7. Company Interviews

Transcription

Cleantech Manufacturing Opportunities for Hume Companies
7.
Company Interviews
7.1 Overview of Interviews
To target companies that would be most suitable for this program, the full list of 5,962 businesses in
the Hume region was reviewed. From this initial very high level review, 142 companies were
identified as having potential to benefit from involvement.
Each of the 142 companies was then reviewed in more detail through available online and public
information. This process particularly focussed on the capabilities of the companies and the size of
the company with the aim of identifying those with relevant capabilities and of a size and
professionalism to be able to be a valuable partner for growing cleantech product developers. This
review also took into account personal knowledge of City of Hume staff that knew the businesses.
This process resulted in 27 businesses being shortlisted as the most suitable targets.
Each of the shortlisted companies was then contacted to gauge interest in the project and availability
for an initial meeting or call. Of these, 19 company interviews were completed to further understand
the company's operations, capabilities and entrepreneurial abilities.
To help with the final selection of the ten participating companies, a scoring framework was
developed to help identify those companies that would be most suited to partnering with cleantech
product developers. Each company was scored out of five against five criteria seen as necessary for
the company to successfully engage with emerging cleantech companies. The criteria were:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Design and design for manufacture capability.
Capability to add value through supply chain, logistics or distribution channels.
Resource and Financial Capacity to take on emerging company clients.
Entrepreneurial attitude to grasp new opportunities and be flexible with use of
resources and capabilities.
Ability to bring additional skills and partners to a project to be able to deliver
optimum outcomes.
This process gave each company a score out of 25 which was the basis for the final selection of ten
companies for Stage 2. The table below provides the list of companies reviewed along with their
'Suitability Score' and the recommendation for participation in Stage 2.
Least
Suitable
AVOID
0
Ref
Company
Primary Activities
Greatest Cleantech
Opportunities
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
Suitability
Score
(Max=25)
PURSUE
15
20
25
Recommendation
H1
Brunton
Engineering
Structural Design,
Fabrication &
Installation
Large scale
demonstration
projects
16
Include In Stage 2
H2
Integra
Systems
Sheet Metal Design &
Manufacture
Working with product
developers to make
them ready for
market.
19
Include In Stage 2
H3
G James
Aluminium Design &
Fabrication
Glass Technologies
12
Exclude from Stage 2
H4
Tridonic
Lighting Component
Manufacture &Import
Lighting & Building
Management
Systems
12
H5
Environmental
Technologies
Group
Bacterial Agent
Development &
Manufacture
Waste-to-energy and
Biomass
9
95
Ref
Company
Primary Activities
Greatest Cleantech
Opportunities
Suitability
Score
(Max=25)
Recommendation
H6
Dr Stainless
Stainless Steel Design
& Fabrication
Water and waste
products
13
Consider for Stage 2
H7
Altro
Transformers
Transformers, Power
Supplies, DC
Rectification
Industrial Energy
Efficiency
15
Include in Stage 2
H8
Natex
Precision CNC Turning
and Milling
Steel components for
multiple industries
14
H9
Acoustic
Industries
Acoustic panelling and
laminating
Green Buildings
16
Include In Stage 2
H10
E-Plas
Engineered Plastics
Components for
multiple industries
16
Include In Stage 2
H11
Tech Tooling
Machining &
Fabrication
multiple industries
15
Include In Stage 2
H12
Ardex
Australia
Wet and Dry Chemical
Mixing
Insulating render
products
12
H13
Aero
Manufacturing
Tube Bending
Liquid tubing for
water, biofuels, wave
and geothermal
projects
14
H14
Capral
Aluminium Extrusion
Double glazing,
green wall frames
and building facades
16
Include in Stage 2
H15
CEA
Consolidated
Engineering fabrication
(for concrete industry
equipment)
Fabrication for heavy
plant such as biogas,
wave and water
15
Did not engage and
so not considered
further
H16
Cutting Edge
Solutions
Metals manufacture
Did not engage and
so not considered
further
14
Did not engage and
so not considered
further
H17
Greg Sewell
Forgings
Steel Forging
Did not engage and
so not considered
further
13
Did not engage and
so not considered
further
H18
Industrial
Galvanisers
Steel Galvanising
Did not engage and
so not considered
further
9
Did not engage and
so not considered
further
H19
MEC
Engineering
Mechanical and
electrical engineering
Did not engage and
so not considered
further
13
Did not engage and
so not considered
further
H20
Ormiston
Rubber
Rubber Product
Manufacture
Did not engage and
so not considered
further
14
Did not engage and
so not considered
further
H21
Premier
Plastics
Plastic Extrusion
Did not engage and
so not considered
further
13
Did not engage and
so not considered
further
H22
Sussex Taps
Tap Manufacture
Did not engage and
so not considered
further
7
Did not engage and
so not considered
further
H23
Intec Coatings
Specialty Coatings
Paint, green
buildings, coating for
solar mirrors
16
Include In Stage 2
96
The ten companies that were accepted into Stage 2 of the project were:
• Acoustic Industries
• Altro Transformers
• Brunton Engineering
• Capral Aluminium
• Dr Stainless
• E-Plas
• Intec Coatings
• Integra Systems
• Natex
• Tech Tooling
Four companies that were recommended to be excluded from Stage 2. The reasons for their
exclusion were documented on the company profiles and provided back to these companies.
• G James
• Tridonic
• Environmental Technologies Group
• Ardex Australia
Five said that they were not interested in participating in Stage 2:
• Abcor
• CEM International
• H&H Machine Tools
• JAR Engineering
• Aero Manufacturing
97
7.2 Record of Interviews
Interview Date: 5/3/13
Company Details
Co. Name
Brunton Engineering
Address
54-56 Freight Drive, Somerton
Contact Name
Geoff and Daniel Brunton
Phone
0408 371 888/ 9303 7475
Email
geoff@brunteng.com
Website
www.brunteng.com
Have been operating and growing for 20-30 years and was
founded by the Managing Director, Geoff Brunton.
•
•
Geoff's sons now also work in the business.
Have historically worked extensively for the auto industry
upgrading and installing new equipment. In recent years this
capital spending from the auto companies has declined rapidly
and so the company has been seeking to diversify into other
industries.
o
o
o
o
o
Structural Design,
Fabrication &
Installation
BRUNTON
ENGINEERING
Sector Opportunities
1. Wave generation demonstration projects.
2. Framing or bases for small wind turbines.
3. Frames, screw piles and tracking systems for commercial
solar projects.
4. The Company would be able to provide assistance to any
project that requires fairly large scale fabrication utilising
structural components.
Company Operations
•
Name
Company Risks
1. Cash Flow & Commercial Risk - The Company seems to have
a good variety of project and customers and whilst their auto
business is declining there appears to be a reasonable cash
flow.
2. Resource Availability Risk - the Company is of a size where it
has reasonable resourcing and so should be able to provide
sufficient resourcing for any project. There are only 2 or 3 key
people and that may present some constraints at times.
Company History
•
The company has well equipped facilities that include:
2400 m2 workshops.
450 m2 offices.
50 tonne crane with 11m to the hook.
10 tonne hoist.
2 x 5 tonne cranes.
Capability & Capacity to Secure Cleantech Opportunities
Recent projects include:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Ring Road for Theiss - 600 columns for panels.
Assemble (refashion) trucks for water crews.
Signal gantries for VLine.
Mobile coffer dam for Murray Goulburn Water.
115 conveyors for SKM Recycling.
Terminal bunds in Geelong.
Property projects including refurbishments.
Conveyor belts at the airport.
Did some preliminary work on a deep span roofing material
and how to incorporate solar into the design bu this did not
proceed.
Assessment Criteria
Design and design for manufacture
capability
Capability to add value through supply
chain, logistics or distribution channels
Resource and Financial Capacity to take
on emerging company clients
Entrepreneurial attitude to grasp new
opportunities and be flexible with use of
resources and capabilities
Ability to bring additional skills and partners
to a project to be able to deliver optimum
outcomes.
1
2
3
4
Focus is on civil and mechanical projects.
5
Company Strategy
•
•
•
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
4
2
2
4
4
TOTAL
The company aims to work on specialised and unique projects
that require innovation and experience to be able to deliver a
quality product.
16
Recommendation
Include in Stage 2 as the heavy structural design and fabrication
partner for large scale demonstration plants and products
They do not compete on price for simple projects.
Company Resources
•
H1
Ref
Sector
The company has a variety of trades employed inhouse:
o
Boiler makers
o
Carpenters
o
Draughtsmen
o
Design
Recommendation
Greatest Opportunities
INCLUDE IN
STAGE 2
Large scale
demonstration projects
Least
Suitable
AVOID
25-30 employees - generally long term, stable and loyal.
0
98
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
Company Details
Co. Name
Integra Systems
197 Northcorp Boulevard,
Address
Broadmeadows
Contact Name
Paul Hughes
Phone
0419 572 907
Email
paul@integrasystems.com.au
Website
www.integrasystems.com.au
Company History
•
•
Founded in 1991 by the Managing Director, Paul Hughes.
•
Founded as ‘Integra Tooling Systems’, it was originally a
mechanical engineering design and development business.
•
The organisation has grown and changed from the early
consultancy mode to become a highly capable and competitive
Australian manufacturer, with further enhanced development and
production engineering prowess.
•
In the last 2-3 years, they have diversified away from their key
customer and are now starting to grow strongly into new markets.
Paul's father, Russell, is the Engineering Director and wife, Erika,
is the Marketing Manager.
•
Have never had much exposure to the auto industry.
Company Operations
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Building products
Telecoms facilities - 3m x 1m x 1m phone booth - flat packed
Water plant components (Rubicon)
Sheet Metal Design
& Manufacture
INTEGRA
SYSTEMS
Company Risks
1. Cash Flow & Commercial Risk - The Company seems to have
a good variety of project and customers and a reasonable
cash flow.
2. Resource Availability Risk - the Company is heavily reliant on
Paula and Russell for technical input so this might be a
constraint.
1. Energy efficiency and monitoring equipment enclosures
2. Green Buildings
3. EV recharging points
4. Light fittings
5. Screens
6. Other product development and design for manufacture for
any relatively small lightweight metal product.
Some ability to do welding and fastenings.
4
Design for transport is a specialty allowing flat packing and
efficient delivery and assembly.
Provide value add to customers to help them design, package
and deliver new products.
5
capability
outcomes.
Complete product development and design for manufacture.
Focus on smaller orders - typically 100. High volumes of standard
parts is cheaper offshore but specialist development of products
can add significant value.
Just-in-time delivery of products as required.
Project work vs standard reordering work - 30%/70%.
5
3
2
5
4
TOTAL
19
Recommendation
Include in Stage 2 as the sheet metal design and fabrication
partner for small scale products and product development.
Will general utilise partners for any installation work.
Recommendation
The company has well equipped facilities that include:
o
1000m2 of workshops
o
Automated Punching and bending machinery
o
12 employees.
INCLUDE IN
STAGE 2
developers to make them
ready for market.
Least
Suitable
Company Strategy
•
1
3
Enclosures.
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
Assessment Criteria
2
Visual merchandising
H2
Name
Focus is on design and construction of sheet metal products such as :
•
•
•
•
•
Ref
Sector
Integra Systems has worked with hundreds of Australian
businesses and helped them enjoy prosperity in both local and
export markets.
•
With innovation as the cornerstone of Integra’s culture, our
customers are able to stay ahead of their competition in key areas
of product design and development, whilst benefitting from our
highly efficient manufacturing systems.
•
We focus on working collaboratively with our customers to
enable them to secure new market opportunities.
•
Our business relationships are always enhanced by applying
our philosophy of a ‘Future Vision Shared’.
99
AVOID
0
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
Company Details
Co. Name
Tridonic.Atco Manufacturing Pty ltd
Address
130 Melrose Drive, Tullamarine
Contact Name
Gerhard Fehle
Phone
9339 0204
Email
gerhard.fehle@tridonic.com
Website
www.tridonic.com
Tridonic is a subsidiary of an Austrian parent company
•
Has operations globally
Has 3 separate brands, one of which uses all Tridonic
manufactured parts.
•
•
•
•
•
•
The company has two manufacturing plants in Victoria: one
manufacturing copper wire and the other making magnetic
ballasts.
•
•
•
•
Specific Opportunities
•
enLighten Australia
•
GreenSync
In 2005, the company employed 700 people in Australia, but now
only employs 48. The site is still huge but is hardly used.
The company is still strong in terms of sales and is simply
replacing the local manufacture with imports.
•
•
•
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
Assessment Criteria
Offer lighting solutions for all uses from offices to emergency
lighting to stadium lighting.
LEDs are manufactured at very large scale in China and Europe
and there appears to be little opportunity to produce any in
Australia. This primarily because the local market is too small.
Has a successful lighting management control system that is
growing in sales.
capability
outcomes.
1
2
3
4
With the decline of its manufacturing operations, the company
has started offering services to other lighting and luminaire
manufacturers in Australia. These services include design and
component supply. This new business line has however failed to
gain much traction or generate much revenue.
The offering for an emerging lighting developer would be to have
a 'big brother' company to help with the design for manufacture
and specific modifications and improvements.
5
•
Focus is entirely on lighting, lighting management systems and
building management systems.
•
Could potentially partner with window manufacturers or automatic
blinds suppliers to build a more comprehensive system. Or
integrate lighting management into BMS systems offered by
companies such as Schneider, ABB or Siemens.
100
3
1
12
Local managers keen to find new products and ideas but there
appears to be little head office support for growth in Australia.
On this basis, do not include in Stage 2
Recommendation
EXCLUDE
FROM STAGE 2
Lighting & Building
Management Systems
Least
Suitable
The experience with the lighting management system could
readily transfer to wider building management systems.
2
With local manufacturing set to be closed and limited local
design expertise, the company is not an ideal local partner for
cleantech companies.
The prospect for any manufacture in Australia is very limited with
the only some possibility of assembly. Tridonic appears to be in
the process of winding down its current manufacturing operations.
Also an understanding of how to get the best out of components.
3
Recommendations
•
The company's main skill is in understanding and developing
'lighting solutions'. This includes understanding global trends and
the dynamics of the industry.
3
TOTAL
Tridonic could also possible offer an alternative channel to market
although would need to be careful that the products are not
competing with their own products.
Company Capabilities
•
TRIDONIC
However, the copper wire operation is not competitive globally
and the demand for magnetic ballasts worldwide is decreasing as
customers switch to the more efficient electronic ballasts or use
LED technologies.
Company Strategy
•
Lighting Component
Manufacture &Import
1. Lighting management systems
2. Building management systems
3. Luminaire and LED product development and global channel
to market
Company Operations
•
Name
Company Risks
1. Cash Flow & Commercial Risk - The global Company is large
and has a strong balance sheet.ver the local manufacturing
operations appears set to close.
2. Resource Availability Risk - the Company has extensive
global resources and currently under-utilised local resources
although local resources are likely to reduce in the near
future..
Company History
•
•
H4
Ref
Sector
AVOID
0
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
Company Details
Environmental Technologies Group
Co. Name
(ETG) - or EcoGreen
Address
16 Mallet Road, Tullamarine
Contact Name
David Campbell, Managing Director
Phone
1800 000 245
Email
dcc@ecogreen.com.au
Website
www.ecogreen.com.au
•
•
ETG was founded in 1999 to develop bacterial products
•
Its initial market was water treatment where it had great products
but managed to secure few sales
•
•
In the early 2000s, the company was losing c.$3m/year
However, it found that it couldn't produce its bio product
economically.
Worked on developing products that had a shelf life of 18 months
that could then be sold and distributed more widely.
Company Operations
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Bacterial Agent
Development &
Manufacture
ENVIRONMENTAL
TECHNOLOGIES
GROUP
1. Waste-to-energy - to help with breakdown of material
2. Air Quality providers
3. Wastewater treatment
Specific Opportunities
•
Waste-to-Energy, biogas, biochar projects
•
Clean TeQ
The company now produces tablets for use primarily in holding
ponds and in waste traps.
They also sell product to Rentokill for its washroom service
division. The product was developed from 2008 and is now sold
into 12 countries through the Rentokill contract.
They are currently developing a retail product to be used for
odour removal for uses such as carpets.
Assessment Criteria
capability
outcomes.
1
2
3
Also developing a sanitising product that could be used as a
spray to give surface protection for up to 30 days.
Work with customers to solve specific problems. Eg worked with
pizza company to improve cleaning of pizza trays and to reduce
the use of caustic products and increase productivity.
All R&D and product development undertaken in Melbourne
4
5
Most manufacture also in Melbourne because of high need for
Quality Control and IP protection.
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
0
2
1
4
2
TOTAL
Asian products are bottled and packaged in Malaysia.
Concentrate is sent from Australia and employees there manage
the packaging and distribution.
Employees - 17 (10 in Australia, 6 in Malaysia and 1 in
Singapore) - up from 13 in 2011.
Products focus on breaking down material and inhibiting algae
growth. The 'friendly and pathogenic' bacteria 'out-competes'
other bacteria and hence removes odour.
Used for odour control in enclosed waste storage areas Burwood Casino misting system sprays the bacteria over the
rubbish every 15 minutes.
•
•
•
•
The company has very strong skills in utilising bacteria for
multiple uses. One of the challenges has been focusing on getting
products to market and generating revenue rather than
developing the next smart possible product.
The Company is focussed on developing its own products and
is seeking new partners and channels to market for its existing
skills and products in the specialist area of bacterial agents.
Whilst this may provide a strong partnership with companies for
specific needs it does not fit the criteria of helping source
cleantech customers for existing skills.
The company would be an excellent technical adviser or
partner for some cleantech companies and in particular those
involved in waste-to-energy, biomass and wastewater
treatment projects.
Company should also investigate benefits of the Melbourne
CleanTech Network and the Cleantech Capability Teams.
On this basis, do not include in Stage 2
Recommendation
EXCLUDE
FROM STAGE 2
Waste-to-energy and
Biomass
Least
Suitable
Aims to partner with industry experts to develop suitable products
and then access those markets.
AVOID
Looking for marketing and channel partners.
0
101
9
Recommendations
•
Future products might include aquaculture and wastewater
products, control of algae in water (eg crocodile farm reducing
cleaning of ponds from each week to once a month).
Company Strategy
•
Name
Company Risks
1. Cash Flow & Commercial Risk - The Company is fairly small
but appears to have a good mix a regular supply contracts
and development of new product lines.
2. Resource Availability Risk - the Company is small and relies
on a few key people so this may be an issue for partners.
Company History
•
H5
Ref
Sector
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
Company Details
Co. Name
Dr Stainless
Address
11 Patrick Street, Campbellfield
Contact Name
Joel Watson, Director
Phone
9357 8007
Email
joel@drstainless.net.au
Website
www.drstainless.net.au
Company History
•
For over 15 years, Dr Stainless have been providing a
professional and reliable service that effectively delivers precision
custom stainless steel fabrication solutions. We are proud to have
built a reputation for a personalised service with a flexible
approach to our client's stainless steel fabrication requirements
and believe this is reflected by our high volume of returning
clients.
Was heavily reliant on one major client that has reduced its
volume of work in the last 12 months. The company is currently
struggling to replace the work with other clients.
•
•
•
•
Company Risks
1. Cash Flow & Commercial Risk - The Company is currently
struggling and the commercial risk may be fairly high.
2. Resource Availability Risk - the Company is small and
currently has few staff so resource risk is fairly high. However
because of current under utilisation, their availability will be
high in the short term.
•
•
Dr Stainless
Four machine shops and used to have 21 employees. Now down
to 3 or 4 employees.
Stainless steel fabrication and jobbing shop.
•
Stainless Steel
Design &
Fabrication
Primarily focussed on food and poultry markets.
•
•
•
•
Name
1. Water
2. Biofuels, Biogas & Waste-to-Energy
3. Distributed Energy
4. Industrial Energy Efficiency
5. Other
Company Operations
•
H6
Ref
Sector
From initial design through to manufacturing and on-site
installation we evaluate and recommend the most effective
methods of production.
Assessment Criteria
capability
outcomes.
1
Blending traditional techniques with the latest manufacturing
technologies we strive to deliver products of the highest quality
workmanship.
Has developed and patented a wastewater treatment system that
includes aeration, ozone treatment and electroflocculation.
o
Have built mobile demonstration plant that fits on the back of
a tandem trailer.
o
Produces Class A water with no chemicals.
o
Currently going for Commercialisation Australia grant to
build a full scale demo plant.
2
3
4
5
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
3
2
1
4
3
TOTAL
Customers include food manufacturing and processing
companies such as Simplot.
No internal design skills currently but can access as needed.
13
Recommendations
•
Core skills - good at building stuff and making good theory be
practical.
Underused capacity currently.
•
Entrepreneurial flare.
•
The company is currently looking for new customers and
diversification and has strong skills. It has currently downsized
but could easily scale up again if required.
Could assist any company that requires Stainless Steel
components and product development.
On the that basis, consider for inclusion in Stage 2
Recommendation
POSSIBLE FOR
STAGE 2
Water and waste
products
Least
Suitable
AVOID
0
102
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
Company Details
Co. Name
Address
Contact Name
Phone
Email
Website
Altro Transformers & Power
Intelligence
32 Glenbarry Road Campbellfield
VIC 3061
Chris Craig-Neal
1300 677 564
Chris.craigneal@powerintelligence.com.au
www.powerintelligence.com.au
Altro Transformers commenced its manufacturing operations
during 1982 as a specialist in the design and manufacture of:
Transformers, Power Supplies, Reactors & DC Rectification
Equipment.
•
Power Intelligence has evolved from Cockburn Electrical which
was formed in WA 30 years ago. Previously named Cockburn
Powerstar.
•
4 years ago, voltage optimisation (VO) was a very limited market
despite popularity in Europe and due to the low power prices
here. As power prices have been increasing, the payback has
become shorter and VO has become an accepted part of
business.
•
Company originally started by importing products before teaming
up with Altro Transformers in February 2012 to manufacture the
products locally.
•
Altro was formed in 1982 and manufactures transformers for
many markets.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Transformers,
Power Supplies,
DC Rectification
ALTRO
TRANSFORMERS
Altro has over 30 team members looking after all types of
transformer requirements. The In house design and development
facilities employ the latest CAD/CAM 3D design and modelling
systems to provide superior quality products and short lead times
in a cost effective manner.
Power Intelligence has the only comparable product available that
is designed and manufactured in Australia.
Market is medium scale industrials (large scale still have cheap
electricity). Currently developing products for the smaller end and
even household applications.
Is building up a national reseller network which largely comprises
of solar installers looking for new products.
Process for installation is fairly site specific. To be suitable, a
client needs to have high voltage, have a suitable load profile and
