The HMA and Mr De Iuliis are maturing like fine wines, and the organisation proudly recognises his profound and lasting contributions to the Hunter region’s manufacturing sector. His name is synonymous with innovation, leadership, and the spirit of collaboration that drives local industry forward.
Over the course of his distinguished career, Mr De Iuliis has played a pivotal role in not only shaping the manufacturing landscape of the region but also in promoting local businesses on a national stage.
HMA Chair Jacqui Daley says the newly established Hall of Fame honours individuals and companies that have made a significant and lasting impact on the region’s manufacturing industry.
“We created this category to recognise those who have not only contributed to the growth and success of the industry but who have also lifted the people, organisations, suppliers, and customers around them,” Ms Daley said. “The Hall of Fame celebrates those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, mentorship, and a vision for a stronger manufacturing future for the region.”
Mr De Iuliis’s initiative was instrumental in establishing the HMA. In September 2004, he reached out to fellow manufacturing leader Bob Cowan, after learning of an association on the Central Coast that was profiling and promoting manufacturers in their region. Mr De Iuliis suggested something similar could be done for the Hunter’s manufacturers.
This initial conversation sparked the creation of HMA. Soon after, a group of like-minded manufacturers agreed on the need to recognise and promote the achievements of the region’s industries.
His success across multiple businesses including Waratah Engineering, Hunter Screens, Field Maintenance Services, and Custom Fluidpower is evidence of his entrepreneurial acumen. His foresight and business strategies nurtured the growth of these companies into strong local and national entities.
Mr De Iuliis encouraged BHP to outsource locally, creating a shift in mindset that prioritised regional businesses. He also broke down the long-standing belief that only original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) could refurbish mining equipment, which then enabled local companies to take on these projects.
In 1987, he and wife Anna purchased a property on Lovedale Road and planted their first vines in the early 1990s. De Iuliis is now an established name in another iconic Hunter Valley sector – wine.
Excellence in Product Design Award:
SafeGauge, for the SafeTest Tachometer and MultiTool Pro. These cutting-edge tools enhance safety in heavy machinery maintenance.
Collaboration Partnership Award:
The Melt, Allegro Energy and Muswellbrook Shire Council, for their groundbreaking work on a first-of-its-kind Microemulsion Redox Flow Battery. This partnership combined Allegro’s innovative energy storage technology with The Melt’s expertise in engineering and design.
Outstanding Start-Up Award:
Allegro Energy, which is revolutionising energy storage.
Excellence in Building Workforce Capability for the Future Award:
Morgan Engineering, for its innovative, in-house Apprenticeship Training Program.
Excellence in Manufacturing Capability Award:
Omnia Wheel, for its strategic investment in automation and new machinery. Upgrading to advanced tools and automated systems reduced production costs by 54 per cent, increased output from 500,000 to 2 million wheels annually, and cut labour requirements by 95%.
Excellence in Export and Global Supply Chain Award:
Whiteley, a leader in infection prevention, medical device reprocessing, and cleaning solutions that exports to more than 35 countries. Its Tomago-based facility produces world-class disinfectants and healthcare products under stringent quality standards.
Excellence in Innovation Award:
SAPHI, for Shellshock AI, its advanced monitoring and control system designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and real-time decision-making across a range of industries including mining and transport.
Rising Star Award:
Jamie Woods of TW Woods fabrication and engineering services, for his dedication and innovative leadership. He started as an apprentice and rose to general manager where he has introduced critical improvements.
Apprentice of the Year Award:
Christie Hayward of Westrac, for showcasing her commitment and passion for boilermaking. Relocating to pursue her apprenticeship, she has embraced hands-on learning and developed a strong skill set.
Excellence in Marketing Award:
Out Of The Square Media and Guts Creative – joining forces to rebrand Ampcontrol and transform it into a leader of the global energy revolution.
Excellence in Sustainable Operations Award:
Signarama Tuggerah for demonstrating to the world that sustainability can be a profitable part of business. It achieved remarkable sustainability milestones that culminated in a groundbreaking project for the Paris Olympic games. Signarama partnered with key industry leaders Spandex, Avery Denison, and HP to develop and implement eco-friendly signage for the Australian Olympic team.
Manufacturer of the Year (Less than 50 Employees) Award:
Omnia, which has experienced remarkable export growth. Up to 94.2% of its sales in FY25 will come from international markets. Known for its innovative omni wheel technology, Omnia has invested heavily in research and development, automation, and sustainability.
Manufacturer of the Year (50 or More Employees) Award:
Apollo Engineering, which has established itself as a leader in advanced manufacturing in regional NSW. It drives innovation with cutting-edge solutions such as its patented centrifugal filter and robotic welding systems. Its expansion into international markets includes $850,000 worth of exports to Indonesia.
Manufacturing Leader Award:
Peter McKinnon of Omnia. He has operated Omnia Wheel for more than 18 years. From humble beginnings with three people, Omnia is now an industry leader with 73 employees.
Hall of Fame Award:
Joss De Iuliis.
To view images from the Gala event, CLICK HERE
For media inquiries, contact:
Jacqui Daley
Chair of the Board
Hunter Manufacturing Awards
jacqui@themeasurdmarketer.com.au
0449 845 595
Celebrating Two Decades of Innovation and Excellence
Twenty years ago, manufacturing in the Central to Mid-North Coast and Hunter regions was defined by its industrial heritage and traditional production methods. Fast-forward to today, and the region’s manufacturing sector has undergone a remarkable evolution. Through the adoption of new technologies and innovative practices, the sector has diversified, modernised, and gained international recognition for its productivity and ingenuity.
The Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) has played a pivotal role in highlighting and supporting this transformation. As the HMA prepares to celebrate its 20th Anniversary Gala Awards Night on Friday, 18 October 2024, at NEX Newcastle, the finalists represent an exciting cross-section of traditional industries and new, cutting-edge sectors.
“In the two decades since the inaugural HMA, which included winners such as Varley, Newcastle Machine Shop, and Cowan Manufacturing, the industry has expanded into advanced manufacturing, integrating with defence, aerospace, mining, chemical processing, construction, and energy generation,” says HMA Chair Jacqui Daley.
The 2024 awards will celebrate not only the region’s manufacturing growth but also the enduring commitment of the companies and leaders who have continued to drive the Hunter’s manufacturing evolution.
“The 20-year journey of manufacturing through the eyes of past HMA winners and finalists shows us that we’re just getting started,” Daley adds. “We see incredible achievements in areas like automation, sustainability, and global competitiveness. This year’s awards reflect the determination and belief these companies have in the future of manufacturing in the Hunter.”
Among this year’s finalists are many first-time entrants, such as Process Automations and Controls, Agrana Fruit, NET Modular, Nova Team Australia, and Wobble-Tee Sprinklers. Exciting Hunter start-ups like Allegro Energy Pty Ltd and Australian Electric Vehicle Specialists further highlight the region’s growing manufacturing diversity.
Judges were particularly impressed by Allegro Energy, whose innovative solutions are driving sustainability and tackling climate change head-on. Judging Convenor Michael Murray shared how Allegro’s founders identified the gap in Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) technologies as key to achieving net-zero emissions and how they pioneered new battery storage methods with microemulsion electrolytes.
“This innovation is transformative. It addresses critical safety, scalability, and performance issues that current battery technologies can’t overcome,” Murray notes.
While new companies are bringing fresh ideas, well-established names like Tomago Aluminium are continuing to demonstrate excellence. “Tomago Aluminium has been a part of the HMA journey since 2006, and they remain at the forefront of manufacturing by continuously improving and staying relevant in today’s rapidly changing market,” says Murray.
For first-time finalists like Wobble-Tee Sprinklers, the HMA is a platform to share their long-standing success. “It’s immensely satisfying for us at the HMA to shine a light on companies like Wobble-Tee, who have been quietly manufacturing in the region for 26 years,” says Murray. “The diversity and depth of this year’s entrants are truly impressive.”
The 20th Anniversary Gala Awards Night promises to be a memorable celebration, featuring special guest speakers, HMA judges, board members, and the 2024 finalists.
“Twenty years is a significant milestone for the HMA, and it’s a testament to the resilience and innovation of Hunter manufacturers,” Ms Daley says. “As we celebrate this anniversary, we’re proud to showcase the incredible work being done in the region and look forward to even more success stories in the years to come.”
2024 HMA Finalists:
Companies:
– Advanciv
– AE Gibson & Sons
– AGRANA Fruit
– Allegro Energy Pty Ltd
– Ampcontrol
– Apollo Engineering
– Australian Electric Vehicle Specialists
– BAE Systems
– Deeps Engineering
– Design Anthology
– Downer Group
– Emergent Group
– Hunter New England Local Health District
– InfraBuild Steel
– Janus Electric
– Molycop
– Morgan Engineering
– Muswellbrook Shire Council
– NET Modular
– Nepean Power
– Nova Team Australia
– Omnia
– Out Of The Square Media & Guts Creative
– Phoenix Engineering and Manufacturing Solutions
– Process Automation and Controls
– Resourceful Living
– Safe-Gauge Pty Ltd
– SAPHI Pty Ltd
– Signarama Tuggerah
– Steber International
– The Melt
– Tomago Aluminium
– TW Woods
– Wobble-Tee Sprinklers
– Whiteley
– University of Newcastle
– 4id Solutions
– 4 Seasons Insulation
Individuals:
– Ashley Nunn (Nepean Power)
– Brendan Nicholson (Deeps Engineering)
– Christie Hayward (Westrac)
– Corey Bell (Molycop)
– Declan Gallagher (Nepean Power)
– Jamie Woods (TW Woods)
– Jayden Edmonds (Downer Group)
– Luke Wilson (Molycop)
– Patrick Fischer (AE Gibson & Sons)
Event Details:
Date: Friday, 18 October 2024
Location: NEX, King Street, Newcastle
Tickets: $220 per person
Dress Code: Black tie with a splash of gold
RSVP: Friday, 11 October 2024
Tickets on sale now
https://events.humanitix.com/2024-hma-gala
For media inquiries, contact:
Jacqui Daley
Chair of the Board
Hunter Manufacturing Awards
jacqui@themeasurdmarketer.com.au
0449 845 595
A vibrant advanced manufacturing sector is emerging from the Hunter’s well-established traditional assemblage.
Much of the advanced manufacturing aligns with the existing defence, aerospace, and mining industries but also incorporates chemical processing, construction, and energy generation and distribution.
Advanced manufacturing in the Hunter comprises about 2000 regional businesses employing about 20,000 people and contributing $2 billion to the NSW economy. The sector’s priorities include improving engagement with international markets, accessing global supply chains, and increasing the engagement between research and industry.
It is important the Hunter’s advanced manufacturers position themselves to maximise their potential to leverage government initiatives including the National Reconstruction Fund, the Future Made in Australia bill and Industry Growth programs among many others.
The current ecosystem suggests the Hunter is well placed to build leading capability. Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) recognises the importance of sharing the stories of the region’s advanced manufacturers on a national stage. HMA chair Jacqui Daley says it enhances “Brand Hunter”.
