness and open new markets.

• Workforce development: A skilled workforce is essential for the success of advanced manufacturing. The initiative includes training programs and partnerships with educational institutions to ensure that workers have the necessary skills to thrive in a modern manufacturing environment.

• Sustainability and green manufacturing: To promote environmental stewardship, the funding encourages manufacturers to adopt sustainable practices.

This includes energy-efficient technologies, waste reduction initiatives, and the development of green products.

providing financial support to local businesses, the initiative makes it more feasible for companies to produce goods domestically rather than relying on international suppliers. This not only reduces supply chain risks but also creates local jobs and stimulates economic activity.

manmonthly.com.au Manufacturers’ Monthly

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COVER COMMENT SERIES: RSM Image: RSM Australia

RSM provides a suite of accounting, tax, compliance and consulting services to private manufacturing businesses.

Preparing your manufacturing business for the future RSM Australia Partner, Mark Nichols, explores why business owners must ensure their operations, finances and compliance frameworks are investment ready.

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ustralia [and the world] is seeing continued appetite for investment into the manufacturing sector.

As a manufacturing business owner, you might be thinking about your exit options [family succession, management buy-out, or trade sale], taking your business to the next level [private equity investment or IPO] or even just seeking funding for continued growth. Whatever your goals are, ensuring your business, accounting, tax and compliance strategy and framework are in place is attractive to funders and investors and critical to getting the outcome you need. Too many manufacturers wait until they are ready to seek investment, ready to sell or receive an approach, to start setting up their business for that opportunity.

This editorial has been framed through that lens of what investors, such as private equity, family office, or private buyers, often need to see to progress a deal. However, it equally applies to

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businesses seeking finance to fund growth or other opportunities.

Business – optimising value Ensuring that management is working to implement best practice systems and processes to optimise operations, maximise profitability, and make the business more attractive, is crucial. This can include things like: • Initiatives to drive profitability including traditional manufacturing principles and strategies such as implementation of lean manufacturing principles and improving inventory management.

• Rightsizing your employee base to ensure you have a productive team and aren’t leaking profit on over capacity of people.

• Ensuring that you have reliable short, medium and long-term financial forecasts in place.

• Ensuring you have long-term contracts in place with key customers – most buyers or investors will want

RSM Australia Partner, Mark Nichols, focuses on strategic outsourcing, business advisory, accounting, and complete tax solutions.

Image: RSM Australia

to get comfort that the current revenue streams will not walk away after they invest.

• Ensuring that property leases, distribution chains and other critical infrastructure is locked in.

Profit driven initiatives Remember, most businesses are valued on a multiple of EBITDA [Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation]. At its core, EBITDA

is a measure of business profitability and cash generation to the extent that you can work on the financial side of the business, drive bottom line improvements, and convert accounting profit to free cash flow, to increase the value of your business by a multiple of those initiatives.

Potential buyers will be focussed on sustainability of EBITDA, and their ‘repayment period’ for an acquisition. Accordingly, the more locked in your customer base and future sales pipeline is, the more appetite a buyer will have to pay for your business.

Management reporting Is your finance team generating reliable, accurate and real-time financial reporting that you can use to make critical business decisions to ensure that your business is as profitable, and in turn valuable, as it should be?

Investors, lenders and buyers all go to the numbers first, and what you want to achieve will be driven by what those numbers say. Think about the tools that will help you to drive the right outcomes.

• Dashboard Reporting: Accessing real-time financial, and non-financial reporting, often from disparate sources or software platforms, creates an environment where management can make better decisions and drive better outcomes faster.

• KPI’s: Understanding your business and distilling those key items that drive success and value down to a small number of targeted KPIs is a good strategy to ensure focus on value creation.

• Data analytics: Where you need to dig deeper into the business and the problems that you are looking to solve, engaging data analytics specialists can be of value to many manufacturers.

Many manufacturers are leveraging fractional outsourced solutions from their advisors to improve reporting and finance functions. For example, a business may have an internal ‘bookkeeper’ but may not wish or need to invest in an expensive full time CFO [chief financial officer] on top of that. Engaging your advisors on a fractional basis, with a strategic objective, is becoming a common strategy. As an example, perhaps you engage your advisors for one day per month to deliver: • A ‘month-end close’ reviewing accounting to confirm that your accounts are accurate.

• A sophisticated Management Reporting solution to support your decision making.

• Some commentary on their observations of areas of focus for you, which can drive better business outcomes.

Compliance In 2025 we are seeing a far bigger focus from investors on risk, and in turn more questions are

Are you managing your compliance framework in such a fashion that you are minimising the potential risks that would make an investor, buyer or lender turn away? And when the opportunity arises are you ready for due diligence, and can you answer any compliance questions that an investor may present?

Reputable advisors When looking at businesses, external investors are increasingly looking at who the advisors to the business are [accounting and legal]. This is to gauge the degree of reliability of the data they are

assessing about the company, and the degree of compliance risk that might exist in the business.

Aligning yourself with the right advisors in advance of an opportunity is smart management.

Go to market If an opportunity does present itself, or you decide to go to market for a business sale, engaging corporate finance support through that process is valuable.

An engagement can range from light touch to full transaction management, however invariably the outcomes are beneficial. That assistance can include valuation of your business, review of agreements to ensure that the deal presented is free of unfavourable conditions for you, as well as the development of your succession, sale or exit strategy and structure etc.

Summary Many business owners don’t know what opportunities might be on the horizon for them.

Opportunities for external investment or a business sale can arrive with little notice. For privately held manufacturing businesses, we are also increasingly seeing owners who need a transition to a retirement plan.

Ensuring that your manufacturing business is running at its full potential, that your compliance risks are covered, and that you have strong reputable advisors to support all those key initiatives, can be critical.

RSM provides a suite of accounting, tax, compliance and consulting services to the middle market, focusing on providing large firm solutions for private manufacturing businesses.

Image: Photocreo Bednarek/stock.adobe.com

Outsourcing

being asked regarding the compliance framework of the target business. These can include: • Audit: Are you meeting your statutory obligations?

Or if you are seeking investors, will they want audited accounts to support their investment decision?

• ESG: Have you engaged advisors to ensure that you can meet new and incoming ESG frameworks and that the business someone is investing in will not only be risk free but will have a social and regulatory licence to operate? ESG compliance can be critical for manufacturers.

• Tax risk/exposures: Are investors confident in the quality of your advisors and that they aren’t exposing themselves to unseen tax risk on investment?

• Cyber security: In recent years, cyber security has emerged as a huge concern for businesses who have sensitive IP or data. Smart manufacturers are engaging experts to ensure that the IP that creates their company value is free from theft and that their business and customer data is secure from external attacks.

Currently, many manufacturers are leveraging fractional outsourced solutions from their advisors to improve reporting and finance functions.

manmonthly.com.au Manufacturers’ Monthly

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DATA ANALYSIS

Software to meet advancing industry demands Minitab’s software solutions have evolved to increase product quality, get to market faster and reduce excess waste.

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offering receives the ‘Real-Time’ label.

“Over time, Minitab’s Statistical Process Control solution has evolved to deliver the real-time capabilities, and the trusted analysis needed to take process monitoring to the next level all in one comprehensive solution,” said Masri. “It is a powerful tool for manufacturers aiming to boost efficiency and minimise waste through early detection and cost reduction, process consistency and data driven decision making,” said Masri.

These automated capabilities appear as Minitab’s SPC utilises tests for special causes to help in

identifying trends, patterns and outliers. Masri said this involves real-time alerts that are sent to engineers to help them monitor and improve performance.

“Real-Time SPC makes quality analysis and improvement easy with real-time monitoring and alerts that identify the source of any problems and get to the root cause quickly,” he said. “By reducing process variation, your production efficiency and product quality is improved.”

Masri said that these real-time analytics are complemented by predictive analytics and modern

Images: MINITAB

or over half a century, software solutions provider, Minitab, has been helping manufacturing businesses with platforms that enable data analysis and quality improvement. Its range of analytical, statistical, graphical and quality tools provide quality analytics to help a business in discovery, innovation and transformation.

“Thousands of businesses and universities worldwide work with Minitab because of our unique ability to uncover insights and drive change through the power of data analysis,” said analytics solutions design manager, Minitab Australia and New Zealand, Bass Masri.

In line with the times of Industry 4.0, the company’s quality analytics software solutions have evolved to provide real-time, automated capabilities.

“Primarily, it will be manufacturing industries – particularly those fast-moving consumer goods and food and beverage manufacturers – that will benefit the most from data automation, real-time statistical process control and process capability analysis,” Masri said.

Automating quality This automation capability is at the core of Minitab’s new Real-Time Statistical Process Control (SPC) solution, a system that delivers quality and performance outcomes for a business by monitoring, responding and delivering predictive analytics.

While SPC itself is a standard methodology that uses tools like control charts and capability analysis, the evolution of Minitab’s solution is how its latest

20 Manufacturers’ Monthly May 2025

Prolink utilises automated tests for special causes to help in identifying trends, patterns and outliers.

Software solutions provider, Minitab, helps manufacturing businesses with platforms that enable data analysis and quality improvement.

Image: gumpapa/stock.adobe.com

machine learning techniques to identify predictors and rank them in importance, allowing the solution to truly become, ‘real-time’.

“Modern machine learning techniques are powerful. They do not rely on the assumptions of normality, constant variance and linear relationships,” he said. “You can produce very good models using the array of different models in the predictive analytics module.”

The deeper insights into data, processes and oversight that the solution provides helps companies in upholding various regulations, according to Masri.

“Minitab’s Connect dashboarding capability provides automated data analysis and business reporting that can be used to report back to the executive team, board level and regulators,” he said. “Quality Management Systems regulations require manufacturers to have a process approach to performance evaluation that includes monitoring, measurement and analysis.”

Masri said this real-time information can be important for reporting to regulators within the manufacturing of food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and medical technology.

In what is a complex and advanced software solution, several key features are relied upon to ensure performance, including: • Control charts.

• Capability analysis.

• Pareto charts.

• Current performance summary.

• Process quality snapshot.

• Administration for alerts and notifications.

• User portals for operations, engineering, administration.

• Access to Minitab connect for dashboards, reports and data automation.

In terms of accessibility to the solution, a new development could see it become more widespread, as Minitab & SAP have partnered to Integrate Minitab’s Real-Time SPC with SAP Digital Manufacturing, a manufacturing operations

Prolink is designed to automate and enhance data collection and quality analysis.

management (MOM) platform. This partnership makes the solution immediately available for SAP Digital Manufacturing customers.

“Minitab’s Real-Time SPC solution is directly accessible to SAP Digital Manufacturing customers so they can gain deeper production insights resulting in process and operational improvements,” said Masri.

While its practicality is clear on paper, Minitab’s Real-Time SPC took to action when a food and beverage manufacturer needed to put an end to both overfilling and underfilling issues.

Detailed in a report written by Douglas C. Fair, Principal Statistician at StatPros Consulting, the solutions’ usefulness in preventing both overfilling – to reduce cost and the bottom line – and underfilling issues – to meet the contract with the customer – was highlighted.

“The impact on the manufacturer includes improved brand reputation, customer satisfaction, net promoter scores, product returns and product liability and of course, manufacturers bottom line, which can turn out to be millions of dollars saved,” said Masri.

Enabling automated quality solutions Minitab’s use of automation also extends to a software suite called Prolink, a system designed to automate and enhance data collection and quality analysis. For a system that Masri said is known throughout industry as the easiest data collection software to implement, Prolink offers a suite of software solutions to automate the data collection and quality analysis tasks performed throughout any organisation.