suitable commercial terms. 60% of installations have a payback of
less than 3 years.
capability
outcomes.
1
2
5
4
3
3
3
2
TOTAL
15
Recommendations
•
•
Power Intelligence is looking for ways to increase the sales of
its VO products. To this end they have been introduced to the
Melbourne CleanTech Network and the Cleantech Capability
Teams.
Altro Transformers is looking to increase product range and
exposure to new markets and would be a good partner for
emerging companies in the same way it has partnered with
Power Intelligence.
Main hurdle to wider adoption is capital constraints for customers.
Currently working on accessing finance for customers through
Flexirent that has Low Carbon Australia funding. See Energy
Smart Finance – www.energysmartfinance.com.au.
Recommendation
INCLUDE IN
STAGE 2
Industrial Energy
Efficiency
Engineering based company which means it has high quality
products and a strong technical capability but not so strong in
terms of marketing and strategy.
Least
Suitable
Altro Intelligence is seeking new electronics manufacturing
opportunities - hence the tie up with Power Intelligence.
AVOID
Power Intelligence needs to increase reseller network and grow
market for current product lines. The company needs additional
links to the market and is not really looking to help commercialise
other cleantech products. The key challenge is how to educate
the market to increase demand.
0
103
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
Assessment Criteria
4
Company Strategy
•
Name
1. Industrial energy efficiency and lighting
2. Distributed generation rectification
3. Smart grid and energy storage
3
Company Operations
•
H7
Sector
Company Risks - Altro Transformers
1. Cash Flow & Commercial Risk - The Company is reasonably
sized and appears to be fairly stable from a diversified product
range.
2. Resource Availability Risk - the Company is medium sized so
will have reasonable flexibility with resources.
Company History
•
Ref
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
Company Details
Co. Name
Address
Contact Name
Phone
Email
Website
Natex (Australia) Engineering
15 Halley Crescent, Campbellfield
Steven Sansome
03 9308 0855
steven@natex.com.au
www.natexeng.com.au
Natex Engineering was established in 1957 and acquired by
current owner in 1970.
•
The sons of the owner took over the business 7 years ago.
Steven is operations and his brother is BDM and joined the
business in 2013.
Company Operations
•
Scale of components that they can machine ranges from a 6mm
screw through to parts that are 1.5m in length and 0.8m in
diameter.
•
•
•
•
Majority of work is in the 20-100mm diameter range.
•
•
•
•
•
95%+ of work is with steel although can do aluminium and brass.
•
Partner with machining and fabrication business next door to work
with each other.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Precision CNC
Turning & Milling
NATEX
1. Water
2. Recycling
3. Components for Solar, Wave, biofuels and biogas developers
4. Engines, Generators & Vehicles
5. Green Buildings
Assessment Criteria
Batch size generally 50-100.
Customers include Kenworth, Catapillar for mining.
Customers are both big and small companies although usually
SMEs with $1.-2m of revenue.
Conventional turning work is most of jobs.
Specialist parts = 30% of revenue.
capability
outcomes.
1
2
3
4
Stayed away from automotive.
Not competitive for large runs (10,000+) - need to target jobs in
which added value can be seen.
Power bill = $75k/yr - not enough to take advantage of the CTIP
program.
Considering State Manufacturing grant to buy new machinery .
Increasing trend with customers to want JiT deliveries.
Design capability - limited but tweak designs to help customers
and add value.
20 people on an 8 hour shift. Also have 50% on an afternoon
shift. Many staff long serving with lots of experience.
5
•
•
3
4
3
14
Its design capability is limited so would need to work with well
developed partners seeking efficient and high quality
component manufacture.
Would be an excellent partner for companies looking for
specialist parts for initial market entry when volumes are fairly
low and design modifications may still underway.
Recommendation
CONSIDER FOR
STAGE 2
multiple industries
Least
Suitable
AVOID
0
104
2
Natex produces high quality primarily-steel components for
multiple industries.
Natex Engineering has a diverse range of customer s and
supplies many high quality machined products.
Recently appointed a BDM and looking for new products and new
markets to more fully utilise the machinery.
2
Recommendations
•
Ideally would like to be running machinery across 3 shifts.
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
TOTAL
Company Strategy
•
Name
Company Risks
range.
will have reasonable flexibility with resources. Possibly heavily
reliant on Steven for new products.
Company History
•
H8
Ref
Sector
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
Company Details
Co. Name
Address
Contact Name
Phone
Email
Website
Acoustic Industries & Laminators
79 Premier Drive, Campbellfield
Sam Mancuso
0419 332 100/ 9357 8588
Sam.mancuso@acousticindustries.com.au
www.acousticindustries.com.au
Sector
•
•
•
•
The company was formed in 1998 by Sam Mancuso after having
worked the previous 17 years for Schiavello.
Sam has lots of manufacturing and business development
experience in the furniture industry and is the sole decision maker
in the business.
Started lamination business as a hobby, and then won a $300K
job for the Melbourne Shrine which allowed him to set up his
business in earnest.
Used to supply various automotive suppliers such as Plexicor for
Ford and Holden, but began to diversify away from this market a
while ago.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Provide acoustic panelling, ceiling tiles for a variety of
applications, hospitals are a big client across Australia.
90% of business is for the Australian market, with customers
Australia-wide.
Also provide sewing skills as needed (seat backs for Toyota).
Recently bought Charles Tims, a 100-year old business then
owned by CSR. The business comprises whiteboard, pin boards,
electronic screens etc. Acoustic Industries acquired all
equipment, dyes and IP.
Products contain some recycled content, PET, polyesters, felts.
7000m squared space.
30-35 staff, 3 casual.
More involved in product development than design, but can do
some design as needed.
Turn-over between $8-12 million per annum.
Orders between $50-$millions.
•
Company Risks
range.
will have reasonable flexibility with resources. Sam as sole
decision maker may mean access to him may limit turnaround
time.
1. Green Building
2. Industrial Energy Efficiency
3. Housing for Engines and Generators
4. Water plant & equipment
Assessment Criteria
capability
outcomes.
1
2
3
4
5
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
3
3
3
4
3
TOTAL
16
Recommendations
Company Strategy
•
ACOUSTIC
INDUSTRIES
Company Operations
•
Name
Acoustic Panelling
Company History
H9
Ref
Always interested in new business opportunities, has already
received some useful support from the DSDBI.
Prefers to supply bulky goods for local and national distribution.
•
•
•
Acoustic Industries appears to have a wide variety of skills and
capabilities in manufacturing products primarily for the building
industry.
They appear to be keen to also find new products and partners
to help diversify and grow the earnings.
Would be a good partner for companies seeking to enter the
building industry and requiring similar manufacturing
techniques.
Recommendation
INCLUDE IN
STAGE 2
GREEN BUILDINGS
Least
Suitable
AVOID
0
105
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
Company Details
Co. Name
Address
Contact Name
Phone
Email
Website
E-Plas
25 Ovata Dr Tullamarine
Chris Saflekas
03 9339 3621 / 0438 314 398
csaflekas@eplas.com.au
www.eplas.com.au
•
•
The company is family owned and was established in 1982. The
current owner was one of the two founders of the business.
The current owner is semi-retired and his daughter works in the
business looking after the accounts and back-office functions.
Used to sell lots in the auto sector but now only supplies Holden
SA with a limited amount of product.
Company Operations
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Used to manufacture a lot of material on the site but now largely
imports from Germany, Italy and the US. Does not import from
China as quality and consistency not high enough for the high
quality products they produce.
Still manufacture some products on site.
ISO9001 accredited.
Make and supply anything that starts with a high performance
plastic sheet or rod.
Customers - food & beverage, aero, defense, cars (specialist
items such as plastic windows for V8s), trucks (non-stick, heatresistant trays).
Customers - 30% VIC, 30% QLD, 40% SA/NSW.
Reputation - very high quality supply.
Employees - 50 in VIC, 75 total.
Full CNC facilities and has lots of inhouse capability.
Order size - $20-$250k - with average of c$2k.
o
1 - 50,000 pieces - things that can't be injection molded.
Lots of loyal customers.
Major competitor - Dotmar in Dingley - seems to be currently
downsizing after being acquired by Blackfriars.
Currently building new factory in Ravenhall (Deer Park) that will
consolidate the operations that are spread over 4neighbouring
buildings.
Lots of products are air-freighted so proximity to the airport is
important.
6/7 week backlog on orders so at capacity.
Recycle plastic waste to local company.
Design - most drawing come from customers but do have some
basic design capability if required.
Have supplied wind turbine components, parts to the desal plant
(although potable water standards are hard to achieve).
Training - generally delivered onsite by TAFE. Chris completing
his MBA.
Company Strategy
•
Name
Supply high quality engineered plastics and have reputation for
quality and consistency and customer service.
Company Risks
range.
1. Green Building
2. Energy Efficiency
3. Transport Technologies and EV Recharging
4. Energy Generation & Storage
5. Water
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
Assessment Criteria
capability.
chain, logistics or distribution channels.
on emerging company clients.
resources and capabilities.
outcomes.
1
2
3
4
5
3
3
4
4
2
TOTAL
16
Recommendations
•
•
E-Plas is able to supply engineered plastics for multiple uses
and to many different specifications.
Its design capability is limited but its ability to supply and
machine plastics is very high and would add value to any
company who could utilise this type of material.
Recommendation
INCLUDE IN
STAGE 2
Plastic components for
multiple industries
Least
Suitable
AVOID
0
106
H10
E-PLAS
Engineered Plastic
Company History
•
Ref
Sector
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
Company Details
Co. Name
Address
Contact Name
Phone
Email
Website
Tech Tooling
63-65 Merola Way, Campbellfield
Joe Infantino, Director
03 9357 9277
j.infantino@techtooling.net
www.techtooling.com.au
(NOT WORKING)
Company History
•
•
•
The company is family owned and was established in 1982. It
moved to the current site in 1992.
Joe is the founder and now has his son, Patrick, and son-in-law
in the business.
Has run with Toyota as major client since founding.
Company Operations
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Work for Toyota has been machining parts and repairing
elements of their production works:
o
Components for machines
o
Repairs of machines
o
Producing 90% of machine spare parts.
New Toyota plant has meant work has declined over the last
two years but starting to pick up again.
Receive almost daily orders from Toyota.
Other clients are Fujitsu, Nestle, used to do some work for
Ford.
Resources - CNC lathes and mills.
14 staff (down from 20 staff 2 years ago).
Complete any maintenance and new equipment work.
Also fabrication and welding services.
Work with Steel, Aluminium, Stainless steel, Plastics.
Reforming of Cu welding tips is steady repeat work and was
the company's innovation.
Design capability fairly good - currently designing component
placement rig for Toyota using 3D CAD.
Order size - $5k-$220k.
H11
Ref
Sector
Name
Machining &
Fabrication
TECH TOOLING
Company Risks
range.
1. Water
2. Recycling
3. Components for Solar, Wave, biofuels and biogas developers
4. Engines, Generators & Vehicles
5. Green Buildings
Assessment Criteria
capability
outcomes.
1
2
3
4
5
TOTAL
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
4
2
3
4
2
15
Company Strategy
•
•
Supply high quality machining and components for
operationally critical machines in industrial processes.
Also able to design and add value through re-engineering.
Recommendations
•
•
•
Tech Tooling is a very experienced machining shop and, having
worked for many years for Toyota, produces high quality work
with few faults.
That it also has good quality inhouse design capability provides
added benefits as they can work iteratively as a product is
developed.
Likely to be a loyal partner if they chose to work with an emerging
company.
Recommendation
INCLUDE IN
STAGE 2
multiple industries
Least
Suitable
AVOID
0
107
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
Company Details
Co. Name
Address
Contact Name
Phone
Email
Website
Ardex Australia
27 Dennis Street Campbellfield
Adrian Klietz
03 8339 3121
adrian.klietz@ardexaustralia.com
www.ardexaustralia.com
Company History
• German owned company with Australian HQ in NSW
• Operates in all States and is one of Australia's leading providers
of chemical mixing services
Company Operations
•
Manufacturers glues and adhesives and other chemicals
• Customers include large wholesale/retail groups such as
Bunnings and large construction contractors. Provide the same
products to different segments under different brand names
• Moving away from solvent based products to more water based
products
• Send waste recycled rubber to Tyrecrumb
• Hard waste goes to landfill and liquid waste is collected
• Produces both dry and wet products and has vats and mixing
equipment to cope with both.
• Only NSW and VIC plants can produce wet products so much of
this is exported out of the State. Also export products to
Singapore.
• Flooring products shipped nationally
• Looking to bring in manufacture of products already established in
Europe
• Signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant
•
Does not produce paint
• Products include renders - maybe opportunity for higher insulating
renders?
• Processes
o
DRY - mixing vats, blenders, mixers - all cold
o
WET - heated stages using oil jacket
• Largest powder mixer = 2.5tonnes and the wet mixer is 2.1tonnes
so minimum orders are quite large. Shortest run they would do
would be two batches and the largest is usually 15-20 batches.
• There is a cost in terms of cleaning and downtime to change
material produced
• Packaging varies from 8kg-20kg for dry material and 0.75kg-22kg
for wet material
• Staff on site =25 with 15 in production (Nationally = 200-300)
• VIC operation has declined in scale over the last few years but is
fairly stable at present.
Company Strategy
• Supply large quantities of dry and wet mixed chemicals to the
wholesale and building contractor market.
• Seek to introduce new products to the Australian market where
local manufacture can be competitive with import options.
H12
Sector
Name
Wet & Dry Chemical
Mixing
ARDEX
Company Risks
1. Cash Flow & Commercial Risk - The Company is a large
multinational with the VIC operations just a part of the
Australian subsidiary. The company has significant cash flow
and balance sheet.
2. Resource Availability Risk - whilst the VIC operations are only
medium scale, the Australian operations are large and can
provide resources for projects as required.
1. Green building products
2. Energy efficiency (insulation) products
•
Insulating render products
Assessment Criteria
capability
outcomes.
1
2
3
4
5
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
1
3
4
2
2
TOTAL
12
Recommendations
•
•
•
•
Ardex is a large manufacture of building product chemical
mixes. It has large customers and produces large quantities.
Most emerging companies are unlikely to be able to initially be
able to provide the order quantities that Ardex would require.
However for the right type of product that requires chemical
mixing - either dry or wet - and which has already achieved
market entry and is scaling up production, Ardex would be a
very strong partner.
On the basis that it is not set up to work with emerging
companies, it is recommended that the company is not
included in Stage 2 of the project.
Recommendation
EXCLUDE
FROM STAGE 2
Insulating render
products
Least
Suitable
AVOID
0
108
Ref
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
Company Details
Co. Name
Areo Engineering Australia
6 Elata Drive
Address
Tullamarine
Helen Davies, Managing Director
Contact Name
David Wishart, GM
Phone
03 93351244
hdavies@aero.net.au
Email
dwishart@aero.net.au
Website
www.aero.net.au
Company History
•
•
•
Founded by current MD 24 years ago when she consolidated four
neighbouring companies
20 years ago, 80% of revenue was from the Auto sector - Aero
Exhausts went into all Ford trucks
14 years ago, 0% from auto
Ref
H13
Sector
Name
Tube Bending
AERO
ENGINEERING
Company Risks
range.
will have reasonable flexibility with resources. Fairly heavy
reliance on Helen and David when involved in new products
1.
Components for any equipment that has liquid or gas transfer
- water, biomass, waste-to-energy, wave power, biofuels,
geothermal
Company Operations
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Main operations are tube bending of tubes with diameters
between ¼" and 6" - very few companies are able to do the
bending of these larger diameters
Also has sheet metal capacity and originally used to make Aero
BBQs before selling off that part of the business to focus on core
skills of tube bending.
Also do metal fabrication and welding as needed
Customers - trucks (CAT - 9% of business), mining equipment,
agricultural equipment
CAT is a major customer although highly volatile go into export
products
Kenworth is also a major customer and they receive on average 2
orders/week
Are smaller and more nimble than competitors
Work with steel, aluminium, stainless steel
For stocked items, try to keep approx 1000 on hand
For specials, orders are usually 1-10 pieces
Supply - generally from the US. 'Local' supply tends to be
becoming more imports from Asia and quality is deteriorating.
Reputation for high quality products and so cannot risk lower
quality supply
Have been gradually upgrading the five bending machines over
the last four years - new machines have higher productivity and
generally replace several older machines. Also more
programmable and allow for higher quality products.
Have 3 small presses
Staff numbers = 21 (down from 35 when they were doing BBQs)
o
Experience - 'upstairs' is 18+ yrs
o
Shop floor - 4-5 yrs
Able to give shop floor guys a 5 min job or a two week and walk
away knowing it will be done.
Design - will complete bespoke orders or modify and suggest
alternatives for customers
o
Increasing early stage involvement and expanding 3D
design capability
o
Aiming to increase value add through increased design
skills
Many processes still quite manual but very high quality.
Company Strategy
• Be a high quality provider of tube bending services using high
quality supplies and targeting components in highly engineered
high quality final products.
109
Assessment Criteria
capability
outcomes.
1
2
3
4
5
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
3
2
3
3
3
TOTAL
14
Recommendations
•
•
•
Aero Engineering is a high quality supplier of tube bending and
some fabrication services.
Whilst it is a high quality operation supplying components into
many sectors and is increasing its design capability, it is
generally focussed on only components rather than final
products.
It would be a useful partner for companies that require bent
tubes and would be able to optimise some of the design.
Recommendation
CONSIDER FOR
STAGE 2
Liquid tubing for water,
biofuels, wave and
geothermal projects
Least
Suitable
AVOID
0
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
Company Details
Co. Name
Capral
Address
151 Barry Road, Campbellfield
Richard Axe, Extrusion Business
Contact Name
Manager
Phone
9930 1500/ 0404 818 111
Email
Richard.axe@capral.com.au
Website
www.capral.com.au
Company History
•
•
•
•
Australia's largest aluminium extrusion press - can push through
9" and 12" billet.
Operating on site for 50 years.
HQ in Ipswich.
Have historically run 3 shifts and for the last two years have run
2.2 shifts.
Company Operations
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The company operates in two divisions - milling/manufacturing
and distribution.
Distribution includes trade centres, Bradman, One Steel,
BlueScope.
Other customers are in marine, water, building, trucking. mining,
yachts, some auto etc.
75% recovery of raw material meaning 25% is sent off for remelt.
Only Australian facility is operated by G James (major competitor)
so instead waste is shipped to Korea for remelting.
Supply - all sheet and plate imported.
Order size - minimum 500kg @ $2.30/kg.
Design - have designed window frames and have large testing rig
for windows and curtain walls.
Glass for windows bought locally.
Electricity price = 12.75c/kWh.
Use lots of caustic soda to clean tools once a run is finished. The
cost to get this removed is $30k/month so they are keen to find an
alternative use for this if possible.
Ref
H14
Sector
Name
Aluminium
Extrusion
CAPRAL
Company Risks
1. Cash Flow & Commercial Risk - The Company is a large
national operation with significant cash flow and balance
sheet.
2. Resource Availability Risk - the VIC operations are fairly scale
and can provide resources for projects as required.
1. Green building sector seems to offer best opportunities with
double glazing, facades, green walling frames all possible
applications.
2. Distributed Generation.
3. Biofuel and Biogas Plants.
4. Distributed Water Treatment & Equipment.
Assessment Criteria
capability
outcomes.
1
2
3
4
5
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
3
4
4
2
3
TOTAL
Company Strategy
• Produce good quality, large scale quantities of aluminium
products.
• The plant is more flexible than equivalent plants in Europe
because of the small scale of the Australian market and so
flexibility and capability of equipment and staff is higher.
16
Recommendations
•
•
Capral is large manufacturer of aluminium products. It has
significant resources and would be a valuable partner for any
company using aluminium products.
Inhouse design and testing capability make commercialisation
options possible.
Recommendation
INCLUDE IN
STAGE 2
Double glazing, green
wall frames and building
facades
Least
Suitable
AVOID
0
110
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
Interview Date: WEBSITE
REVIEW ONLY
Sector
Company Details
Co. Name
CEA Consolidated Industries
136-140 Maffra Street
Address
Broadmeadows
Contact Name
Michael Galijan, CEO
Phone
9309 1500
Email
michaelg@ceatrading.com.au
Website
www.ceatrading.com.au
Name
Engineering
Fabrication
CEA
Consolidated
Company Risks
range.
will have reasonable flexibility with resources. Possible heavy
reliance on Michael when involved in new products
Company History
•
H15
Ref
Concrete Equipment Australia, trading as CEA Consolidated
Industries, offers 19 years of experience and service second to no
other, and has evolved into an industry leader providing
engineering and fabrication services to a large array of sectors.
1. Possible general fabrication services for any heavy
engineering products such as wind, biogas, wave etc etc
Company Operations
•
•
•
CEA boasts successful and continuing business relationships with
Australia's main players in the concrete industry. We also provide
a one on one service for the smaller suppliers of concrete and
concrete products throughout Australia, from independent truck
owner/drivers to rural suppliers.
From transit cement mixers & components to concrete batch
plants of all shapes and sizes, from CNC laser cutting to general
engineering fabrication for many industries, CEA's advances in
engineering design and fabrication are constantly developing,
providing the customer with the most advanced and uniquely
highest quality product every time.
CEA employs its own Design Engineer, Engineer Draftspersons,
Production Managers, Projects Engineers and Management
team, skilled Boilermakers and First Class Sheetmetal Workers,
Fitters and Turners, Sandblaster/Spray Painters, Mechanics,
CNC Laser Operators, Laborers and a number of apprentices.
This ensures that the procedures embraced by CEA are
constantly audited, new ideas formulated and our reputation
within the concrete and construction industry continues to surpass
all expectations.
Assessment Criteria
capability
outcomes.
1
2
3
4
5
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
4
3
3
2
3
TOTAL
15
Recommendations
•
Company Strategy
• Not sure whether solely focussed on concrete industry or also
interested in projects in other sectors?
•
CEA industries appears to have strong capabilities across
many disciplines and might be a valuable partner for heavy
engineering products.
Also may have strong building industry connections which
might be useful for partners.
Recommendation
Engineering fabrication
for biogas, wave & water
plants
Least
Suitable
AVOID
0
111
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
REVIEW ONLY
Sector
Company Details
Co. Name
Cutting Edge Solutions
4/220-230 Barry Road,
Address
Campbellfield
Contact Name
Frank Magone, Managing Director
Phone
9357 614
Email
frank@cuttingedgesolutions.com.au
Website
www.cuttingedgesolutions.com.au
Name
Metals
manufacturing
Company Operations
• Founded in 1993, Cutting Edge provides a broad range of metals
manufacturing services - from MIG & TIG Welding, Cutting, Hole
Punching & Drilling and Tube & Pipe Bending and rolling.
• Whether it is mild steel, stainless steel or aluminium we have the
fabrication capabilities to meet your general engineering
requirements.
• We can also offer a complete range of design, finishing and
assembly services to help you steer your project from concept to
completion.