Assisting advanced manufacturing businesses reach the stage where they have a worthy story to tell is The Melt, founded in 2017 as a spinoff from Australia’s most successful corporate accelerator, Slingshot. Brett Thomas is Director and Chief Operating Officer of The Melt’s Muswellbrook facility, which provides technical specialists, and investment funding via Melt Ventures, to help emerging businesses prove, prototype, pilot, and produce physical devices.
“We help start-ups and scale-ups,” Mr Thomas says. “In particular, businesses creating new devices and products that are clean tech, climate tech, or advanced-manufacturing related. Most of those products have embedded IoT (internet of things) and software elements but the core of the products is a physical device.”
Mr Thomas says the risk of failure for the founders, start-ups, and scaling businesses making physical products is much higher than it is for other start-ups. There are several reasons including technical, compliance, and adoption risk, expensive prototype development, and a lack of available investment funding. It is also difficult to access affordable, skilled technical resources adept in designing and developing new innovative products.
“It is tough starting a company with nothing more than a good idea for a product,” Mr Thomas says. “It may take a few years without any money from product sales to get through the hurdles posed by regulatory environment, governance, and compliance. Without proper support, many emerging businesses die between having a great idea and getting a product to customers.”
A company to benefit from The Melt is SafeGauge. The Melt provided support in its pre-commercialisation stage and assisted with seed funding and a facility from which it could work. SafeGauge’s innovative focus centred on developing new technology designed to remove technicians from the “line of fire” when live testing large mobile plant machinery in heavy industries such as mining, defence, construction, agriculture, and oil and gas.
“Our goal is to eliminate live work and thereby minimise the chances of crush and fluid injection injuries that can occur while conducting necessary pneumatic and hydraulic maintenance duties,” says SafeGauge founder and Managing Director, Luke Dawson.
Mr Dawson routinely worked on heavy machinery during his time as a plant mechanic on multiple Australian mine sites. Concerned by the level of risk exposure, he began developing a range of wireless testing solutions to help eliminate live work on site. SafeGauge has developed a range of specialist wireless testing solutions that allow workers to maintain heavy machinery from a safe distance – up to 100 metres.
Back in 2019, The Melt introduced Mr Dawson to co-investors, Sydney Angels. This investment group mentored SafeGauge through its first capital raise that closed the seed round at $1.6 million, twice the amount Mr Dawson was aiming for. Hunter Manufacturing Awards recognised SafeGauge with a “Highly Commended – Start-up of the Year” gong in 2020. This helped the company gain further traction and credibility. In 2022, HMA named SafeGauge its “Excellence in Product Design” winner.
“This was great recognition from HMA,” Mr Dawson says. “It gave our business, and especially the engineering team, confidence to push the limits to solve even larger challenges for our customers.”
SafeGauge moved into its own facility in Beresfield, doubling its floor space to expand its manufacturing capabilities. WesTrac CAT and Hastings Deering, the two largest Caterpillar dealers in Australia, then partnered with SafeGauge to roll out and on-sell its products. SafeGauge also partnered with fellow local advanced manufacturer Robotic Systems to produce high-quality products.
“With success in the Australian market, we also received interest from mining and manufacturing markets overseas,” Mr Dawson says. “The ongoing support from the Caterpillar dealerships put us in a great position to partner with Caterpillar USA, offering our product globally to their customers.
“We are also doing something similar with the second-largest original equipment manufacturer, Komatsu, in the US. SafeGauge has now expanded operations to the US, with an office in Phoenix, Arizona, to serve North and South America. But I am proud to keep all R&D and manufacturing based in the Hunter.”
The Melt Modern Manufacturing centre in Muswellbrook provides access to facilities and technical specialists at an affordable price. It has new mechatronics, robotics, and automation equipment – the tools that can really assist start-up founders. They provide the capability for start-ups to cheaply and in a more streamlined way, get through many phases of their growth in a much shorter time.
The Melt also provides help for existing businesses, SMEs and even large corporates. It can enable them to look for opportunities to bring new products to market, especially when the business-as-usual headwinds get in the way.
“Businesses must start thinking now about creating parallel streams of revenue,” Mr Thomas says. “The Melt can help prioritise some of that new product IP and bring the R&D to the surface to help make decisions with fresh eyes. We can provide support and guidance and access to the latest-generation facilities.”
Mr Dawson says when he started SafeGauge in 2019, he originally sought an experienced engineer to develop his new concept for a safety product for the mining industry.
“I quickly noticed the amount of engineering and manufacturing talent that exists in the Hunter,” he says.
He “found” Steve Chick, an experienced design engineer who developed the first SafeGauge prototype and is still the senior engineer leading the R&D team.
“Without the engineering and manufacturing talent that exists in the Hunter, the supportive customers, access to mentorship and capital, SafeGauge wouldn’t be where it is today,” Mr Dawson says. “I am very proud to have completed my mechanical trade in mining in the Hunter and I’m helping trade workers stay safe around the world.”
Ms Daley says in showcasing the outstanding achievements of its winners and finalists to a broader audience, HMA’s initiatives reinforce the region’s reputation for excellence.
HMA encourages all manufacturers in the Upper Hunter, Lower Hunter, Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens, and Mid-North Coast regions to enter the 2024 awards. There are 14 categories available. For all enquiries, please email info@hma.org.au or phone 0438 242 899. The registration and nomination period closes on 30 August. Entry is free and manufacturers can find all the information they need at www.hma.org.au.