“Its core strength lies in its ability to streamline the flow of data from inspection equipment all the way through to quality management systems,” said Masri. “With the largest library of direct connections to equipment and software, you will be able to watch feature rich quality visualisations.”

Past this, the system can connect to various databases to import and export data.

“This allows for seamless data exchange with existing enterprise resource planning systems, manufacturing execution systems, and other data repositories,” said Masri. “Prolink is designed to work with statistical software to enable manufacturers to conduct advanced data analysis and business reporting.”

Prolink’s practicality was seen within the production floor of a business that aimed to eliminate pen and paper data management.

This circumstance highlighted the importance of data management itself and potential problems of traditional methods.

“There are many problems with collecting data using paper and pencil including human error, incomplete records, and compliance risks,” said Masri.

“Minitab’s Prolink software digitises, transforms and automates data collection, providing a robust and seamless way to capture, analyse, and manage manufacturing data.”

For a business that is seemingly already several steps ahead, Masri said the future of Minitab’s automated quality solutions looks bright. He emphasised that a focus will be put on increasing automation of data collection though its new acquisitions.

“Minitab is leveraging artificial intelligence and modern machine learning techniques for enhanced predictive analytics,” he said. “These advancements will help businesses achieve higher levels of quality, reduce time to market and improve competitiveness.”

Minitab plans to continue to innovate systems that are already in place – like its SPC – to ensure businesses continue to receive real-time and accurate insights.

manmonthly.com.au Manufacturers’ Monthly

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ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION

Celebrating 13 years of a world-first innovation Over a decade ago, Applied Robotics helped Arnott’s Biscuits develop an automated assorted biscuit packaging system that could process up to 105 biscuits per second.

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ince 1865, Arnott’s has fed Australian families with its range of biscuits. With more than 1,045 products manufactured across 16 sites employing more than 4,000 people, Arnott’s sources 75 per cent of ingredients locally in Australia and New Zealand.

Since the 1960s, Arnott’s has pioneered the automation of its baking and packaging processes for single-variety biscuits. However, assembling the assorted packs presented a seemingly impossible automation challenge, requiring individual placement by hand.

Arnott’s worked to maintain the manufacturing of its Australian products on home soil.

Assorted packs demand repetitive, labour-intensive processes

Standard automation machines were not viable Facing these challenges, Arnott’s initially approached their traditional European machinery suppliers from Germany and Switzerland, who had provided their single variety packing equipment

22 Manufacturers’ Monthly May 2025

Image: Applied Robotics

From Cream Favourites and Family Favourites to High Tea Favourites and the Cheeseboard Cracker Assortment, these packs feature biscuits such as Monte Carlos, Shortbread Creams, Delta Creams and various crackers arranged in dedicated vacuum-formed trays. Unlike single-variety packs, which could be automatically packed directly from the production line, assorted packs required a complex and labour-intensive multistage process.

This includes baking each biscuit variety separately over multiple days; storing biscuits temporarily in airtight containers; manually placing each biscuit type into its designated cavity in the vacuum-formed tray; and packaging and distributing the completed packs.

“With demand requiring 140 packs per minute, they needed hundreds of operators working across shifts to handle the manual packing,” said founder and technical director, Applied Robotics, Dr Paul Wong. “This labour-intensive process created challenging repetitive work while increasing production costs and making consistent quality difficult to maintain at such high volumes.”

for decades. However, assessing the complexity of delicately handling and placing unique shapes, sizes and delicate compositions into precise packaging, they deemed an automated solution unviable.

Facing higher local costs, Arnott’s was determined to find a solution that could work alongside the existing workforce to maintain the manufacturing of these Australian products on home soil.

Integrating more than 50 robots and 64 vision systems After evaluating several potential partners, Arnott’s partnered with Australian-owned Applied Robotics to tackle this challenge. Rather than adapting existing machinery designs, Applied Robotics developed a new concept centred around advanced robotics, machine vision and an end-to-end approach.

“The traditional European suppliers viewed the problem through the lens of conventional

biscuit machinery,” said solutions general manager, Applied Robotics, Andrew Hambly.

“We approached it differently, leveraging vision systems and robotics to create a system that could replicate and improve upon the quality and consistency of human operators, while dramatically increasing throughput.”

In uncharted territory, Arnott’s and Applied Robotics started with a six-month feasibility study to confirm the approach would work at scale.

The team built and tested a single cell that could handle one biscuit variety with the necessary speed, precision and quality control.

After testing proved the concept viable, they built a system that transformed the assorted pack production process.

“What makes this system remarkable is not just its scale, with 100+ robots and vision systems, but the way it also integrates storage trays, metal detection, quality assurance and washing systems to work seamlessly together from start to finish,” said Wong.

A WORLD-FIRST AUTOMATION SYSTEM 1. Baking line unloading robots: • Three specialised robotic cells unload freshly baked biscuits from the production line.

• Vision systems inspect each biscuit for quality, size and appearance.

• Robots place biscuits into custom-designed storage trays.

2. Airtight storage system: • Sealed trays maintain freshness until each variety is needed.

• Automated tracking system manages inventory of each biscuit type.

• Robotic palletising system stacks and retrieves trays as needed.

3. Assorted pack-filling cells: • Eight specialised cells along the conveyor handle individual varieties.

Machine vision ensures quality control A critical innovation was implementing advanced vision systems that could replicate and improve upon human quality inspection. These systems verify: correct biscuit size, shape and colour; proper cream distribution in sandwich biscuits; absence of breaks or damage; and consistent positioning within trays.

“The vision systems are so precise they can detect even subtle variations in cream distribution or tiny cracks that might be missed by human inspectors, especially after hours on the production line,” explained Wong.

• Custom grippers with force-feedback servomotors provide a feather-like touch that mimics human dexterity.

• Vision systems verify biscuit quality, cream distribution and structural integrity.

4. Integrated packaging line: • Filled trays proceed through metal detection, flow wrapping and cartooning.

• Automated case packing and palletising systems prepare products for distribution.

• Used storage trays are washed, dried and returned to the system.

5. Central control system: • Manufacturing Execution System (MES) coordinates all processes in real-time, • Production data gathered for analytics and optimisation.

• Flexible programming for rapid changeover between pack configurations.

Combining local manufacturing with innovation This automation system has transformed Arnott’s assorted pack production capabilities since its installation in 2012, helping the company: • Maintain Australian manufacturing of iconic products.

• Process up to 105 biscuits per second with consistent quality and minimal waste.

• Reduce repetitive manual labour to improve working conditions.

• Ensure consistent quality control that exceeds human inspection capabilities.

• Create flexible production capacity that can be adjusted to meet seasonal demand.

The project established new global benchmarks for what is possible in biscuit packaging automation.

“Applied Robotics brought together a team capable of the design and installation of the largest food and beverage automation project in the world for that year and the largest single food and beverage automation project in the Southern Hemisphere,” noted Peter Bradbury, ABB Robotics.

The system has been running successfully since 2012, continuing to package the assorted varieties of Arnott’s biscuits found on supermarket shelves today.

Preserving Australian manufacturing heritage through innovation “This partnership exemplifies how Australian innovation can solve challenges that international suppliers considered impossible,” said Wong. “By combining Applied Robotics’ automation expertise with Arnott’s commitment to local manufacturing, we’ve created a solution that has kept the production of these iconic Australian products on home soil for well over a decade.”

manmonthly.com.au Manufacturers’ Monthly

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INDUSTRIAL GASES

Lascut Speed - a recipe for success Coregas’ Lascut Speed assist gas harnesses the properties of both oxygen and nitrogen in a pre-mixed solution that enhances the cutting of carbon steel with fibre laser technology.

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or more than 50 years, Coregas has been producing and supplying industrial, medical, and specialty gases for the welding, cutting, heating, and additive metal manufacturing markets. Yet, the company’s latest industrial gas offering, Lascut Speed, is perhaps its most efficient and innovative yet, according to market manager of Industrial, Coregas, Scott Sutton.

“Lascut Speed has the potential to transform the laser cutting industry in Australia,” he said.

Designed to cut carbon steel with fibre laser technology, Lascut Speed leverages an optimised gas mixture that is ready to use to maximise efficiency and precision. The offering is a response to the limitations presented when using oxygen or nitrogen as the assist gas for laser cutting technology, which itself continues to evolve.

“Lasers are moving towards higher kilowatt power sources, which allows them to cut thicker materials faster than ever. However, the nature of cutting with oxygen limits that production performance,” said Sutton. “Nitrogen has proven to support much faster cutting, but the problem is with these high-powered lasers, the use of pure nitrogen resulted in a much poorer cut finish on carbon steel.”

Lascut Speed addresses this by combining oxygen with nitrogen to form a ready-to-use gas that helps manufacturers in meeting production targets and enhancing workflow.

“Our gas mixture in Lascut Speed optimises the speed of nitrogen with the quality of oxygen to allow manufacturers to achieve top-notch cut quality without sacrificing efficiency,” said Sutton.

“This cost-effective solution helps businesses meet higher production targets without needing additional equipment.”

24 Manufacturers’ Monthly May 2025

Sutton said Lascut Speed enhances the cutting speed of carbon steel by 250 to 500 per cent compared to traditional oxygen laser cutting.

Cutting through limitations

Working in tandem with fibre laser technology, Lascut Speed is functional across a range of material thicknesses and power sources.

are updating their equipment with optimised tech table configurations for mixed gas use on carbon steel as standard.

“Typically, mixed gas can be connected through a dedicated third gas inlet port,” he said. “Coregas can support other solutions in collaboration with OEM’S where a 3rd inlet is not available.”

Leading up to the solution’s release, Sutton said that feedback from trial stages has been positive and aligned with the system’s targeted benefits.

“Early trials with various customers and OEM partners have demonstrated increased cutting speed, high-quality cuts and minimal post cut finishing requirements,” said Sutton. “A lot of these

customers have an expensive piece of equipment, so they want to maximise the efficiency of that investment. This product supports that.”

Sutton emphasised that , while constantly pursuing improvements in a wide variety of applications, Lascut Speed is representative of Coregas’ dedication to continuous innovation in laser gases. This includes future developments focusing on enhancing performance and expanding compatibility with new laser technologies.

“We’re a market leader in laser gases across Australia and New Zealand, so we’re always researching how we can offer more value to our customers to enhance their productivity and quality.

This is just an example of that,” he said.

Lascut Speed – alongside Coregas’ other industrial gas offerings – is backed by a distribution network that extends across all states and territories in Australia, and both the north and south islands in New Zealand.

“Coregas’ extensive network spans both metropolitan and regional areas. No matter where you are, a Coregas branch or agent is always within reach,” said Sutton. “Our footprint of production sites and distribution points will ensure that we can offer this product wherever there’s demand for it in our network.”

Lascut Speed was launched at Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW) 2025 at Coregas’ stand.

“AMW is a great platform for us to share some of these messages to the market alongside our media partners,” said Sutton.

In what has been a month full of announcements, Sutton said customers can get a hold of Lascut Speed by either reaching out to a Coregas account manager or visiting www.coregas.com.au/contact.

He highlighted that keeping connected with Coregas on social media is another great way to stay informed about the developments in an evolving company.

Images: Coregas

A feature of Lascut Speed is in its name. Sutton said the solution’s use of nitrogen enhances the cutting speed of carbon steel by 250 to 500 per cent compared to traditional oxygen cutting. He said this isn’t even the peak of performance, with higher kW powered units being released into the market.

