• City high streets bounce back
• Global accreditation for Adelaide 3D printer
• SA clean energy event locked in for November
• Top workplace ranking for Nova Systems
• Coopers rolls out brand refresh

City high streets bounce back

The number of vacant shopfronts on Rundle and Hindley St significantly declined over the six months to March this year, prompted by an increase in consumer spending activity and the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions.

The latest retail vacancy figures from JLL show the vacancy rate for Rundle St decreased from 13.7 per cent in the third quarter of 2021 to 9.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2022.

The 4.2-point vacancy rate drop was the highest of any of the seven high streets measured by JLL.

Hindley Street came in second, with the vacancy rate falling from 17.3 per cent to 15.2.

At the other end of the scale, Glenelg’s Jetty Road recorded the biggest vacancy rate increase – rising 4.1 points from a low base to reach 8.8 per cent in Q1/22.

Prospect Road also saw the vacancy rate increase from 3 per cent to 4.5 per cent.

It’s the opposite of a trend seen throughout the first two years of the pandemic, when demand for suburban shopfront space was booming as the CBD struggled to deal with the switch to more flexible working arrangements.

JLL’s full vacancy rate figures for the first quarter of 2022.

JLL attributed the latest result to the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions and an increase in consumer spending levels. It also noted a “gradual rebalancing” of pandemic remote working arrangements had seen suburban store closures increase.

“We maintain our view that the medium-term outlook for Rundle Street is positive,” the report states.

“The precinct is expected to benefit from the strip’s proximity to the rapidly growing employment zone Lot Fourteen.

“The recently completed Crowne Plaza hotel, as well as residential developments like The Adelaidean, Realm, and the East End Apartments have also supported increased foot traffic.

“Furthermore, international student numbers are expected to increase over the balance of 2022 and beyond, underpinning CBD residential population growth.”

Five of the seven retail high streets recorded decreases in vacancy rates, with The Parade in Norwood performing the best of the suburban strips with a 1.8-point decline to reach 4.6 per cent.

The blended vacancy rate across the seven high streets also decreased from 9.4 per cent to 9.

Global accreditation for Adelaide 3D printer

AML3D’s hi-tech Arcemy units are used to 3D print large format metal components.

Northern suburbs metal 3D printer AML3D has been given Additive Manufacturing Facility Accreditation from the world’s largest classification society, DNV, with the certification giving the company access to a huge list of potential industry customers.

The Edinburgh Park-based manufacturer – which 3D prints large-scale parts for defence, manufacturing and mining industries – announced on Wednesday it had received an “Approval of Manufacturer” certificate from DNV.

DNV is a multinational classification company that certifies materials and components for clients primarily in the maritime industry. It provides services for more than 12,000 vessels and offshore units across the world.

The DNV approval gives AML3D the opportunity to use its patented Wire Additive Manufacturing (WAM) 3D printing process to produce DNV steel for hull structures and equipment as well as copper alloys for valves and fittings.

The company estimates that gaining access to DNV’s customer base, along with prior accreditations, means AML3D now has access to nearly two-third of the global maritime components market.

AML3D managing director Andrew Sales said AML3D said it would give them an advantage when applying for high-value tenders and expand the number of contracts AML3D can apply for in the maritime, defence and oil & gas sectors.

“DNV offers a broad range of customers including a heavy focus on Oil & Gas sector, a key growth target for AML3D,” he told the ASX.

“This accreditation is a game changer for us, in terms of the ability to issue Class Certificates using our WAM process.

“We’re very excited to have a great relationship with DNV and explore opportunities amongst their customer base.”

AML3D’s shares were trading at $0.093c when markets closed on Friday – up nearly 20 per cent from their previous week’s close of $0.078c.

SA clean energy event locked in for November

The second running of South Australia’s Future Energy Week has been locked in for November 10 to 11 this year.

The event, run by the Tonsley Future Energy Consortium, brings together industry, government, researchers and students for a two-day summit event at the Tonsley Innovation District in Adelaide’s south.

Conference delegates will this year have the opportunity to join working groups covering topics such as the future of mobility, the energy trilemma and the First Nations Voice.

They will also participate in developing a set of Accords as a commitment and call to action for Australia’s energy transition.

The Tonsley Innovation District will also open up to display its hydrogen electrolyser and huge rooftop solar array to high school students attending the summit.

“Future Energy Week aims to collaborate, educate and elevate Australia’s answers to domestic and international energy challenges”, event director Quentin Roberts said.

“World-leading innovators are already thinking, designing, and collaborating at the forefront of cleantech and renewable energy innovation in South Australia.

“We want more organisations to join us and develop the breakthroughs which will power tomorrow’s planet.”

Top workplace ranking for Nova Systems

South Australian engineering company Nova Systems has ranked 11^th in an annual index listing the best places to work across Australia and New Zealand.

Compiled by Sydney-based workplace consultancy WRK+, the “2022 Best Places To Work” index ranked Melbourne construction company Kapitol Group at number one, followed by Sydney tech company hipages Group and software firm Smokeball.

Nova Systems were the only firm headquartered in South Australia to poll in the top 20.

Nova Systems CEO Jim McDowell said the ranking was recognition of the company’s flexible work pocliies.

“The COVID-19 pandemic taught us a lot about the importance of being flexible and agile to support wellbeing and ensure our people are happy and thrive,” he said in a statement.

“Our people have given us great feedback on our new core work day hours of 10am and 3pm because it gives them the opportunity to drop off or pick up the kids from school or go to an appointment and finish their work when it suits them.

“We want our people to love coming to work and we want to get the best out of our people so we’re committed to innovating and evolving so we can continue to strive to be the best place to work in the future.”

Adelaide marketing firm KOJO placed number 10 on WRK+’s best places to work with less than 100 employees.

The top placed firm in the under 100 index was North Sydney accountant firm Stanford Brown Private Wealth.

Coopers rolls out brand refresh

Coopers’ new-look logo will hit store shelves in September.

Coopers Brewery has refreshed its branding for the first time in 20 years, unveiling new-look packaging for its ales and stouts and a new longneck bottle.

The Regency Park brewer on Friday revealed a refresh of the iconic Coopers roundel, featuring a larger Cooper logo and barrel in the centre.

The family-owned company says the new look, commissioned from design agency Cowan, showcases Coopers’ heritage and brewing process with a more modern and clear design.

Coopers says its new look logo has an emphasis on heritage. Photo: supplied

Coopers national marketing manager Kate Dowd said the refresh polled well among Coopers fans.

“The new design has been carefully developed with the objective of retaining our brand loyalists while also recruiting new drinkers to the Coopers brand,” she said in a statement.

“The refresh brings overall consistency to the Coopers ale range and has been designed to stand out on shelves, making it easier for our fans to spot their favourite brew.”

The refresh will apply to all of Coopers ales and stouts, which make up the majority of the company’s portfolio, although it will not be rolled out to the company’s lager products, such as Coopers Dry and Premium Light.

The company also says its 750ml longneck range will be packaged in new lightweight bottles to minimise weight.

The new look will begin rolling out to liquor stores and pubs in September.