The influx of women into Hunter manufacturing and their varied roles is testament to the sector’s evolution in the region and the ingenuity of its proponents. Hey Zomi’s Mika Koelma, Quarry Mining’s Kari Armitage, and Deeps Engineering’s Rachel Jameson are prime examples.
Sisters Mika Koelma and Zoe Fehlberg co-founded Hey Zomi, Australia’s first reusable menstrual disc, and launched the product into market in January 2023. The fledgling business picked up the HMA Excellence in Marketing gong 10 months later. Ms Koelma says the process of entering HMA 2023 was a turning point.
Hey Zomi made multiple applications and the experience enabled the sisters to consolidate their journey and consider their achievements, products, and best path forward.
“The extra time we put into our applications was worth it,” she says . “The process was amazing because we had really only been in market for about eight months or less”, she explained. “But we’d accelerated our growth so quickly that being able to take a moment to go through and validate what we had done, not only as manufacturers, but the direction forward, and show that data in the application process was really good for us. It enabled us to strategise our next steps.”
The co-founding sisters realigned their priorities and in the year after the awards, have made multiple changes and experienced significant growth.
“It’s really cool to look back and see how far we’ve come,” Ms Koelma says. “This manufacturing journey is addictive. It is amazing to have manufactured this product and see what we are capable of. We are already asking ourselves what other things do we want to innovate? And what other problems can we solve?
“And that’s a really beautiful part of being able to grow as a start-up. With the rapid growth of our company, we can reinvest back into making new products that solve real problems for our customers. It’s a really positive part of owning a manufacturing business.”
Kari Armitage knows the feeling. She took over from her father as managing director of Quarry Mining 18 years ago. The company has been providing a wide range of quality bespoke products, service, and support to the construction and mining industry for 30 years.
“Our sales team are all former underground coalminers,” Ms Armitage says. “They still go underground, and they know what it is that mines need to make their lives easier. We will manufacture it for them. We make a lot of bespoke stuff and there’s a lot of tweaking involved in those bespoke jobs.”
Ms Armitage studied civil engineering and her first job was with WorleyParsons, the Australian engineering professional services company. Her boss was a design engineer consultant.
“When I came to Quarry Mining, I think I brought a consultant-style approach to a manufacturing business,” she says. “In hindsight it was a lucky thing because Quarry Mining has learnt to listen to the customer, consult them, find out what their problem is, and then manufacture something to provide a solution rather than offer a widget off the shelf. 
“That has been ultimately a competitive advantage or point of difference from traditional manufacturers where they just offer what they have. So, it’s been a great benefit to have that background.”
As for being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated sector, Ms Armitage says it is not something of which she is conscious. “I come across some other women in the mines,” she says, “but not in manufacturing. “I do remember attending an executive connection event. It was great. There were all these CEOs in the room, and we just learnt from each other. We talked about the challenges, problems, and stuff you go through daily when you’re CEO of an SME.
“At the end of the day, the organiser said to me something like, ‘Oh you know the guys thought you were really good, and they didn’t mind having you there at all’. And I hadn’t even realised I was the only girl in the room. It hadn’t occurred to me because I’m so used to it.”
Rachel Jameson has worked at Deeps Engineering for seven years, but the manufacturing industry has been her life. Deeps is her dad’s company. It specialises in custom injection moulding and spent years not having its own proprietary line and making things for other people. This year, Deeps purchased two other businesses to provide it with a proprietary line.
“Obviously, custom mouldings is not going to last forever, particularly with many people taking their work overseas where it is cheaper,” Ms Jameson says. We saw the opportunity to buy these two businesses to give ourselves a proprietary line to make sure Deeps goes further than what we were originally doing for 30 years.”
Ms Jameson was three when her father opened his own business, and she grew up around the plastics moulding.
“I remember as a kid it was very much a male-dominated industry, but then as I got older and through my teens, I saw more women coming through working in the factory. It was really good seeing that. Now we have as many women working here as men.”
Ms Jameson knows they are as effective as their male counterparts, and she often goes onto the floor to help dissect the moulding machines and assist where she can.
“Girls can get in there and get dirty as well,” she says.
Deeps shares a similar HMA experience to Hey Zomi. “We’ve been in business coming up to 33 years this year and it wasn’t until 2021 that we entered HMA,” Ms Jameson says. “It was the first-ever awards we entered, and that was at my initiative. No one at Deeps really had the time to enter awards and get our name out there. So, I took that on.
“We entered the HMA and it’s great to go to the event and meet other people within the industry. It gets our name out there. We spent 30 years of people not knowing we even existed. Much of our business came from word of mouth. Since entering the awards in 2021, we have made connections with other businesses in the Hunter. It’s a good opportunity to meet other businesses where we can help them, or they can help us.”
The entry process was an enlightening experience.
“The questions HMA asks really bring to light aspects of your business you might not have considered,” she says. “When providing information to answer a question, you go, ‘wow, we could actually change this and improve it’.”
Ms Armitage recognises HMA’s efforts to promote the region’s manufacturers and Ms Koelma appreciates its efforts to broaden its categories and acknowledge diversity. Ms Koelma says when she and her sister were on stage last year accepting the award, she felt proud to represent a female-led manufacturing company.
“It normalises the gender conversation and makes the valid point that anyone can do this,” she says. “And that’s the whole point. It’s not, ‘oh and now women can have their say’. It’s not about that. Manufacturing is an industry accessible to all. We’re all educated and have these opportunities and that’s worth celebrating more than the fact that it’s a women-led thing. It’s accessibility and equity to all in this journey.”