“With these speed improvements over traditional oxygen cutting, we’re boosting productivity and efficiency for manufacturers nationwide,” he said. “Industry trends indicate that laser cutting machines are becoming more popular and powerful.

This provides significant opportunity for operators to benefit from the effects of this new product.”

Aside from speed, an important consideration within all manufacturing processes is quality.

Sutton believes Lascut Speed addresses this by maintaining the quality outcomes that are associated with oxygen, resulting in a cut with low dross levels. In addition to this, there is a benefit of low oxide on the cut faces, which means limited post-cut finishing is required.

“Through our research and practical trials we have developed a recipe that delivers optimised speed and quality characteristics,” he said.

The quality outcomes of Lascut Speed can even outweigh oxygen, as after cuts are made, they are ready for welding and painting.

“Often, when cutting with oxygen, the cut face has an oxide scale that requires post cut clean up before welding or painting. This product contains a controlled amount of oxygen that delivers a cleaner finish that can be painted and welded on straight away.”

Working in tandem with fibre laser technology, Sutton said that the offering shows versatility across a range of material thicknesses and power sources. It is also a cost-effective alternative, something Sutton links to eliminating the need for additional equipment investment. As a pre-mixed and packaged product without the need for this additional equipment investment, Lascut Speed is also easy to use, especially for small to medium laser cutting operators.

Coregas offers a range of solutions to suit various operational requirements. The 12-pack container type allows customers to start benefiting immediately from the performance improvements.

For larger scale operations with higher gas demand, Coregas can tailor a bulk gas system to meet cost and output requirements.

Sutton said that Lascut Speed also includes compatibility with other existing equipment.

“Our trials have indicated that even a 6kW fibre laser machine is powerful enough to deliver significant speed and quality improvements if used with Lascut Speed,” he said.

Sutton continued, saying that many laser cutting machine OEMs (original equipment manufacturers)

Lascut Speed is a response to the limitations presented when using oxygen or nitrogen as the assist gas for the laser cutting of carbon steel.

manmonthly.com.au Manufacturers’ Monthly

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SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS Image: Viktor Koldunov/stock.adobe.com

CPQ plays a vital role in simplifying the sales process for complex, custom-built products.

Ensuring custom products meet required specifications NetSuite solutions architect at Fusion5, Jarrod Tuxworth, discusses a software that transforms the sales process of custom-built products.

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pecialising in project management and software solutions, Fusion5 offers professional services across many different business applications. One of the company’s key integrations and most sought-after packages is NetSuite, an ERP [Enterprise Resource Planning] system for medium-sized business.

“NetSuite is one of the pillars of Fusion5,” said NetSuite solutions architect, Jarrod Tuxworth.

Despite working across many business verticals, a strong point of NetSuite’s software is make-to-order or custom-build manufacturing. The solution at the core of this feature is NetSuite’s CPQ [Configure, Price, Quote] platform. This tool is aimed at helping businesses streamline the processes behind customised products, as well as determine their price and generate quotes for customers.

“The system uses a series of questions for the user to configure a custom product. We then determine

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a price and finally we can generate a bespoke quote document for that customer,” said Tuxworth.

“There’s a bunch of automation that then flows from this, including the automatic creation of the bill of materials (BOM) and routing and item records.”

In the context of manufacturing, CPQ plays a vital role in simplifying the sales process for complex products that can have multiple configurations and pricing variables including style, material and colour.

“When you’re selling a custom product, everything that you build is unique or close to it. It’s very resource intensive to provide a quote for every potential product,” said Tuxworth.

Tuxworth said the CPQ System comes as a productive alternative to the time-consuming and error ridden reality of traditional methods.

“That’s a lot of effort if you’re doing it all in Excel, and there’s always the chance of error,” he said. “There’s also a lack of validation. This

often leads to a lot of quotes being issued for products that you can’t build.”

Exploring the effectiveness of CPQ In what is a multi-layered solution, Tuxworth covered each step of a system that combines technology and expertise to deliver hassle-free, built-toorder products.

Because these products often come with various features, options, and specifications, the first step is configuration. This allows customers or salespeople to choose the specific attributes of the product being manufactured.

“Configuration is where the user is going to be guided through all of the questions that the system requires to end up with the design of a valid product,” said Tuxworth. “There’s different types of questions used, from simple radials and lists, text boxes, image-based selections to pop-up

Images: Fusion5

Tuxworth brings his broad experience to help focus a NetSuite system to suit the customer’s business needs.

modal windows and tables.”

The CPQ system ensures configuration involves selecting components or parts that are compatible with one another so the final product is feasible to produce. Tuxworth said the solution is living proof that a product being too specific or too abstract doesn’t exist.

“You can build it to encompass virtually an unlimited number of scenarios,” said Tuxworth.

“Everyone thinks that their product is too big or too unique or too special. But the answer is always yes, you can build it.”

While the solution sometimes requires guidance, Fusion5 offers expertise and skill that – in tandem with the customer’s product knowledge – proves to be beneficial.

“Combining our capable staff with customers and key stakeholders means we normally get to very nice solutions,” said Tuxworth.

After the configuration phase is complete, NetSuite’s CPQ solution automatically calculates the price based on factors like the cost of materials, labour, production time, shipping, and discounts or promotions.

“The NetSuite CPQ pricing engine works off rulesbased logic,” said Tuxworth.

The system can even ensure consistency through adaptation to a company’s pricing rules, with variations surfacing from volume discounts, customer-specific pricing, or regional pricing differences.

“Everyone’s using the same tool in the same system, so you’re not worried about having multiple different versions of an Excel file or having the latest data in that file from the ERP,” said Tuxworth. “You’re getting live data from NetSuite every single time you launch the Configurator. It’s critical to ensure the same rules are applied across all sales channels.”

Additionally, Tuxworth noted ‘resolving data’ as an important concept that takes a very simple solution and makes it powerful enough to price anything.

“If you’ve got 1000 raw materials that could be selected and form part of your build, and you want to include the cost as part of your pricing, rather than needing a price rule for every single raw material,

CPQ Systems come as a productive alternative to traditional methods like Excel.

we resolve that price,” he said. “We do this by saying ‘here’s the item that we need based on answers from the configuration process,’ and then we lookup the cost of that particular item.’”

Once configured and priced, the CPQ system generates a formal quote that details the product’s specifications and price. The document can be used by the sales team or sent directly to the customer, and may include other critical details, such as lead times, delivery schedules, and terms of sale.

“The easiest way to think about this is just a robust PDF generation template,” said Tuxworth.

Putting words into action With an automated focus on attention to detail, Tuxworth said that CPQ helps manufacturing businesses efficiently provide customers with accurate pricing and timely quotes.

“The fact that you can build your BOM, and routing automatically makes things more efficient and accurate. You save a lot of resource time,” he said.

Additionally, he said the solution’s accuracy prevents the errors many businesses make, and in turn increases the professionalism of business operations dramatically.

“You’re not going to be accidentally committing to a price that is too low or giving a price that’s too high and losing business because of it,” said Tuxworth.

The solution also integrates with ERP and CRM systems to provide a flow of information across the sales, manufacturing, and finance departments.

“One of the big advantages is the fact that it is sitting there right on the ERP platform. It’s running on the same database as the rest of your ERP,” said Tuxworth.

Coming from a manufacturing background, Tuxworth is one of the many NetSuite solutions architects that brings their broad experience to focus a NetSuite system to suit the customer’s business needs.

“I’ve taken my experience as the head of business operations for a large global manufacturer to my time at Fusion5, where I’ve implemented CPQ for many customers now,” he said.

CPQ systems seamlessly integrate with other ERP and CRM systems.

Tuxworth recalled a time and place where Fusion5 integrated NetSuite’s CPQ system for the complex and unique products for a retail signage manufacturer. The company believes the system was built for this type of application.

“Retail signs like those along a highway, and different illuminated signs on big pylons, are actually very complex and unique things to build,” he said.

“Some unique challenges were able to be solved with that one.”

Tuxworth said that finally being able to build out that logic really showed Fusion5 and the client just how far a CPQ system can take a project.

“The CPQ has taken their entire business to another level. It’s a wonderful use case for a company getting the full benefits out of the solution,” he said.

In what is a system that already taps into different automated technologies, Tuxworth is excited about the prospect of artificial intelligence and what it could do for the further development of solutions like CPQ. “AI is going to be enormously beneficial in the CPQ space, because when I can track configuration data across thousands of product builds that have been done, I can get some hugely valuable insights from that data,” he said.

“In NetSuite, it’s everywhere already.”

For more info, talk to a NetSuite expert

manmonthly.com.au Manufacturers’ Monthly

27

CERAMIC FIBRES

Solving demanding thermal challenges with 3M ceramic fibres New to Australia, 3M™ Nextel™ Ceramic Fibres help industrial businesses protect furnace interiors and process equipment.

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As a part of a company history spanning over a century, 3M’s portfolio of advanced materials is manufactured to endure and excel in challenging applications and environments.

Widely used in chemical processing, power generation, aerospace and oil and gas, 3M Nextel Ceramic Fibres are designed to withstand extreme environments from continuous temperatures of up to 1300 °C. Its durability at extreme temperatures helps distinguish it from traditional high-heat textiles like aramids, carbon, quartz, and glass fibres. This protection ensures longer service life and therefore cost-effective performance.

Furthermore, the flexibility of these materials allows them to be fabricated into various textiles or structurally reinforced composites.

This protection of furnace interiors and process equipment includes the application of 3M Nextel Ceramic Fibres towards furnace linings, interior surfaces, zone dividers, and tube seals.

Furnace Lining: 3M Nextel Ceramic Fibres help prevent the erosion of ceramic bulk fibres modules, thereby reducing dust that could contaminate products and pose concerns for operators and nearby personnel. Minimising the erosion of insulation structures may also help lower maintenance costs and time.

Tube Seal: Engineered to operate at temperatures 482°C–1300°C, tube seals made from 3M Nextel Ceramic Fibres retain their shape in harsh environments of process heaters and furnace reformers, while also helping to prevent the formation of harmful emissions. Its flame resistance adds an extra layer of safety against potentially damaging flames in the event of a draft fan failure.

Heat Shield: 3M Nextel Ceramic Fibres, along with woven tapes and braided sleeving, can be sewn and converted into countless forms, such as Heat shields that protect sensitive components or pads for transporting of high-temperature material. In this area, the fabric is also well suited on radiant coils, where they help prevent hot spots and reduce coke formation inside tubes.

3M Nextel Ceramic Fibres provide improved temperature resistance in high temperature applications to solve customers’ most demanding thermal challenges.

Key features of the fibres include: • Withstands continuous temperatures up to 1300 °C .

• Excellent resistances to thermal shock.

• Maintain electrical insulation at elevated temperatures.

• Lightweight yet offer high strength and modulus.

• Retain flexibility under high heat.

• Abrasion and impact resistant.

• Chemical and corrosion resistant.

28 Manufacturers’ Monthly May 2025

3M Nextel Ceramic Fibres are designed to protect furnace interiors from continuous temperatures of up to 1300 °C.

Application spotlight: chemical processing plants One of 3M Nextel Ceramic Fibres’ most obvious applications is within chemical processing plants,

which operate under extreme conditions seen within dynamic sealing applications like tube seals used in ethylene crackers and steam methane reformers.

Heater boxes in these systems reach temperatures from 482°C-1149°C, meaning sealing penetrations is crucial to prevent air ingress and gas leaks. Due to thermal expansion and contraction, metal tubing and heater box structures can shift by 12 inches or more during startup and shutdown, requiring seals that withstand high temperatures and repeated flexing without failing.

