The Australian aluminium industry is becoming less cost competitive as new countries enter the market with cheaper smelters, according to recent research.

Control Microsystems, a SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) equipment manufacturer headquartered in Canada, and Serck Controls, a SCADA systems engineering company headquartered in Australia, formed a global strategic alliance in 2004 to leverage technology, manufacturing and market opportunities.

At the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) taskgroup meeting in Hawaii recently, there was an agreement over the next high speed Wi-Fi standard, 802.11n.

Sydney-based Dr John Blakemore has been appointed the new national president of the Manufacturing Society of Australia.

One of New Zealand's leading entrepreneurs and exporters has been appointed chairman of the country's largest aircraft manufacturer, Pacific Aerospace Corporation (PAC). Neville Jordan, who also chairs Endeavour Capital, is assisting in day-to-day operations of the Hamilton-based aircraft maker and also managing European sales.

The University of Newcastle's Science and Engineering Challenge will receive an additional $1 million in funding from the Department of Education, Science and Training.

Control Microsystems has established a technology centre in Newcastle for its sales, marketing and support for its Asia-Pacific customers. From this office, Control Microsystems is planning to leverage Australasian technology, manufacturing and market opportunities.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) has approved Standardisation Agreement (STANAG) 2233 for RFID.

Nissan North America has chosen Proficy plant applications version 4.2 for an enterprise manufacturing intelligence (EMI) solution that will ultimately help Nissan reduce down time at its Smyrna, Tennessee and Canton, Mississippi manufacturing plants.

A new report from CPA Australia has found "mature age" engineers believe the job market is discriminating against them.

Look out just about any aeroplane window during takeoff or landing, and chances are you will see a jigsaw puzzle pattern in the tarmac.

Yokogawa has revealed that sales of its Exapilot operation efficiency improvement package are well up on initial sales projections made at the time of its release.

Industrial instrumentation specialist Yokogawa Australia has announced plans to establish a standalone sales and service facility in Adelaide to support and strengthen business development activities in South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Advantech India is a new regional business unit in the South Asia-Pacific region. The new office is located in Bangalore city, which is popularly known as the Silicon Valley of India.

International professional services company GHD has been engaged to provide water demand management services by Metrowater Limited in Auckland, New Zealand and Ipswich Water in Queensland, Australia.