• Our reputation is built on Trust, Reliability & Uncompromised
Commitment to the project! We pride ourselves on partnering with
our customers and delivering to project requirements and
specifications, on time!
• Our production management team comprises over 45 years
experience in metals manufacturing.
• Based at Northern Melbourne with over 6000 square metres we
have the capacity and experience to meet your metals fabrication
needs.
• Our customer base includes major steel mills and construction
companies as well as major product providers to the automotive,
fire protection, waste management, security fencing, road signage
and playground industries in both the public and private sectors.
• At Cutting Edge we communicate with you and treat your project
as our own.
• Our flexibility and response rates are second to none. If we can
do it we will, and we will do it well with a quality outcome every
time.
H16
Ref
CUTTING EDGE
SOLUTIONS
Company Risks
range.
will have reasonable flexibility with resources. Possible heavy
reliance on Frank when involved in new products
1. Possible general fabrication services for any heavy
engineering products such as wind, biogas, wave etc etc
Assessment Criteria
capability
outcomes.
1
2
3
4
5
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
3
3
3
3
2
TOTAL
14
Recommendations
•
Cutting Edge Solutions appears to have a wide range of
capabilities and would be able to assist any company
developing metals based products.
Recommendation
Least
Suitable
AVOID
0
112
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
REVIEW ONLY
Sector
Company Details
Co. Name
Greg Sewell Forgings
Address
63 Glenbarry Road, Campbellfield
Godfrey, Tim & John Stevens
Contact Name
Email:
Phone
9357 7444
tim@gsforgings.com
Email
john@gsforgings.com
Website
www.gsforgings.com
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
GREG SEWELL
FORGINGS
Company Risks
range.
GREG SEWELL FORGINGS PTY LTD was established in 1983
as a partnership between Greg Sewell and Jack Luke. In 1995,
Godfrey Stevens purchased a 50% share holding in the company,
and actively commenced working with Greg as Joint Managing
Director. The Stevens family established and developed West
Footscray Engineering Works and Westray Engineering where
Godfrey worked for thirty years, the last six years as Managing
Director. The company was ultimately purchased by Delta PLL
(UK) in 1989.
GREG SEWELL FORGINGS PTY LTD has substantially
benefited from the combined 96 years of Greg and Godfrey's
hands-on, operational and management expertise in the metal
forging industry.
Innovative forward planning has now seen the purchase of
sophisticated plant and equipment from the (recently wound up)
industrial products division of West Footscray Engineering. This
acquisition will significantly increase our production capacity of
the overall fastener range of products.
In addition, the recent purchase of a 2.5 tonne capacity drop
hammer will extend our already substantial production range.
These changes give GREG SEWELL FORGINGS PTY LTD the
greatest production capacity of any steel forge plant in the
southern hemisphere.
We have little turnover among our 55 employees, most of whom
have been with the Company for many years.
Our unique combination of tool and die design and development,
and manufacturing capabilities within the one location gives us a
competitive edge. Our plant facilities include drop forging,
heading and upsetting, pressing and threading and general and
precision engineering and steel fabrication.
Our objective is the provision of a low cost total logistics service
to existing and potential clients.
Through the establishment of strategic alliances with each of our
customers we implement collaborative long-term demand
forecasting to accurately determine the support inventory of
products necessary for our customers to maintain continuous
operation of their respective businesses.
This process is further enhanced through our workforce's
commitment to flexibility and high levels of productivity; strict
accountability for compliance with our process control system
through all stages of competitive tendering, customer order entry,
production planning, tooling design and manufacture, product
manufacture, process scheduling, final inspection, delivery to the
customer, invoicing and payment, and ongoing in-service support.
Our services and products are provided (but not limited) to the
automotive industry, building and construction, engineering,
mining, power generation and distribution, communications,
government, defence, railways, ports, harbours and marine, the
road transport industry, oil and gas/petrochemical, chemical and
process plant, aerospace, agriculture, fastener distribution
/merchants, tool and engineering / merchants.
113
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
Assessment Criteria
capability
outcomes.
1
2
3
4
5
3
2
3
3
2
TOTAL
Recommendation
Company Operations
•
Name
Steel Forging
Company History
•
H17
Ref
Least
Suitable
AVOID
0
13
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
REVIEW ONLY
Sector
Company Details
Co. Name
Industrial Galvanisers
Address
5 Lara Way, Campbellfield
David Reilly
Contact Name
Sales Manager (VIC/TAS)
Ph: 9358 6263
Phone
0407 955 192
Email
dreilly@ingal.com.au
Website
www.ingal.com.au
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Name
INDUSTRIAL
GALVANISERS
Steel Galvanising
Company Risks
range.
Company Operations
•
H18
Ref
Industrial galvanizers (Melbourne) offers a full range of general
and specialised hot dip galvanizing services, with three
galvanizing baths for processing structural fabrications,
centrifuging small parts and galvanizing gas bottles. These
facilities give the Melbourne plant the capacity to galvanize up to
35,000 tonnes of steel annually.
The facility is QA Accredited to ISO9001:2000 and warrants its
hot dip galvanized coatings to meet Australian Standard AS/NZS
4680:2006.
Structural bath
Maximum lifting capacity 10 tonnes
Maximum double dipping length. 22 metres depending on beam
web height. Please contact Industrial Galvanizers prior to
fabrication for work that is close to bath capacity to confirm
dipping capability.
Centrifuge bath - for spinning of nuts, bolts, chain, small bracketry
& plates, up to 1m long.
Gas Bottle bath
A pickup and delivery service is available. Industrial Galvanizers
Coating Guarantees for periods up to 50 years are also available
on specific projects and reliable service is backed up by Industrial
Galvanizers other galvanizing plants in network in Tasmania, Port
Kembla, Sydney and Newcastle.
Experienced local staff are available to assist with design,
technical enquiries and any special requirements related to
scheduling and transport.
capability
outcomes.
1
2
3
4
5
2
1
3
2
1
TOTAL
Recommendation
9
EXCLUDE
FROM STAGE 2
Least
Suitable
AVOID
0
114
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
Assessment Criteria
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
REVIEW ONLY
Sector
Company Details
Co. Name
MEC Engineering
168 Northbourne Road
Address
Campbellfield
Contact Name
Adam Wawrzuta
Phone
Mobile: +61 0418 383 609
Email
adam@mec-engineering.com.au
Website
www.mec-engineering.com.au
H19
Ref
Name
MEC
ENGINEERING
Company Operations
Assessment Criteria
•
•
•
MEC Engineering Pty Ltd is a mechanical and electrical
engineering firm which was established in 1986 providing support
to local industry.
By offering superior products and services MEC Engineering Pty
Ltd has a number of top Australian companies on its client listing.
A sample of these include, Shell Company of Australia, Boral
Resources, Pioneer Road Services Pty Ltd, Melba Industries,
Murray Goulburn Co-operative Co. Ltd and Leading Synthetics
Pty Ltd.
Over time MEC Engineering Pty Ltd has developed an excellent
reputation with its clients which is reflected in the amount of
repeat business generated.
capability
outcomes.
1
2
3
4
5
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
3
2
2
3
3
TOTAL
13
Seems very small!!
Recommendation
Least
Suitable
AVOID
0
115
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
REVIEW ONLY
Sector
Company Details
Co. Name
Ormiston Rubber
109-111 Northcorp Boulevard,
Address
Broadmeadows
Contact Name
Simon Ormiston
Phone
9357-2366
Email
simono@ormistonrubber.com.au
Website
www.ormistonrubber.com.au
•
•
•
•
•
Name
Rubber Product
Manufacture
Company Operations
Since 1937 Ormiston Rubber has been manufacturing and
supplying all types of quality rubber products for the mining,
automotive, building, food processing, engineering, marine,
railway, furniture makingand wholesale industries, just to name a
few. We are the go-to company for rubber grommets, rubber chair
tips, and more for manufacturers both Melbourne and Australiawide.
Our team of consulting experts is able to truly understand
customer's needs, provide a cost competitive solution and full
customer service before and after the sale. We have our own
rubber /DMC moulding and compounding facilities and out of our
modern 3500 sqm factory we can provide a solution to almost any
request as well as standard parts as listed in our catalogue.
We have earned our reputation through,
o
Providing solutions to customer's needs
o
Consistent Quality products
o
Our Ability to do short and long runs
o
Australia wide distribution
o
Delivering on time - At a competitive price
We use cold feed extrusion technology and autoclave systems,
enabling us to create profiles for your specific order. This offers
you a short lead time from the design stage to the production of
your items. Our wire cut dies can meet your most intricate
designs requirements.
We've developed over 300 standard extrusion profiles in solid and
sponge EPDM and we carry a comprehensive line of crosssections. Some of the products that we manufacture and are most
in-demand include rubber chair tips and neoprene tubing. If we
don't already produce what you require, we can develop a
customised profile for your product
116
H20
Ref
ORMISTON
RUBBER
Assessment Criteria
capability
outcomes.
1
2
3
4
5
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
4
2
2
2
2
TOTAL
Recommendation
Least
Suitable
AVOID
0
14
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
REVIEW ONLY
Sector
Company Details
Co. Name
Premier Plastics
Address
65/67 Killara Rd Campbellfield
Marcus Tutty, Owner
Contact Name
Anthony
Phone
9357 8477
Marcus@premierplastics.com.au
Email
anthony@premierplastics.com.au
Website
www.premierplastics.com.au
•
•
•
PREMIER
PLASTICS
Assessment Criteria
capability
outcomes.
1
•
Name
Plastic Extrusion
Company Operations
•
H21
Ref
Premier Plastics is a Plastic Extrusion Solution company. For
over 30 years we have been supplying custom profiles and
mouldings to a wide range of industries throughout Australia.
We manufacture kilometers of hoses, seals, spline, channels,
edging and tubing every week.
Materials used include the latest plastics as well as traditional
polymers, in both virgin and recycled form.
Our range of dies for profiles numbers over 1000. If we haven't
got the perfect product for your needs we'll make it.
Premier Plastics also manufacture, install and service the
complete range of commercial and industrial flexible plastic doors
supported by our fleet of service and delivery vehicles.
2
3
4
5
4
2
2
3
2
TOTAL
Recommendation
Least
Suitable
AVOID
0
117
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
13
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
Company Details
Co. Name
Address
Contact Name
Phone
Email
Website
REVIEW ONLY
Sector
Sussex Taps
126-128 Freight Dr Somerton
George Katsanevakis
9308 6599
george@sussextaps.com.au
www.sussextaps.com.au
H22
Ref
Name
Tap Manufacturing
SUSSEX TAPS
Company Operations
•
•
•
•
Sussex is our company, an Australian company that began
manufacturing 15 years ago with a passion and dedication to the
process of creating beautiful taps. Every tap you’ll find on our
website has been made with an absolute commitment to quality,
using a state of the art manufacturing process.
This is the reason the precision to each tap’s operation is at a
level hard to find in any other brand. So not only do Sussex taps
look stunning, you can be confident they will turn off and on,
easily and perfectly, for a lifetime.
Taps such as these add a striking design element into any home.
Good design integrates with and enhances everything that
surrounds it and every tap we make has a style that manages to
be both modern and timeless.
We manufacture Australian taps for Australian homes. Our taps
are world class standard in design and quality, they are superbly
constructed and will last forever. We know this level of excellence
is exactly what you’re looking for and we are delighted to
introduce you to Sussex Taps.
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
Assessment Criteria
capability
outcomes.
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
2
1
1
TOTAL
Recommendation
7
EXCLUDE
FROM STAGE 2
Least
Suitable
AVOID
0
118
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
Company Details
Co. Name
Intec Coatings
Address
47A Lara Way, Campbellfield
Contact Name
Anthony Martini, Director
+613 9357 9510
Phone
0422 076 133
Email
anthony@inteccoatings.com.au
Website
www.inteccoatings.com.au
Company History
•
Founded in 2006 as a small paint manufacturer on a greenfield
site to supply products that go into the light industrial paint
market.
•
Owned by three partners who each bring complementary skills
and have three more employees.
•
Partners are Anthony (marketing & sales), Frank (technical) and
Chris (manufacturing).
Intec products are sold to picture frame moulding manufacturers,
furniture manufacturers, shop fitters, cabinet makers, engineering
companies for structural steel, shipping container industry and
general machinery as well as specialised niche markets where
coatings must comply with customer’s specific needs.
Assessment Criteria
•
Also the 'made in Australia' tag can be important to some
customers.
3
•
The market consists of manufacturers within the light industrials
market sector of the paint industry.
4
•
Intec Coatings core business is in the manufacture of specialty
surface coatings for timber, metal and masonry surfaces.
Also offers Toll Manufacturing and specialist advice and product
into niche sectors of the coatings market.
Ability to be flexible and respond quickly to the ever changing
market needs as well as cater for small batch manufacture,
makes an attractive option to the larger volume driven paint
companies.
In addition to the manufacturing, Intec can offer a consultancy
technical expertise within the paint industry.
•
Has developed low Volatile organic compounds (VOC) products
which make up about 50% of sales. Has also developed some
water based products but demand is limited. Sales here are
primarily driven by OHS issues.
•
•
Working with CSIRO on development projects.
capability
outcomes.
1
2
•
INTEC
COATINGS
1. Green Building
2. Energy Generation
3. Engines & Industrial Equipment
Customers are all at 'quality' end of the market and so are not just
seeking the lowest price.
•
Specialty Coatings
Company Risks
1. Cash Flow & Commercial Risk - The Company is small but
appears to have a reasonable diversity of customers.
2. Resource Availability Risk - the company is only small and the
three key staff provide all the strategic input. Limited
resources may limit ability to work during busy times.
•
•
5
•
•
•
•
119
4
2
3
4
3
16
Recommendations
•
•
•
Intec Coatings is a specialist coatings developer and
manufacturer with an entrepreneurial attitude.
They are actively looking for innovative partners to work with
and develop new products.
They would make an ideal partner for any company developing
products in this area.
Current plant capacity is 359kL/yr and this could be expanded to
600kL/yr quickly if there is a good reason.
Intec Coatings Business Philosophy incorporates some key
Business Competencies which include:
o
Quality Assurance
o
Customer/Technical Service
o
Supply Chain Partnerships
o
Lean Manufacturing (hence low inventory)
o
Long Range Planning & Strategic Analysis.
Intec uses its responsiveness and flexibility to differentiate itself
from larger competitors. It will work with clients to develop
products and have the technical skills to be seen to add value to a
development process.
Intec is actively seeking growth opportunities and will invest into
additional plant if needed.
Solves customer problems with innovative solutions.
Keen to work with innovators to help jointly develop improved
products.
Score
(1=low,
5=high)
TOTAL
Recommendation
INCLUDE IN
STAGE 2
Building paints, external
coatings, reflective
coatings for insulation or
solar concentration.
Company Strategy
•
H23
Name
Company Operations
•
Ref
Sector
Least
Suitable
AVOID
0
Most
Suitable
POSSIBLE
5
10
PURSUE
15
20
25
8. Manufacturing Strengths & Weaknesses in Hume
One result of the engagement with the manufacturing SMEs in the Hume region has been to build an
understanding of the general strengths and weaknesses of the sector. Clearly, this includes just
generalisations and there are many companies that do not fit into the mould, but some of these
generalisations may be helpful in developing future capability and capacity within the sector to
further enhance economic development outcomes.
Strengths
The companies that progressed to Stage 2 of this project are largely entrepreneurial by nature and
hence were already looking for new things to make and new customers in different sectors. Some
have made good progress on this journey where others are only just starting to investigate
alternatives to their traditional client base.
The companies that did not engage with the process at all are probably the ones that need the most
assistance and may be at greatest risk of failure as they are not prepared to look at new
opportunities. Some of these may however just be too busy to look for additional work and for the
others, it is only possible to help those that want to be helped.
For those that are looking for new opportunities and saw this project as providing this, then it has
been good to potentially provide them with additional input. If the dynamic companies can be even
more successful, then they may be able to offer employment opportunities to the staff of those
companies that do not survive over the longer term.
A group of companies that did not quite fit either of these categories were those that initially said
they were interested and then either did not respond to communication or consciously decided that
they did not want to proceed. It was difficult to get feedback from this group, but one company stated
that they had decided they wanted to find their own new opportunities rather than being involved in
this program. It also appeared that many of these companies did not foresee business opportunities
in the cleantech sector for their business type. Another comment was also that there were many
government initiatives which consumed time and added little value and so they had decided not to
continue. These attitudes will be important to consider when designing future industry engagement
programs so that the maximum value can be created for those companies participating.
Of the companies that were reviewed in detail, there are clear strengths as follows:
•
Technical capability is very high;
•
Workforce is generally long serving and highly experienced, willing to be flexible as needed
and good at working to deadlines;
•
Equipment is usually fairly up to date and sophisticated;
•
Customer engagement and service provision is generally a high priority as the companies
seek to add value through suggesting modifications and better ways of designing or
manufacturing products and components. In this way the companies seek to differentiate
themselves from imported items that might appear to be cheaper when ordered in bulk or
without considering design improvements;
•
The companies do not just compete on cost as they recognise that large quantities of simple
products will be cheaper from China or elsewhere;
•
Utilising high quality raw materials to make sure that their products are very high quality and
hence are worth the premium price compared to imports; and
120
•
The customer base for most companies is well diversified with a wide variety of customer
types and order sizes.
These strengths have enabled the companies to survive and adapt as the manufacturing
environment in Australia evolves and provides a strong foundation to enable the companies to take
advantage of future opportunities. Most importantly, the ability to 'add value' to clients' operations
through input into design and design for manufacture is seen as paramount to being able to
effectively differentiate from cheaper imports. Many of the companies were in the process of further
enhancing this design capability and this will be an important further step in cementing a solid future
for the companies.
Weaknesses
The companies also exhibited some common weaknesses that may provide opportunities for future
skills development programs. Some of these weaknesses are noted below.
•
The marketing and web presence for each of the companies was found to be generally of
very basic or low quality. Most companies appear to rely heavily on word of mouth referrals
from happy customers. For a business to be able to grow successfully through referrals alone
is the ultimate compliment to the quality of the service provided. In mature markets with
known customer groups, this can be an easy and effective strategy. However in a changing
environment where new customer groups are required, there is a greater need to be able to
be found by potential customers from outside of the existing network.
•
Most of the companies are fairly small and have limited balance sheets to be able to take on
large projects. This is a challenge for any growing SME and is a difficult issue to rectify
directly. One strategy utilised by many successful SMEs is to partner with larger companies
that are able to provide the financial backing for larger projects. This can be particularly
effective where the SME manufacturer offers specialist skills to the larger company that
enables it to offer its clients an improved level of service. For instance, this might be through
a tier one supplier into the water industry that has ongoing contracts to deliver plant upgrades
and could benefit from an improved design or manufacturing solution that provides enhanced
value for the end customer.
•
A number of the target manufacturing companies have limited formal design capabilities even
though they still provide practical design advice for the manufacturing process. Some are
increasing this capability currently and this will be an important step in providing 'added
value' to customers.
•
In general, the connections of most of the companies are almost entirely local. Whilst this
enables the provision of greater customer engagement by knowing the customer personally,
it also limits the client base significantly. To be able to help the companies grow and thrive,
there is a need to make connections to customers outside of northern Melbourne.
Development Needs
To help the companies identified and companies within the region in general to improve their
capabilities and become more resilient for future growth, it is recommended that the following
development needs are addressed:
1. Online Marketing Capabilities - Online marketing capabilities and website development. It
may be possible for the Council to select a preferred supplier for a limited duration program
to help companies upgrade websites and improve search ranking at a discounted price.
2. Partnering with Larger Companies - To facilitate partnering between larger companies and
smaller specialist providers is a difficult thing to facilitate even though there is significant
121
potential value for both parties. One way that may help initiate discussions would be to
identify and approach the larger companies and ask them what specialist manufacturing
services/products they use and then assist them in finding potential providers of these
services/products with the aim of establishing new business relationships. Part of this
approach could also be an education process for the larger companies on how they can
create more value through supporting the innovative smaller suppliers. This might include
agreeing to less onerous terms of trade than they would otherwise seek and to benefit more
from design modification and review in return.
3. Design Capability Enhancement - The recruitment of additional design expertise or the
skills enhancement of existing employees can be expensive and can be difficult for SMEs to
fund even if there is a clear long term benefit. To further develop the local companies, this
however is a critical component. One possible action that could be undertaken by council to
help the transition might be to facilitate the sharing of design resources across companies
within the region. By increasing the utilisation of a dedicated design resource, a company
may be more willing to take the step to employing a fulltime resource and, for those that do
not yet have enough work to justify inhouse design, the ability to access a local design
resource as needed would provide an opportunity to enhance their ability to value-add.
Council could establish and maintain a register of design for manufacture resources available
within the region and help manufacturing companies to access this and work with each other
for mutual benefits.
4. Building Regional Partnerships - the generally local customer base for SME manufacturers
presents a significant risk for the future economic development of the region. It is seen as
critical to assist the companies to start to build networks and collaborative partnerships
across a wider region. This will ensure greater resilience against economic shocks and
additional opportunities for growth to be secured. This can be done through the Council
actively working with other Victorian regions to enable joint events and collaborative
partnerships to be formed. Initially, this might involve working with manufacturing clusters in
Dandenong and Geelong to help grow awareness of local capabilities and projects and to