Tube seals must be maintained intact for at least three years, and prevent air leakage through the heater box penetration that could experience inefficient air mixing, potentially generating noxious gases, and lead to environmental non-compliance or costly shutdowns.

Selecting the right dynamic sealing material is essential for operational reliability.

The fibres bring several features that make the materials applicable for dynamic sealing application.

They are inherently resistance to temperatures up to 1300°C. Made from aluminoborosilicate ceramic filaments, the fabrics’ small filament diameters, ranging from 8 to 12 microns, resistance to embrittlement, allows the fabric to remain flexible after exposure to high temperature. Other industrial fabrics are used in lower-temperature applications but tend to become brittle and lose strength when exposed to extreme heat. Coatings like vermiculite or chromium enhance thermal stability but do not prevent embrittlement at high temperatures.

The advantages were put to paper, when a study compared the tensile strength and flex endurance of various silica-based fabrics with 3M Nextel 312 and 440 fabrics after 100 hours of exposure at 704°C-1150°C. The study showed two benefits that 3M Nextel Ceramic Fibres showed over traditional fabrics: • Breaking strength retention [ASTM D5035]: At temperatures above 871°C, silica-based fabrics lost significant strength, while 3M Nextel fabrics retained over 50 per cent or more of their original strength, even at 1093°C. • Flex endurance [ASTM D2176]: After 100 hours at 982°C, uncoated silica fabrics failed in a single flex cycle, while coated variants also showed reductions in durability. In contrast, 3M Nextel Ceramic Fibres withstood more than 30 flex cycles even at 1093°C.

Images: 3M Australia

These fibres helped execute a rapid furnace turnaround for a customer of KLAY EnerSol.

KLAY EnerSol’s furnace turnaround The practicality of these fibres has been put into practice in a situation where 3M executed a rapid furnace turnaround for a customer of KLAY EnerSol, a specialist in industrial insulation and corrosion abatement. KLAY EnerSol partnered with its customer to identify optimal materials and strategies for a furnace turnaround, which is where 3M came in.

“Because of our strong relationship with the technical team and 3M as well, we are able to regularly draw upon their deep understanding, know-how and knowledge of the product to develop a robust solution for our customer,” said CEO and founder, KLAY EnerSol, Yunus Sajad Hussein.

This application was vital, as despite furnace

uptime being critical, furnace maintenance shutdowns are necessary every 3-5 years. KLAY EnerSol’s customer faced secondary cracking in a Catalytic Propane Dehydrogenation [PDH] process heater due to high radiant heat flux.

The solution needed was to reduce secondary cracking while minimising downtime during application.

Additional challenges arose due to the furnace’s aged tubes, which had support bracket protrusions and thermocouples, making wrapping complex.

Welding or hot work was not an option. The confined workspace further restricted personnel. A flexible, high-temperature insulator and radiant heat reflector were required.

KLAY EnerSol selected 3M Nextel AF-20, a 312-grade ceramic fabric, for its temperature resistance, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. This material allowed for full prefabrication, ensuring a fast, efficient installation despite the irregular furnace shapes. Prefabrication minimised labour and downtime, with installation completed in two and a half days.

Alternative materials were considered but discarded: silica cloth lacked mechanical strength and long-term reliability; rigid refractory materials were inflexible and required risky metal welding, and non-woven ceramic fibres were unsuitable for furnace conditions.

“Any other conventional system would have taken [the customer] three to four weeks minimum, plus other associated risks with the application. Knowing that we were able to complete the job in a very short amount of time gave them the flexibility and the ability to still execute a project without affecting their overall schedule,” said Hussein.

The prefabrication process took two months, including trials and mockups, proved to be a great time-saving solution for KLAY EnerSol’s customer.

The careful planning and preparation between KLAY EnerSol, 3M and the customer enabled an installation time of only two and a half days.

KLAY EnerSol’s expertise, combined with 3M’s technical capabilities, delivered a solution that far exceeded customer expectations. The project greatly reduces expensive downtime – where daily losses can range from $150,000 to $250,000.

The insulation solution also improved process yield, reducing secondary cracking by 8 to 30 per cent without inhibiting primary cracking. With a wellplanned approach and collaboration with industry experts, the customer is now better positioned for future success.

Engineered for reliability in extreme environments, 3M Nextel Ceramic Fibres and Textiles continue to prove their value in extending equipment life and improving operational efficiency across a range of extreme temperature industries.

manmonthly.com.au Manufacturers’ Monthly

29

INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION

The future of automation: Siemens SIMATIC S7-1200 G2 Images: APS Industrial

Siemens’ new SIMATIC S71200 G2 PLC combines motion control, cybersecurity, and connectivity to empower Australian manufacturers to embrace automation.

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ndustrial automation has entered a new era, one that demands smarter, faster, and more connected solutions. Manufacturers are no longer just looking for efficiency; they require automation systems that integrate with the broader digital ecosystem. Siemens has taken a step forward with the SIMATIC S7-1200 G2.

For more than a decade, original S7-1200 controllers have been a cornerstone of many industrial applications. Now, Siemens has reimagined this technology to deliver a new generation that brings motion control, improved cybersecurity, and expanded connectivity, bringing new expectations to what a compact PLC can achieve.

For Australian industries, APS Industrial ensures that this technology is accessible to local manufacturers, helping them navigate the evolving world of industrial automation.

The need for smarter, connected automation Now, industrial processes are more complex, and companies are under pressure to meet increasing demands for flexibility, efficiency, and compliance with stricter regulations. The new S7-1200 G2 addresses these challenges by offering greater integration between Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT).

The evolution of automation is no longer just about controlling machinery – it is about harnessing data, improving decision-making, and reducing downtime through predictive maintenance. With built-in Ethernet connectivity, the S7-1200 G2 can communicate with higher-level IT systems, enabling cloud integration and advanced data analysis. The ability to monitor and adjust production processes in real time provides a competitive advantage for manufacturers.

Power and precision in a compact design A standout feature of the S7-1200 G2 is its processing power. Siemens has improved

30 Manufacturers’ Monthly May 2025

APS Industrial ensures that automotive technology is accessible to local manufacturers.

the controller’s speed and communication performance, allowing for the execution of automation tasks. Whether it is synchronising complex motion sequences or managing high-speed data transfer, the S7-1200 G2 series is designed to handle demanding applications with reliability.

This increased performance is crucial for industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, packaging, and material handling, where precision and speed go hand in hand. The controller is engineered to provide high-speed motion control, supporting everything from single-axis control to multi-axis coordination and kinematics. The ability to integrate motion

control functions simplifies complex automation setups, reducing engineering time and ensuring smoother operation.

For manufacturers looking for scalable automation, the S7-1200 G2 delivers a modular architecture that allows for expansion. Its smaller footprint – achieved through a compact hardware design – makes it an option for machine builders who need to optimise space without sacrificing performance.

Cybersecurity as a core focus As industrial automation systems become more interconnected, cybersecurity has moved to the

forefront of concerns. Siemens has addressed this by embedding security features directly into the S7-1200 G2. Industrial networks are frequently targeted by cyber threats, and the risks of unauthorised access, data breaches, and system manipulation are real.

The S7-1200 G2 controllers incorporate secure authentication mechanisms, ensuring that only authorised personnel can access and modify system settings. The integration with TIA Portal V18 and later versions enhances device authentication, making it more difficult for malicious actors to interfere with automation processes. Encryption protocols protect data transmission, while Siemens’ firmware security measures help safeguard against cyberattacks.

The inclusion of Near Field Communication [NFC] technology takes device diagnostics and troubleshooting to the next level. Operators can now access real-time system status updates using a smartphone app, even when the PLC is powered down. This not only speeds up maintenance procedures but also minimises unplanned downtime, ensuring that production remains uninterrupted.

Flexible machine safety for evolving industrial needs Safety in automation is non-negotiable, and S71200 G2 takes this into account with a fail-safe system. The need for flexible and scalable safety solutions is growing, particularly in industries where machines must meet strict compliance

The S7-1200 G2 offers greater integration between Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT).

standards. Siemens has improved its fail-safe I/O portfolio, offering safety functions that allow manufacturers to expand their safety measures as needed.

The controller’s fail-safe signal boards make it easier to implement machine safety functions, reducing complexity and ensuring compliance with regulations. By supporting PROFIsafe The S7-1200 G2 series enables manufacturers to integrate safety functions into their existing networks without major reconfigurations.

communication, the S7-1200 G2 series enables manufacturers to integrate safety functions into their existing networks without major reconfigurations. The flexibility allows businesses to customise their safety infrastructure based on specific operational requirements.

A future-proof investment for Australian industry Industrial automation is evolving faster than ever, and businesses that fail to adapt risk being left behind. This system represents a step forward, offering a future-proof solution that enhances operations.

For Australian manufacturers, embracing automation technologies that reduce complexity while increasing performance can be a means of staying competitive. The ability to scale automation systems as business needs grow is important, and Siemens has designed the S71200 G2 series with this in mind.

APS Industrial, as the distribution partner for Siemens in Australia, is ensuring that local industries – whether for OEMs, system integrators, or end-users – can access this technology.

The future of industrial automation is not just about replacing legacy systems – it is about creating smarter and more resilient production environments.

As Australian industries continue to navigate the demands of digital transformation, investing in automation solutions like the SIMATIC S7-1200 G2 will be the key.

manmonthly.com.au Manufacturers’ Monthly

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WOMEN IN INDUSTRY AWARDS

Highlighting exceptional women across industry The 2025 Women in Industry Awards promise to celebrate the outstanding contributions of women across Australia’s industrial sectors – including manufacturing.

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fter a milestone event in Sydney last year, the Women in Industry Awards return to Melbourne in 2025, taking place at the Carousel on 19 June 2025, commencing at 7pm.

The awards provide an opportunity to those within industrial sectors to come together and recognise the tireless work and achievements of numerous outstanding women. Those recognised span a broad range of industries that include manufacturing, mining, transport, engineering, logistics, bulk handling, waste management, rail, construction, resources, energy, and infrastructure.

Attending the awards is a great opportunity to celebrate and amplify the achievements of individuals who continue to drive change, break down barriers and create new possibilities for the next generation.

For the Women in Industry 2025 Awards, categories will include: • Excellence in Manufacturing • Excellence in Engineering • Business Development Success of the Year • Excellence in Construction • Excellence in Mining • Excellence in Transport • Industry Advocacy Award • Mentor of the Year • Rising Star of the Year • Safety Advocacy Award • Woman of the Year Alongside nominees and industry associates, present at the awards will be the esteemed sponsors of this year’s event: Atlas Copco Australia – sponsoring Rising Star of the Year, PACCAR Australia – sponsoring Safety Advocacy Award, Kenter Logistics – sponsoring Excellence in Transport award, and Fulton Hogan – sponsoring Woman of the Year award.

Rising to the occasion

Attending the awards is a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women that continue to drive change.

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Few embody industrial excellence like 2024 Rising Star of the Year award winner, Kate Leone, who herself recognises the significance of these awards.

Leone began her journey as a communications engineer over four years ago when she joined engineering services provider, UGL through a CIMIC graduate program.

Images: Prime Creative Media

“I joined UGL in 2021 after working as a mechatronic engineer on a variety of different industry projects for a research and development company,” she said.

As a part of the graduate program, Leone got to experience two different projects in different capacities as a mechatronic engineer and a communications engineer in the UGL Major Projects – Transport division. Taking this experience and running with it, Leone is now responsible for multiple design packages.