HMA encourages all manufacturers in the Upper Hunter, Lower Hunter, Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens, and Mid-North Coast regions to enter the 2024 awards. There are 14 categories available. For all enquiries, please email info@hma.org.au or phone 0438 242 899. The registration and nomination period closes on 30 August – click HERE to get started!
Innovative manufacturing is thriving in the Hunter, but the “big picture” topic is the transition to renewable energy. Hunter Manufacturing Awards spoke with some leading players paving the road to net zero.
The words “transition to renewables” roll off the tongue so easily they suggest a smooth and brisk process. But desire always requires a dose of reality and managing the mechanism is no easy task. Fortunately for the region and the nation, Hunter manufacturing businesses are at the forefront and lighting the way.
Leading energy company and HMA sponsor AGL supplies about 4.4 million energy and telecommunications customer services and operates Australia’s largest private electricity generation portfolio within the National Electricity Market.
Seth Pathiyil heads AGL’s Hunter Energy Hub. Mr Pathiyil worked for Macquarie Generation and AGL since the company acquired Bayswater and Liddell power stations in 2014. He says he was fortunate to lead the closure of Liddell.
With the transition of the Liddell and Bayswater plants, AGL will use the Hunter Hub to invest and build the next generation of assets for their customers and the community. The Liddell-Bayswater site is about 10,000 hectares and presents opportunities to bring proponent industries into the precinct and help them decarbonise.
“Despite being the oldest coal-fired power station in the country, we successfully and safely retired Liddell,” Mr Pathiyil says. “It has now become the standard for the closure of thermal power stations in Australia.”
After retiring Liddell, Mr Pathiyil was tasked with taking charge of the Hunter Energy Hub, which forms a significant part of AGL’s broader objective of leading the way in transitioning to a clean-energy future.
“We have a clear transition pathway,” Mr Pathiyil says. “Transition means closure or retirement of an asset. In terms of closing thermal power stations respectfully, we have set a standard with Liddell, and we have announced the closure of Bayswater by 2033 and Loy Yang by 2035.
“The second part of our transition is a clear plan to add up to about 12 gigawatts of renewable energy by the end of 2035. This includes a short-term target of about five gigawatts by 2030. These are ambitious targets, but we are confident they will position AGL as a leader in the Australian clean-energy future.”
The third aspect specifically involves the Hunter Region – repurposing and reusing the existing Liddell and Bayswater power station sites. AGL is exploring a range of innovative technologies and projects and working with several project partners to join the Hunter Energy Hub.
“Technology is going to be a key focus,” Mr Pathiyil says. “Integrating cutting-edge technologies such as battery storage, smart grids, renewable manufacturing, and even solar and battery recycling. Creating a circular economy is a key part of our approach.”
Newcastle-based creative agency Out Of the Square teamed with Beyond Zero Emissions to initiate Energy Evolution, a video series championing the region’s growing band of “power players” in green energy. Energy Evolution displays Newcastle and the Hunter’s nascent evolution from its foundational manufacturing and mining heritage to a diversified greener future. The videos showcase innovations, skills, manufacturing prowess, and views of the future.
Commentators describe AGL as an energy “giant”, but the “local” often informs the “universal” and many smaller pictures can complete the big picture. Smaller businesses in the Hunter and surrounding area are making significant contributions to the transition to renewables.
Janus Electric is an HMA applicant, and general manager Lex Forsyth is keen to assert the progress to renewables is a transition.
“Many people are grandstanding around the transition,” Mr Forsyth says. “But it’s not about that. We must stop talking about two minutes and start talking about two decades. It has to be a fixed government policy that sets a path for the next 20 years – what we want to achieve and how we get there – and then roll it out over the next two decades.”
With the push for electric vehicles on the rise, Mr Forsyth acknowledged the pressure on the trucking industry to reduce its carbon footprint. So, he developed an electric truck with an interchangeable battery.
Headquartered in Berkeley Vale on the Central Coast, Janus boasts it is electrifying the road transport fleet with tomorrow’s technology, today. Its revolutionary exchangeable batteries power electric heavy vehicles and take only four minutes to change at a Janus station. Renewable energy sources power the change stations.
Mr Forsyth says for Australia to transition, it must support its smaller manufacturers and offer long-term loans rather than grants – a hand up rather than a handout.
He believes Australia has the intellectual acumen, and the Hunter presents a real opportunity. There is land available, he says, and we have the supporting infrastructure, spectacular services, and the cost of living in the region is attractive – there is a lifestyle for the people. He points to the quality and quantity of high-tech engineering in the region and other innovative businesses.
“Much of the opportunity to transition is a result of the traditional mining industry,” he says. “All the auxiliary businesses are already operating in the region. It’s almost a one-stop manufacturing shop. But it will take two decades to transition because there is so much that must occur.”
Steber was a successful Sydney business but relocated to Taree 50 years ago. It’s now a regional business making waves worldwide with its hybrid electric boats. It is also an HMA applicant. The Out Of The Square series features Tomago-based Ampcontrol and delves into its collaboration with Steber International.
AGL’s Mr Pathiyil says the key piece for the Hunter precinct, or energy hub, is the circular economy.
It resonates with Steber International general manager Alan Steber, who remembers when he first started researching electric hybrid boats.
“We were in Sydney taking in the view from Darling Harbour,” he says. “The police boats were idling around with outboards and/or diesel, just keeping a presence around the Opera House and Lady Macquarie’s chair.
“I thought, surely they could use an electric boat for that. So, we did a proof of concept 22-footer with the University of Newcastle and Ampcontrol as our partners. Ampcontrol does a lot of work for the mining industry and is acutely aware of the transition to renewable energy. It is looking at new forms of energy.”
