Briefcase: Business Snippets from around South Australia
In this week’s briefcase, Adelaide companies achieve spacecraft milestone, crop production reaches record high and South Australia is commended for its sustainable seafood. Plus upcoming business events in South Australia.
Neumann Space propellant. Photo: supplied.
- Adelaide-based companies achieve space propulsion technology milestone
- South Australia bids to host major Japanese business event
- The Randall Wine Group secures a sustainable future
- Crop production grows to record heights
- French company lands exclusive deal with Adelaide Airport
- South Australia commended at Sustainable Seafood Awards
- New HQ for Nova Systems
- Testing for global food and beverage sectors
Adelaide-based companies achieve space propulsion technology milestone
Two Adelaide-based space companies have announced the success of their collaborative project combining a Neumann Drive™ propellant and an Apogee cube satellite ready for integration and launch on a spacecraft.
The successful collaboration marks the first time an Australian electric propulsion product has qualified for integration on a satellite.
Neumann Space is an in-space propeller manufacturer and Inovor Technologies is a spacecraft mission delivery and specialist engineering service focusing on the electronic warfare domain.
Neumann Space’s CEO, Herve Astier said the milestone “represents an important step forward in ensuring that this critical technology is able to serve the growing need for better propulsion in space.”
Founder and CEO of Inovor Technologies, Matthew Tetlow said both products are “Australian-designed and made, demonstrating the sovereign capability that exists within our nation’s space sector, and the potential for growth of the industry.”
Adelaide has made a bid to host the next AJBCC Joint Conference. Photo: supplied.
South Australia bids to host major Japanese business event
A bid for Adelaide to host the next Australia-Japan Business Co-Operation Committee (AJBCC) Joint Conference has been made by the Malinauskas Labor Government.
The conference is held annually to promote and increase business opportunities to strengthen ties between Australia and Japan.
The bid comes after a meeting between Trade and Investment Minister Nick Champion and the Japan-Australia Business Co-Operation Committee Chair Michiaki Hirose during a recent trade mission to Japan.
Champion said hosting the event in Adelaide would provide South Australia with “enormous” exposure to some of the world’s largest companies.
“Hosting this conference presents an incredible opportunity to promote and build on our green energy sector, and our state’s innovation precincts to one of our closest trading partners.
“Adelaide would be the perfect host – not just for the investment opportunities available, but for Japan’s business leaders to experience our world-class venues, hotels and incredible food and wine.”
Adelaide had previously secured the rights to host the conference in 2020, however, the event was unable to proceed due to the pandemic’s closure of international borders.
Fiona Donald, Kingsley Fuller and Mardi Longbottom accept sustainability certification. Photo: Dragan Radocaj.
The Randall Wine Group secures a sustainable future
Australia’s largest private vineyard holder, The Randall Wine Group has become a certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, the national sustainability program for grape growers and winemakers.
The group’s vineyard holdings span 9000 acres and include the Seppeltsfield Estate in the Barossa and Penny’s Hill Estate in McLaren Vale.
Managing Director of The Randall Wine Group, Steven Trigg said they are thrilled all their wineries and vineyards are certified as sustainable as they lead into the 2023 vintage.
“Sustainability is and will continue to be a priority for us in the vineyard and winery through environmental, social and economic aspects of the business – protecting the distinctive land, robust vines and quality wines we produce.”
The CEDA SA Budget and Economic Update will be held on Wednesday 5 July at the Adelaide Convention Centre. $199 for members, $349 for non-members.
The Andy Thomas Space Foundation Networking Dinner will be held on the eve of the Australian Space Forum on Monday 8 May. $198 for individual tickets, $1760 for a table of 10.
InDaily 40 Under 40 Awards will be held on 8 June at Adelaide Oval, ticket sales open soon.
The Food SA 2023 Food & Beverage Summit will be held on Wednesday 21 June at the Adelaide Oval. $297 for members, $403 for early bird non-members, three for the price of two available.
South Australia’s Industry Climate Change Conference with be held between 20-21 April at the Adelaide Convention Centre. $299 per person. Two-for-one tickets available now.
The French-Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry SA is hosting its first Executive Women Series with LK Law on Thursday 11 May at the Sofitel Adelaide from 8-10am. $30 for members, $60 for non-members.
The Family Business Conference – Asia Pacific will be hosted in Adelaide from 10-12 May at the Hilton.
The 2023 South Australian Tourism Conference will be held on Tuesday 30 May at the National Wine Centre of Australia.