“I’m involved in coordinating with different site teams and subcontractors for installation and commissioning works,” she said.

This experience and ambition to rise the ranks ultimately led Leone to be nominated for the Women in Industry Awards’ Rising Star of the Year, by her project. Leone gave great credit to both formal and informal mentoring opportunities for giving her a chance at the nomination as such a young engineer.

“I couldn’t have done this without the support of the project director and the senior communications advisor who put together the application. It was truly a team effort,” she said. “Mentoring programs can give you the platform or leg-up to succeed where you might not have otherwise had access.”

Following a successful nomination, Leone attended the awards ceremony at Doltone House in Sydney last year, describing her nerves as “extremely heightened”.

“I was surrounded by an entire room of incredibly high-achieving women across a multitude of construction industries that represent the many goals I have for my career,” she said.

Despite this, she emphasised feeling genuinely supported by an entire community, no matter

In 2024, Kate Leone took home the Rising Star of the Year award.

the outcome of the event.

“Along with a supportive table of people from my project, I also had the support of my parents and partner who attended the night.”

As the night unfolded, and anticipation built, Leone’s evening would reach its pinnacle when she was announced as the 2024 Rising Star of the Year.

Once the initial shock subsided, she was able to appreciate the true weight and importance of the achievement.

“As a young female engineer, I often experience imposter syndrome when it comes to the value I place on my contributions and skills,” Leone said. “An award like this helps to break down barriers like that,

The Women in Industry awards recognise a range of industries including manufacturing, mining, transport and engineering.

which many young engineers face.”

Having done a lot of scoping out of the other finalists for the award prior to the event, Leone said she was beyond proud to be recognised as a part of a group of people that have achieved so much, so early.

“Along with what the award represented, it gave me the opportunity to recognise the continual work that is put in by industry,” she said.

Beyond her own achievement, Leone said the event helps provide a deeper awareness of the many women working tirelessly across a wide range of roles. She noted that the awards not only celebrate these efforts but also provide a valuable platform for learning.

“I have learnt so much about the different types of jobs that are needed across these industries, and how many women are working above and beyond their roles to better these industries as a whole,” Leone said. “I would highly recommend attending the awards ceremonies, to not only support the achievements of women across industries and the teams that support them, but also to learn from their experiences.

“Having a room full of impressive people, who are there because they want to give back, provides a fantastic opportunity to learn directly from them and develop meaningful networks.”

Whether attending for colleagues you work with, women who inspire you from afar, or inspirations who are providing you with guidance and support, your support and attendance goes a long way.

To celebrate the exceptional achievements of the 2025 Women in Industry Award winners – whose impact echoes that of Leone – register to attend at womeninindustry.com.au/awards

manmonthly.com.au Manufacturers’ Monthly

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ENGINEERING FOCUS

Building a new renewable industry Manufacturer Monthly’s Jack Lloyd sat down with Jet Zero’s CFO, Mac Irvine, to discuss the company’s sustainable aviation fuel projects, which utilise renewable feedstocks to produce low carbon liquid fuels.

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ounded four years ago by CEO Ed Mason, Jet Zero Australia is dedicated to the development and operation of large-scale sustainable aviation fuel [SAF] projects. These projects aim to decarbonise aviation, improve sovereign fuel security and bring a new and diverse industry to regional Australia.

The idea for Jet Zero began with Mason’s previous work in equity capital markets in the mining, resources, oil and gas sectors. In this previous employment, he witnessed numerous clients – in what are traditionally non-renewable sectors – begin to ask about decarbonising their operations.

This motivated Mason to think about solutions to a hard-to-abate industry, which ended up being aviation fuel production. Beginning as a part-time operation, in the past three years the company has become a full-time business, growing from strength to strength.

Jet Zero CFO Mac Irvine joined the company from

Jet Zero Australia’s flagship project converts ethanol into sustainable, low carbon jet fuel.

34 Manufacturers’ Monthly May 2025

the Clean Energy Finance Corporation [CEFC], the Australian green bank, in early 2024. It was a highprofile appointment which spoke to the success and ambition of the company as a commercially-minded developer of SAF projects.

“We are looking to decarbonise the aviation sector, but at the same time, support the agricultural sector and the regional communities where these projects are most likely to be developed and built,” said Irvine.

“Jet Zero started four years ago and has developed into what I personally believe is the market-leading private sector developer in the SAF space.

“We are technology agnostic and deliver our projects with a commercial mindset. This means we can procure any technology from the marketplace, but importantly we focus on proven and scaled technologies.

“This approach has led us to pursue the Alcohol to Jet (ATJ) and Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) pathways.”

A sustainable pipeline of projects Currently, Jet Zero has two major projects that have been announced. The flagship project, which is currently in Front-End Engineering Design [FEED], is Project Ulysses. Irvine said that this project uses ATJ technology supplied by LanzaJet to convert ethanol into low carbon jet fuel and renewable diesel.

“Around 90 per cent of what is produced from Project Ulysses is SAF, and 10 per cent is renewable diesel. That’s just how the technology works in practice,” said Irvine. “It’s about decarbonising the aviation sector and looking to keep the fuel onshore.”

For Ulysses, Jet Zero has secured a site at the Cleveland Bay Industrial Park in Townsville, North Queensland. The project is set to produce approximately 102 million litres of SAF and 11 million litres of renewable diesel per annum.

“The project will have 1,000 jobs at peak

CFO Mac Irvine joined the company from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) in 2024.

Images: Jet Zero Australia

construction and for longer-term operations, about 100 direct operational jobs as well,” said Irvine.

Irvine said that the project’s progress wouldn’t be possible without $50 million of funding – from both private and public sector – that Jet Zero has raised to date. Of this $50 million, he said that around $35 million comes from within the private sector.

“The private investment comes from our three strategic partners – Airbus, Qantas, and Idemitsu Kosan of Japan – as well as five other institutional funds,” he said.

Aside from private sector investment, the Queensland State and Commonwealth Government have jointly committed almost $15 million. Irvine said this is the biggest amount ever awarded by the Government to advance a single SAF project.

“Project Ulysses’ FEED phase saw $9 million in funding from the Commonwealth Government via the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and $5 million from the Queensland Government,” he said. “There was also about $760,000 from the Queensland Government for its feasibility phase.”

With the first SAF estimated to be produced in 2028, Irvine said that the company is looking to close the FEED phase of Ulysses by the end of the year and begin construction shortly after.

While Ulysses is the company’s primary focus, Jet Zero and global biofuels player Apeiron Bioenergy have partnered on Project Mandala. This project

will focus on sourcing waste oils and non-edible feedstocks to manufacture SAF via the HEFA pathway. The Project is nearing completion of its feasibility phase.

“We received grant funding for Mandala from the Go-Green Co-Innovation Program, which is an initiative between Enterprise Singapore and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT),” said Irvine.

Maintaining capability to ensure future quality Irvine insists that it’s Jet Zero’s capabilities across development, engineering, operations and financing that have led them to become Australia’s leading SAF project developer.

“Our team has a really strong, broad skill set that allows us to put all of the component parts of a project together efficiently and commercially,” he said.

Image: Airbus Canada Limited Partnership 2023

manmonthly.com.au Manufacturers’ Monthly

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ENGINEERING FOCUS supply chain,” said Irvine. “We will support the sustainability of that supply chain as well as reduce carbon emissions across that life cycle to ensure that we have a sustainable and validated product.”

On top of its current team of 12, Jet Zero has external consultants that are working for and supporting the company.

Overcoming past challenges to create success

On top of its current team of 12, Irvine said that Jet Zero also has external partners that are working for and supporting the company on its mission. This includes Technip Energies as design and engineering contractor and Long Energy and Resources as owner’s engineer.

An equally important aspect of capability within Jet Zero is how the company plans to ensure the quality control and assurance of its products. Both outputs of the company – SAF and

renewable diesel – will be tested and certified to globally recognised standards.

“We refer to this as ‘farm to wing’ – in other words, from beginning to end,” said Irvine.

To ensure these standards and specifications are met, Jet Zero has an external thirdparty provider working with it on its life cycle assessment [LCA].

“These certification bodies want to make sure that the fuel is produced within a sustainable

Irvine said that challenges have presented themselves across each part of the process, as trying to develop a project in a new industry regardless of location is never going to be easy.

He said that overcoming these challenges in the past, present and future isn’t a solo adventure, but instead a challenge taken on by industry.

“Our commercially driven nature has really enabled us to help us break through a lot of the barriers that other projects wouldn’t have.”

Taking this attitude into the future is key for Jet Zero, and key to the company’s near term goal of completing the FEED program on Project Ulysses and targeting Final Investment Decision [FID] by the end of this year. For Mandala, Irvine said that the near term goal is closing out the feasibility study within the next three months.

“Mandala is the second most progressed project in our portfolio and allows the business to diversify across technology and feedstocks,” said Irvine.

He also said the company has unannounced projects in the pipeline that will help Jet Zero achieve their eventual goal of having a portfolio of global projects.

“We are continuing to develop those projects through feasibility and the early scoping stage in the immediate term,” Irvine said. “Long term, the goal is to have a platform of projects that are operating and producing significant volumes of SAF globally.”

Private Sector investment for Ulysses came from multiple industry leaders, including Airbus, Qantas, and Idemitsu Kosan of Japan.

36 Manufacturers’ Monthly May 2025

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Australia

WORLDSKILLS AUSTRALIA UPDATE

Letting Australia’s best future tradies shine The 2025 National Championships & Skills Show highlights Australia’s top apprentices, trainees, and students who compete to put their talent, precision, and dedication to the test. back to his time in Ireland.

“My manager back in Ireland was heavily involved with WorldSkills Ireland. He called me one day from Abu Dhabi and tasked me with setting up a national competition in Ireland. I set up a national competition, trained a competitor, and we ended up getting a bronze medal,” he said.

Recently, Baldwin served as a source of inspiration and guidance for World Skills 2024 Skillaroo, Michael Bowen.

“He has developed so much in such a short period of time. He was my student three years ago now. He worked hard, studied hard, was accurate with his work, and I took him on board. He’s in a really good position now. He’s developing himself personally and professionally as well,” he said.

Can’t make it to Brisbane?

Tune into Channel WSA Witness live competitions and explore interactive workshops under one roof at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

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rom the power of welding to the precision of carpentry, the 2025 National Championships & Skills Show is an all-access pass to the future of skilled trades. Visitors can witness live competitions, explore interactive workshops, and discover career-defining opportunities – all under one roof at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

If you’re from a manufacturing or engineering background, the WorldSkills Australia National Championships is the ultimate showcase of the next generation driving the industry forward. Watch the country’s most talented young tradespeople compete in real-world challenges that highlight the skill, precision, and innovation shaping today’s industrial landscape. Experience the heat and accuracy of welding, the structural expertise of construction steelwork, and the hands-on finesse of fitting and turning. Explore the cutting edge through industry 4.0, additive manufacturing, and mechatronics, where automation and digital integration take centre stage. Plus, see the detaildriven work in electrical control and sheetmetal technology — key areas where craftsmanship meets technology. Whether you’re here to support, recruit,

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or simply be inspired, this is where the future of manufacturing and engineering comes to life.

Explore, learn and try with WorldSkills Australia and the Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo. Here’s what visitors can expect.

• Explore: The Expo brings careers to life with handson experiences, industry showcases, and expert insights to help people find their path.

• Learn: Watch the nation’s best talent in action at the 2025 National Championships & Skills Show.