Steber then upped the ante and set about building a large 43-footer. It now provides these large battery-powered boats to Defence, the police, maritime authorities, charter operators, and marine parks.
“The boat we launched won at the Sanctuary Cove boat show and we were also named the innovator company of the year for the whole of Australia with our electric-hybrid boat,” Mr Steber says.
Steber previously collaborated with Solar Sailor, now known as OCIUS, building the first round of Bluebottles – unmanned surface boats. This progressed to working with Newcastle-based Thales on minesweepers. Then it built a Defence scientific research boat that launches and finds underwater drones.
“The first step to renewables is the circular economy,” Mr Steber says. “We’re now doing refits on our Steber Defence boats back in from the end of the 1990s. We convinced the Department of Defence not to scrap them. The boats aren’t falling apart, they just need a refit program.
“A brand-new boat would cost about $1.8 million. We’ve just delivered two of them with total repower refit, new diesel engines and upgrading electronics, for less than $600,000. We can provide Defence with refits almost equivalent to a brand-new boat for a third of the price. That’s a good start. Those boats are not ending up in our tip. We built the first boat, and 28 years later we performed the refit on them. And they will last another 28 years.”
The road to net zero is paved with good intentions. Innovative local companies are doing their best to ensure it’s not a bumpy ride.
Our 2024 HMA Technology Partners, NewyTechPeople, renowned for recruiting top technology roles across diverse sectors, are now venturing into the engineering space – making them perfect the perfect collaboration partners for the HMA.
NTP believe that engineering and the Hunter go hand in hand, and we know there is a wealth of local achievements deserving wider recognition.
For 20 years, the HMA has passionately promoted manufacturing excellence in our Region, spotlighting achievements throughout the Central Coast, Hunter and Upper Hunter and as far as the mid-north coast.
This year, we’ve created new ways to shine a light on everything that you’re doing, and by partnering with NewyTechPeople, we aim to reach to a much wider audience, sharing your stories and triumphs!
Listen to Episode One, featuring James Mansell, Engineering Manager for Rail & Transit Systems at Downer, on your preferred platform:
If you’re not subscribed to either platform, you can listen directly from the NTP website here:
Engineering Success
We hope you enjoy listening to this first episode and stay tuned for more over the coming weeks.
As Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) celebrates 20 years of acknowledging excellence in the sector, it is initiating significant partnerships to broaden its reach and impact.
HMA has teamed with Industry Update magazine to ensure national coverage for stories about its finalists and winners. In collaboration with partner Newy Tech People, HMA has also launched an engineering and manufacturing-themed podcast, sharing the back stories of HMA winners and showcasing their talent and innovation. Additionally, HMA is working towards supporting a national awards programme, with its winners automatically qualifying as finalists.
HMA chair Jacqui Daley, the founder and managing director of The Measured Marketer, highlights the importance of sharing these stories on a national stage to enhance “Brand Hunter”.
“In showcasing the outstanding achievements of HMA winners and finalists to a broader audience, our new initiatives reinforce the region’s reputation for excellence,” Ms Daley says. “This visibility is vital as we navigate the evolving landscape of manufacturing, energy, and defence industries.”
Bob Cowan kicked off his business manufacturing lifesaving recompression and hyperbaric chambers in 1973. He sold Cowan Manufacturing in 2018 to James Fisher Defence, the leading global subsea operations and engineering company.
“Who would have thought a little sheet-metal company at Warners Bay would invent something the United States Navy is still purchasing? That’s mind-blowing for me,” Mr Cowan says. “I got to a point where I had achieved everything I was after.”
One of those achievements was establishing the HMA in 2004.
“Because I worked so hard in manufacturing to get my own company off the ground, I thought it was important to give something back,” he says. “I thought the Hunter had a lot to offer, but no one knows if you don’t tell them.”
Forward 20 years, incumbent chair Ms Daley says her background as a marketer enables a “big-picture” approach to building that awareness.
“Manufacturers are often not great at telling their stories or showcasing their expertise to the world,” she says. “I stepped into the role to bring that perspective to the mix.”
The first female chair of the board, Ms Daley represents a shift towards greater diversity within the industry and its representative bodies.
“We are witnessing a transformation in the sector,” Ms Daley says. “It’s not just about recognising that the industry has been traditionally male-dominated but the manufacturing has also shifted from relatively “heavy” industry to a lot more sectors including health, food and beverage production, technology and more. There is now a diversity in the region and on the HMA board, and we see that in the award applications coming through.
“We have really tried to open up the HMA to be more representative of manufacturing across the board. So, whether it’s the amazing ladies behind Hey Zomi who won last year for their reusable menstrual disk, to those dominating in the mining space. There is diversity across the mix … gin distillers and cheese producers, companies in robotics … we’re recognising all kinds of things being manufactured right here in the Hunter.”
HMA’s immediate past chair, Steven Smith, managing director of Advitech, recalls Bob Cowan inviting him to join the HMA board. Mr Smith, who was chairman of HunterNet in 2002 and 2003 saw the passion within HMA for promoting the successes of manufacturing in the Hunter region.
“I saw a very well organised team with clear objectives,” he says. “I just wanted to help maintain the great work that had been done.”
He also emphasises the importance of networking opportunities provided by HMA.
“It’s rare for people from such a diverse range of industries to come together,” he says.
The inaugural HMA winner in 2004 was Varley Group. Current Varley chairman and CEO Jeff Phillips says in ensuring the region appreciates and celebrates its manufacturing, HMA makes a significant cultural statement.