The second Adelaide Economic Development Agency Business Summit will be held on Wednesday 24 May at Adelaide Oval.
The “Lead, Shape, Innovate – Accelerating to Net Zero” APPEA Conference will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre from 15 to 18 May.
South Australia’s crop production reached a record at 12.8 million tonnes. Photo: Michael Skopal
Crop production grows to record heights
South Australia’s crop production for 2022-23 is the highest on record at 12.8 million tonnes, a 51 per cent increase over the previous year’s harvest.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) announced last week that this year’s harvest beat the previous crop production record of 11 million tonnes in 2016-17, resulting in a $4.6 billion contribution to the economy.
The record harvest comes despite storms across the state resulting in some impacts to quality and yield.
High canola prices resulted in an increased canola area at the expense of barley, while the decline in pea area continued to a record low this year.
Grain Producers SA Chief Executive Officer, Brad Perry said that the success of this harvest showcases the importance of the grain industry to the state’s economy.
“We should acknowledge the outstanding efforts of South Australia’s grain producers who battled record input costs, weather and disease to pull off a record crop and one that will be remembered for years to come,” Perry said.
– Jack O’Halloran
Adelaide Airport has appointed a new exclusive advertising partner. Photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily
French company lands exclusive deal with Adelaide Airport
French media company JCDecaux has been appointed exclusive advertising partner of all in-terminal and roadside opportunities across Adelaide and Parafield airports.
The contract commences in May 2023 and includes a complete refresh of the assets in the terminal and three new digital external billboards.
Adelaide Airport Managing Director Brenton Cox said both Adelaide and Parafield airports sit in prime locations and offer excellent brand connectivity with advertisers’ key markets.
“Our recently expanded domestic and international terminal offers prime space to reach domestic and international audiences,” he said.
JCDecaux’s acquisition of South Australian airports further extends its portfolio which already includes airports in Perth, Sydney, Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown.
Australian advertising company oOh!media, who held the contract for 20 years, did not pitch for the tender.
– Liam McMahon
Yumbah Aquaculture’s Greenlip abalone. Photo: supplied.
South Australia commended at Sustainable Seafood Awards
South Australia-based company Yumbah Aquaculture was a standout at the annual Sustainable Seafood Awards held by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) in partnership with the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) at Melbourne Zoo last week.
The abalone farming company took home the ASC Above and Beyond Award for its Indigenous engagement and measures to reduce energy use, packaging and plastics.
Yumbah CEO, David Wood said the award reinforced the company’s dedication to embracing environmental and social responsibility in every aspect of its operations.
“It is testament to the hard work and stewardship of our people who have never stood still when it comes to ensuring our operations preserve and cultivate the environment.”
The company was also highly commended in the ASC Best Responsible Producer Award, which it won last year, for its integrated approach to managing and communicating environmental responsibilities.
Yumbah’s Propagation Manager, Caleb Trenberth was further commended for the ASC Young Person in Aquaculture Award. He is responsible for propagating six million abalone each year to supply the company’s Port Lincoln and Narrawong farms.
– Jack O’Halloran
Nova Systems has moved to 169 Pirie Street. Photo: Wong Tsz Yung.
New HQ for Nova Systems
Engineering services and technology solutions company, Nova Systems has moved its headquarters from Mile End to a new office located at 169 Pirie Street.
The Pirie Street building is home to Nine Network Australia, health industry IT provider HAMBS, HomeStart Finance, Laser Vision SA and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).
Nova Systems Chief Executive Officer, Jim McDowell said the company’s new headquarters were a significant move for the business.
“Nova Systems is continuously recruiting and looking for the best and brightest minds to support our mission to ensure Australia remains safe and secure and we hope our new office space in the heart of the city is another reason to entice people to work with us.”
– Wong Tsz Yung
Testing for global food and beverage sectors
South Australian-based Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) and United Kingdom food and beverage services organisation Campden BRI will collaborate on providing food and beverage testing services.
Affinity Labs, the AWRI’s commercial arm, will focus on exploring new options for shelf-life testing that comply with EU and US standards.
Campden BRI will initially explore the introduction of new wine testing services in the UK, similar to those already offered by Affinity Labs in Australia.
Campden BRI Chief Executive Officer, Peter Headridge said the agreement will be beneficial to the food and beverage industry.
“We anticipate working closely together on compositional and integrity testing, as well as developing new services for the benefit of food and beverage producers in both the UK and Australia,” Headridge said.
– Maxwell Bland
