Schneider and Krohne collaborate on automation and instrumentation solution

Schneider Electric has announced a partnership with Krohne that the companies say will provide customers with a complete automation and instrumentation solution, which will include Schneider’s PlantStruxure process automation architecture and Krohne’s instrumentation offer.

Female engineering graduates start to redress the gender imbalance

The gender imbalance looks like it might be levelling out in an unexpected profession: the traditionally male-dominated field of engineering. The University of Sydney’s Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies has experienced a steady increase in the number of female students enrolling and graduating over the last decade.

ABB Australia acquires Bob White Electrix and LE Jarvis

ABB Australia has acquired Bob White Electrix and LE Jarvis for an undisclosed amount as part of a strategy to broaden its motor and generator repair and service business in Australia. ABB anticipates the acquisition will close in July.

Oil and gas industry contributed $28.3bn to the economy last year

A report commissioned by the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) says the oil and gas industry contributed about $28.3 billion to the Australian economy in 2010/11.

Siemens to assist in SA advanced manufacturing site

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill and Siemens executives have signed a memorandum of understanding for Siemens to become a strategic partner in a project to build an advanced manufacturing complex in Adelaide.

ABB invests in water network monitoring company

ABB recently announced its decision to invest in TaKaDu, a provider of advanced monitoring solutions for water distribution networks. TaKaDu provides a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution that gives real-time alerts on water network faults, leaks, bursts, network breaches, faulty meters and other inefficiencies.

Cleaning in place: how it works and where you should use it

Cleaning in place (CIP) refers to the use of a mix of chemicals, heat and water to clean machinery, vessels or pipework without dismantling the plant.

Bürkert names PRTS as NQ distributor

Bürkert has appointed Pacific Rim Technical Services (PRTS) as its North Queensland distributor, a move Bürkert says will “maximise its ability to provide process solutions in key markets” like oil and gas, mining, sugar, water treatment and food and beverage.

ATPM 2012 conference has a “Focus on the Future”

Registration is now open for the first Automation Technology in Process Manufacturing (ATPM) 2012 conference. The conference, sponsored by WBF, The Organization for Production Technology and MESA International, will be held in Texas over 21-23 May.

Turck appoints regional sales manager for NSW

Turck has appointed Rod MacKenzie as the New South Wales Regional Sales Manager.

Abigroup awarded wastewater treatment work

UON powers up with Gardner Denver

Allied Air Products and Services Pty Ltd has announced an alliance with UON to supply the Gardner Denver Compressor product range throughout Western Australia.

Coal company fined for water pollution twice in three weeks

In the Land and Environment Court on Thursday, Moolarben Coal Operations was fined $112,500 for polluting waters near Mudgee. This is the second fine of this size that the company has received in three weeks.

Holden to develop cars for China

Holden has signed an agreement to develop new vehicles for SGM for the Chinese market.

National OHS harmonisation: will it arrive?

The harmonisation deadline set by COAG in 2008 was 1 January 2012, but that deadline has well and truly passed with us seemingly no closer to the desired end state.