Australian particleboard producers will need to target export markets to achieve growth, a new study has found. The BIS Shrapnel Forestry study said some growth in particleboard production in Australia, the bulk of which was currently for the domestic market, was expected over the next five years.

The new Comalco Alumina Refinery (CAR) currently under construction near Gladstone, Queensland will feature an Australian first - a high-tech GPS-synchronised HV supervisory system which will allow the plant to optimise energy usage, trace faults and reduce energy costs.

Emerson Process Management has announced that it has won a US$16 million contract to modernise the Ataka Thermal Power Station in the Suez region of Egypt using its PlantWeb digital plant architecture.

The US Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) has approved the 802.3af-2003 standard, which defines the specifications to deliver power over standard ethernet cables.

Electrical equipment can be tested in complete compliance with Occupational Health and Safety legislation and Australasian standards due to state-of-the-art testing equipment launched by O'Donnell Griffin.

Bassett Consulting Engineers has acted to turn around the image of engineering workplaces as unfriendly and inflexible to women in a bid to attract, and retain, capable and dynamic young female employees.

Cold Logic, one of Australia's most successful industrial refrigeration companies, has opened new premises at Tullamarine in Victoria. The company is a significant manufacturer, supplier, contractor and service provider of industrial refrigeration solutions to the beverage, food processing and cold storage industries throughout Australia.

The Warehouse Management System (WMS) market grew by close to 5% in 2002, which is a nice recovery for this market that stands out among the enterprise software applications.

Yokogawa Electric Corporation has announced that Eraring Energy, a major electricity generating corporation in Australia, has placed a contract with Yokogawa Australia for an Integrated Control and Monitoring System (ICMS) to replace the control systems at Eraring Power Station.

The Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (AEEMA) has welcomed the establishment of a new national agency, the National Measurement Institute, to provide world-class measurement standards and services.

The transportation management systems (TMS) market grew by almost 7% in 2002, a respectable accomplishment considering the weak economy and reduction in IT budgets.

The OPC Foundation has announced the election of Russell L Agrusa to the OPC Foundation Board of Directors. Agrusa has also been appointed the Marketing Steering Committee Chair, to lead the Foundation's efforts in marketing OPC technology and generating new members.

The first composite two material injection moulded aerosol actuator in the world has won the Award for 'Application of Technology' at the 2003 Aerosol Industry Awards in Sydney on May 21.

The annual National Logistics and Supply Chain Awards, sponsored by the Logistics Association of Australia, will be held at the Sheraton Hotel Brisbane on Friday 28th November 2003. These awards recognise excellence in the rapidly changing logistics and supply chain management business environment.

While news headlines are dominated by war, terrorism, drought and global share market declines, recent figures indicate that the news for local manufacturers isn't all bad.