introduce companies that might be able to work with each other going forward.
As an example of what opportunities are possible by building wider networks, a Geelong
company, Backwell IXL, recently secured a significant project from First Solar and AGL to
provide frames for its large scale solar project funded through the Solar Flagships program.
The relationship was instigated by the Industry Capability Network more than two years
before the contract was secured. Being quoted in the Australian Financial Review, Mark
Borosi of Blackwell IXL said his company was able to bring the skills developed in car
manufacturing to the emerging solar sector. "It's a good fit. When you look at solar,
particularly framing and support systems, it is high volume, high precision manufacturing and
can bring those automotive skills to bear".
5. Manufacturing Innovation Knowledge - It is important for manufacturing industries to keep
up to date with the latest developments in manufacturing innovation, advanced technologies
and processes. This not only provides options for improving their own processes but also
enables them to better understand the market dynamics and where their competitors are
heading both in the short term and over the next few years. With this knowledge in areas
such as 3D printing, increased automation, R&D, partnerships with universities and industry it
is possible to more easily adapt services to counter competitive pressures and better meet
the needs of customers.
6. Consistent Cleantech Message and Opportunities to Learn & Participate - the initial
education process on the opportunities in cleantech for the manufacturers involved have
increased the understanding and awareness of the sector considerably. To embed this
knowledge and maintain a focus on entering and benefitting from the future growth of this
sector, there needs to be an ongoing flow of information on what is happening in cleantech in
Victoria and nationally and connection with sources of opportunities such as ICN, Enterprise
Connect and the Ai Group.
122
9.
Skills & Education
The Skills and Education of the local manufacturing companies is very varied. Most of the company
principals have come from a trade or engineering background, but there are also some more
specialist skill sets as well. The workforce in each of the companies generally consists of skilled
trades and also some less skilled workers. It appeared that, in general, the level of skill was
increasing with time as the companies were seeking to add greater value to their customers.
The skills required to deliver manufacturing services to cleantech companies do not require much
knowledge of the cleantech markets but rather need to understand the manufacturing processes and
how they can be used to manufacture more effective products in a more efficient way.
However, in order to be able to recognise the added value that could be created and even the
potential customers, it requires the principals and/or business development people to understand the
market dynamics of the cleantech companies. By better understanding the needs of their customers,
the manufacturers are more likely to be able to capture and retain new work. It has become apparent
through this project that even the most proactive of manufacturing businesses have little
understanding of new products coming to market in the cleantech sector and the opportunities that
this might present to them. Therefore, there appears to be a need for additional knowledge sharing
and information flows on sector opportunities.
There were not any specific gaps in manufacturing capabilities that became apparent during the
project and so it is not possible to make any recommendations regarding specific technical skills that
might be required. This also means that there were no supply chain gaps discovered and so
recommendations are also unable to be made with respect to attracting companies to fill gaps.
A review was undertaken of some of the training available to local manufacturing companies as
detailed in the table below. Due to the specific nature of training requirements on a per company
basis, no direct training recommendations can be made.
Manufacturing and Green Trades Training in Melbourne’s North
Educational
organisation
NMIT
Key contact
Pam Turnbull, Business Activities Consultant
03 9269 8614
engineering@nmit.edu.au
Key educational
areas covered
Renewables and green trades training at NMIT Epping Campus (Green Skills
centre).
Engineering and mechanical trades training at NMIT Heidelberg Campus
Education type
Certificate, Diploma
Student type
Younger students, some mature age
Other
Can customise training based on company/ business requirements
Educational
organisation
Kangan Batman
Key contact
Key educational
areas covered
Juris Liberts, Senior Educator
03 9254 6168
jliberts@kangan.edu.au
3 key areas:
• Transport & logistics
• Polymer manufacturing
• Lean manufacturing
Mostly in Victoria, some interstate training
Customer driven education, based on business requirements
123
Look for government schemes that support this training, to reduce the expenditure
for business
Certificate 2- Advanced Diploma
Program for Toyota on Lean Manufacturing
Juris approached businesses to assess needs, draw on network of specialists,
depending on training requirements
Majority of students are male, work in factories, are over 45 and ethnic, experienced
employees
AMWU- post secondary qualifications
Lean Enterprise, Competitive Manufacturing: http://www.kangan.edu.au/search.php
Cert 3 in process manufacturing
Cert 3 in competitive manufacturing
Cert4 in competitive manufacturing
Diploma in competitive manufacturing
Engineering Courses: http://www.kangan.edu.au/search.php
Education type
Certificate, Diploma
Student type
Majority of students are male, work in factories, are over 45 and ethnic, experienced
employees
AMWU- post secondary qualifications
Other
Can customise training based on company/ business requirements
Educational
organisation
RMIT
Key contact
Milan Brandt, professor Aerospace & Manufacturing Engineering
03 9925 4197
milan.brandt@rmit.edu.au
Key educational
areas covered
Advanced Manufacturing Precinct
RMIT University
Building 55
58 Cardigan Street
Carlton VIC 3053
• Additive and subtractive process manufacturing in a range of materials
• High-speed multi-axis machining centres
• Reverse engineering
• Industrial automation
Courses available:
• Bachelor of Manufacturing/ Engineering- mostly younger people
• Masters in Manufacturing Engineering by course work- all ages for Masters
• Masters of Engineering in Sustainable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Resource
Efficiency (see other)
Education type
Student type
The Engineering Learning Factory at the AMP provides students with unique
learning experiences on real industry problems and products in a work-emulating
environment. It helps them understand industry needs, professional requirements
and the product realisation process. Projects are team-based and involve higher
education and TAFE students from different disciplines.
Industry practitioners work together with our academic staff to scope and supervise
projects. The industry practitioner role is to support practical education and training
that is aligned to modern professional and industry needs and that connects
students and staff to industry and professional experience. They are experienced
professional engineers across mechanical, manufacturing, electronics and other
relevant engineering disciplines.
We are seeking partnerships with companies interested in sponsoring projects for
students to work on as part of their study programs, and especially through
capstone projects for our senior students.
Higher education and TAFE students, mostly younger. Masters students, a mix of
124
younger and mature age.
Other
• Aerospace
• Defence
• Automotive
• Consumer
• Biomedical and dental
• Manufacturing
• Textile
Also Master of Engineering in Sustainable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Resource
Efficiency. Mostly older people changing careers to renewables and energy
efficiency.
Contact details
330 Swanston Street (cnr La Trobe Street)
Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel. +61 3 9925 2260
Dr Bahman Shabani
School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Tel: +61 3 9925 4353
Email: bahman.shabani@rmit.edu.au
Educational
organisation
La Trobe University
Key contact
Dr Niall O'Luanaigh , Lecturer
Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering
School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences
Department of Civil Engineering and Physical Sciences
Building Applied Science 2, Room 4.07, Bendigo
• T: +61 3 5444 7745
• F: +61 3 5444 7476
• E: N.OLuanaigh@latrobe.edu.au
Key educational
areas covered
Sustainable Engineering
Sustainability and global warming are significant contemporary issues addressed by
our electronic engineering and civil engineering courses.
In electronic engineering’s sustainable energy production specialisation, you will
study zero-emissions power generation, conversion technologies, and transmission
line and other communications technologies for the renewable energy industry.
In our civil engineering course, you will study climate, sustainability and society;
environmental law; civil construction and environment; environmental case studies;
and sustainable infrastructure. Understand the role of engineering technologists in
the community and develop an awareness of the social and environmental effects of
your decisions.
Education type
Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Bendigo), Bachelor of Electronic Engineering
(Melbourne)
Student type
Undergraduate, younger students
Other
Graduates of electronic engineering are prepared for work in manufacturing,
research and development, maintenance, quality control, medical related industries,
space and physics related industries and consumer goods companies.
Graduates of civil engineering are prepared for work in private industry,
consultancies, local, state, and federal government organisations, and in research.
Career paths range from general engineering practice and management roles up to
CEO level.
125
10. Matching Needs and Capabilities
The capabilities of the manufacturers were established through interviewing and reviewing their
operations. The needs of cleantech companies is something that varies widely according to the
product being produced, the sector in which it will be deployed and the stage of development of the
company. Companies that are still developing their products need a greater level of design and
manufacturing input when compared to a mature technology being mass produced.
10.1 Manufacturing Needs
To assess the needs of Victorian cleantech companies, a number of activities were undertaken
during the project as follows:
•
The 319 Victorian Cleantech companies were reviewed at a high level to ascertain which of
them appeared to be producing a product, rather than just reselling or providing services.
Following this review, 109 cleantech companies were identified as potential customers.
•
The Capability Brochure for the 10 manufacturers was sent to each of the 109 companies to
let them know of the abilities and willingness to engage of these firms. The companies were
also invited to attend the workshop held on 23 July to meet with the manufacturers and
assess opportunities for collaboration.
•
Following limited response and attendance at the workshop, a simple questionnaire was
emailed to all 100 companies which asked for responses to the following four questions:
•
What products do you currently or plan to manufacture?
•
Which of the following services are used to produce your products? (with a list of
the services provided by the ten companies)
•
What parts (if any) do you currently import?
•
Would you consider using local parts if they came with added value including
improved design or functionality?
•
The questionnaire also had a limited response, so an assessment was made of each of the
109 companies to see what products were physically manufactured and to estimate what
physical processes were used to produce those products. The outcome of this analysis was
that 71 companies were found to be producing products in Victoria with 58 of those using one
or more of the manufacturing processes provided by the ten manufacturing companies. The
full listing of the 71 companies, the products they make and the processes they use is
presented in Section 11 of this report.
•
In addition, the ten companies were presented to the Melbourne CleanTech Network on 28
August and the questionnaire was provided again to the 80 attendees. With the initial email
responses and the responses from that evening, a total of 22 responses were received.
These responses are presented overleaf.
126
Victorian Manufacturing Cleantech Questionnaire Responses
Ino8
Frank Will
Microheat
Aldo D'Eramo
RayGen Resources
John Lasich
i. CFEWH SERIES 1-10
- SINGLE PHASE WATER
HEATING APPLIANCE
- 9.6kW/240VAC/40A
Solar Power
Billi Pty Ltd
Greg Morwood
The Heat Needle
Lawrence Molloy
Heat Needles
Phillippa Hildebrand
David Knipe
Substrate replacement
Enterprise Connect
Kevin Nitschke
Confortid
Erwin Boermans
Lever Advisory
David Anderson
Insenious Advisory
Dan Hansen
ASBEC
Tom Roper
Griffith Hack
Do it on the Roof
Kate Hay
Mat Stewart
Enhar
Demain Natakhan
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Peter mulherin
Enterprise Connect
Mike Sewell
DIICCSRTE
Marc Newson
3. What parts (if any) do you
currently import?
Pumps
motors, PCBs, and other
electronic components
stainless steel exhaust gas
heat exchanger, insulated
heat storage tanks, plastic
components
a. SPECIALLY COATED
ELECTRODES
b. FLOW RATE SENSORS
Y
Solar Concentrator cells
Zinc, chrome plated tap
bodies. Polyethelene pipe,
formed
None - we do not plan on
moving forward until we
secure capital.
None
4. Would you consider using
local parts if they came with
added value including
improved design or
functionality?
In your view, what cleantech products
present the greatest opportunities for local
manufacturers?
Possibly
we can, if found cost effective
Sure
Yes
Yes
Yes
Water treatment & storage. Solar (but I think
we missed that!)
Yes
Rooftop solar & distributed water treatment
Yes
Water Treatment products
Electrical switchgear - but my
area is services so not really
sure.
District Energy Grid
Simple lighting control
Water technologies for clean drinking water
and storage. Solar -as a driver to power
cleantech and existing industry.
Energy Efficiency
Design and products for buidlings - both new
and retrofit
Energy storage
Solar panels
Energy efficiency, smart controls, efficient
lighting, LEDs
Transmission and distribution technologies
to improve Australia's aging electricity grid.
High density batteries. Wireless transmission
of electricity. Autonomous vehicles.
Climate Bridge Ventures Alex Wyatt
ProductWise
Transformers, power supplies,
reactors & DC rectification
equipment. Y
Acoustic panelling & ceiling tiles
Y
CNC lathes and mills
Y
Large scale structural fabrication
Y
Waste heat recovery system
to reduce vehicle fuel
consumption
Water filter boiling & chilling
units
Schneider Electric
Y
Specialist coatings
Jai Kaudinya
Y
Aluminium extrusion, design,
forming, fabrication and testing
Eco Pacific
Solar desalination panels,
integrated rack mounting
systems for panels
3D CAD Design
Darren Dunn
Engineered plastics
F Cubed
1. What products do you produce?
Stainless steel components
Person
Small lightweight metal product
development
Company
Steel, aluminium and Brass machining
2. Which of the following services are used to produce your products
Product stewardship
Waste management as a sector. Large scale
renewales.
Depends on the application scale, market etc.
Best fit is those cleantechs that support
existing manufacturing.
Solar core transmission products and energy
transmission products.
Global Green PartnershipKen Chan
P a g e | 127
From the questionnaire results and the analysis of the needs of the 71 cleantech products
being produced locally, there appears to be significant cross over in the needs of cleantech
companies and the capabilities of local manufacturers. However, this does not mean to say
that there are business relationships to be formed.
A limitation that became obvious through the project was that the SME manufacturers are
primarily focussed on having customers and suppliers within a radius of approximately
10km. For instance, this means that a potential customer in the South East of Melbourne will
find that a Hume based manufacturer will not believe that they can deliver the same level of
service as they would like to and so will not be interested in becoming a supplier.
A reason for this may be that the ability of these manufacturers to provide value added
service requires regular personal interaction and, once that is removed through distance,
then the ability to provide the same high level of service is reduced. Whether this is the
actual result or just the perception of the outcome is not certain. The manufacturing
companies are also used to doing business with locals and so face to face meetings are
seen as very important and email communication is less effective than with bigger
organisations.
Therefore it appears that, due to historical clients being local, the manufacturers have
adopted effective business practices that suit local companies and so are less able to
provide high quality services to customers that are not local. This phenomenon is likely to be
fairly common in areas that have had reasonable stability for several decades because
there is no need to change. However, in areas that have experienced a major economic
shock such a major industry closing down, such as the steel mills in Newcastle, the
companies that have survived will have had to make the change. This then creates a new
norm for how business happens in that region.
Cleantech product developers may also prefer a local supplier so that they can make
regular visits, especially during the development stage of the process. This may have been
demonstrated by the lack of interest from cleantech companies in coming to the workshop in
Hume. However, there are likely to have been many other reasons for this as well. It is
believed that the cleantech companies would in general be happy to work with good quality
suppliers within Melbourne regardless of the location.
Finally, the manufacturers that formed part of Stage 2 of the project are all high quality
providers but few, if any, of them are unique providers within Melbourne for the processes
and services they provide. This means that cleantech companies may already have trusted
suppliers, may find suppliers that are nearer to their base or may be recommended
suppliers who are able to fulfil their needs. This is a critical point as businesses of all sizes
develop key relationships from trusted service providers and then will stick with them
because the change costs of having to find and educate a new service provider is too high.
This also implies that it is important to also focus efforts on emerging customers looking for
that service for the first time as, once they are secured as a customer, they are more likely
to remain being one.
There are two activities that could be led by Council that might help overcome some of the
hurdles discussed above:
•
Online Tools and Communications Enhancement - providing a program that assists local
manufacturers to transition their business practices to rely less on face-to-face meetings and
starts to use online tools and communication to discuss requirements and design
enhancements will open up a significantly larger customer pool. This way of operating will not
P a g e | 128
appeal to many small companies but the ones that take the opportunity will have the
opportunity for rapid growth. The program could be delivered over a number of months and
maybe in partnership with a software provider such as Autodesk or Solidworks.
•
Building Regional Partnerships - in the same way as discussed above in Section 8, there
are potentially significant benefits in assisting to build industry collaborations across regions.
In addition to the advantages already mentioned, this could also provide a mechanism to
widen the customer base geographically whilst still maintaining a local contact that is able to
have the face-to-face meetings that fits with usual practice.
129
10.2 Victorian Cleantech Companies
The 109 Victorian Cleantech Companies that Manufacture Products
Sector
SOLAR
WIND
BIOFUEL
WATER
WASTE
Company Name
Aquamax
Chromagen Australia
CleanWatt
EIR Solar Thermal
Green Systems Group
MSJ Solar Energy System
Neopower
RayGen Resources
RJM Sunpower
Solar Systems
SolarKilns
Sun Energy
Technique Solar
Acciona Energy Australia
Altaus
Future Energy
Sterling Wind
Ultimate Power & Energy
Algae Enterprises
Axiom Energy
Biodiesel Producers
Flex Ethanol Australia
Green Power Solutions
MBD Energy
ProGreen Biofuels
Sterling Biofuels International Ltd
Victor Smorgon Group (Biofuels Group only)
Zero Discharge
321 Water
Acciona Agua Australia
Acqua International Group
Acromet
Allpure Water Systems
Aqua Diagnostic
Aqua Guardian Group
Aquamill Five Star
Aqueous Solutions
Australian Ultra Violet Services (Operations) Pty Ltd
Bell Environmental
Bermad Water Technologies Australia
By-Jas Engineering
CC Technologies
CDS Technologies
Clean TeQ Holdings
Creative Water Technologies
Davey Water Products Pty Ltd
Desal Systems
Envirosource International
EnviroStream Solutions (Enviss)
ESA Envirowater
F-Cubed
Observant Pty Ltd
Ozmotech
Rubicon Water
Ultraspin Technology
WJP Solutions
Close the Loop
130
Sector
EFFICIENCY
WAVE, TIDAL,
HYDRO
BIOGAS
TRANSPORT
TECHNOLOGIES
GEOTHERMAL
ENVIRONMENT
GREEN BUILDING
Company Name
Eco Guadians
Green Distillation Technologies
Majek Automation
National Recycling Group
Polymeric Powders (VR TEK Global)
Southern Cross Metal Recyclers
Tyre Crumb
Active Reactor Company
DEOS Australia
ENTTEC
gT-Energy Technologies
Illumination Australia
Katrix
MicroHeat Technologies Pty Ltd
Plantic Technologies Limited
Plasmatronics
Rotary Heat Exchangers
Selectronic Australia Pty Ltd
Sheedor P/L
Techni Waterjet
Thermofilm Australia
Traffic Technologies Ltd
AquaGen Technologies
Cetus Energy
Hydrogen Power Industries
Sundermann Water Power
BioSyngas
Colac Power Company
Enecon
Rainbow Bee Eater IP Pty Ltd
Renewable Oil Corporation
Advanced Vehicle Technologies Pty Ltd
Bennett Clayton
Blade Electric Vehicles
Engine Air
EV Engineering Limited
EVT Australia
Green Diesel Corp
HOH Enterprises
Ino8
IT MDI – Energy
Scalzo Automotive Research
TDR International
GeoEnergy Australia
Air2Energy Pty Ltd
Clinka
Eco Pacific
EnerGlaze
Gale Pacific Ltd
HySSIL
Smart Roof Australia Pty Ltd
Window Energy Solutions
131
11. Target Company Opportunities
Each of the 10 companies has had a more detailed analysis undertaken to help identify the specific
target customers and products on which they can focus. These opportunities are detailed on the
following pages with a full contact list for the target Victorian cleantech companies presented in a
table at the end of this section.
The ten companies that were accepted into Stage 2 of the project are listed again below in
alphabetical order:
Company
Manufacturing Processes
Acoustic Industries
Acoustic panelling & ceiling tiles
Altro Transformers
Transformers, power supplies, reactors & DC rectification equipment.
Brunton Engineering
Large scale structural fabrication
Capral Aluminium
Aluminium extrusion, design, forming, fabrication and testing
Dr Stainless
E-Plas
Engineered plastics
Intec Coatings
Specialist coatings
Integra Systems
Small lightweight metal product development
Natex
Tech Tooling
3D CAD Design
With each of the 109 Victorian cleantech companies, an analysis has been completed to determine
whether they manufacture anything in Victoria (as opposed to just importing) and, for those that do,
which of the above manufacturing processes they are likely to use.
Manufacturing
Process
Small lightweight metal
product development
Stainless steel
components
Large scale structural
fabrication
Steel, aluminium and
Brass machining
Engineered plastics
3D CAD Design
Acoustic panelling &
ceiling tiles
Transformers, power
supplies, reactors & DC
rectification equipment.
Dr Stainless
Brunton
Engineering
Natex
Engineering
Tech Tooling
E-Plas
Tech Tooling
Natex
Engineering
Tech Tooling
Acoustic
Industries
Aluminium extrusion,
Capral Aluminium design, forming,
fabrication and testing
Specialist coatings
Manufacturing
Company
Delivering that
Process
Integra Systems
Intec Coatings
Altro
Transformers
Of the 109 companies, 71 were found to do at least some local manufacturing and, of these, 58 were
found to use one or more of the processes listed below. The number of companies that use each of
the manufacturing processes are shown in the table below.
No. of Victorian
Cleantech
Companies Using
that Process
32
31
14
34
23
26
17
4
12
6
10
132
Sector
Acoustic Panelling
3.
4.
INCLUDE IN
STAGE 2
GREEN BUILDINGS
Potential Target Customers
Sector
1
2
Industrial Energy Efficiency
• Similarly, the demand for energy efficiency solutions for
industry is growing very rapidly and the potential to utilise
products for new industrial applications will be explored in
Stage 2.
3
Housing for Engines and Generators
o Acoustic housing for engines, generators and other rotating
equipment.
Water Plant & Equipment
o Acoustic housing for plant and equipment used in the water
and wastewater treatment and distribution business.
Recommendation
4
Green
Buildings
Industrial
Energy
Efficiency
Housing
for
Engines
and
Generators
Water
plant &
equipment
See Green Building Sector Further Information
See Energy Efficiency Sector Further
Information
gT-Energy
Technologies
Heat engines
Bennett
Clayton
Engine fabrication and
installation
Special Vehicle Building for
Bell
the needs of specific
Environmental
industries such as water.
Desal
Small Reverse Osmosis
Systems
plants
Scale and Timing of Sector Opportunities
Sector
1
2
3
4
133
Green Buildings
Housing for Engines and Generators
Water plant & equipment
4
3
2
2
TOTAL (A x B)
2.
Green Building