Across 60+ different skills and trades, competitors will showcase their expertise, proving why they’re the best of the best. Their dedication, precision, and drive will inspire the next generation of skilled professionals.

• Try: Try’aSkill allows visitors to roll up their sleeves and give it a go. They can get hands-on with a range of trade and skill-based activities, see what sparks their interest, and get a feel for real-world careers.

Ever present within WorldSkills Australia’s operations is international expert within industrial mechanics, David Baldwin, who has a long history relationship with the organisation that dates

For those passionate about skilled trades but can’t be there in person, Channel WSA has the Expo covered. It’s a go-to hub for competition highlights, industry insights, and a Medal Ceremony celebrating skills excellence from the 2025 National Championships & Skills Show.

Channel WSA has: • Live competition coverage: Get a seat to intense skills battles, from welding and carpentry to electrical control and heavy vehicle technology.

• Tips from the best: Hear from industry pros, past champions, and training experts as they share realworld advice to help people sharpen their skills.

• Career pathways and success stories: Learn how the competition judges and past competitors have used WorldSkills to launch their careers and connect with industry leaders.

Follow Channel WSA on social media and subscribing on YouTube will help to stay in the loop and prevent missing any moments of the action.

What is WorldSkills?

For more than 40 years, WorldSkills Australia has been inspiring and empowering young Australians to excel in their chosen trades. Through competitions, training programs, and industry collaboration, the organisation helps build a highly skilled,

Images: WorldSkills Australia

WorldSkills participants gain unparalleled experience, industry respect, and career-boosting opportunities.

innovative workforce while championing the value of vocational excellence.

Since 1981, WorldSkills Australia has supported more than 100,000 apprentices, trainees, and students in regional and national competitions – many of whom have gone on to represent Australia on the global stage. The organisation’s programs also address skills shortages, align with national workforce priorities, and reinforce Australia’s reputation for skills excellence worldwide.

Think you’ve got what it takes – Start your journey in 2026 Do you think you have what it takes? Every two years, more than 500 WorldSkills Regional Competitions take place across 34 regions in Australia, testing the skills of more than 6,000 apprentices, trainees, and students. Medal winners from these one-day events have the chance to advance to the national level, with the best earning the opportunity to represent Australia internationally.

These competitions wouldn’t happen without the support of training providers, employers, local councils, industry leaders, volunteers, and sponsors – all working together to showcase and support the next generation of skilled workers.

The 2026 competition cycle runs from February to November 2026, occurring in training organisations throughout Australia. While sign-ups aren’t open yet, now’s the time to start preparing for your chance to compete. Keep an eye out for upcoming regional events and get ready to put your skills to the test.

Global stardom via international dominance WorldSkills International is the pinnacle of skills competition, where the world’s best apprentices and tradies come together to showcase their talent.

WorldSkills is about setting global standards for excellence and proving that Aussie tradies are among the best in the world.

Why it matters Every two years, competitors from 89 countries go head-to-head in over 60 skill categories. But WorldSkills isn’t just about medals – it’s about elevating the skilled trades, shaping industry standards, and opening doors to career-defining opportunities.

The road to Shanghai 2026 Australia is gearing up to send its top tradespeople to the 2026 WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai. Chosen from the medallists of the 2025 National Championships, the next Skillaroos will train for over 12 months, honing their skills to thrive and inspire in 2026. Competing at the international level is a game-changer – it’s a chance to understand new techniques and trends, gain industry recognition, expand career opportunities, and connect with the best in the world.

Why compete?

WorldSkills Australia isn’t just about competition; it’s about transformation. Participants gain experience, industry respect, and career-boosting opportunities.

Many former competitors have gone on to secure high-profile jobs, contracts, and leadership roles in their fields.

A global movement Partnering with global organisations like UNESCO and the World Bank, WorldSkills plays a key role in strengthening vocational education and training worldwide. When people compete, they’re not just showcasing your skills – they’re helping to drive change on a global scale.

HARRISON FIELD Achievements: • Bronze Medallist, Welding – WorldSkills International Competition, Lyon 2024.

• Gold Medallist, Welding – 2023 WorldSkills Australia National Championships.

• Young Tradesperson of the Year – 2023 NSW & ACT Welding Excellence Awards.

“The international travel I did during my WorldSkills journey is something I will never forget, from going to the USA and China for training competitions, it was incredible.

During the competition I was so proud to represent my country,” said Harrison Field, a bronze medallist at the WorldSkills International Competition 2024.

“My skills were highly enhanced during the international competitions. To be able to see how the other countries train and do different things and gain knowledge from them helped me a lot.

“Also speaking to experts and trainers from other countries helped me enhance my skills a lot. This journey has helped me a lot, I have been offered many jobs and has helped me gain a lot of respect in my industry and I am forever grateful for what WorldSkills has done for me” Register your free spot here for the 2025 National Championships and Skills Show

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SIAA COMMENT

LISA VITARIS, DIRECTOR, IAC 2025 SYDNEY, SPACE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA

Image: Gilmour Space

Uncovering a world of manufacturing potential

Gilmour Space manufactures launch vehicles and satellite buses in its facility on the Gold Coast.

The SIAA’s Lisa Vitaris highlights Australia’s growing space industry and the many untapped opportunities it presents for manufacturers.

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here is a world of potential awaiting Australian manufacturing, but most businesses are not even aware of it.

The opportunity is not one that many have seized to date and hence remains the domain of a few, but rapidly growing, manufacturers. This opportunity is 100 kilometres overhead and beyond – in space.

For decades, space was the domain of scientists, astronauts, and government agencies. But a quiet revolution is taking place up above – one that could reshape the global manufacturing industry.

If your organisation has not yet considered what it might mean to manufacture for space – or even in space – it is time to look up. The next industrial

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revolution could very well happen beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

The lack of awareness does not come as a surprise given many Australians are not aware we have a space industry [43 per cent of us] or even a space agency [29 per cent of us], according to SIAA Research Insights: Foundational Research by Freshwater Strategy in August 2023.

And yet, with more than 630 businesses in the Australian space industry, and our Australian Space Agency established in 2018, the sector is rapidly growing with many organisations increasing their capability in leaps and bounds.

Gilmour Space manufactures Australian-made

launch vehicles and satellite buses in its 10,000 square metre manufacturing facility on the Gold Coast. It has built up a global space supply chain including more than 300 local companies ranging from material and component suppliers to other high-tech engineering companies.

“As the first orbital rocket manufacturer in Australia, we’ve had to co-develop and establish new space technologies and manufacturing methods with our partners here. While mostly from adjacent industries, the depth of talent in Australia has been instrumental in making this possible,” said Gilmour Space spokesperson, Michelle Gilmour.

The ELO2 Consortium was selected by the Australian Space Agency to design, build, test, and remotely operate Australia’s first lunar rover.

Image: Gavin Lau, EPE

gamechanger for Australian manufacturing,” said director of ELO2, Ben Sorensen.

Even ‘across the ditch’ in New Zealand, The Merino Software Company is involved in textiles development for space. Specialising in purposebred Merino fibre and high-performance wool textiles, they recognised a strong alignment between their capabilities and the requirements of the aerospace and space sectors, particularly in the United States.

It has focused on developing wool-based materials with unique properties such as neutron shielding, flame resistance, moisture regulation, and thermal stability, which make their textiles suitable for applications including apparel/ textiles, interiors, protective covers, and wearable systems. Collaboration agreements are now in place with several prominent players who see the value of natural fibre technologies in extreme environments.

Image: FUCHS Lubricants (Australasia)

“With Gilmour set to launch the first Australianmade rocket imminently, this is set to spark further growth and ignite an even broader space supply chain.”

From rockets to lubricants, another local company, FUCHS Lubricants Australasia, distinguishes itself in the lubricants sector by producing 96 per cent of its products locally.

FUCHS provides low outgassing lubricants for satellite reaction wheels, coolants for rocket body and componentry fabrication, and specialised oils and greases for both launch and on-orbit operations to Australian and New Zealand businesses.

The goal of getting to the Moon provides even further opportunities. The ELO2 Consortium, coled by EPE Oceania and Lunar Outpost Oceania, was recently selected by the Australian Space Agency to design, build, test, and remotely operate Australia’s first lunar rover, lovingly named Roo-ver by the Australian public. This is a mission of national significance and part of the Australian Space Agency’s Moon to Mars Trailblazer initiative.

While the focus is on developing a rover that will successfully operate hundreds of thousands of kilometres away on the Moon’s south pole, ELO2 will also seek to uncover new opportunities.

These opportunities have the potential to grow the Australian space industry through its partnerships and introduce technologies developed in the course of the Roo-ver build into global space supply chains. They will also utilise technologies from the Mission to drive productivity and competitiveness in Australia’s traditional spaceenabled industries including mining, agriculture, tourism, and defence.

“We’re still in the early stages of looking at the opportunities that will flow from Roo-ver, but it’s clear that, undertaken successfully, this will be a

There are other trailblazer manufacturers who have achieved similar success, but we are clearly still leaving many opportunities on the table.

More exciting still, is that the more we build things for space, the more we can build things in space. This provides a unique opportunity to assist in the development of next generation materials only possible within a micro-gravity environment.

Micro-gravity environments can enable production of materials with exceptional precision and quality including growth of crystals with fewer defects for semiconductors, protein crystallisation in pharmaceuticals, and many others.

These initiatives prove that in-space manufacturing is not just science fiction – it is an emerging industrial sector. And with the cost to launch one kilogram of payload mass to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) rapidly decreasing over time, this is becoming more financially viable.

With infinite opportunities to expand into Australia’s space ecosystem and beyond, it could now be time to explore the possibilities. But this does not have to prove as big a challenge as putting a rover on the moon.

Businesses interested can attend the world’s largest space event, the International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025) coming to ICC Sydney in Darling Harbour from 29 September to 3 October 2025.

For the first time ever at an IAC, space-enabled industries will be featured including a particular focus on manufacturing. With up to 10,000 people from 80-100 countries and our Australian space industry on show, launching into space has never been more within our reach and there is long-term potential for those willing to take the first step.

Space is truly no longer just for astronauts.

It is for engineers, machinists, designers, and manufacturers.

FUCHS Lubricants has a significant presence in the space industry.

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SUSTAINABILITY INSIGHT

Riding the wave of sustainability Supporting the launch of ACCIONA’s Turbine Made project in Australia, Draft Surf has manufactured surfboards using materials from a decommissioned wind turbine.

The Draft surfboards were first tested at Cathedral Rocks wind farm in South Australia.

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n late February, global player in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure, ACCIONA, launched its first Australian initiative – Turbine Made – to transform decommissioned wind turbine blades into new materials and products.

“We hope to further advance the circular economy in renewable energy. It is a pilot initiative designed to start the conversation about recycling wind turbine blades in Australia,” said general manager of brand and marketing, ACCIONA Energía, Caroline Pinter.

The initiative’s first project has seen surfboard manufacturer, Draft Surf, integrate the Turbine Made material into a range of high-performance surfboards using innovative processing techniques.

The brand – owned and founded by Aussie surfboard legend Josh Kerr – produces its surfboards by hand with expert board shapers on the Gold Coast.

However, this time, the production process looked a bit different.

“ACCIONA employed a mechanical process to break down turbine blades into a particulate material for the first prototype product,” said Pinter.

The production process to incorporate the blade materials was not too dissimilar from its standard, bespoke manufacturing process.

“We have also embedded whole blade segments in the products to maximise the use of their inherent properties of strength and flexibility,” said Pinter.