“One of the challenges we face is the perception that manufacturing only happens overseas,” Mr Phillips says. “HMA helps to demonstrate that significant manufacturing occurs right here in the Hunter. HMA allows us to show what we can do and promote our own worth and value.”
Ms Daley says the Hunter is transforming as the nation looks for new solutions to energy and defence commitments. The transformation involves many sectors including agriculture, medtech and technology, but manufacturing sits at the heart of all of those industries.
“If we look at the broader national and global energy transformation, manufacturing is essential,” she says. “And when it rises to meet these challenges, HMA will continue to celebrate and share our region’s stories with the world.”
HMA encourages all manufacturers in the Upper Hunter, Lower Hunter, Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens, and Mid-North Coast regions to enter the 2024 awards. There are 14 categories available. For all enquiries, please email info@hma.org.au or phone 0438 242 899. The registration and nomination period closes on 30 August. Entry is free and manufacturers can find all the information they need at www.hma.org.au
Despite encountering challenges, many Hunter entrepreneurs survive and thrive. Some pivot and many scale. Their ingenuity and initiatives only enhance the region’s manufacturing ecosystem.
Lex Forsyth, CEO and Co-founder of Janus Electric, relocated from Brisbane to Berkeley Vale on the Central Coast to launch his business. The HMA outstanding start-up for 2023 aims to electrify Australia’s road transport fleet.
With the push for electric vehicles on the rise, Mr Forsyth acknowledged the pressure on the trucking industry to reduce its carbon footprint. The Janus Electric team developed an electric truck conversion kit with a revolutionary exchangeable battery that takes just four minutes to swap over.
Jared Lawlor and Claire Jones co-founded smart gardening company Herb Urban six years ago in inner-Newcastle Islington. Mr Lawlor is an electrical engineer and Ms Jones a communications strategist. Herb Urban’s core business is to help people more easily grow their own vegetables.
Since commencing operations, Mr Lawlor and Ms Jones used the technology underpinning Herb Urban to start another business, Cloud Grow, which delivers those technology solutions to other companies for green infrastructure products.
Janus Electric acknowledges the opportunities the Hunter and Central Coast offer, and is keen to retain, upskill, and attract workers and people.
“There are high school students and young men and women who don’t need to go to university,” Mr Forsyth says. “We have to look at TAFE and skills courses and how we attract the younger generation. Particularly those who want to stay in the area.”
When Janus Electric commenced as a Central Coast start-up, it had a good base team, which has expanded over the past four years. Mr Forsyth estimates he will need to hire between 200 and 300 employees for his manufacturing plant over the next five years and he’s keen to tap into the Hunter’s networks of people.
“They are here,” he says. “Everything you need is here. It’s just knowing where to go, who to work with, and how to work with them. That’s been one of the challenges as a start-up.”
Herb Urban’s experience is similar, but for expertise as opposed to a workforce. The company was an HMA 2023 start-up finalist.
“We set a high standard,” Mr Lawlor says. “We landed on Hydro Laser Cut in Cardiff as a quality provider. It is great that those skill sets are here in the Hunter.”
Herb Urban has developed a technology to connect people to their food sources and make it simple to grow all manner of plants – anything from herbs and veggies to ornamentals.
“Growing your own food can be a hurdle for many people, be it lack of space, skills, time, or knowledge,” Ms Jones says. “Herb Urban systems understand these pain points and work in just the right amount of technology to make growing your own food easy, but not enough that it feels like you have no involvement at all.”
To optimise space, Herb Urban mounts “smart gardens” to walls. It sells three physical products for DIY veggie growers to “grow up” – the Food Wall, the Green Beam, and the Balcony. But at its core it is a technology business.
“We design all of the electronics,” Mr Lawlor says. “We do all the software development, and we do much of the manufacturing in-house. We also support local manufacturers. Hydro Laser Cut at Cardiff does a lot of our fabrication work. We use local industrial designers and local software developers and try to keep everything in Newcastle, in the Newcastle ecosystem where possible.”
It has also opened up its premises to other creatives with “Newcastle’s greenest co-working space”, the Herb Urban Hub. The “beautiful” co-working hub is a product of Herb Urban’s constant pivoting.
“Our site is a 340 square metre converted warehouse,” Mr Lawlor says. “But Herb Urban itself runs a very lean production stream using only about 170 square metres. The hub provides studios, probably 25% as desk space, and the rest is creative spaces. We have photographers, ceramicists, artists, and architects in here. They occupy a bit more space. It’s all about diversifying a little bit.”
It’s another pointer to the significant role start-ups can play in the manufacturing ecosystem. Janus Electric also appreciates the benefits of initiative.
“If we don’t support start-ups, we are never going to develop anything new,” Mr Forsyth says. “They are nimble, which allows them to develop. They’re not running through a bureaucracy of multiple levels of management, which is where you lose true innovation.”
But many start-ups often need a base injection of capital to support them to grow into something that can scale. It allows them to be a fledgling business by themselves once they are operational.
Mr Forsyth believes the government approach should be to create meaningful investment in areas that ensures meaningful impact on our communities. He says instead of handing out grants, it would be better to offer low-interest loans to start-ups. And he has no problem with criteria that sets requirements.
“The lender can take an equity position,” he says. “If the start-up can’t pay back its loan, then it forfeits control.”
Janus Company Secretary Renae Lulham says start-ups also create adaptability.
“Everybody in our team is multifaceted and multiskilled, which makes us agile and mobile,” she says. “They may have started in one particular role but because of the demands that are involved with the start-up they build an amazing wealth of knowledge that becomes the company. It’s incredible.”