• The opportunity to integrate acoustic panelling into walls to
improve both its acoustic and thermal properties has
significant potential in green building applications.
• Stage 2 will engage with the building industry to ascertain
specific applications and potential to utilise existing product
lines for new applications.
ACOUSTIC
INDUSTRIES
(1=10yrs , 3=5yrs ,
5=n o w)
1.
Name
B - Timing Score
Website
H9
Ref
(1=s m a ll, 5=h ug e )
Email
Acoustic Industries & Laminators
79 Premier Drive, Campbellfield
Sam Mancuso
0419 332 100/ 9357 8588
Sam.mancuso@acousticindustries.
com.au
www.acousticindustries.com.au
A - Scale Score
Company Details
Co. Name
Address
Contact Name
Phone
4
4
5
5
16
12
10
10
Website
1.
2.
3.
Industrial energy efficiency
• Industrial energy efficiency is a significant growing area and
offers a number of opportunities for Altro Transformers in
addition to the one it has already secured through the
partnership with Power Intelligence.
• Potential application in high voltage equipment for water
treatment (ultra violet), lighting products and heat engines.
Recommendation
INCLUDE IN
STAGE 2
Industrial Energy
Efficiency
Sector
1
Distributed generation rectification
• As distributed generation facilities increase in number, the
opportunities for rectification products is proportionately
increasing. Whilst most of the standard inverters are
currently imported, there may be opportunities for specialist
and larger inverters to be used with larger installations.
Generation sources may include solar, wind and
cogeneration.
Smart grid and energy storage
• Similarly , there is an increasing roll out of smart grid and
energy storage technologies and there may be opportunities
to work with the providers of these solutions to deliver Altro
products.
ALTRO
TRANSFORMERS
Industrial
energy
efficiency and
lighting
Australian Ultra
Violet Services
Active Reactor
Company
gT-Energy
Technologies
RayGen Resources
Solar Systems
2
Distributed
generation
rectification
Technique Solar
Acciona Energy
Australia
Bennett Clayton
Redflow Energy
3
Smart grid
and energy
storage
ZEN Energy
Selectronic Australia
Pty Ltd
Plasmatronics
High quality UV
lamps for water
industry
High pressure
sodium and metal
halide lamps.
Heat engines
Concentrating solar
PV generation
Concentrating solar
PV generation
Concentrating solar
PV and thermal
generation
Wind farms -and
Solar farms
Engine fabrication
and installation
Bromide flow
batteries (QLD)
Lithium Oxide
batteries (SA)
Inverters
Regulators and
meters
Sector
1
2
3
134
Industrial energy efficiency
Distributed generation rectification
Smart grid and energy storage
4
4
4
TOTAL (A x B)
Email
Transformers,
Power Supplies, DC
Rectification
(1=10yrs , 3=5yrs ,
5=n o w)
Contact Name
Phone
Name
B - Timing Score
Address
H7
Ref
Sector
(1=s m a ll, 5=h ug e )
Co. Name
Altro Transformers & Power
Intelligence
32 Glenbarry Road Campbellfield
VIC 3061
Chris Craig-Neal
1300 677 564
Chris.craigneal@powerintelligence.com.au
www.powerintelligence.com.au
A - Scale Score
Company Details
5
3
3
20
12
12
Company Details
Co. Name
Brunton Engineering
Address
54-56 Freight Drive, Somerton
Contact Name
Geoff and Daniel Brunton
Phone
0408 371 888/ 9303 7475
Email
geoff@brunteng.com
Website
www.brunteng.com
Recommendation
INCLUDE IN
STAGE 2
Large scale
demonstration projects
The table at the end of this document provides details of 14
companies that would be worth approaching to discuss possible
service provision. The best prospects are highlighted in the table
below.
Sector
Framing or bases for small wind turbines
• There are a number of companies developing small scale
wind turbines for manufacture in Australia. Some of these
intend to manufacture inhouse but others need
manufacturing partners.
• There are also other companies seeking to import small
wind turbines and there may be an option to manufacture
these locally under license from the international developer.
Frames, screw piles and tracking systems for large solar
projects
• It is forecast that there will be a significant increase in large
scale ground-mounted solar projects over the next few
years due to the reducing costs of solar panels and the
increasing costs of electricity.
• These large scale projects need frames, screw piles or
tracking systems manufactured to mount on which to mount
the solar panels.
• At this stage, there are no Australian companies set up to
take advantage of this potential and the vast majority of
frames are being imported with the panels.
• Customers for the frames would be commercial solar
project developers.
Other Large scale fabrication utilising structural
components.
Other opportunities to build large scale projects include:
•
Solar farms - central towers
•
Algae biofuels plants
•
Water treatment plants
•
Engine and heat exchangers
•
Biogas plants
1
2
3
4
Cetus Energy
Wave
generation
AquaGen
demonstration Technologies
projects
Ocean Power
Technologies
Flowtrack
Framing or
Gridlink Wind
bases for
Turbines
small wind
Comet
turbines.
Windmills
Frames,
screw piles
Acciona
and tracking
Energy
systems for
Australia
commercial
solar projects.
Other large
scale
fabrication
utilising
structural
components.
Solar
Systems
By-Jas
Engineering
gT-Energy
Technologies
Pilot scale blade for energy
capture from water
Pilot scale wave energy
systems
Pilot scale wave energy
systems
Small scale wind turbine
Wind farms - all EPC. Solar
farms are delivering EPC
contract for others - so just
considered solar here.
Mirrors, trackers,
transformers - everything
but the high efficiency PV
cells.
Large scale plant for the
water industry
Heat engines
Sector
1
2
3
4
135
Wave generation demonstration
projects
Framing or bases for small wind
turbines.
Frames, screw piles & tracking
systems for large solar projects.
Other large scale fabrication utilising
structural components.
TOTAL (A x B)
(1=10yrs , 3=5yrs ,
5=n o w)
4.
BRUNTON
ENGINEERING
B - Timing Score
3.
Structural Design,
Fabrication &
Installation
(1=s m a ll, 5=h ug e )
2.
Wave Generator Demonstration Plants
• There are 36 Australian companies developing wave, tidal
and mini-hydro generator technologies that require design
and fabrication services. Seven of these are based in
Victoria and 5 of these are worth discussing opportunities
with.
• As each progresses it will need a number of prototypes
constructed of increasing sophistication and scale as they
move from pool testing through to open water prototype to
full scale demonstration plant.
Name
A - Scale Score
1.
H1
Ref
Sector
3
3
9
2
4
8
4
4
16
3
4
12
Company Details
Co. Name
Capral
Address
151 Barry Road, Campbellfield
Richard Axe, Extrusion Business
Contact Name
Manager
Phone
9930 1500/ 0404 818 111
Email
Richard.axe@capral.com.au
Website
www.capral.com.au
Recommendation
INCLUDE IN
STAGE 2
Double glazing, green
wall frames and building
facades
Retrofit double glazing opportunity - introduce to Australia
o
Magnetite are doing a version in Australia
already,
o
Indow Windows are the US based company
mentioned in discussion.
Sector
Retrofit doubleglazing system
Smart Roof Australia
Roof vent and air
circulation system
Distributed Generation
Chromagen Australia
Futuris doing all
manufacturing
•
Components for solar frames and trackers, central towers.
EIR Solar Thermal
Ground mounted PV
•
Industrial solar equipment
•
Wind farms
1
Green
Buildings
Green wall systems
2
Distributed
Generation
Biofuel and Biogas Plants
•
Wind farms
Technique Solar
Acciona Energy
Australia
Distributed Water Treatment & Equipment
•
Pumps, meters
•
Solar desalination
3
Biofuel and
Biogas Plants
Algae Enterprises
Acromet
4
Distributed
Water
Treatment &
Equipment
MBD Energy
F-Cubed
Algae biofuels
Pumps, meters,
material handling
equipment
Solar desalination
panels, integrated
rack mounting
systems for panels
Sector
1
2
3
4
136
Green Buildings
Distributed Generation
Biofuel and Biogas Plants
Distributed Water Treatment &
Equipment
TOTAL (A x B)
Industrial solar equipment
SolarKilns
Mirrors, trackers,
transformers
Solarola timber
drying plant
Lens, tracker, frame,
wiring
Wind farms -& solar
farms
Tanks and treatment
vats, piping.
(1=10yrs , 3=5yrs ,
5=n o w)
•
Solar Systems
B - Timing Score
4.
CAPRAL
4
4
3
4
4
3
16
16
9
3
5
15
(1=s m a ll, 5=h ug e )
3.
Aluminium
Extrusion
EnerGlaze
•
2.
Name
Green Buildings
•
H14
Sector
A - Scale Score
1.
Ref
Company Details
Co. Name
Dr Stainless
Address
11 Patrick Street, Campbellfield
Contact Name
Joel Watson, Director
Phone
9357 8007
Email
Website
Recommendation
POSSIBLE FOR
STAGE 2
Water and waste
products
below.
Sector
Distributed Energy
• Solar projects
• Heat transfer liquid components
1
Aqua
Diagnostic
Australian
Ultra Violet
Services
Water
• Heat engines
• Water heaters
• Waste heat systems
Bell
Environmental
EnviroStream
Solutions
Ultraspin
Technology
Other.
• Transport technologies
• Green building components
2
Biofuels,
Biogas &
Waste-toEnergy
3
Distributed
Energy
4
Industrial
Energy
Efficiency
5
Other
BioSyngas
MBD Energy
ProGreen
Biofuels
RayGen
Resources
Solar Systems
gT-Energy
Technologies
MicroHeat
Technologies
Thermofilm
Australia
HOH
Enterprises
Eco Pacific
Smart Roof
Australia
Analysing equipment for lab,
online and field
High quality UV lamps for
water industry
Special Vehicle Building for
the needs of specific
industries such as water.
Containerised water filtering
systems
Oil water separators
Medium-sized biogas
generation plants
Algae biofuels projects
Blending, storage and
distribution of biofuels
Concentrated solar PV
systems
Concentrated solar PV
systems
Heat engines
Small scale instantaneous
hot water heater.
Electric radiant heaters
Hydrogen gas generators
Gas Heaters
Roof vent and air circulation
system
Sector
1
2
3
4
5
137
Water
Biogas & Waste-to-Energy
Distributed Energy
Other Projects
4
3
3
3
3
TOTAL (A x B)
5.
Dr Stainless
(1=10yrs , 3=5yrs ,
5=n o w)
4.
Stainless Steel
Design &
Fabrication
B - Timing Score
3.
Biofuels, Biogas & Waste-to-Energy
• There are 42 companies developing biogas or waste-toenergy projects in Australia and each of these will require
stainless steel components. 6 of these companies are
based in Victoria
Name
(1=s m a ll, 5=h ug e )
2.
Water
• There is a requirement for many stainless steel components
in water treatment and wastewater treatment plants and
stage 2 would involve engaging with some of the prime
contractors in this sector to ascertain specific components
Sector
A - Scale Score
1.
H6
Ref
5
4
4
5
3
20
12
12
15
9
Company Details
Co. Name
Address
Contact Name
Phone
Email
Website
E-Plas
25 Ovata Dr Tullamarine
Chris Saflekas
03 9339 3621 / 0438 314 398
csaflekas@eplas.com.au
www.eplas.com.au
Ref
Sector
Name
Engineered Plastic
H10
E-PLAS
Recommendation
INCLUDE IN
STAGE 2
Plastic components for
multiple industries
1.
Green Building
• There are lots of engineered plastic components that are
being incorporated into commercial buildings as part of the
move towards green buildings.
2.
Energy Efficiency
• Energy efficiency products are increasing rapidly as power
prices continue to rise and require many different
components. Many require engineered plastic enclosures
and other components
Energy Generation & Storage
• Energy storage and battery technologies are being
increasingly adopted to store power from renewable
energy sources, store power for peak demand and offset
the need for electricity distribution network augmentation.
• Many of the battery technologies use engineered plastic
components as part of the chemical storage system within
the battery or as part of the battery housing.
• Solar and other systems
Green
Building
2
Energy
Efficiency
EnerGlaze
Smart Roof
Australia
MicroHeat
Technologies
Rotary Heat
Exchangers
3
Transport
Technologies
and EV
Recharging
HOH Enterprises
4
Energy
Generation &
Storage
Solar Systems
Water
• E-Plas supplied components to the Desalination Plant and
could similarly supply components to the many water,
wastewater and reclaimed water treatment plants in
Victoria and nationally.
• Prime contractors in this sector to ascertain specific
components.
DiuS Computing ChargeIQ
Chromagen
Australia
SolarKilns
Technique Solar
Algae Enterprises
5
Water
Acqua
International
Acromet
Desal Systems
Retrofit double-glazing
system
Roof vent and air
circulation system
Small footprint
instantaneous hot water
system
Heat exchangers
Hydrogen gas
generators
Vehicle recharging
system
Futuris doing all
manufacturing
Large scale
concentrating Solar PV
systems
Solarola timber drying
plant
Concentrating PV
system for rooftops
Tanks and treatment
vats, piping. Design
and install bespoke
systems
Various technologies
provided into bespoke
industry applications
Pumps, meters,
material handling
equipment
Small Reverse
Osmosis plants
3
4
5
138
Green Building
Energy Efficiency
Transport Technologies and EV
Recharging
Energy Generation & Storage
Water
TOTAL (A x B)
1
2
(1=10yrs , 3=5yrs ,
5=n o w)
Sector
B - Timing Score
5.
Transport Technologies and EV Recharging
• Electric Vehicle recharging points for public, company and
household use are going to become increasing popular.
These installations are likely to use engineered plastics as
their main housing.
1
3
3
4
5
12
15
3
3
9
3
4
3
4
9
16
(1=s m a ll, 5=h ug e )
4.
Sector
A - Scale Score
3.
below.
Company Details
Co. Name
Intec Coatings
Address
47A Lara Way, Campbellfield
Contact Name
Anthony Martini, Director
+613 9357 9510
Phone
0422 076 133
Email
anthony@inteccoatings.com.au
Website
1. Green Building
Recommendation
INCLUDE IN
STAGE 2
Building paints, external
coatings, reflective
coatings for insulation or
solar concentration.
Sector
1
Green
Building
Coatings for plant exposed to the weather such as wind
farms, solar facilities, wave farms, vehicles etc.
Highly reflective coatings for mirrors for concentrating solar.
Anti-reflective coatings for lenses and films for solar
collectors.
MicroHeat
Technologies
SkyCool (NSW)
Chromagen
Australia
RayGen Resources
3. Engines and Industrial Equipment
•
Coatings for engines or other industrial equipment for
additional lubrication or protection.
2
Energy
Generation
Solar Systems
F-Cubed
3
Engines &
Industrial
Equipment
Ino8
Small footprint
instantaneous hot
water heating using
patented heat
transfer technology.
Roof coating for high
insulation solution.
Combined PV and
solar thermal rooftop
unit
Large scale
concentrating solar
PV technology - need
for high reflectivity for
mirrors.
Large scale
concentrating solar
PV technology - need
for high reflectivity for
mirrors.
Solar desalination
panels, integrated
rack mounting
systems for panels
Waste heat recovery
system to reduce
vehicle fuel
consumption
139
Green Building
Energy Generation
Engines & Industrial Equipment
3
5
2
TOTAL (A x B)
1
2
3
(1=10yrs , 3=5yrs ,
5=n o w)
Sector
B - Timing Score
•
•
INTEC
COATINGS
This sector seems to offer best opportunities with paints
and coatings with additional benefits such as increased
thermodynamic, reflective or other properties.
High conductivity coatings for heating/cooling appliances.
High reflective coatings for insulating properties.
2. Energy Generation Equipment
•
Specialty Coatings
(1=s m a ll, 5=h ug e )
•
•
H23
Name
A - Scale Score
•
Ref
Sector
4
3
5
12
15
10
Company Details
Co. Name
Integra Systems
197 Northcorp Boulevard,
Address
Broadmeadows
Contact Name
Paul Hughes
Phone
0419 572 907
Email
paul@integrasystems.com.au
Website
www.integrasystems.com.au
Name
Sheet Metal Design
& Manufacture
INTEGRA
SYSTEMS
6.
Screens
• Screens for water filtration and waste separation is also a
growing field and appears to fit with the manufacturing
capability of Integra.
Other product development and design for manufacture
for any relatively small lightweight metal product.
• Rooftop and concentrating solar technologies.
• Wind farm housings and fittings.
• Biofuels and biogas projects.
• Water technologies and projects.
The table at the end of this document provides details of 32 companies
that would be worth approaching to discuss possible service provision.
The best prospects are highlighted in the table below.
Sector
Traffic
Technologies
Rotary Heat
Exchangers
Energy
efficiency and
monitoring
equipment
enclosures
1
Bennett Clayton
2
Green Buildings
3
EV recharging
points
4
Light fittings
5
Screens
Active Reactor
Company
Other product
development
and design for
manufacture for
any relatively
small lightweight
metal product.
6
Smart Roof
Australia
DiUS
Computing ChargeIQ
Plasmatronics
Selectronic
Baleen Filters
(SA)
Chromagen
Australia
SolarKilns
Aqua Diagnostic
Bell
Environmental
Lighting solutions
Heat exchangers
installation
Roof vent and air
circulation system
Electric vehicle
recharging systems
High pressure sodium
and metal halide
lamps
Regulators and meters
Inverters
Screen filters
Concentrating rooftop
solar
Solarola timber drying
plant
Analysing equipment
for lab, online and field
Special Vehicle
Building for the needs
of specific industries
such as water.
Sector
1
2
3
4
5
6
Energy efficiency and monitoring
equipment enclosures
Green Buildings
EV recharging points
Light fittings
Screens
Other product development and
design for manufacture for any
relatively small lightweight metal
product.
P a g e | 140
TOTAL (A x B)
5.
Light fittings
• There are a number of Australian companies developing
and assembling LED Luminaire using LEDs imported from
China. Most of these companies do not manufacture the
components and so need partners to assist them.
developers to make them
ready for market.
(1=10yrs , 3=5yrs ,
5=n o w)
4.
EV recharging points
• Electric Vehicle recharging points for public, company and
household use are going to become increasing popular.
This is an area that Integra could enter early and then take
advantage of as the market grows.
INCLUDE IN
STAGE 2
B - Timing Score
3.
Green Buildings
• Green walls is a slowly growing area of activity that is
being utilised for aesthetic reasons and also to reduce
heat reflection from buildings. The framing systems for
these might be formed from items that could be
manufactured by Integra.
• Other equipment for green buildings such as skylights etc.
3
5
15
4
5
4
3
3
3
4
4
12
15
16
12
3
4
12
(1=s m a ll, 5=h ug e )
2.
Energy efficiency and monitoring equipment enclosures
• There are many companies developing energy efficiency
and energy monitoring equipment for domestic and
industrial applications. Whilst the domestic appliances may
be able to be boxed in plastic enclosures, the industrial
appliances are likely to require more sturdy housings.
Recommendation
A - Scale Score
1.
H2
Ref
Sector
Natex (Australia) Engineering
15 Halley Crescent, Campbellfield
Steven Sansome
03 9308 0855
steven@natex.com.au
www.natexeng.com.au
CONSIDER FOR
STAGE 2
multiple industries
Separation and sorting plants also require many machined
components.
Sector
•
•
•
These projects also require a wide variety of machined
components.
It is forecast that there will be a significant increase in large
scale ground-mounted solar projects over the next few
years due to the reducing costs of solar panels and the
increasing costs of electricity.
These large scale projects need frames, screw piles or
tracking systems manufactured to mount on which to
mount the solar panels.
At this stage, there are no Australian companies set up to
Customers for the frames would be commercial solar
project developers.
1
CC Tech
2
3
Engines, Generators & Vehicles
•
Water
Allpure Water
Systems
Aqueous
Solutions
Australian Ultra
Violet Services
There are a wide variety of heat engines, cogeneration
units, and energy efficiency vehicle technologies being
developed and each of these will require machined
components to be made.
4
Green Buildings
• There are also a large number of products and
technologies being developed for the Green Building
market and many of these also need machined parts.
5
Skid mounted water
treatment units
High quality UV lamps
Small scale water
treatment equipment
Davey Water
Wide variety of pumps
Products
See Waste & Recycling Sector Further
Recycling
Information
Rooftop concentrating
Components Chromagen
Australia
solar
for Solar,
Wave,
Large scale
Solar Systems
biofuels and
concentrating solar
biogas
Technique Solar
developers
solar
gT-Energy
Heat Engines
Technologies
Techni Waterjet
Waterjet cutters
Engines,
Generators
Engine Air
installation
& Vehicles
Scalzo
Engine development and
Automotive
fabrication
Research
EnerGlaze
system
Green
Buildings
Roof vent and air
Smart Roof
circulation system
Australia
Sector
1
2
3
4
5
141
Water
Recycling
Components for Wave, biofuels and
biogas developers
Green Buildings
TOTAL (A x B)
•
5.
Plant components for solar, wave, biofuels, biogas
•
4.
Recommendation
(1=10yrs , 3=5yrs ,
5=n o w)
3.
There is a requirement for many machined components in
water treatment and wastewater treatment plants.
Recycling
•
NATEX
B - Timing Score
2.
Precision CNC
Turning & Milling
below.
Water
•
Name
3
3
5
5
15
15
3
3
9
3
4
4
4
12
16
(1=s m a ll, 5=h ug e )
1.
H8
Ref
Sector
A - Scale Score
Company Details
Co. Name
Address
Contact Name
Phone
Email
Website
Recycling
•
3.
•
•
•
•
INCLUDE IN
STAGE 2
multiple industries
The table at the end of this document provides details of 34 companies
that would be worth approaching to discuss possible service provision.
The best prospects are highlighted in the table below.
Sector
Separation and sorting plants also require many
machined components.
These projects also require a wide variety of machined
components.
It is forecast that there will be a significant increase in
large scale ground-mounted solar projects over the next
few years due to the reducing costs of solar panels and
the increasing costs of electricity.
These large scale projects need frames, screw piles or
tracking systems manufactured to mount on which to
mount the solar panels.
At this stage, there are no Australian companies set up to
Customers for the frames would be commercial solar
project developers.
1
Water
Allpure Water
Systems
Aqueous
Solutions
Australian Ultra
Violet Services
CC Tech
2
3
•
5.
Recommendation
Plant components for solar, wave, biofuels, biogas
•
4.
TECH TOOLING
There are a wide variety of heat engines, cogeneration
units, and energy efficiency vehicle technologies being
developed and each of these will require machined
components to be made.
4
Green Buildings
• There are also a large number of products and
technologies being developed for the Green Building
market and many of these also need machined parts.
5
Skid mounted water
treatment units
High quality UV lamps
Small scale water
treatment equipment
Davey Water
Wide variety of pumps
Products
See Waste & Recycling Sector Further
Recycling
Information
Components Chromagen
Australia
solar
for Solar,
Wave,
Large scale
Solar Systems
biofuels and
concentrating solar
biogas
Technique Solar
developers
solar
gT-Energy
Heat Engines
Technologies
Techni Waterjet
Waterjet cutters
Engines,
Generators
Engine Air
installation
& Vehicles
Scalzo
Engine development and
Automotive
fabrication
Research
EnerGlaze
system
Green
Buildings
Roof vent and air
Smart Roof
circulation system
Australia
Sector
1
2
3
4
5
142
Water
Recycling
Components for Wave, biofuels and
biogas developers
Green Buildings
TOTAL (A x B)
2.
Machining &
Fabrication
(1=10yrs , 3=5yrs ,
5=n o w)
Water
• There is a requirement for many machined components in
water treatment and wastewater treatment plants.
H11
Name
B - Timing Score
1.
Ref
Sector
3
3
5
5
15
15
3
3
9
3
4
4
4
12
16
(1=s m a ll, 5=h ug e )
Website
Tech Tooling
63-65 Merola Way, Campbellfield
Joe Infantino, Director
03 9357 9277
j.infantino@techtooling.net
www.techtooling.com.au
(NOT WORKING)
A - Scale Score
Company Details
Co. Name
Address
Contact Name
Phone
Email
Target Victorian Cleantech Companies
Key for Cleantech Target Company Contact Table
Acoustic
panelling
& ceiling
tiles
Aluminium
extrusion,
design,
forming,
fabrication
and testing
Specialist
coatings
Transformers,
power
supplies,
reactors &
DC
rectification
equipment.
Natex
Engineering
Tech Tooling
Acoustic
Industries
Capral
Aluminium
Intec
Coatings
Altro
Transformers
Manufacturing Process
Small
lightweight
metal
product
development
Stainless
steel
components
Large scale
structural
fabrication
Steel,
aluminium
and Brass
machining
Engineered
plastics
3D CAD
Design
CNC lathes
and mills
Manufacturing Company
Delivering that Process
Integra
Systems
Dr Stainless
Brunton
Engineering
Natex
Engineering
Tech Tooling
E-Plas
Tech Tooling
Reference in table below
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
ViIC Cleantech
Companies Using that
Process
32
31
14
34
23
26
17
4
12
6
10
Cleantech Target Company Contact Table
Sector
Company
Name
SOLAR
Chromagen
Australia
SOLAR
EIR Solar
Thermal
SOLAR
RayGen
Resources
SOLAR
Solar Systems
Product
Manufactured in
Australia
Solar panel.
Futuris doing all
manufacturing
Abandoned trough
technology and just
doing ground
mounted PV
Mirrors, trackers,
transformers everything but the
high efficiency PV
cells
Mirrors, trackers,
transformers everything but the
high efficiency PV
cells
(see key above)
Website
Contact
Address
Email
Phone
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Y
Y Y Y
Y Y
http://www.chromagen.com.au/
Geoffrey Hooper
90-92 Woodlands
Drive,
Braeside VIC 3195
info@chromagen.com.au
Tel: 1300 367
565
Y
http://www.eironline.com.au
Rohan Gillespie
(Managing
Director)
Level 17, 500 Collins
Street, Melbourne 3000
rgillepsie@eironline.com.au
+ 61 3 9614
0600
Y
Y
Y
Y Y
Y Y
www.raygenresources.com
Bob Cart
15 King St
Blackburn 3130
bob@raygen.com
+61 3 8669
0382
Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Y Y Y
http://solarsystems.com.au
Michael
Goldsworthy
45 Grosvenor Street,
Abbotsford, Victoria
3067, Australia
info@solarsystems.com.au
03 9413 8000
Y Y
P a g e | 143
Sector
SOLAR
Company
Name
SolarKilns
SOLAR
Technique
Solar
WIND
Acciona
Energy
Australia
BIOFUEL
Algae
Enterprises
BIOFUEL
MBD Energy
BIOFUEL
ProGreen
Biofuels
WATER
321 Water
WATER
Acqua
International
Group
WATER
Acromet
WATER
Allpure Water
Systems
Product
Manufactured in
Australia
Solarola timber
drying plant
(see key above)
Contact
Address
Email
Phone
www.solarkilns.com
Greg Weir, MD
Matt Deeble
PO Box 332 Boronia
Vic 3155
matt@solarkilns.com
+ 61 3
97616645, 0417
586 382
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Y
Y
Y
Lens, tracker, frame,
wiring - everything