After the completion of the prototype, the board

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was tested in the waters below ACCIONA’s Cathedral Rocks wind farm in South Australia. For a location that presented serious wave conditions with shallow reef and steep cliff faces, Kerr said the board performed exceptionally.

“The board demonstrated excellent stability and performance, particularly due to three key components from the turbine,” he said. “The fins provided good stiffness and held their line well; the flex pattern inserts milled from the blade gave the perfect amount of stiffness to the epoxy core; and the ground-up turbine particulate in the

The partnership ultimately culminated in a launch event taking place at URBNSURF in Sydney.

resin added strength.”

The first Australian partnership within Turbine Made ultimately culminated in a range of boards that were unveiled at a launch event at URBNSURF in Sydney. This provided an opportunity for industry associates and surfers alike to see the boards in action firsthand.

“It was a very positive event, as the goal was to raise awareness of a future problem and present a first solution in a fun environment,” said Pinter.

The partnership originated from a recommendation made by Chris Mater – CEO of Surfing Australia. This

Images: Mango Communications/ACCIONA

Building off the Turbine Made project, ACCIONA is actively exploring various applications for recycled blade materials.

recommendation solidified ACCIONA as a sponsor of Surfing Australia from 2019.

Re-manufacturing a circular wind turbine economy Despite being a positive development for a circular renewable’s economy, the existence of Turbine Made is a response to a larger issue that could catch up with the nation.

This issue is in reference to statistics regarding the ageing reality of Australia’s wind farms. As of 2023, 31 wind farms totalling 599 turbines across Australia were more than 15 years old. This means a growing number of blades will require replacing in the next 10 to 15 years, according to the Clean Energy Council’s 2023 Winding Up report.

“A significant number of blades will require replacement in the next decade,” said Pinter.

Turbine Made’s focus on Australia and New Zealand builds on previous work by ACCIONA to repurpose decommissioned wind turbine blades in Spain, including a collaboration with European fashion brand, El Ganso.

“ACCIONA in Spain collaborated with El Ganso to create sneakers featuring recycled blade material in their soles,” said Pinter. “The team integrated recycled blade materials into the torsion beams of solar trackers at a solar plant in Extremadura.”

The company also has a history of partnerships to help provide circular economy solutions, including with RenerCycle in Spain.

“ACCIONA has announced the construction of a

Waste2Fiber plant in Lumbier, Navarra,” said Pinter.

“The plant will use a proprietary thermal treatment technology to recycle wind turbine blades. Once built, it will process up to 6,000 tonnes per year.

“This process does not use combustion to preserve fibre properties. It reuses organic components from the blades and then converts the composite materials into secondary raw materials with high added value for reuse in various industries.”

Building off the first Turbine Made project with Draft Surf, Pinter said ACCIONA is actively exploring various applications for recycled blade materials.

“We are seeking Australian innovators who want to explore groundbreaking applications for the Turbine Made material in the development of sustainable products,” she said.

Draft Surf is owned and was founded by Aussie surfing legend Josh Kerr.

The Turbine Made material was integrated into a range of surfboards using innovative processing techniques.

As of 2023, 31 wind farms totalling 599 turbines across Australia were more than 15 years old.

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EVENTS

Avalon’s 2025 Airshow taken to new heights The Avalon Australian International Airshow 2025 wrapped on Sunday 30 March after six days, with a record industry attendance, a host of major industry announcements and strong public showing.

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valon 2025 attracted more than 200,000 attendances in total, including around 60,000 attendances across the three dedicated industry days, more than 10,000 above the 2023 industry total and more than 20,000 over the industry total for the 2019 event.

The industry days included 902 participating exhibitor companies from 28 nations, plus 291 industry, defence and academic delegations from 43 countries. This included 20 Chiefs of Air Force or equivalent, 18 international representatives and 7 US distinguished visitors.

Industry announcements flowed from day one, with the following giving a taste of the variety of activity.

The Australian Government took delivery of the first two of 42 ordered High Mobility Artillery Rocket System [HIMARS] units, which will give the Australian Army the ability to strike targets at a range of more

Avalon 2025 saw around 350 aircraft on display, including 70 from the military.

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than 500km. Prime contractor Lockheed Martin is proposing an in-country HIMARS sustainment centre and local production of guided Multiple Rocket Launch Systems [MRLS].

The Australian National University launched its bid for a Future of Space Cooperative Research Centre, seeding 2027 funding to drive innovation in microgravity manufacturing, semiconductor technology, and sustainable space operations.

One of the aircraft competing to be the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) first uncrewed fighter jet made its overseas debut at the show, with American defence company Anduril displaying a full-scale model of its Fury design.

Then there was Dovetail Electric Aviation, an Australian company planning to retrofit aircraft with zero-emission electric powertrains. It unveiled its proprietary DovePower integrated electric propulsion

system and DovePack battery technology. Dovetail offers a modular approach that allows for both battery-only and hydrogen-electric configurations.

Global training and critical operations provider CAE announced it has been awarded a contract to deliver through-life support for the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Lockheed Martin C-130J Weapons Trainer Simulator.

In other news, Bombardier Defense announced the sale of two Bombardier Challenger 650 aircraft to Principle Finance, a provider of customised aircraft leasing in Australia. These aircraft will be outfitted for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, with delivery scheduled for 2026.

On the academic front, Swinburne University hightech spinout EntroMat announced it will produce Australian-made high-performance High Entropy Material [HEM] powders, developed from recycled

The winners were: • Avalon 2025 Innovation Award: Herve Aster, Neumann Space, for the company’s electric propulsion drive for satellites.

• Avalon 2025 Young Innovator Award: Edward Robinson, Robinson Aerospace, for his RASCube Educational Satellite Kit, which sees students assemble a realistic replica CubeSat, complete with internal electronics.

• Avalon 2025 Emerging Technology Award: Nishq Ravindranath, Akula Tech Pty Ltd, for the company’s Space-Ready AI Model Optimiser, which offers faster onboard data processing and reduces onboard power and resource demands for various platforms including uncrewed vehicles, robotics and space vehicles.

• Blue Sky Thinking Innovation Award: Clem Newton-Brown, Skyportz, for the company’s patented modular vertipad, designed to make Advanced Air Mobility air taxi operations safer by ameliorating various issues including downwash and outwash from AAM vehicle rotors.

“Avalon 2025 was all about engagement between industry, defence, the aviation and the aerospace community and general public,” said CEO of Avalon Australian International Airshow organiser AMDA Foundation, Justin Giddings.

“Feedback from our exhibitors and the Air Force is

Royal Australian Air Force F-35s starred in the air displays.

Images: AMDA Foundation

industrial feedstocks, for advanced manufacturing and 3D printing facilities.

Australian aerospace start-up Drone Forge and Airbus signed a Letter of Intent to collaborate on the deployment and operational integration of the Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system, a 25-kilogram Vertical Takeoff and Landing [VTOL] uncrewed aircraft designed for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.

Hydrogen-electric aircraft developer Stralis Aircraft announced a collaboration with New Zealand’s Fabrum and Ara Ake to develop and test liquid hydrogen storage tanks and a fuel system for the Stralis aircraft.

Airbus Helicopters announced local sales of five helicopters, including four twin-engined H145s for New Zealand Search and Rescue Services and a single-engine H125 for Melbourne based operator Microflite.

Boeing displayed its AH-64E Apache attack helicopter, announcing that the first of 29 ordered by the Australian Army has entered final assembly, with four deliveries expected in 2025.

Avalon 2025 also promoted Australian innovation, presenting a total of $130,000 Innovation to four Innovation Pitchfest and Awards winners, who were among 23 finalists delivering a three-minute pitch to an audience of potential investors and customers.

The Avalon 2025 careers and skills program included former NASA astronaut Colonel Mike Bloomfield and our first Australian flagged astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg.

that once again the airshow achieved this with flying colours, including the largest industry presence we have ever had at the event.”

Avalon 2025 featured more than 350 aircraft in the air and on the ground, including 45 aerial display aircraft and 64 exhibited by aviation manufacturers from Bombardier and Dassault to Pilatus, Cessna, Cirrus and Robinson Helicopters.

Avalon 2025 also featured what may have been the largest single aviation industry careers and skills day ever held in Australia, with more than 7000 secondary and tertiary students participating in a program. The program included seminars and presentations from industry, Defence and two astronauts, former NASA astronaut and Shuttle Commander Mike Bloomfield, and Australia’s first Australian-flagged astronaut, Katherine BennellPegg.

The program included a ‘Sky’s The Limit’ speaking

program, with industry experts sharing insights and experience of careers in aviation, aerospace, defence and security. The ‘Drone Zone’ saw live demonstrations from professionals in drone racing and autonomous tech, while the STEM Interactive Hub offered hands-on flight simulators. Then there was the Questacon Professional Development Day, which connected educators and career practitioners with industry experts to highlight future opportunities in the defence and aerospace sectors.

“In aviation and aerospace, we are always trying to attract the next generation of innovators, and one of the great experiences of this event was seeing thousands of students learning about how aviation and aerospace can offer exciting and rewarding careers,” said Giddings.

“We look forward to returning in 2027, to again deliver one of the world’s great airshows, for industry and the Australian public.”

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COMMENT

HONI WALKER, CEO SEMMA

Policy makers must focus on the ‘why’ for Australians As SEMMA prepares to unveil its new manufacturing BLUEPRINT, CEO Honi Walker outlines a vision to lift Australia’s industrial landscape.

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here has been a lot written about policy needs and changes by many groups associated with manufacturing in the recent past, all hoping to make changes for a better future.

SEMMA is one of those groups, however our focus has crystalised as we prepare to launch our Manufacturing BLUEPRINT – 2030 and Beyond.

While we have been advocating for gas surety for manufacturers – and had a recent win with the clarification from government that gas would remain an energy source for manufacturers, who wouldn’t be forced into electrification – we have looked at the reason why we have developed our Manufacturing BLUEPRINT.

Our why: Increasing the GDP, and thus standard of living The reason we developed our Manufacturing BLUEPRINT to begin with surrounds an intent to

SEMMA is focused on launching its Manufacturing BLUEPRINT – 2030 and Beyond.

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spark a lift of standard of living through increasing GDP from its current level at 5.9 per cent to 10 per cent by 2030. We have five key pillars of growth that we will target to do so: economic, energy, expand, educate and evolve.

Economic First, we are calling on the Government to set and cap tax rates for manufacturers at 15 per cent. We are also calling for the introduction of ‘No or Low Interest’ SME Business Loans, and the reduction of Golden Tax Exit to 10 per cent from family businesses. Finally, the BLUEPRINT urges decision makers to introduce a Capital Allowance scheme instead of tax cuts.

Energy Our next pillar of energy is targeted at ensuring that energy supply is stable, sustainable, available and affordable. It’s also aimed at working towards a

Cap system for large energy users. In doing so, this pillar would give manufacturers energy supply and cost surety that will allow them to pre-set energy input costs allowing greater price competitiveness.

This would lead to higher machine use, the ability to increase wages, raising the standard of living leading to GDP productivity growth.

Expand Following a focus on energy is a pillar dedicated to growth and innovation of exports and capability through research and development [R&D] and utilising industry 4.0 and automation. This pillar is dedicated to enhancing access to funding and research opportunities to drive technological advancement. Industry growth for SMEs is imperative if we are to compete on a global stage.

Educate Ensuring our workforce is skilled and receives the

Image: THINK b/stock.adobe.com

training to grow business via technology is also a key aspect of our BLUEPRINT. We need to ensure our immigration and skilled visa program addresses these shortages, encourage more students to join manufacturing, and ensure our apprentices are incentivised to stay the course.