Mr Forsyth says when he moved from Brisbane, he was unaware of the beauty of the Central Coast, especially its beaches.
“You always have to consider the quality of life for your people and the cost of living,” he says.
Start-ups can help create an identity. Mr Forsyth points out the cities around the world known for their major manufacturer and the associated pride of the people. Seattle, for example, is synonymous with Boeing and its massive facility and assembly plant.
“There’s a real opportunity in the Hunter region to be known for some of these really major market brands,” he says. “You look at the guys at Varley with the fire trucks and emergency services vehicles. Now that’s a proud, long-term generational business that has been in the Hunter region building products and value adding.
“Newcastle was known for BHP. It used to be a BHP steel town. It’s now time to put the Hunter on the map with something other than coalmines.”
High-tech manufacturing is one possibility. When it started, Herb Urban didn’t have any intention of spinning anything out of its operations. But it took advantage of small-business adaptability.
Apart from electrical engineering, Mr Lawlor can also design and develop printed circuit boards. It’s handy, because green infrastructure is a huge growing segment across the globe as people look to make cities more liveable.
“You have to think on your feet and see the opportunities,” he says. “Our goal with Cloud Grow is to ensure we are the technology backbone of all these green infrastructure projects – making them more robust and reliable to ensure their uptake continues to increase in faster numbers. And there’s not as much cost associated with the projects.”
Ms Jones says in its six years, Herb Urban has expanded beyond the initial idea of helping people grow food in their homes to ornamental themes and into the corporate market. Herb Urban offers office fitouts with its “great green wall infrastructure”.
“We find government, corporate, and commercial clients are opting for beautification projects,” she says. “We’ve done dozens of gardens for Newcastle City Council’s beautification program, and we have recently started looking at state government opportunities as well.”
In particular, Herb Urban seeks state government funding. It believes the technology component underpinning the business makes it an attractive option.
“We know local and state government have biodiversity targets and they are looking to solve heat-island effects,” Mr Lawlor says. “They are also looking at carbon sequestration and they are looking to green infrastructure projects to help with that.
“That’s why we started Cloud Grow. Rather than Herb Urban having technology in and of its own products, Cloud Grow will deliver those technology solutions to government and other companies’ green infrastructure products. We had acquisition interest for Herb Urban last year, but we didn’t sell. We saw value in the technology that we could add.”
Ms Jones says the future for Cloud Grow is endless.
“We provide something that is needed across the globe,” she says. “So, we love to be at the forefront of technology in green infrastructure. Herb Urban will continue to make it easier for people to grow their own herbs and vegetables locally. And we’re looking at making our products, notably the Herb Urban balcony, easier to manufacture and ship around.”
With cost-of-living pressures and the focus on all things “green”, Herb Urban seems to be in the right place at the right time.
So too Janus Electric.
“There are few places in Australia outside of capital cities that you could go to and have the diversity of manufacturing support and the variety of services like the Hunter,” Mr Forsyth says. “It’s unique. But the region must recognise what’s here, and what else can draw people to relocate and bolster manufacturing.”
HMA’s mission is to promote best practices and it has recognised manufacturing in the Hunter, Central Coast, and Mid-North Coast for 20 years. It collaborates with key regional organisations to acknowledge excellence in innovation, product design, technology, emerging talent, building workforce capability, sustainable operations, and collaboration.
In highlighting the achievements of the best, HMA aims to inspire aspiration. It encourages all manufacturers in the Upper Hunter, Lower Hunter, Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens, and Mid-North Coast regions to enter the 2024 awards. There are 14 categories available.
For all enquiries about the 2024 awards, please email info@hma.org.au or phone 0438 242 899. The registration and nomination period closes on 19 August. Entry is free and manufacturers can find all the information they need at www.hma.org.au
Join us on Wednesday afternoon, 31 July, in Muswellbrook for an insightful event hosted by the Hunter Manufacturing Awards in collaboration with The Melt. This gathering is designed to encourage networking, collaboration and information sharing, as well as showcasing the benefits to manufacturers in the Upper Hunter to apply for the Hunter Manufacturing Awards.
The event will feature three speakers who will provide valuable insights and practical advice on topics critical to the success and growth of local manufacturing:
This event is a unique opportunity to connect with fellow manufacturers, gain access to critical resources, and be inspired by success stories from within the region.
Light refreshment will be provided, thanks to Two Rivers catering. This is a free event to attend, funded by the Hunter Manufacturing Awards in association with The Melt.
Please RSVP by COB Monday 29th July via https://events.humanitix.com/powering-progress-an-upper-hunter-manufacturing-meet-up
Should you have any questions please contact the HMA Events & Admin Coordinator, Adrienne Donnelly, on 0404163320 or info@hma.org.au
You are invited to join us for the 2024 Hunter Manufacturing Awards Insights Event on Tuesday, August 6th, at The Explorer Lounge, Helloworld Travel.
This event is free to attend thanks to the generous sponsorship of Sirron Holdings Group.
Our annual Insights Event offers valuable insights for the manufacturing sector within our region. HMA Insights features informal presentations in a relaxed atmosphere, providing opportunities for interaction between presenters and attendees.
Date: Tuesday, August 6th
Venue: The Explorer Lounge at Helloworld Travel (450 Hunter Street, Newcastle)
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Light refreshments will be served.
A special thank you to Sirron Holdings Group for sponsoring this event.
Please RSVP by Friday, August 2nd. For any questions, please contact Adrienne Donnelly at info@hma.org.au or 0404 163 320