Manufacturing

Manufacturing industry sheds more jobs as Gillard warns higher dollar here to stay

2012-02-01T23:43:25Z

The manufacturing industry has been dealt another blow with both Mortein and Holden announcing hundreds of job losses yesterday, as industry veterans slammed the Government and blamed Fair Work legislation for taking the industry back decades.

Automotive component makers shrug off Toyota job cuts, but acknowledge industry pressures on SMEs

2012-01-24T01:12:53Z

Manufacturers of automotive parts say the latest job cuts announced by Toyota will not affects business, but admit production is still trending downwards and small businesses are under pressure.

Manufacturing taskforce members push for small business innovation scheme

2012-01-19T23:57:03Z

Members of the Government's manufacturing taskforce are promoting a scheme that would see the Government partially funding small businesses to solve major business problems, with a guarantee of buying the innovation should it prove successful.

Australia needs some German drive: Gettler

2012-01-17T23:01:48Z

All the noise over the government giving $34 million to Ford, and GM Holden seeking $200 million from taxpayers to maintain its operations in Adelaide, is a microcosm of the disaster that passes for Australian industry policy and strategic planning. Bailouts do not create a sustainable manufacturing industry, they just delay the inevitable.

The Government should force the car sector to go electric: Kohler

2012-01-11T22:10:09Z

You would think, reading the claptrap about why the federal government is giving $34 million to Ford, that there was no such thing as an electric car and that the world was not rushing towards switching from petrol to electricity for transportation.

Ford invests $103 million in Australian operations, governments kick in $32 million

2012-01-10T01:05:55Z

The future of the local car manufacturing industry has been boosted by a $103 million investment by Ford to complement $32 million in Government grants.

Car parts makers worried as local vehicle sales sag

2012-01-05T23:50:10Z

The fall in the number of locally made cars sold in Australia is likely to make things difficult for component manufacturers, according to the Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers.

Harley-Davidson shuts South Australian manufacturing subsidiary, over 200 jobs to go

2011-12-08T23:22:58Z

In another blow to Australian manufacturing, US motorcycle producer Harley-Davidson will close its South Australian subsidiary producer of cast wheels and wheel hubs, New Castalloy.

Coffin maker dodges forced asset sale but warns manufacturing under pressure

2011-10-30T22:59:17Z

A Melbourne coffin making business has been rescued from controllership with a new round of finance, but its managing director has warned the fragile nature of the manufacturing industry and competition from imports will make trading more difficult.

Private equity circling fresh pet food giant VIP Petfoods: Report

2011-10-18T23:46:08Z

VIP Petfoods, which calls itself the world's largest producer of fresh chilled pet food, is believed to be of interest to private equity, as its founder flags a push into confectionary.

Manufacturing industry shrinks in September due to high dollar, low domestic demand

2011-10-03T00:53:51Z

The manufacturing industry continues to suffer, with the sector suffering another contraction in September as the dollar remains high and local demand remains subdued, according to the latest figures from the Australian Industry Group.

Government steps up Buy Australia push, appoints Peter Beattie to trade role

2011-08-25T01:25:38Z

The struggles of the manufacturing sector has forced the Federal Government to step up its Buy Australia push, with former Queensland premier Peter Beattie given the job of becoming a special "envoy" to represent Australian manufactures in the global resources sector.

Shell of ASX-listed pharmaceutical manufacturing company for sale after collapse

2011-08-15T00:48:15Z

Urgent expressions of interest are being sought for an ASX-listed pharmaceutical manufacturing company that collapsed into voluntary administration late last month.

Insulation manufacturers seeking $50 million in Government compensation

2011-07-08T01:37:00Z

A group of insulation manufacturers has reportedly requested more than $50 million in compensation from the government for unused material that experts say is driving prices down across the country.

Envelope manufacturer collapses, makes 300 workers redundant

2011-07-05T01:17:51Z

The suffering Australian manufacturing industry has been dealt another blow with 300 workers at the country’s biggest envelope maker made redundant yesterday as administrators battled to find a buyer for the troubled company.

Automotive manufacturers thinking twice about Australian investment after Green Innovation Fund scrapped

2011-06-27T01:24:54Z

The future of Australia's automotive industry is in doubt, after the major manufacturers said the Government's decision to scrap the Green Car Innovation Fund has led it to reconsider its commitment to local manufacturing.

Car production cutbacks will flow through to SME suppliers

2011-04-15T00:04:19Z

Production cutbacks at Toyota Australia and Ford Australia will flow through to SME parts suppliers, experts have warned.

Manufacturing start-up lands $2 million grant from CSIRO funding

2011-04-13T23:56:02Z

An organic manufacturer has secured almost $2 million in government funding to aid its ambitions to take a slice of the multibillion dollar global export pallet market.

Listed manufacturer collapse into administration

2011-02-22T00:35:26Z

Rubber surface manufacturer Reclaim Industries has been placed in the hands of administrators just seven weeks after the company told shareholders it had secured cornerstone investors who could recapitalise the company.

Manufacturer enters administration after losing key contracts from Coles and Wooloworths

2011-01-18T23:29:39Z

Frigrite, a listed company that has supplied commercial refrigeration and air conditioning systems since 1945, has placed its two operating subsidiaries in the hands of administrators.