Evolve We need real tax and IR reform – not tax cuts and more red tape. We need business certainty for manufacturers. We need long-term thinking, which ensures small businesses move to being medium sized, increasing productivity through efficiency.

If we can do these things, we can invest in our capability – our capital investment will be of value now and for the future.

In Victoria, the South-East region boasts more than 232,903 jobs – a 10 per cent surge in just five years. The southern region’s output now hits a staggering $54 billion, making up 24 per cent of Victoria’s $227 billion manufacturing sector. That’s an $11 billion growth, or 26 per cent, in five years.

The manufacturing sector underwrites Australia’s economy. We supply essential materials to the building sector, yet we aren’t considered for the same benefits and bonuses as the construction sector – that needs to change.

We need to ensure manufacturing remains a cornerstone of our economy, providing jobs and strengthening our national capability.

SEMMA Stock: SEMMA’s Manufacturing BLUEPRINT is built on an intent to spark a lift of standard of living through increasing GDP.

Image: stellastock/stock.adobe.com

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DECISION MAKER COLUMN

BERNIE QUINN, CEO OF PREMCAR

An Australian carmaker’s perspective on Australian manufacturing CEO of Premcar, Bernie Quinn, reflects on Australia’s automotive legacy and explains why reclaiming our manufacturing mindset is key to a stronger industrial future.

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ne problem underpins the idea of manufacturing in Australia. It’s got nothing to do with factories, assembly lines or automation. It’s about us.

Too often, I’ve heard how it’s no longer possible to manufacture things here in Australia. In fact, ‘we shouldn’t bother trying’. After all, our biggest trading partners can do it cheaper and faster. But for the many people [like me] who oppose this view, the reply is simple: We should manufacture in Australia, and manufacture as much as possible.

The truth is, Australia makes plenty of things.

Manufacturers’ Monthly brims with the great work of many Aussie businesses and trailblazers. But after more than 30 years in Australia’s new-car engineering and manufacturing sector, my biggest observation has been this: Compared to earlier times like the 1970s and ‘80s, manufacturing, particularly in the automotive sector, is currently in a depleted state.

This might sound obvious, but hear me out.

Back then, protectionist barriers in local car making helped keep Made in Australia widespread.

But it had one major side-effect, and that was to stifle innovation. Local cars typically employed ancient technologies. For example, GM-Holden used its overhead-valve six-cylinder ‘Red Motor’ from 1963 until the first Commodore in the 1980s. Ford Australia’s rival ‘Big Six’ chugged out of Geelong in 1960 and finally retired three decades later. Japan’s Toyota, however, developed multiple versions of its M-series six-cylinder during this time, keeping it ahead. By the start of the ‘80s, the Commodore still wheezed through a single carburettor; Toyota had fuel injection, turbocharging and a twin-cam design.

Fast-forward to the 1990s and 2000s and places like South-East Asia and China intensified their car making efforts. Around 2009, the Australian dollar unexpectedly hit parity with the US currency and the scene was set to declare local new-car manufacturing too costly and uncompetitive. By 2017, our country’s last mass-produced, primarymanufactured new car had rolled out.

But before it did, here’s a snapshot of our carmaking fitness at the time.

In 2015, the American Ford Taurus sedan was priced at USD $35,875 [around AUD $48,000 at that

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Many people believe we should manufacture in Australia, and manufacture as much as possible.

time]. The Australian Ford Falcon XR6 sedan was AUD $37,790 – and a better car. The US-market Ford Explorer SUV was around USD $33,000 (around AUD $44,000) and the Australian Ford Territory AUD $36,990. Compared to the USA, Ford Australia was making better cars with lower prices. We were more than competitive.

Unfortunately, by that time in 2015, Aussie car manufacturers believed it was too late to save the industry.

The exchange rate back then put the Australian dollar at around 75 US cents. But in 2009/10, when crucial decisions about the next generation of products were being made, that figure was about $1.05 - $1.10. It helped simplify the decisions to close local car making, but it’s worth remembering that the extraordinary exchange rate period was short-lived. A spike in local commodity exports and a temporary change to US Monetary Policy drove it.

After that, it fell back to earth. Today, it’s around 60 US cents.

Based on current rates we should still be making cars here, particularly the cars Aussies rely on for work and family life.

Product-wise, Australia could certainly have

made today’s cars. Holden and the CSIRO unveiled a petrol-electric hybrid Commodore in 2000. We developed an electric Ford Territory SUV in 2010.

Toyota could have made hybrid, fuel-cell or electric cars at its Altona plant.

However, 2017 wasn’t the end of Australia’s car industry. We were the company previously behind Ford Australia’s FPV (Ford Performance Vehicles) brand and we now work with a multitude of global carmakers. We engineer, develop and secondary manufacture a lot of popular new cars. You’re probably driving one of them.

It’s not only us who’s busy. Walkinshaw is turning large American pick-ups from left to right-hand drive.

Ford Australia’s engineering achievements continue to impress. Its ‘T6.2’ vehicle platform, which underpins the Ford Ranger, Everest and Bronco, is known globally as one of the best SUV/ute platforms ever made.

And keep this in mind – any new-car engineering program must be driven by engineers who have a manufacturing mindset. You can develop the world’s best anything in new-car product engineering, but it has to be industrialised. It’s why our development engineers work so closely with our manufacturing

engineers when we develop and secondarymanufacture value-added new cars.

All of this highlights that our car industry’s long-standing know-how is still here, and Dr Jens Goennemann, the head of Australia’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre, said this is how we should apply it: To the development and manufacture of high-technology, high-value products – like a car for Australians and the world, for example.

He is spot-on. Just as sales of electric vehicles (EVs) began to take off, he reminded everyone that Australia delivers half of the world’s critical minerals to make EV batteries, but cashes in only 0.5 percent of it, simply because we don’t add value to those minerals before they leave the country.

He also said manufacturing is “a capability, not a sector”, and this is exactly how we should understand it. After all, you can’t create a manufacturing sector unless you know how to manufacture things.

And this is where Australia has a number of advantages. Manufacturing skills are transferable.

In my world, car making programs translate neatly into defence equipment projects. It’s why Premcar also does defence programs. These are valuable because they contribute to Australia’s vital sovereign capabilities.

Car making is also a social contributor. It’s so complex, some countries have whole regions partly dedicated to the entire knowledge chain of designing, engineering and making new cars.

Germany’s state of Baden-Württemberg, the home of Stuttgart, is a great example.

It’s not just about jobs. Universities and technical colleges develop curricula that create new generations of skilled people to sustain and grow these industries. Car making’s complex industrial

One of Premcar’s programs is developing and secondary-manufacturing new cars for Nissan.

challenges create highly capable people, who in turn drive advanced societies. And this brings me back to the problem of ‘us’, and the idea of manufacturing in Australia.

It really is about us. It’s not about the other countries who are ‘cheaper’, ‘have scale’ and ‘can do it better’. Not long ago, many of these successful manufacturing nations weren’t necessarily ‘cheaper’, ‘had scale’, or were making complex products such as new cars.

But their governments took a disciplined longrange view and attracted the right investments from the right major companies.

Even Apple’s Tim Cook said China stopped being a low labour cost country many years ago. He said the reason he manufactures there is because of their quantity of skills, adding “their vocational expertise is very deep”.

Most importantly – and this is my main point – countries like China developed a manufacturing culture, a widespread belief that they could make anything. And they did it despite the obstacles they faced, which included not even knowing how to

make the products for the market sectors they now dominate.

Today, they’re banking the financial and social benefits of those disciplined actions – and using their self-made manufacturing cultures to build even further.

I grew up dreaming about creating cars. Companies like Toyota and Ford made this possible in Australia.

Today, one of our programs is developing and secondary-manufacturing new cars for Nissan at one of our Melbourne plants. I hope today’s passionate car-loving kids get the chance to walk in my shoes one day. We’re certainly trying to make this happen.

For Australia, it’s not too late. Our country still has so many critical manufacturing capabilities, the kind that value-add to create the products people [including Australians] want to buy.

But a big question remains: Are we capable of convincing ourselves we can create our own manufacturing culture? It’s a question every advanced manufacturing economy has to ask at some stage, and they all prove there’s only one answer.

Image: Premcar

Premcar is built on the reality that carmaking is a social contributor to society.

manmonthly.com.au Manufacturers’ Monthly

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WHAT’S NEW IN WELDING Image: Weld Australia

The combined AS/NZS ISO 3834 + AS/NZS 5131 certification service Weld Australia has launched a streamlined, cost-effective solution for welding and structural steel compliance.

W

eld Australia has announced the launch of a combined certification service for AS/ NZS ISO 3834 and AS/NZS 5131. This new offering streamlines the certification process for fabricators and structural steel manufacturers, reducing time, cost, and administrative burden while ensuring compliance with both critical standards.

This service is only available to businesses certified to AS/NZS ISO 3834, or those doing a dual certification. AS/NZS 5131 certification is provided as an additional component – not as a standalone certification.

By integrating the audits for AS/NZS ISO 3834 and AS/NZS 5131, Weld Australia eliminates redundant certification processes, providing a simplified, efficient, and cost-effective solution.

Companies seeking AS/NZS ISO 3834 certification can now opt to include AS/NZS 5131 as part of a single audit, ensuring compliance with welding quality and structural steel requirements in one streamlined step.

“Our new AS/NZS ISO 3834+ certification service is a game-changer for the Australian welding and structural steel industry. We know that managing multiple certification processes can be complex and time-consuming, which is why we developed this streamlined solution. Our combined certification

50 Manufacturers’ Monthly May 2025

offering removes unnecessary duplication, making compliance easier and more accessible for businesses of all sizes,” said CEO of Weld Australia, Geoff Crittenden.

“By consolidating audits into a single, integrated process, companies will experience significant cost savings, as they no longer need to undergo separate assessments. Additionally, the time and effort saved by avoiding multiple audits will allow businesses to focus on operational efficiency and quality outcomes rather than administrative burdens.

“As the peak body representing welding in Australia, Weld Australia is uniquely positioned to deliver expert-led certification services. With an independent review board, a strong commitment to continuous improvement, and consistent internal audit processes, Weld Australia ensures certification is rigorous, reliable, and aligned with industry best practices.”

AS/NZS ISO 3834 Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials specifies the production control requirements expected for fusion-welded products globally, whether fabricated on-site or in a workshop. It is the internationally recognised benchmark for welding quality, ensuring efficient, high-quality welding processes.

AS/NZS 5131 Structural steelwork fabrication

specifies the structural steelwork fabrication and erection requirements to achieve compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).

Companies must first be certified to AS/NZS ISO 3834 by Weld Australia before they can obtain AS/ NZS 5131 certification. Weld Australia does not offer stand-alone AS/NZS 5131 certifications.

Key benefits of combined certification: • Streamlined process: A single audit covering both standards, eliminating redundant auditing activities.

• Cost savings: A lower price point than obtaining the certifications separately, improving affordability.

• Time and effort reduction: Simplifies compliance, reduces administrative burdens, and minimises operational disruptions.

• Superior service: Weld Australia’s team of qualified experts provides support and guidance.

• Single certifying body: Eliminates the need to coordinate with multiple certifying authorities.

For more information or to apply for combined AS/NZS ISO 3834 + AS/NZS 5131 certification, visit: https://weldaustralia.com.au/qualificationcertification/company-certification/as-nzs-iso3834-plus-certification/

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