Industry News
House building activity expands while apartment building slows
The Australian PCI dropped by 1.9 points to 51.2 in March, indicating a slower rate of industry growth following February's solid recovery. [ + ]
Tax cuts to benefit small and medium electrical contractors
The government has secured a cut to the company tax for small and medium Australian businesses. Companies with a turnover of less than $10 million will receive a 2.5% reduction in their tax rate this financial year [ + ]
ABB strengthens industrial automation portfolio with B&R purchase
ABB has acquired B&R, a company focused on product- and software-based open-architecture solutions for machine and factory automation worldwide. [ + ]
Redback Technologies receives further funding boost
Australian energy technology company Redback Technologies has received around $1.96 million from the Queensland Government. [ + ]
NHP founder Nigel Peck dies at 89
Nigel Hugh Peck, the founder of NHP, has died at age 89. [ + ]
Treotham Automation partners with Lapp Group
Treotham Automation has been appointed as an authorised Australian distributor of Lapp Group cable and connection technology products. [ + ]
CEFC to invest $80 million in Bodangora wind farm
The CEFC is investing $80 million in the Bodangora wind farm project in the Central West, New South Wales. [ + ]
Clipsal opens new showroom in Canberra
Clipsal by Schneider Electric has opened a new showroom in Fyshwick, Canberra. [ + ]
sparc-FMA speakers announced
sparc-FMA International Lighting & Facilities Event 2017 is sporting an impressive line-up of internationally and locally renowned experts in facilities and smart lighting. A joint initiative of Lighting Council Australia and the Facility Management Association of Australia, the educational symposium offers a great opportunity for attendees to earn professional development points, network and enjoy the cutting-edge exhibition of global developments and future directions. [ + ]
25% reduction in PV production cost
A new EU-funded project, SOLNOWAT, has developed an innovative dry process for manufacturing PV cells, which researchers say could reduce development costs by up to 25%. [ + ]
New LED classifications come into play
New information from the E3 Program explains the recent alterations to LED product classifications in Australia. [ + ]
Redback Technologies to supply energy management services in UAE
Redback Technologies has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Duserve Facilities Management (Duserve FM) to collaborate on a pilot project trialling Redback's solar solutions in the United Arab Emirates. [ + ]
Boosting mobile phone coverage
Minister for Regional Communications Fiona Nash recently attended the opening of Telstra's 100th new mobile tower under the Mobile Black Spots Program (MBSP), where she sang the praises of the Coalition's commitment to improving mobile coverage in rural, regional and remote Australia. [ + ]
Competition the key to energy future
The clean energy industry has welcomed a new inquiry into electricity prices announced by the Turnbull government, which should ensure retail markets are competitive and that consumers looking to manage their own power bills through solar and battery storage are being treated fairly. [ + ]
Electronic work diary use on the rise
Teletrac Navman has released new research which the company says shows that electronic work diary (EWD) use will triple within the next 12 months. As legislation allows transport operators to replace paper logbooks with EWDs, it's likely the technology will grow exponentially in 2017. [ + ]