but the PV panel.
Subcontracting to
Y
Y Y Y Y
Composite materials
Engineering (CME)
in Bayswater
Wind farms - all
EPC. Solar farms
are delivering EPC
Y
Y
Y
contract for others so just considered
solar here.
Tanks and treatment
vats, piping. Design
Y Y Y Y Y
and install bespoke
systems
Projects in QLD and
Thailand so Vic
Y
supply opportunities
may be limited
Made from
Australian
Y Y
feedstocks.
Blending, storage
and distribution
Reusable water
bottles
Website
Y
Y
www.techniquesolar.com.au
Tony Reeves;
Steve Diplock
Ground Floor 40-46
The Esplanade
Brighton, 3186
info@techniquesolar.com.au;
steve@techniquesolar.com.au;
reevesaj@bigpond.com
(61) 3 9593
2458
Y
Y
http://www.acciona.com.au/
Andrew Thomson
Level 12, 2 Southbank
Boulevard
Southbank VIC 3006
enquiries@accionaenergy.com.au;
andrew.thomson@acciona.com.au
Tel: +61 3 9027
1000
Y
http://www.algaeenterprises.com/
Ayal Marek
SE 5, L 1 321 Chapel
St
Prahran, VIC 3181
ayalmarek@gmail.com
Phone: +613
9510 0913
Y
http://www.mbdenergy.com/
Andrew Lawson,
MD
MBD Energy Limited
456 Victoria Parade
East Melbourne 3002
tony.stclair@mbdenergy.com;
andrew.lawson@mbdenergy.com
(61 3) 9415
8711
http://www.progreen.com.au/
Danny Williams
9 View Road, EPPING
VIC 3076
contact@progreen.com.au
03 9408 4330
www.321water.com/contact
Gretha Oost
PO Box 6273
St Kilda Road Central
VIC 8008
gretha.oost@321water.com
t: +61 3 9012
6658
www.acquagroup.com
David R Carnell,
MD
Unit 1, 1/45 Normanby
Road, Notting Hill 3168
acqua@acquagroup.com;
david_carnell@acquagroup.com
61 3 9565
6200
61 3 9296
2115
14 Winterton Road
Clayton, Vic 3168
chemex@acromet.com.au
Phone: +61 3
9544 7333
PO Box 201
Ashburton, Vic. 3147
sales@allpure.com.au
(+61) 3 - 9885
5392
Y
Various technologies
provided into
Y
Y Y Y Y
bespoke industry
applications
Pumps, meters,
material handling
Y Y
Y Y
equipment
Main components
appear to imported
but Allpure fabricate
Y Y Y
components into
skid mounted units
or directly onsite
Y
http://www.acromet.com.au/
www.allpure.com.au
144
Keith Flanagan,
Director
Sector
Company
Name
Product
Manufactured in
Australia
(see key above)
Aqua
Diagnostic
Analysing equipment
for lab, online and
Y Y
field for water
industry
WATER
Aquamill Five
Star
Water separation
equipment for waste
streams
Y
WATER
Aqueous
Solutions
Builds bespoke
water treatment
plants for industry
Y Y Y
WATER
WATER
Y Y
Y
Y
Australian Ultra
High quality UV
Violet Services
Y Y
Y Y
lamps for water
(Operations)
industry
Pty Ltd
Most equipment
imported but do
Special Vehicle
Bell
Y Y
Y
Y
Environmental Building for the
needs of specific
industries such as
water.
By-Jas
Large scale plant for
Y Y
Engineering
the water industry
WATER
CC
Technologies
Small scale water
Y Y
treatment equipment
WATER
CDS
Technologies
May manufacture in
Australia but not
clear from public info
WATER
Davey Water
Products Pty
Ltd
Wide variety of
pumps
Y Y
Y
WATER
Desal Systems
Y Y
Y Y Y
WATER
EnviroStream
Solutions
(Enviss)
Small Reverse
Osmosis plants
WATER
F-Cubed
Containerised water
filtering systems
Solar desalination
panels, integrated
rack mounting
systems for panels
Contact
Address
Email
Phone
www.aquadiagnostic.com
Dr. Roger Knight,
CEO
Level 1, 159 Dorcas
Street
South Melbourne 3205
r.knight@aquadiagnostic.com
+61 3 8606
3424
www.aquamill.com.au
Iain Kirkwood,
Acting CEO
Ben Erez,
Executive
Director (CCT)
Aquamill, Clayton
South
Victoria 3169
ben@aquamill.com.au
Iain@aquamill.com.au ???
+61 3 9540
0027
0408 473 496
34 Bentley St
Williamstown North
VIC 3016
info@aqueoussolutions.com.au
(+61) 03 9397
3066
23 Northgate Drive
Thomastown VIC 3074
austuv@austuv.com.au
Ph: (03) 9464
3855
88-90 Berkshire Road
Sunshine North 3221
info@bellenvironmental.com.au
03 9311 8460
enquires@byjas.com.au;
sjaski@byjas.com.au
Phone: (03)
5979 1096
service@cctechnologies.com.au
03 9701 7089
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
WATER
WATER
Website
www.aqueoussolutions.com.au
Y
Y
Y Y
Robert H Sly
Managing
Director
www.bellenvironmental.com.au
www.byjas.com.au
Y
Simon Jaski Jnr
www.cctechnologies.com.au
Y Y Y
Y
www.austuv.com.au
Wright Street
Hastings Vic 3915
2a/50 Princes Hwy,
Eumemmering, VIC
3177
OWNED BY ROCLA
Y
Y
Y
Y Y
Y Y
solutions@rocla.com.au
www.davey.com.au
Carsten
Andersen, Chief
Executive Officer;
Mark Lance
General Manager
— Engineering
www.desalsystems.com
Craig Evans, MD
www.enviss.com.au
Jim Tanner, CEO
www.fcubed.com.au
Stuart Estaugh
145
6 Lakeview Drive
Scoresby Victoria
3179
1/37 Ricketts Road
Mt Waverley, Vic 3149
Level 4, 349 Collins St
Melbourne Victoria
3000
23 Fillo Drive
Somerton 3062
daveyadm@davey.com.au
03 9730 9222
c.evans@desalsystems.com
61 – 3 – 9538
9300
info@enviss.com
03 5470 6800
stuarte@fcubed.com.au
(+61) 3 8339
0006
Sector
WATER
Company
Name
Observant Pty
Ltd
WATER
Rubicon Water
WATER
Ultraspin
Technology
WATER
WJP Solutions
WASTE
Eco Guadians
EFFICIENCY
Active Reactor
Company
EFFICIENCY
ENTTEC
EFFICIENCY
gT-Energy
Technologies
EFFICIENCY
MicroHeat
Technologies
Pty Ltd
EFFICIENCY
Plasmatronics
EFFICIENCY
EFFICIENCY
EFFICIENCY
Rotary Heat
Exchangers
Selectronic
Australia Pty
Ltd
Sheedor P/L
(Doron
Woodfires)
Product
Manufactured in
Australia
(see key above)
Website
Address
Email
Phone
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Sensor, monitoring
Y
and control systems
Wide variety of
products for water in
agriculture from soil
moisture monitoring Y Y Y Y Y Y
to irrigation channel
gates, valves and
meters.
Oil water separators Y Y
Bespoke small scale
water treatment
systems
Grease filters for
sinks and extractor
fans - not sure if
manufactured locally
or just imported.
High pressure
sodium and metal
halide lamps - not
sure how much is
produced locally.
LED lighting and
control products
Contact
Y Y
Inverters
Y
Ducted heating
system for wood
heaters
Y
phone: 1300
224 688
http://www.rubicon.com.au/EN/in
dex.html
Peter O'Donnell
Manufacturing
Manager
1 Cato Street
Hawthorn East
Melbourne VIC 3123
Shepparton Office
1A Wheeler Street,
Shepparton VIC 3630
Peter.ODonnell@rubiconwater.com
Direct: +61 3
5820 8818
Mobile: +61
447 338 820
sales@ultraspin.com.au
(61-3) 9800
1100
office@wjpsolutions.com.au
Phone: +61 3
9854 0900
http://www.wjpsolutions.com.au/
Contact+us
Y
Y Y Y
Y
info@observant.com.au;
natasha@observant.com.au
Y
Y
Heat exchangers
Level 1/106 Victoria
Street, Fitzroy, 3065
http://www.ultraspin.com.au/
Y
i. CFEWH SERIES
1-10
- SINGLE PHASE
WATER HEATING Y Y
APPLIANCE
9.6kW/240VAC/40A
Regulators and
Y
meters
Krishnan Nair
Y
Y Y
Heat engines
www.observant.com.au
Y
Y Y Y Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y Y Y Y
Y
Y
5 Monomeeth Drive,
Mitcham, 3132,
11 / 828 High Street
Adrian Pratt, CEO Kew East, Victoria
3102
www.ecoguardians.com.au
Doug Wilson,
Director
www.activereactor.com
Dr Richard
Dluzniak
Managing
Director
www.enttec.com
Walter Terella
www.g-tet.com
Paul Keen
Managing
Director
www.microheat.com.au
Aldo D'Eramo
90 St Kilda Road, St
Kilda, Victoria 3182
info@ecoguardians.com.au;
doug@ecoguardians.com.au
6 Locksley Avenue,
Kew 3101
rdluzniak@activereactor.com;boldla
nd@activereactor.com
+61 3 9817
6677
Unit 17/5 Samantha
Court, Knoxfield, 3180
wterella@enttec.com
+613 9763
5755
49 Railway Road
Blackburn. 3130
pkeen@g-tet.com
+61 413 884
256
Unit 6, 38-42 Sabre
Drive
Port Melbourne 3207
aldo@microheat.com.au
+6144731715
5
www.ecopower.com.au
Bill Ellul
www.selectronic.com.au
Lindsay Hart,
Sales/Marketing
Manager
75 Newman Street,
Thornbury 3071,
5 Halbert Rd
Bayswater 3153
Suite 5, 20 Fletcher
Road
Chirnside Park, 3116
www.turboheat.net.au
Luke Doran
142 High St, Melton,
www.plasmatronics.com.au
146
sales@plasmatronics.com.au
bill@ecopower.com.au
1300 556 628
+61-3-94869902
Tel: +61 3
9729 3559
lhart@selectronic.com.au;
sales@selectronic.com.au
+61 (3) 9727
6600
sheedor_luke@hotmail.com
03 9971 5002
Sector
Company
Name
Product
Manufactured in
Australia
(see key above)
Website
Contact
Email
Phone
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
http://www.techniwaterjet.com/ab
out-waterjet.html
EFFICIENCY
Techni Waterjet Waterjet cutters
EFFICIENCY
Thermofilm
Australia
Electric radiant
heaters
WAVE, TIDAL,
HYDRO
AquaGen
Technologies
Pilot scale wave
energy systems
Y
Y
www.aquagen.com.au
WAVE, TIDAL,
HYDRO
Cetus Energy
Y
Y
http://www.cetusenergy.com.au
WAVE, TIDAL,
HYDRO
Hydrogen
Power
Industries
Pilot scale blade for
energy capture from
water
Pilot scale tidal
energy systems
Y
Y
http://www.h2oceanpower.com
WAVE, TIDAL,
HYDRO
Sundermann
Water Power
Y
Y
www.sundermannwaterpower.co
m
Ed Gibson, Leigh
Bennett
BIOGAS
BioSyngas
www.biosyngas.com.au
Merrill Gray,
Managing
Director
TRANSPORT
TECHNOLOGIES
Advanced
Vehicle
Technologies
Pty Ltd
TRANSPORT
TECHNOLOGIES
Bennett
Clayton
Engine fabrication
and installation
TRANSPORT
TECHNOLOGIES
Engine Air
Engine fabrication
and installation
Y
TRANSPORT
TECHNOLOGIES
Green Diesel
Corp
Fuel injector
Y
TRANSPORT
TECHNOLOGIES
HOH
Enterprises
Hydrogen gas
generators
TRANSPORT
TECHNOLOGIES
Ino8
TRANSPORT
TECHNOLOGIES
IT MDI –
Energy
Y
Y Y
Y Y
Pilot scale
hydropower energy
systems
Medium-sized
biogas generation
plants - relatively few
larger projects. First
two in NSW and NT
http://www.thermofilm.com.au/
Y
LPG conversion kits
Waste heat recovery
system to reduce
vehicle fuel
consumption
Engine development
and fabrication
Address
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y Y
Y
Y
Greg Trezise,
National Sales
Manager (CCT)
27 Rosalie Street,
Springvale VIC 3171
g.trezise@thermofilm.com.au
Nick Boyd
AquaGen Technologies
Level 2, 7 Mosrael
Place,
Rowville, 3178
info@aquagen.com.au;
nick.boyd@aquagen.com.au
Simon Marriott
9 Enterprise Drive,
Mulgrave, Victoria
info@cetusenergy.com.au
simon.marriott@cetusenergy.com.a
u
Y
www.bennettclayton.com.au
Marcus Clayton
Y Y
http://www.engineair.com.au
Angelo Di Pietro
Y Y
http://www.greendieselcorp.com/
Ron Kukler
http://www.hohcells.com/
Philip Bateman
www.ino8.com
Frank Will
http://www.itmdienergy.com.au/contact-usxidc89988.html
Pancho DeNeefe,
Director
Y Y Y Y
Y Y
Y
147
67 Haldane Street
[PO Box 7187]
Beaumaris VIC 3193
1/61 Stewart Avenue,
HAMILTON SOUTH
NSW 2303
Suite 9.09 Level 9
365 Little Collins
Street, Melbourne
will@h2oceanpower.com;
inquiries@h2oceanpower.com
ed.gibson@sundermannwaterpowe
r.com;
leigh.bennett@sundermannwaterpo
wer.com
reception@biosyngas.com.au
36 Lillee Cres
Tullamarine, VIC 3043
www.avtech.biz
Y
Y
sales@techniwaterjet.com
11 Clark Rd
Ivanhoe
VIC 3079
5 Export DriveBrooklyn
Vic 3012 Australia
po box 6162 highton
3216
geelong 3216
HOH Enterprises
PO Box 149
Essendon, 3040
10 Capri Court, Jan
Juc, Victoria 3228
61 3 9357
8360
(03) 9562
3455
0402 127 375
Tel. 03 9764
9800
Mob. 0415
245 538
+61 3 9589
2259, +61 413
348 869
0438 712 738
+61 (3) 9602
3797
03 9338 5311
marcus.clayton@bennettclayton.co
m.au
0429352570
angelodipietro@engineair.com.au
Ph 61 3 9318
0011
ron.kukler@greendieselcorp.com
0352419885
0402846986
philip@hohcells.com
Ph: 613 9038
8546
frank.will@deakin.edu.au
+61 402 904
293
the.future@indranet.co.nz
1-800-001-704
Sector
Company
Name
Product
Manufactured in
Australia
TRANSPORT
TECHNOLOGIES
Scalzo
Automotive
Research
Engine development
and fabrication
GREEN BUILDING
Eco Pacific
Gas heaters
GREEN BUILDING
EnerGlaze
Retrofit doubleglazing system
GREEN BUILDING
Smart Roof
Australia Pty
Ltd
Roof vent and air
circulation system
EFFICIENCY
Traffic
Technologies
Ltd
Lighting solutions
(see key above)
Website
Contact
Address
Email
Phone
26 Florence Avenue
Kew. Victoria 3101
joescalzo@scalzoautomotiveresear
ch.com
23 Marni St,
Dandenong, 3175
60 Douro St
North Geelong Vic
Smart Roof Australia
Pty Ltd
Suite 103, 620 St Kilda
Road
Melbourne 3004
Phone: +613
9816 8340
Mobile: +613
402 110638
sales@ecopacific.com.au;
jaikaudinya@ecopacific.com.au
03-9706 6228
sales@energlaze.com.au
1300659309
info@smartroof.com.au;
robertsemmel@smartroof.com.au
03 95103484
0413483241
tt@trafficltd.com.au
(03) 9430
0222
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Y
Y Y
Y Y
Y
Y Y
Y Y
http://www.scalzoautomotiverese
arch.com/
Joseph Scalzo
http://ecopacific.com.au/
Jai Kaudinya
(CCT)
Y Y
Y
Y
www.energlaze.com.au
Y Y
Y
Y
www.smartbreeze.com.au
Robert Semmel
www.trafficltd.com.au
Con Liosatos
148
31 Brisbane Street,
ELTHAM, 3095
12. Incubator Models
One option that Hume can consider for the future development of the cleantech industry in the
region is to establish an incubator specifically focussed on the sector. Incubators have used globally
to foster innovation and facilitate good start-up companies to transition to self-sustaining businesses.
Often these incubators have included a physical location where start-up businesses can locate,
utilise shared services and access innovation and commercialisation advice. Other incubators have
used a virtual concept where the services and advice are not necessarily connected with a physical
location. Some incubators have had huge success and become self-sustaining but many others
have also had only moderate success and have had a long term reliance on public funds.
For Hume the optimum design for a local incubator must be unique to the local environment and
industry, the current market dynamics and the forecast for industry growth. Whilst it is important to
consider what has worked elsewhere, it is also essential that any local project is designed for the
local strengths and weaknesses of the region.
The first part of this section provides three examples of incubators and studies from Australia and
overseas that highlight three very different projects but all focussed on cleantech or advanced
manufacturing. The second part then takes and adapts parts of these examples that are applicable
to the Hume region and adds some specific local aspects to recommend a possible incubator design
that will have the greatest chance of creating value for the region.
The three example case studies considered are:
•
Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing (VCAMM) - established in 2002
to help Australian manufacturing businesses develop new ideas, solve problems, find new
markets and partners, and attract investment. VCAMM also provides a wider role in the
development of strategic capability within the Australian advanced materials and
manufacturing sector.
•
The Green Way - The Green Way is a collaborative venture established in 2010 by industry,
academic institutions and public/semi state players in the Dublin region, whose vision is to
create jobs and trade opportunities by activating and developing an internationally
recognised cleantech cluster.
•
Southern Adelaide Incubator Study - a study commissioned in 2010 by the Southern
Adelaide Economic Development Board focussed on the opportunity and optimum design of
a cleantech incubator in a region that had historically been reliant on the automotive sector
as its major employer. Whilst an incubator has not yet been delivered as a result of this
study, there is likely to be one included in the current redevelopment of the previous
Mitsubishi manufacturing site at Tonsley Park.
P a g e | 149
12.1 Incubator Case Studies
Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing (VCAMM)
VCAMM is a not-for-profit company established specifically to improve the competitiveness and
sustainability of the state and the national advanced manufacturing industries, through orchestrating
innovation and development of leading businesses and technologies.
Our mission is to help Australian manufacturing businesses develop new ideas, solve problems, find
new markets and partners, and attract investment. VCAMM was formed in 2002 and we are backed
by a consortium of leading public research and development organisations, with support from
government. The backing consortium is lead by Deakin University, La Trobe University, Monash
University and Swinburne University of Technology.
VCAMM also provides a wider role in the development of strategic capability within the Australian
advanced materials and manufacturing sector. This includes supporting the establishment of
collaborative research initiatives and infrastructure and lobbying government of the sector.
We help businesses deliver on key elements for success including:
TECHNOLOGY
•
Developing a business case for research investment.
•
Establishing product and process needs.
•
Identifying technical research and development requirements.
150
•
Identifying and engaging the right research partners.
•
Designing and managing research projects.
•
Technology development and IP management.
BUSINESS
•
B2B orchestration and technology transfer.
•
Strategic and business planning.
•
Identifying potential business partners.
•
Market development for new technology or innovations.
•
Mentoring and specialist manufacturing business management and operational advice.
•
Access to industry research, business, government and investment networks.
•
Incubation and space for new businesses or new projects at the VCAMM Innovation Centre
Commercialisation of innovations and intellectual property.
FINANCE
•
Providing pre-seed and incubation funding.
•
Assistance sourcing and applying for government grants.
•
Matching businesses with potential industry-based or independent investors.
•
Conducting financial evaluations and due diligence tests or reports.
The Knox Incubator
VCAMM’s Innovation Centre at Knoxfield is designed to support the incubation of business start-ups,
providing space and ongoing mentoring and access to business support services and technical
expertise.
This new Centre provides a focal point for advanced engineering projects in a flexible environment. It
caters for a mix of industry and research collaborations, from small start-up companies to project
teams from larger established organisations.
An important element of the Centre is the potential for interaction between different businesses and
sectors of the advanced materials and manufacturing industry, allowing enterprises to develop
globally relevant new technologies in a unique incubative environment.
VCAMM Innovation Centre provides comprehensive business incubation support to technology
based start-ups:
•
flexible office/factory space and terms;
•
staged financial support; and
•
facilitated process and network.
It also provides a collaborative facility and operating framework that will allow businesses to work on
projects with university researchers and the Centre’s technology staff together as a team.
Incubation Funding
VCAMM operates an Incubator Support Fund to seed advanced technology manufacturing start-ups
and early stage enterprises.
If a piece of intellectual property shows commercial promise, VCAMM can invest in and develop that
idea, re-investing royalties into other business partnerships.
151
The fund provides seed capital to:
•
entrepreneurial ventures spun-out from VCAMM ’s consortium university partners and other
research organisations; and
•
independent ventures in advanced manufacturing and material technology fields, either start-ups
or corporate spin-off initiatives.
An independent investment board is used to assess and make investment decisions and VCAMM ’s
management and administrative staff closely monitor the investments and work with businesses to
achieve agreed outcomes.
VCAMM may also become a co-investor in a new business by carrying out work ‘at cost’, in return
for royalties or equity.
The Green Way: Dublin's Cleantech Cluster
The Green Way is a collaborative venture established by industry, academic institutions and
public/semi state players in the Dublin region, whose vision is to create jobs and trade opportunities
by activating and developing an internationally recognised cleantech cluster.
The Green Way has been formed in order to drive productivity and innovation using the cluster’s
'triple helix’ of competencies in the areas of Industry capability, Academic research, development
and innovation (RD&I), and Government engagement to develop, promote and attract businesses in
the cleantech sector and to stimulate job creation. Within The Green Way, Irish cleantech companies
benefit from access to cleantech R&D capabilities provided by the academic institutions, access to
potential procurers of cleantech products and services, as well as access to test beds and a talent
pool provided by all cluster members.
The Green Way initiative consists of major Dublin-based organisations that can jointly and uniquely
combine the strengths of the academic, government and enterprise sectors to create a strong global
competency in the cleantech area. The Green Way is a collaborative cleantech initiative established
by industry, academic institutions and public/semi-state players (‘triple helix’) in the Dublin region,
whose vision is to create jobs and trade opportunities by activating and developing an internationally
recognised cleantech cluster.
Ireland is actively encouraging the development of commercial and research-driven cleantech
clusters such as The Green Way to attract inward investment and to nurture indigenous companies
in the sector. According to recent studies by Ernst & Young, this support will in turn lead to a boost in
Irish GDP of between 2% and 4.6% by 2020, as well as growth in cleantech jobs by 2020 up to
80,000. This is the prize that The Green Way has its sights set on, and all stakeholders in the cluster
look forward to working on these opportunities with indigenous and multinational companies alike, in
order to position ourselves at the forefront of the global cleantech revolution.
The Dublin city region, as the largest economic area, having access to an international airport
serving 200 global destinations, leading academic institutions and large local authorities alongside a
number of established cleantech initiatives and capabilities, can drive the growth of cleantech in
Ireland.
The Green Way was launched in November 2010 by EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation
and Science Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, when a number of key regional stakeholders decided to
collaborate in order to encourage green economic growth through the stimulation of the cleantech
sector in Dublin.
The cleantech sector is similar to other innovation sectors from which Ireland has derived major
success through clustering, namely Financial Services, ICT, Medtech and Biopharma. The advent of
the Green Way as a globally recognised cleantech cluster, is a key foundation block in Ireland’s
152
national cleantech strategy, providing evidence to the domestic and global community that the
opportunity and the support is real and that the longterm commitment to the sector is clear.
In light of this, the Green Way’s mission is firstly, to support existing green economy companies and
eco-innovation in the region, secondly, to foster and accelerate new job creation in green economy
startups and thirdly, to facilitate multinational corporations capable of bringing transformative green
economy jobs and investment to the region.
This mandate and activity can be seen in action across a number of cleantech activities ongoing in
the region, such as the Dublin ‘Sustainable Energy Community’ programme, the ‘Dublinked’ open
data project, the DCU Cleantech Innovation Campus and the Dublin Airport carbon accreditation
initiative.
Opportunities to date have included projects to deploy technologies ranging from LED street lighting
to electric vehicles and from thermal storage technology to water management.
153
The Green Way Cluster Benefits
Education:
•
•
DIT has specialised degree programmes in Forensic & Environmental Analysis, Planning &
Environmental Management, Transport Operations & Technology as well as masters
programmes in Sustainable Development and Sustainable Electrical Energy Systems. Other
courses include urban planning, energy systems, electrical engineering and solar PV.
DCU, for its part, has a coordinated and extensive range of masters and Executive
educational programmes in Sustainability – under the 3 pillars of Energy, Waste and Water.
Recently launched programmes include a Post Graduate Certificate and Masters in
Sustainable Energy Finance and masters programmes in sustainability management and
cleantech management.
Research and development:
Between DCU and DIT, The Green Way is home to multiple centres of excellence and national
research centres including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
National Centre for Plasma Science and Technology
National Centre for Sensor Research
The RINCE Institute: Researching Innovative Engineering Technologies
The Energy & Design Lab (DCU)
The Dublin Energy Lab (DIT)
National Institute for Transport & Logistics
The Irish Centre for Cloud Computing & Commerce
Energy Product Innovation Centre
154
Test, demonstration and deployment:
The Green Way represents a unique ‘deployment platform’ for global cleantech companies seeking
to trial and commercialise their technologies on a municipal scale. By virtue of incorporating two of
the largest local authorities in Ireland, an international airport campus, two major academic
institutions and two significant residential communities in Swords and Ballymun, The Green Way can
offer indigenous and multinational companies opportunities to deploy technologies ranging from LED
street lighting to electric vehicles and from thermal storage technology to water management.
Incubation and entrepreneurship:
Cleantech start-ups receive customised help with business models and financing through incubation
programmes in Invent (DCU) and Hothouse (DIT). Invent and Hothouse both provide
commercialisation support and facilities for emerging cleantech companies. Their suite of services
include expert coaching and strategic advice, focussed educational and networking programs,
targeted access to investors, strategic partners and industry networks, office space, equipment,
conference rooms and training facilities. These incubators will be supported by the development of
the new DCU/Green Way ‘Cleantech Innovation Campus’.
International outreach:
Through our membership of the Global Cleantech Cluster Association (GCCA) we have established
strong connections with other cleantech clusters throughout the world allowing us to exchange
knowledge, find partners for local companies, develop academic and municipal level linkages.
