Manufacturing

Perth-based startup Rhinohide has spent the past three years growing its presence in Australia among 4X4 enthusiasts and is now preparing to expand into the US.

Melbourne-based fertiliser and explosives manufacturers Incitec Pivot and Orica have continued their battle for iron ore contracts in the Pilbara, with Incitec winning a five-year supply deal with Fortescue Metals Group.

German shipbuilder Lürssen has unveiled plans to establish a joint venture with local contractor Civmec to build 10 offshore patrol vessels at Henderson, two weeks after it failed to strike a deal with experienced shipbuilder Austal.

Specialist glass company ClearVue Technologies will commence trading on the ASX tomorrow after raising $5 million via an initial public offering.

The Henderson contractor that outplayed local shipbuilder Austal for a share of work on the navy’s new offshore patrol vessels has doubled profit over the past nine months, but it remains unclear how much work it will gain from the $3.5 billion project.

Austal has announced a $US30 million ($40 million) expansion of its commercial shipbuilding operations across three sites, including a $6 million upgrade at Henderson, days after the company was left out of the contract to build Australia’s new offshore patrol vessels.

Alternative construction materials are attracting more interest in WA.

From small operator to market leader, local business Kingman Visual’s signage portfolio includes high-profile work at Perth Airport and Optus Stadium.

Long-running plans by Vikas Rambal’s Perdaman Industries to build a multi-billion dollar urea manufacturing plant in Western Australia have received a fillip, with his group signing a gas supply agreement with Woodside Petroleum.