Briefcase: Business snippets from around SA
In this week’s briefcase, a global defence contractor expands its presence in Adelaide, a new SA business directory is launched and construction begins on the second stage of a major SA medical project.
A computer image of the three stage Playford Health Hub in Adelaide's northern suburbs. Image: supplied
- New Lockheed Martin office opens in Adelaide
- SA businesses reap windfall from Japan ecommerce partnership
- New SA business directory launched
- Wheat prices rise despite wet weather conditions
- Stage two of Playford medical project underway
New Lockheed Martin office opens in Adelaide
Multinational defence contractor Lockheed Martin last week opened a new office in Adelaide.
The city office, located on Pirie Street, will house 90 employees and a “STELaRLab” – an initiative first seen in Melbourne that combines science, technology, engineering, leadership and research in one laboratory.
According to the state government, the new office will focus on artificial intelligence, autonomy, hypersonics, image and signal processing, tracking and sensor fusion, operations analysis and complex optimisation.
Lockheed Martin Australia first opened offices in South Australia in 2003 with employee numbers growing from 300 in 2018 to more than 520 employees now. Its main SA hub is in Mawson Lakes.
Deputy Premier Susan Close said Lockheed Martin “has made a significant contribution to South Australia’s defence industry by building a sovereign workforce, boosting regional supply chains, elevating research with local universities, and creating exciting job opportunities for skilled workers and graduates”.
“South Australia is home to an experienced and capable defence industry and Lockheed Martin Australia’s expansion will continue to build on our strong history of delivering critical defence capability and projects and strengthening our nation’s security,” she said in a statement.
Lockheed Martin Australia Chief Executive Warren McDonald said “the opening of our second office location in Adelaide is a testament of our resolute commitment to the region”.
SA businesses reap windfall from Japan ecommerce partnership
South Australian businesses have made nearly $100,000 worth of sales on Japanese ecommerce site Rakuten following the launch of a dedicated SA products page earlier this year.
The “Tasting South Australia” page has attracted more than 70,000 unique visits out of 100 million Japanese users since launching on June 3, according to the state government.
South Australian businesses are among more than 50,000 businesses listed on the site, which spans more than 30 countries and 1.4 billion global users.
While in Japan last week, Trade and Investment Minister Nick Champion announced South Australian seafood exporters will also now be featured on the website.
“This is a unique opportunity for South Australian food, wine and beverage companies to enter the Japanese market for the first time,” he said.
“Food, wine and beverage products are no longer confined to being sold within national borders and this is a fantastic opportunity for our South Australian exporters to enter a market renowned for high-quality, premium products.
“Japan is the world’s third-largest economy and the fourth-largest e-commerce market with sales of $105 billion.”
The Tasting South Australia page offers wine, gin, beer, honey, sweets, spreads and pet food, alongside the new seafood offerings.
Brands featured on the website include Buzz Honey, NovaFarms, Prohibition Liquor Co, Hither & Yon, Pet Snacks, and new addition Southern Kuya.
New SA business directory launched
Business SA has launched an early version of its new South Australian Business Directory.
The chamber of commerce last week released a “minimum viable product” of the online directory, where businesses can list their products and services, awards, photographs and contact information.
Business SA says its more than 3900 members have been automatically enrolled into the directory, while non-members can access it with a $99 annual fee.
Business SA general manager of marketing and communications Clayton Wehner said the long-term vision for the directory is to grow it into “SA’s most definitive listing of businesses and, in doing so, create a stronger, closer-knit business community in this state”.
“We hope that the directory fosters a sense of solidarity and belonging and encourages both businesses and consumers to ‘buy South Australian’ in the first instance.”
The directory is live here: https://business-sa.com/directory.
Wheat prices rise despite wet weather conditions
Viterra has predicted this year’s South Australian grain crop could hit more than 11 million tonnes which would make it the second largest in South Australia’s history.
Despite an unseasonably wet winter and the resulting late start to harvest, Australian farmers are set to produce a large winter crop across the nation, according to the latest insights from Rural Bank.
National wheat production is estimated at 33 million tonnes, while barley is forecast to reach 12 million tonnes and canola is set to reach six million tonnes.
In the export market, wheat prices have risen $13-$48 per tonne in the past month amid rising concerns over global shortages, according to Profarmer Australia.
Australian Bureau of Statistics export data estimates that combined wheat, barley and canola exports for 2021/2022 were over 40 million tonnes, a 14 per cent increase on the 2020/2021 record of 35.9 million tonnes.
South Australian farmers have committed to seven million tonnes of exported shipping capacity for the 2022/2023 season.
This forward booking by South Australian farmers comes amid a recent record-breaking export capacity auction held by Viterra.
Stage two of Playford medical project underway
A computer image of the proposed stage two of the Playford Health Hub. Image: supplied
Construction has commenced on a $51 million Specialist Medical Centre in the northern suburbs.
Global healthcare real estate investment firm NorthWest Healthcare Properties Management announced last week the construction of stage two of the Playford Health Hub, located opposite the Lyell McEwin Hospital.
The building is set to be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, and, once completed, “will have 34 per cent better energy efficiency than building code requirements”, according to NorthWest CEO Craig Mitchell.
The centre will feature four levels, including day oncology, radiotherapy, radiology, pathology, specialist medical consulting suites, a rooftop terrace, conference facilities and retail amenity.
Health Minister Chris Picton said the development will deliver specialised care to patients in the heart of the northern suburbs.
“This project will complement the Malinauskas Labor Government’s commitment to invest in the beds and workforce needed at the Lyell McEwin Hospital – located just across the road – and there is growing opportunity for collaboration across the precinct,” he said.
A breakdown of the three stages of the Playford Health Hub. Image: supplied
Due for completion in 2024, the Specialist Medical Centre is the second stage of a three-stage process that will see an investment of around $93 million into a private hospital to be operated by Calvary Health Care.
The first stage – a $24 million, 450-bay multi-deck car park and 1700sqm of retail space – was completed in 2021. It is predominately leased by SA Health.