Through Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council ‘twinning’ agreements, The Green Way is
actively forging relationships with peer organisations. These include the Environmental Business
Cluster in San Jose/Silicon Valley, the China Greentech Initiative in Beijing and the Australian
CleanTech Network which includes the Melbourne CleanTech Network.
Update - September 2013
Following a discussion with the Executive Officer of the Greenway in September 2013, the current
status of the initiative is as follows:
•
They are in the process of trying to transition from being Government funded to being fully
industry funded.
•
To do this they are seeking a few Founding Members/Partners who would each commit to a
three year funding agreement. These are companies like GE, IBM, Siemens etc.
•
One of the keys to get these companies involved has been the involvement of the airport as
each of them see the Greenway as a way that they can present innovative solutions to the
airport as a potential large customer.
•
If they manage to get some of these big corporates on board, then they are hoping that all
the little companies will want to be involved so that they can get close to the corporates who
are their potential customers.
•
They are also looking to introduce an initially nominal membership fee for the SMEs, as they
feel this increases the engagement and interest and changes the mindset away from it being
a Government initiative that is their right into something that is commercial and has been
established for commercial benefits.
•
They are in discussion with Founding Partners currently and hope to have progressed at
least two of them over the next 8 weeks.
•
They are also trying to get renewed commitment from the Airport for involvement. This
seems likely as the new CEO appears very keen to push innovation and collaboration.
155
Southern Adelaide Cleantech Incubator Feasibility Study 2010
The summary report stated that the majority of stakeholders consulted for this feasibility study were
very positive about a Cleantech Incubator for Southern Adelaide and believed that the Government
embarked on a timely strategy to grow the Cleantech sector. An incubator would fit well in the State
Government's Industry Development Plan for the Cleantech sector where it identifies ‘Enterprise
Development’ as one of the foundations for building a Cleantech Industry. Two possible sites have
emerged being Tonsley Park, the site of the previous Mitsubishi car plant, and 'Futurtec Renewable
Energy Precinct' in the City Onkaparinga.
The study concentrates on establishing the level and quality of potential ‘deal flow’ for incubation and
evidence of the basic ingredients in the community, necessary to support incubator activity. It then
discusses appropriate models for Southern Adelaide, Management and governance, financial
projections and implementation.
The study commenced from a premise that a small business incubator is only one form of response
to the need for small business development and local job creation. For this reason, existing and
possible broader means of supporting small business development in the community are considered
as integral to the study as a whole.
This approach is seen to be best practice in using business incubators as simply one tool in a range
of possible local economic development initiatives. This approach is also underpinned by the view
that incubators operate best when they are seen as an asset for broader community benefit.
The basic elements of establishing feasibility for an incubator are seen as an assessment of:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The market or demand for business support incubator facilities.
The local environment, support and conditions.
Governance, management and organisational issues.
Availability, location, size and suitability of buildings.
Financial viability and funding requirements.
Possible outcomes and effects on the local community.
Most interviewees believed that Cleantech is a new and emerging sector with a range of
possibilities, however some were uncertain about the level of activity and expressed doubt that there
were enough businesses to sustain the demand for an incubator. People were satisfied that should
the incubator accept service businesses that service the Cleantech Sector then there would be
sufficient demand.
The survey showed an encouraging level of interest in business incubation services – from a pool of
predominantly well-established Cleantech businesses. The positive responses suggest that the
Cleantech sector is evolving rapidly and that Cleantech businesses would value the kinds of flexible
space and flexible and high quality business growth services that a business incubator could offer.
Adjusting for expression of interest conversion rates it appears that current demand for incubation
services would be in the order of between 2 and 5 businesses for physical space and between 3 and
6 businesses for virtual services. Additional data would need to be acquired and analysed in order to
estimate an annual flow of potential incubates. This level of demand is insufficient to develop a
critical mass of twenty (20) or more clients under incubation, noting this might not be all of the
demand and demand may grow in the future. Initially, it argues for a non-exclusive approach, with
incubation services also available for sectors other than Cleantech, in an incubator with a preference
for Cleantech. Therefore the facility should not exclusively be Cleantech-focused, rather a mixed
technology incubator which focuses on firms with growth potential primarily in Cleantech business,
ICT, and other service industries, providing services to the Cleantech Sector.
The market wants the sort of business support typically provided by good incubators, including
mentoring, coaching, training workshops, networking and management assistance. Survey
respondents clearly desire highly practical business growth services – strongly favouring increasing
156
their markets, direct connections to customers and help in obtaining research and development and
development capital over more help which is more strategic and high level (like business planning).
Survey respondents showed little interest in the ‘back office’ aspects of business such as accounting
and taxation.
Most survey respondents were looking for a ‘pay as you go’ approach for business growth services.
This runs counter to the accepted wisdom that small and medium businesses will not pay for
services – but in our experience these businesses are quite willing to pay when they see a return to
their operations. There is some interest in revenue based success sharing models – which again is a
good sign for an incubator providing virtual services.
1.6. Incubator Concept
Initially the concept for an incubator in Southern Adelaide should be a mixed technology incubator,
focusing on firms with growth potential, primarily in Cleantech business, ICT and other service
industries, but importantly providing services to the Cleantech Sector. Furthermore with resident
clients in a building in the Tonsley Park site and virtual clients in other locations the incubator will
seize viable opportunities to incubate firms in all facets of the Cleantech sector, and provide valuable
links and pathways to larger businesses located on site.
The key to successful business incubation is the intensive support given to the entrepreneur.
Incubators differentiate themselves from other service providers such as BECs because of their level
of selectivity, their focus on growth and intensity of support provided. The model proposed involves a
number of components, which may be developed incrementally over time and should be considered
as preferred or ideal, noting that it may not all be achievable at one time or with limited resources.
1. Focus on innovation in Cleantech, mixed technology, commercialisation and high growth
companies.
2. Non exclusive industry clusters to be developed in line with economic strengths.
3. Physical incubation, with resident clients (tenants) who locate in the incubator’s premises and
virtual (or outreach) incubation with non-resident clients. The incubator would provide a
range of services:
a. office accommodation and associated storage space for resident clients;
b. reception, office, bookkeeping, secretarial and communication services for resident
and non-resident clients;
c. hot desking or temporary offices for non-resident clients;
d. comprehensive incubation program of intensive business support services for
resident and non-resident clients, involving mentoring, coaching, access to business
professionals (lawyers, accountants and marketing consultants etc);
e. finance brokerage for clients for resident and non-resident clients;
f. business training workshops for resident and non-resident clients;
g. networking services and support for resident and non-resident clients; and
h. business club for non resident clients.
4. Working closely with other organisations involved in innovation and commercialisation
support in the region, in particular Flinders Partners, Innovate SA, Enterprise Connect and
local business support services such as Southern Success Business Enterprise Centre, Inner
Southern Business Enterprise Centre and the Cities of Marion and Onkaparinga and other
Councils.
5. Involvement with networks of business professionals, financiers and industry organisations to
help provide services and funds to companies being incubated. These networks would be
used to source appropriate mentors and voluntary advisors for the businesses, as well as to
form advisory boards, where the quality of the incubatee justifies this service (generally the
most powerful business development service an incubator can provide).
157
6. Work with local and regional Angel Investors. Local Angel Investors are likely to be critical in
providing early stage investment before institutional investors are prepared to invest,
although improvements in the Cleantech markets in the future may lead to venture capital
being deployed at an earlier stage than at present.
7. Involvement of multiple stakeholders in governance in a public private partnership to ensure
an integrated and unified approach, to avoid fragmentation of resources in what is only ever
going to be a relatively small market and to foster integration with other business
development activities.
8. Governance arrangements to allow the incubator to operate as an entrepreneurial business.
9. Physical facilities in Tonsley Park premises provided on a peppercorn rental if possible.
10. Providing opportunities and space for a major corporate anchor tenant having synergy with
Cleantech sector in the area. An anchor tenant will be sought in conjunction with
stakeholders. Should an anchor tenant be secured then they would be housed on site in
Tonsley Park.
The proposed business model involves varied income streams which revolve around intensive
support, capital raising and the incubator ‘sharing’ in the success of the incubatees. In this way the
incubator will only succeed if the companies it is helping succeed; mission alignment between the
incubator and its incubatees.
The proposed income streams involve incubatees paying either:
1. An incubation fee on a monthly basis to pay for the intensive support received.
2. Or giving up 5% equity, possibly on an incremental basis, as is the case with the Canterbury
Innovation Incubator in Christchurch where the equity the incubator holds grows to 5% over
the incubation period. This will give the incubator a small portfolio which will grow in value.
3. Or entering into an arrangement whereby the incubator is paid a percentage of gross sales
for a three (3) year period.
4. Rental charged to on-site resident clients.
5. Rental charged to a large anchor tenant, from year five (5). This enhances profitability and
cash flow and minimises the long term risk.
Seed Funding Required
Cash flow, profit and loss projections and estimated capital budget requirements have been taken
into account in determining the funding that is required. Should a suitable building be provided on
the Tonsley Park site funds can be deployed to provide services to clients and to generate revenue
for the incubator by way of client growth and capital raising. Cash funding is in the order of $840,000
required over a 3 year period, with the bulk in the first two years.
In addition to cash funding premises will be required in Tonsley Park. Alternately if renting a building
on the Tonsley Park site the rental component will need to be factored into the projections resulting
in additional operational funding required over a longer period of time.
158
12.2 Designing a Hume Incubator
The case studies in section 13.1 provide a number of options of how incubators are being developed
and how they are structured with the aim of creating a self-sustaining entity. Some of the key themes
emerging from these examples that are applicable to the Hume region are as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
Key partnerships in the incubator must provide access to research, test beds, demonstration
facilities and a talent pool provided by all cluster members.
Physical presence mixed with virtual network services for businesses not wishing to
physically locate at a nominated site.
Their suite of services include expert coaching and strategic advice, focussed educational
and networking programs, targeted access to investors, strategic partners and industry
networks, office space, equipment, conference rooms and training facilities.
This approach is also underpinned by the view that incubators operate best when they are
seen as an asset for broader community benefit.
In light of this, the Green Way’s mission is:
o firstly, to support existing green economy companies and eco-innovation in the
region,
o secondly, to foster and accelerate new job creation in green economy startups and
o thirdly, to facilitate multinational corporations capable of bringing transformative green
With the South Australian study, it found that 'This level of demand is insufficient to develop a critical
mass of twenty (20) or more clients under incubation, noting this might not be all of the demand and
demand may grow in the future. Initially, it argues for a non-exclusive approach, with incubation
services also available for sectors other than Cleantech, in an incubator with a preference for
Cleantech. Therefore the facility should not exclusively be Cleantech-focused, rather a mixed
technology incubator which focuses on firms with growth potential primarily in Cleantech business,
ICT, and other service industries, providing services to the Cleantech Sector.
The concept of including opportunities for demonstration and deployment into the incubator structure
appears to be a critical aspect that enables start-up companies to achieve their initial sales and
hence grow into thriving and growing companies. To achieve this requires the engagement of local
utilities, local authorities and major local industry. The parallels with Dublin's Green Way with respect
to engagement with and inclusion of the airport as a major partner is something that may provide a
model for progress in Hume. If the City of Hume could agree to work with Melbourne Airport to
develop a similar initiative, potentially backed by the Department of State Development, Business
and Innovation and some Federal funding through the Department of Industry, then maybe a
Southern Green Way could be established and twinned with the Dublin initiative.
The key aspect that does not seem to have been included in any of the case studies above - or any
other high profile incubators - and which could be incorporated into the Hume incubator is the
inclusion of a group of manufacturing partners that could work with the start-up businesses to help
bring their products to fruition utilising the optimum design-for-manufacture capabilities. One of the
key weaknesses of new product development is transitioning from a good idea to a product that is
ready for market. By enabling collaboration with manufacturing companies, the chances of success
for cleantech and other start-up businesses would be greatly enhanced. This would enable a
connection with the existing skills of the region and facilitate the growth in both existing and new
industries.
A recently launched Cleantech Incubator in Los Angeles also provides some guidance on the design
priorities that are most likely to create economic value. In building their incubator ecosystem, there
was a focus on the differences between cleantech and IT. Cleantech takes longer and more money
to commercialise but, once commercial, creates jobs and significantly more economic benefits, so
there has been an effort to negotiate the typical barriers encountered by the cleantech sector. In
particular, there is a focus on 'market-pull' as the main driver as opposed to the 'technology-push' of
the smart phone app.
159
The key lesson from the last 7 or 8 years is that the push model that Software/Web utilizes
just doesn’t work very well in this sector. We aren’t dreaming up new wants. By and large,
the problems Cleantech solves for are understood: use less energy, use less water, create
less carbon, etc, and the conditions bounding these problems are pretty well understood too.
Even the markets they encompass can be projected with relative accuracy. What is more
difficult, however, is the time it takes to get the solutions developed and manufactured, the
challenges of deploying against legacy systems and incumbents, and the unforeseen role
regulations can play in market structure and economics. All doosies compared to apps that
let you blow up smirking pigs.
The LA model not only provides lots advisors and services for cleantech start-ups, it also works with
the end customers and helps work out their problems and comes back to the cleantech companies
to find a solution. This way there is certainty that the product is needed and the end customer may
also help pull the development through the Valley of Death.
The LA Cleantech Incubator believes that this model is significantly better than the traditional models
for incubation and provides the following reasons for how they reduce the risks:
•
Market Risk: by having the end user define the economics of the problem AND the
targeted solution, as well as their own addressable market and the estimated macro
market, the entrepreneur has a target to work against and a clear understanding of the
economics. No more guessing about what is required for the solution to be successful.
•
Customer Engagement Risk: the end user agrees UP FRONT to demo, test and deploy
the technology if it works to spec. All the entrepreneur team has to do is execute against
the technology development strategy.
•
Sales Risk: understanding and cracking the sales process and replacement cycle for
utilities, large industrials and government is expensive and time consuming. Under our
model the entrepreneur is guaranteed access to at least one large customer, and also is
able to get an insider’s perspective on how to ramp up sales to others in the sector.
•
Product Validation Risk: the end user provides affirmation to investors and other buyers
that the technology is sound, driving growth in other areas of the market.
•
Regulatory Risk: large end users have the resources to track regulatory trends and plan
strategically. By defining their core focus areas they are able to give the entrepreneur and
investors comfort that the regulatory environment will remain aligned as the technology
comes to market.
•
Startup Risk: by embedding the entrepreneur within an incubator they vastly increase
their odds of success. 85% of incubated companies are still in business 5 years later.
•
Financing Risk: all of these factors combined contribute to a much lower risk profile,
significantly increasing the odds of investor support and favorable terms
Whilst this concept needs to be developed further, the preliminary recommendations for a Hume
Business Incubator are as follows:
1. Key partnerships in the incubator must provide access to research, test beds, demonstration
facilities and a talent pool provided by all cluster members.
2. Physical presence mixed with virtual network services for businesses not wishing to
physically locate at a nominated site.
3. The suite of services should include expert coaching and strategic advice, focussed
educational and networking programs, targeted access to investors, strategic partners and
industry networks, office space, equipment, conference rooms and training facilities.
160
4. The mission of the incubator should be:
a. firstly, to support existing green economy companies and eco-innovation in the
region,
b. secondly, to foster and accelerate new job creation in green economy startups and
c. thirdly, to facilitate multinational corporations capable of bringing transformative green
5. The facility should not exclusively be Cleantech-focused, rather a mixed technology incubator
which focuses on firms with growth potential primarily in Cleantech business, ICT, and other
service industries, providing services to the Cleantech Sector.
6. Ensure engagement of local utilities, local authorities and major local industry. In particular,
seek to engage Melbourne Airport to develop a similar initiative to the Green Way.
7. Work with the Department of State Development, Business and Innovation and seek Federal
funding through the Department of Industry.
8. Facilitate a cluster of manufacturing service providers to enable start-up companies to
develop products efficiently and effectively.
9. Link with key research partners including CSIRO, RMIT and Latrobe.
10. Link with other incubators with a cleantech focus in Victoria and nationally (eg. VCAMM)
161
13. Summary & Recommendations
The Hume Cleantech Manufacturing Project elicited the potential opportunities available to
manufacturers in the cleantech sector and highlighted some significant barriers to securing these
opportunities.
The growing cleantech sub-sectors and in particular the five target sub-sectors identified in this
report, offer many opportunities for high quality, local and design orientated manufacturing input.
There are many emerging cleantech companies with products that are more suited to niche high
quality manufacturing providers rather than requiring large scale component manufacturing from
China or other developing economies. The specific added benefit of a local experienced
manufacturer to work with cleantech product developers to optimise the design to achieve the
functional requirements at least cost is also something that adds significant value to the supply
chain.
There are some tangible examples of businesses in the Hume region that are taking advantage of
these opportunities and some emerging connections between cleantech companies and local
manufacturers that are benefitting both parties. Some of these are:
•
Microheat Technologies has developed a small footprint instantaneous hot water heater
utilising an innovative heat transfer technology. The company has partnered with Futuris
Automotive to take advantage of their design and manufacturing expertise to make a clever
product into a product with mass market appeal.
•
F Cubed has developed and is selling its solar desalination units for use in remote areas and
developing countries. It has established its own manufacturing facility and is exporting panels
around the world.
•
Zeobond has developed and is manufacturing a low emissions concrete product to the
building industry.
•
Close the Loop has built a substantial business based on recycling 'waste' products and
manufacturing useful products with value. This has been partly done in association with
Futuris and is an excellent example of the cross over between cleantech and manufacturing.
•
Altro Transformers were one of the manufacturing companies in Stage 2 of this project and
they have a strong interest in the cleantech sector and the opportunities it presents. The
company manufactures transformers and has already entered into one partnership with an
industrial energy efficiency company called Power Intelligence to help bring their products to
market. Altro have commenced active discussions with several other cleantech companies
including at least one that it met at the Hume Cleantech Manufacturing Workshop.
•
Intec Coatings is a specialist coatings manufacturer that was also a Stage 2 participant of
the project. As well as providing standard products to the market, the company has
developed its own low VOC product range to meet the increasing demand for
environmentally friendly building products.
Each of these companies is benefitting from the link between cleantech and manufacturing
capabilities, whether they have been established inhouse or are being sourced through partners.
The challenge is now to help replicate these successes with more companies producing products
with increasing demand as the Australian economy continues to move to one that is more resource
efficient. The focus of this project on making practical connections between cleantech developers
and manufacturers for mutual benefit will hopefully provide tangible benefits to those involved. The
greatest benefits will be achieved by continuing to ensure connections are made on an ongoing
basis through networking events and sharing a consistent cleantech message with businesses.
162
Barriers
However, there are barriers that are preventing these opportunities from being realised.
1. Manufacturers' Knowledge Deficit
The SME manufacturing companies have little knowledge or awareness of the market changes
that are happening and hence are largely unaware of the potential customers that exist. Through
the project, it became clear that the most of the manufacturers did not even know that the sector
existed or what types of products were being manufactured. This lack of market knowledge is
further diminished by community scepticism on all things connected with environmental issues as
a result of the often poorly informed public debate on issues such as the carbon price. There is
little understanding that the drivers of cleantech deployment are far more than climate change
and its associated legislation. Most of the products that offer opportunities have more to do with
resource efficiency and saving end users money. With a better understanding of this, there would
be greater interest in and acceptance of the sector opportunities.
2. Manufacturers' Business Practices & Culture
SME manufacturers have traditionally worked on the basis of local networks and referrals as
their main sources of work. With the large scale local manufacturing clients declining and a need
for a more diverse customer base, there is a need to transition these business practices into
something that taps into new networks and is not so geographically constrained.
Most, although not all, of the manufacturing companies that were part of this project had a very
basic website, did not use online design tools or collaborative software and had the majority of
their customers based within 10km. Most were also not very responsive to emails but preferred
to speak by phone or to book a meeting for a chat. Whilst these business practices have worked
for the companies so far, they appear to be severely limiting their abilities to step out of the
comfort zone of the old way of working and secure some of the opportunities that are available.
3. The Need for Increasing 'Value-Add'
One of the key benefits for a cleantech product developer in partnering with an SME
manufacturer is that they can provide significant value in the optimisation of the product in terms
of both functionality and manufacturing process. This value can far outweigh the potential lure of
a cheaper ticket price to manufacture a component. However, the need for this design input is
increasing along with the expectation of the level and sophistication of inputs. Some of the
manufacturers involved in this project were in the process of upgrading their design capabilities
but many were still using the old methods of discussing and fabrication drawings to provide their
input. Those that are not continuing to upgrade their capabilities in this area will find that their
ability to add value will diminish over time.
4. Cleantech Companies Lack of Awareness
The final barrier identified in this project has been the lack of awareness by cleantech product
developers of what manufacturing capabilities exist in Victoria and which companies they should
approach. There is a general awareness that there is great manufacturing capability somewhere
out there but it appears that work is often sourced through the referral network replied upon by
the manufacturers. By providing cleantech companies with more information on how to access
and assess different service providers, there will be both an increased use of local manufacturing
capacity and also an incentive for manufacturers to evolve into more modern and connected
organisations.
163
Recommendations
To reduce the barriers and increase the chances of realising the full potential of the opportunities
there are a number recommended activities that can be led by Council as detailed below. Some of
these need to be delivered in conjunction with other government or private sector partners and so
are not in the control of Council. However, each of the activities can be facilitated by Council through
influencing if not through decisive activities. One of the principles behind the recommendations is
that industry and economic development is far more successful when driven by customer pull as
opposed to technology push. By facilitating greater awareness and connectivity, it is possible to
increase the market demand for services and hence stimulate commercial arrangements.
2. Manufacturer Capability Enhancement
To help assist local manufacturers to better connect with new cleantech customers and to then
be able to provide additional value added services, it is recommended that Council considers the
following activities:
1.1.
Online Marketing Capabilities - Online marketing capabilities and website
development. The Council could select a preferred supplier for a limited duration
program to help companies upgrade websites and improve search ranking at a
discounted price.
1.2.
Online Tools and Communications Enhancement - providing a program that assists
local manufacturers to transition their business practices to rely less on face-to-face
meetings and starts to use online tools and communication to discuss requirements
and design enhancements will open up a significantly larger customer pool. The
program could be delivered over a number of months and maybe in partnership with a
software provider such as Autodesk or Solidworks.
1.3.
Shared Design Capability - The recruitment of additional design expertise or the skills
enhancement of existing employees can be expensive and can be difficult for SMEs to
fund even if there is a clear long term benefit. To further develop the local companies,
this however is a critical component. One action that could be undertaken by Council to
help the transition might be to facilitate the sharing of design resources across
companies within the region. By increasing the utilisation of a dedicated design
resource, a company may be more willing to take the step to employing a fulltime
resource and, for those that do not yet have enough work to justify inhouse design, the
ability to access a local design resource as needed would provide an opportunity to
enhance their ability to value-add. Council could establish and maintain a register of
design for manufacture resources available within the region and help manufacturing
companies to access this and work with each other for mutual benefits.
3. Facilitate Collaborative Relationships
Council is also able to facilitate improved networking both across its own region and more widely.
This will enable local manufacturing companies to access new networks and assess new
business opportunities.
2.1
Partnering with Larger Companies - To facilitate partnering between larger
companies and smaller specialist providers is a difficult thing to facilitate even though
there is significant potential value for both parties. One way that may help initiate
discussions would be to identify and approach the larger companies and to ask them
what specialist manufacturing service they use and then to assist them in finding
potential providers on these services. This reliance on Customer Pull will have
significant interest from potential small suppliers if it can gain traction.
Part of this approach could also be an education process for the larger companies on
how they can create more value through supporting the innovative smaller suppliers.
164
This might include agreeing to less onerous terms of trade than they would otherwise
seek and to benefit more from design modification and review in return.
2.2
Building Regional Partnerships - It is seen as critical to assist the companies to start
to build networks and collaborative partnerships across a wider region than just Hume.
This will ensure greater resilience against economic shocks and additional
opportunities for growth to be secured. This can be done by the Council actively
working with other Victorian regions to enable joint events and collaborative
partnerships to be formed. Initially, this might involve working with manufacturing
clusters in Dandenong and Geelong to help grow awareness of local capabilities and
projects and to introduce companies that might be able to work with each other going
forward.
This could also provide a mechanism to widen the customer base geographically whilst
still maintaining a local contact that is able to have the face-to-face meetings that fits
with usual practice.
4. Facilitate Connections
The final recommendations focus on activities that have relevance more widely than just the
Hume region and might be implemented on a city or statewide basis. Both of the recommended
actions could be initiated by Council and would lead to the building of a more cohesive
ecosystem supporting the long term growth of cleantech companies and those manufacturing
companies acting as their suppliers.
3.1
Kick Start the Southern Green Way
The concept of developing a cleantech manufacturing cluster and incubator based on
the model being rolled out for the Dublin Green Way appears to have significant
potential. The key to success in Dublin has been the engagement of the international
airport as a key partner. This is then being used to entice multinational corporates to
be founding members and then this in turn entices the SMEs to want to join to get
close to the corporates. Whilst this would require some initial funding to set it up, the
potential to leverage of the progress with the target corporates achieved in Dublin has
the potential to make the transition to a privately funded model quicker than would
otherwise be the case.
There is also the potential to incorporate some level of incubator activity into this
initiative to help bring through emerging technologies and to connect them with the
needs of customers.
Preliminary discussions have been undertaken with the Dublin Green Way and there
is an interest in pursuing some joint initiatives. It is therefore recommended that this is
pursued by the Council as a possible longer term project that could deliver significant
economic development benefits for the region.
As a first step, it is proposed to hold a forum at Melbourne Airport in February 2014 to
further explore the idea. It is planned for this to include the Airport and large and small
companies that see value in being part of the cluster and to particularly feature local
cleantech companies that are successful. In addition, it is planned that there will be a
video link to the executive of the Green Way in Dublin to present their progress and
plans.
3.2
Victorian Manufacturing Services Exchange
To assist emerging cleantech, and other, product developers to more easily source
design and manufacturing partners without just having to rely on personal referrals, it
is recommended that an online directory of skilled manufacturing partners is
165
established and promoted. Short circuiting the search process for the right partner will
help enable manufacturing companies to broaden their appeal and secure a more
diverse customer base. This could be based on the national cleantech directory site
at www.cleantech-teams.com.au or an alternative format to help potential customers
to quickly find the right supplier. This could be trialled in Hume and then rolled out
more widely once its value has been established.
166
Attachment 1
Hume Cleantech Manufacturing Project
Capability Brochure
June 2013
167
HUME CLEANTECH MANUFACTURING PROJECT
CAPABILITY BROCHURE
JUNE 2013
1|P a g e
Hume Manufacturers' Capability Brochure - June 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Acoustic Industries
Altro Transformers
Brunton Engineering
Capral Aluminium
Dr Stainless
E-Plas
Intec Coatings
Integra Systems
Natex
Tech Tooling
2|P a g e
INTRODUCTION
The Business Efficiency Network was formed in 2008 and is a collaborative partnership between Hume City Council and
businesses that are committed to streamlining their operations to reduce both their costs and environmental impact.
BEN activities focus on the key areas of Energy, Water and Waste. Of the 570 members, there are 220 manufacturing
companies covering a wide variety of activities.
The Hume Cleantech Manufacturing Project matches highly skilled design and manufacturing businesses with emerging
Clean Technology companies that produce products with both economic and environmental benefits.
The Cleantech Sector includes companies providing solutions in renewable energy, water, energy efficiency, waste and
recycling, green building technologies, energy storage, low emissions transport technologies, carbon and
environmental services. The aim of the Project is to match highly skilled manufacturing businesses with cleantech
companies that need these services. To increase the chances of successfully matching businesses the following work
has been undertaken:
•
Finding Manufacturers with the right Capabilities and Focus - of the 142 manufacturing companies identified in
the Hume region, interviews were carried out with the 26 most suitable companies and then 10 companies
were selected for the Project.
•
Finding Cleantech Companies with the requirement for manufacturing input - of the 319 cleantech companies
identified in Victoria, just over 100 of these were identified as requiring the type of manufacturing input
provided by the manufacturing companies in the Project.
The ten companies profiled in this Capability Brochure can provide design and manufacturing services for the following
types of products:
Acoustic panelling & ceiling
tiles
Transformers, power
supplies, reactors & DC
rectification equipment.
3|P a g e
Aluminium extrusion,
design, forming, fabrication
and testing
Specialist coatings
Small lightweight metal
product
Large scale structural
fabrication.
Steel, aluminium and Brass
machining
Engineered plastics
3D CAD Design
ACOUSTIC INDUSTRIES & LAMINATORS
CAPABILITIES
Provides acoustic
panelling, ceiling tiles
for a variety of
applications, hospitals
are a big client across
Australia.
90% of business is for
the Australian market,
with customers
Australia-wide.
Also provide sewing
skills as needed (seat
backs for Toyota).
Recently bought Charles
Tims, a 100-year old
business then owned by
CSR. The business
comprises whiteboard,
pin boards, electronic
screens etc. Acoustic
Industries acquired all
equipment, dyes and IP.
4|P a g e
KEY CUSTOMERS
Products contain some
recycled content, PET,
polyesters, felts.
Hospitals
7000m2 factory
Commercial offices
Actively work with
customers on product
development and have
inhouse design
capability.
Restaurants
CONTACT DETAILS
Sam Mancuso
79 Premier Drive
Campbellfield
P: 03 9357 8588
F: 03 9357 0166
E: sam.mancuso@acoustic
industries.com.au
ALTRO TRANSFORMERS
CAPABILITIES
Energy
Efficient –
Voltage
Optimisation
Transformer
High Efficiency
TriD –
Substations &
Kiosks: cast
resin and
wound types
High Efficiency
TriD –
Substations &
Kiosks: Oil Type
5|P a g e
Design, Engineer and
manufacture Low
Voltage and Medium
Voltage transformers.
Manufacturing of Power
Intelligence Voltage
Optimisation
Transformers – PIVO for
commercial/industrial
applications.
In the engineering
development stage for
manufacturing a
domestic voltage
optimisation
transformer.
Design, Engineer, Metal
Fabrication of
Enclosures(indoor,
outdoor, switchgear
and transformer
cubicles.
DISCRIMINATORS
Parts and manufacture
guarantee period of ≥ 1
year dependent on the
scope of transformer.
We offer in-house
engineering, design and
manufacturing
capabilities.
Providing customers
within Australia with
short lead times for
manufacture and
dispatch.
Customised approach in
providing solutions to
specialist projects &
production of one off
transformers.
KEY CUSTOMERS
Power Intelligence
Schneider Electric
Rockwell Automation
Trivantage Group
ABB Australia
KEY PARTNERS
Power Intelligence
ICS Sheet Metal
ICS Industries
Offshore Alliances
QUALITY
APPROVALS &
AWARDS
In the process of
finalising material for
ISO 9001 and 14001
approvals.
Manufacture to
Australian and
International Electrical
Safety Standards.
CONTACT DETAILS
Sarav Martin
32 Glenbarry Rd
Campbellfield VIC 3061
P: (03) 9358 9000
F: (03) 9357 9014
E: smartin@altro.com.au
BRUNTON ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTIONS
CAPABILITIES
Brunton Engineering
and Construction have a
demonstrated and
proven capability to
design, construct and
install:
All types of
Conveyors
Structural Steel
Civil Works
Robot Cells/Lines
Precast Concrete
Water and Waste
Treatment Plants
The company has well
equipped facilities that
include:
2400 m2 workshops
50 tonne crane
10 tonne hoist
2 x 5 tonne cranes
Inhouse skills include:
Boiler makers
Carpenters
Draughtsmen
Design
6|P a g e
KEY CUSTOMERS
The company has
significant computer
aided design capability
that has been applied
from small mechanical
tooling to large civil and
structural projects.
Toyota
We can design,
visualize and simulate
products rapidly and
cost-effectively before
fabrication.
Citylink
Recent projects include:
Assemble trucks for
water crews
Signal gantries for
VLine
Mobile coffer dam
115 conveyors for
SKM Recycling
Terminal bunds in
Geelong
Conveyor belts at
Melbourne Airport
Visy
Ford
Tyco Water
Theiss
Downer EDI
ABB
CONTACT DETAILS
Geoff Brunton
Managing Director
Brunton Engineering
54-56 Freight Drive,
Somerton
T: 03 9303 7475
M: 0408 371 888
E: geoff@brunteng.com
W: www.brunteng.com
CAPRAL ALUMINIUM
CAPABILITIES
PHOTO 1
5 Extrusion
Manufacturing facilities
Nationally.
Australia’s largest
secondary aluminium
supplier.
8 Metropolitan
Distribution Facilities.
Made in Australia .
Aluminium Trade
Centres in all major
centres.
PHOTO 2
In house R&D
Technology Solutions
Group. Capral designed
& tested commercial &
residential fenestration
products.
Value adding fabrication
activities.
In house vertical &
horizontal powder
coating finishing.
In house Anodising
finishing.
7|P a g e
DISCRIMINATORS
75Year History.
High performance
energy efficient
solutions for
commercial, residential
& security applications.
Customised extrusion
capabilities backed by
experienced
manufacturing team.
KEY CUSTOMERS
Large National window
manufacturers.
Independent
fenestration fabricators.
Industrial distributors
and engineering firms.
Marine Transport
&Environmental
Organisations.
Security Window &
door dealer network.
Shower & robe
fabricators.
KEY PARTNERS
Australian Window
Association (AWA)
Australian Aluminium
Council (AAC)
Window Energy Rating
Scheme (WERS)
Qualicoat
QUALITY
APPROVALS &
AWARDS
AS/NZS 1866:1997
ISO 9001:2008
ISO 14001:2004
ISO/IEC 17025 NATA
Accredited Lab.
IACS : DNV / Lloyd’s
Register / BV
CONTACT DETAILS
Peter Darvell
151 Barry Road
Campbellfield
VIC 3061
P:03 9930 1500
E:Peter.Darvell@capral.com.au
W: www.capral.com.au
DR STAINLESS
CAPABILITIES
Dr Stainless is an Australian
owned and operated
business founded in 1995
and located in
Campbellfield Victoria.
The company provides
stainless processing
equipment and machinery
for the food and chemical
industries delivering
practical solutions for
clients' custom stainless
steel fabrication needs.
Manufacturing equipment
and production processes
include:
- Guillotine
- Press Brake
- Plate Rollers
- Water Jet Cutter- Machine Shop
- Band Saws
- Punch And Shear
- Polishing Equipment
- Scissor-Lift
- Fork-Lifts
- Delivery Trucks
8|P a g e
Experienced Personnel
Include:
- 1st Class Sheetmetal
Workers
- Boilermakers / Welders
(Certified)
- Machinists
- Draftsman – Auto Cad,
Inventor, Drawbase
- Licenced Plumber And
Gas Fitter
- Restricted Electrical
Licence (To 1000v)
Over the last 2 years, Dr
Stainless has developed an
innovative Dissolved Forced
Air Flotation Waste Water
Treatment System’ (D-FAF),
to efficiently treat and
recover waste water across
a diverse range of
processing sectors.
KEY CUSTOMERS
CONTACT DETAILS
- La Ionica Poultry,
Dr Stainless Pty Ltd
Joel Watson
11 Patrick St
Campbellfield
Ph: 03 9357 8007
Fax: 03 9357 8006
Mobile: 0400 568 215
- Ishigaki Oceania
- Top Cut Food Industries
- Mc Alpine Hussman
- Robot Units,
- Premium Chickens,
- Relay Cranes,
E-PLAS
CAPABILITIES
Established in 1981 as a
dedicated supplier of
Engineering Plastics, EPlas is recognised as a
leading supplier in the
Australian Market, with
a focus on Engineering
and Industrial Plastics.
E-Plas has developed a
reputation for service,
quality and the ability to
advise our customers
on "the right plastic for
the right application".
E-Plas Pty. Ltd. has an
extensive machining
facility, utilising stateof-the-art CNC
machinery and
CAD/CAM technology
providing our customers
with high quality
machined components
and fabricated parts.
CNC Routers Machines
CNC Lathe
9|P a g e
DISCRIMINATORS
E-Plas is one of
Australia’s largest stock
of Engineering Plastics.
E-Plas has branches
located in every major
city in Australia.
Trained and qualified
staff to assist with any
enquiry.
KEY CUSTOMERS
Automotive Industry
Food and Beverage
Industries
Food Industries
Mining Industries
KEY PARTNERS
Rochling Sustaplast
Quadrant EPP
Spartech Plastics
Westlake Plastics
QUALITY
APPROVALS &
AWARDS
AS/NZS ISO 9001:2008
Certificate: QEC 20749
(SAI GLOBAL).
Member of the
International
Association of Plastic
Distributors.
CONTACT DETAILS
Chris Saflekas
E-Plas P / L
25 Ovata Drive
Tullamarine
P: 1800 806 775
E: sales@eplas.com.au
E: csaflekas@eplas.com.au
W: www.eplas.com.au
INTEC COATINGS
CAPABILITIES
Intec Coatings is a
wholly own Australian
company specializing in
the development and
manufacture of coatings
for the Light Industrial
paint sector.
The company prides
itself on service, quality
and building solid
partnerships with its
customers and the
broader supply chain.
Our core business is in
the manufacture of
specialty surface
coatings for timber,
metal and masonry
surfaces. All of our
products are 100%
Australian made and
are widely sold and
distributed to furniture
manufacturers, steel
fabricators and
engineers locally and
Australia wide.
10 | P a g e
DISCRIMINATORS
The Company’s core
strength is its ability to
integrate science with
commercialization.
Technical expertise in
industrial chemistry
and chemical
manufacturing,
specialising in the
development and
manufacture of paint
and specialty coatings
for the light industrial
market.
Business Competencies
which include:
Customer/Technical
Service
Supply Chain
Partnerships
Lean Manufacturing
Long Range Planning
& Strategic Analysis
KEY CUSTOMERS
Structural steel
engineering companies,
& fabricators
Furniture
manufacturers
Picture frame moulding
manufacturers
Shop fitters, cabinet
makers,
Shipping container
industry
General machinery
Specialised niche
markets where coatings
must comply with
customer’s specific
needs.
KEY PARTNERS
CSIRO
CONTACT DETAILS
Anthony Martini MAICD
ATSC | Director
Intec Coatings Pty Ltd
47A Lara Way
Campbellfield VIC 3061
T: 03 9357 9510
F: 03 9357 9908
E:anthony@inteccoatings.com.au
INTEGRA SYSTEMS
CAPABILITIES
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Product & Industrial
Design – Concept to
Prototyping.
Mechanical
Engineering Design.
Design for
Manufacture (DFM).
Prototyping
Project
Management
FACILITIES
Punching – Turret
and in-house
developed high
speed coil punching
line.
Bending – Servo
Electric Press Brakes.
Notching Machinery
Fastening Systems
Welding Equipment
Assembly
Powdercoating
Waterjet Cutting
Laser Cutting
Graphic Design
11 | P a g e
DISCRIMINATORS
Design for Manufacture.
Innovation is our lifeblood.
State of the art
manufacturing
equipment.
Innovative use of
manufacturing
equipment.
Provide our customers
with competitive
advantage through
innovation and smart
manufacturing
processes.
Highest level of
customer service.
DFM ensures highly
competitive pricing.
KEY PARTNERS
Waterjet & Laser
Cutting
Heavy steel fabrication
Powdercoating
Graphic Design
Packaging
KEY CUSTOMERS
Defence & Emergency
response.
Electrical Contractors.
Point of sale and
merchandising display
systems.
Architectural &
Industrial Lighting.
Signage – Wayfinder,
commuter information
& corporate branding.
Public Transport.
Telecommunications.
Civil Construction Street
Furniture.
Office Furniture
Manufacturers.
CONTACT DETAILS
Paul Hughes
Managing Director
Integra Systems Pty Ltd
197 Northcorp Blvd,
Broadmeadows, Vic 3047
P: 03 9359 3133
E: paul@integrasystems.com.au
W: www.integrasystems.com.au
QUALITY
APPROVALS &
AWARDS
ISO 9001 Quality
principals practiced.
2013 Victorian
Manufacturer’s Hall of
Fame – Small Manufacturer
of the Year Award
2013 Endeavour Awards
- Lifetime Achievement
2012 Northern Business
Achievement Award –
Enterprise and Innovation.
– Most Innovative
Manufacturing Company.
2012 Victorian
Manufacturer’s Hall of
Fame – Small Manufacturer
of the Year Finalist.
2011 Hume Business
Innovation Award.
– Enterprise Connect
Significant Achievement
Award.
NATEX ENGINEERING
CAPABILITIES
DISCRIMINATORS
Precision C.N.C Turning
Steel, Aluminium, Brass,
Bronze, Plastics.
Sizes up to 400mm
diameter and 1500mm
long.
Small and large batch
quantities.
One off parts and
prototypes as well as large
production runs up to
10,000+ units.
Precision C.N.C Milling
Steel, Aluminium, Brass,
Bronze, Plastics
Sizes: Up to 3000mm long.
Highly flexible machine
shop.
Varied machine capabilities.
General Engineering
Welding, Fabrication,
Prototype manufacture.
Post machining
Hardening
Electroplating
Assembly
12 | P a g e
Short lead times
Quicker than industry
average.
Prototyping
Work closely with clients on
new designs to ensure
optimum outcomes.
KEY CUSTOMERS
Mining
Automotive
Heavy truck
Security
Agriculture
Farming
Food
Gas
KEY PARTNERS
Sandvik
Okuma
Headland
QUALITY
APPROVALS &
AWARDS
Currently supply many
ISO accredited
companies as per their
requirements.
CONTACT DETAILS
Steven Sansome
M: 0418 106 212
steven@natex.com.au
Andrew Sansome
M: 0417 267 663
andrew@natex.com.au
TECH TOOLING
CAPABILITIES
Tech Tooling specialises
in machining parts and
repairing machines in
production works.
Machining components
for machines
Complete any
maintenance and new
equipment work.
Also fabrication and
welding services
Work with Steel,
Aluminium, Stainless
steel, Plastics
3D CAD Design
CNC Machining
Fabrication
Surface/Cyl Grinding
3D CAD CAM
Programming
13 | P a g e
DISCRIMINATORS
Supply high quality
machining and
components for
operationally critical
machines in industrial
processes
Also able to design and
add value through reengineering
KEY CUSTOMERS
Toyota Motor Comp
Fujitsi Australia
Nestle Australia
QUALITY APPROVALS
& AWARDS
ISO 9001
Toyota Supplier Award
Toyota Boshuku
CONTACT DETAILS
Joe Infantino
M: 0418 340 116
E: j.infantino@techtooling.net
Patrick Infantino
M: 0425 770 777
E: patrick.infantino@techtooling.net
P: 03 9357 9277
63-65 Merola Way
Campbellfield 3061

7. Company Interviews

Transcription

Similar documents

LABJ Mission 71 Silver Award

2013 Global Forum - The Cleantech Open | Events

Rocky Mountain Innosphere Director of Communications Emily Wilson

protint 751 update

Nordic-Baltic Innovation Platform

Cleantech in Finland

sunray solar 190 - National Signal Inc.

Untitled - ertex

KPAC Case Study Solar

About APSYS Models and Features Application Demonstrations