Defense Speak Interpreted: If CHIPS Cuts Back, What Happens to Electronics Packaging Funds?
American Made Advocacy: Where’s the Budget for a Modern Military Run on Microelectronics?
Beyond the Board: Orbital High Ground—Why Space Superiority Is Slipping Away
REDARC Expands in South Australia
November 30, 2018 | REDARCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Over 100 specialist jobs will be created in Adelaide’s southern suburbs during the next five years, following the opening of South Australian advanced electronics manufacturing firm REDARC’s expanded headquarters at Lonsdale.
An additional 3,000 sqm of advanced manufacturing space will be officially opened today, Friday (November 30) by the Federal Minister for Defense Christopher Pyne and South Australian Premier Steven Marshall.
The $22 million development will enable REDARC to increase its manufacturing capacity by 250% and significantly increase productivity.
Managing Director Anthony Kittel said the upgraded facility would enable REDARC to expand its current workforce of almost 200 to 300 by 2024, with most of the new positions being filled by engineers, data scientists and algorithm specialists.
“We have been growing strongly in recent years by targeting the North American and European automotive aftermarket with our dual battery chargers and our award-winning Tow-Pro Elite brake controller,” he said. “We are now actively diversifying into other markets, including defence and medical devices.”
Kittel said the upgrade had been supported by a $2.5 million Federal Government Next Generation Manufacturing Investment Program grant received in 2016.
“In addition to expanding the facility, the grant has been used to purchase state-of-the-art machinery and testing and validation equipment to enable us to exceed international standards,” he said.
“The new equipment will provide REDARC with the best available technology, enabling us to enhance export capabilities and assist with our diversification program.”
New equipment and capability includes the purchase of a new surface mount technology line for loading electronic components, an electromagnetic compatibility chamber and a vibration test lab that enables highly accelerated lifetime testing of products that can simulate 10 years of life in just two days. Three new Universal Collaborative Robots ‘Cobots’ have also been purchased.
Other changes included in the new development include IT infrastructure upgrades.
Last year, REDARC installed a 100 KW solar power plant on the roof of its Lonsdale plant and Tesla Battery bank.
This involved the installation of 370 solar panels capable of generating 140 megawatt hours of energy per year.
REDARC had been able to “buck the trend” against the offshoring of manufacturing in Australia through a program of significant reinvestment into research and development, staff development and training.
About REDARC
REDARC was established in 1979 and is involved in the research, design, development and manufacture of a range of electronic voltage converters and associated products, inverters, power supplies, battery chargers, brake controllers and trailer braking products.
Share on:
Testimonial
"We’re proud to call I-Connect007 a trusted partner. Their innovative approach and industry insight made our podcast collaboration a success by connecting us with the right audience and delivering real results."
Julia McCaffrey - NCAB GroupSuggested Items
U.S. CHIPS Act Funding Detailed on SIA Website
09/12/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007The U.S. CHIPS Act has moved well into the implementation stage in 2025. But where has that money gone? The Semiconductor Industry Association has been tracking these projects and provides details on its website. It was updated May. Among the five key programs being managed under CHIPS, two stand out as influencing advanced electronic packaging: the National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP), and the CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute (MFG USA).
Zhen Ding Drives AI-Powered Digital Transformation
09/12/2025 | Zhen DingDriven by the surging demand for computing power fueled by AI, the semiconductor and PCB industries are forging closer integration, expanding their ecosystems, and pursuing shared growth. PCB has already become another NT$ trillion-dollar industry in Taiwan, growing in tandem with the semiconductor sector.
Flex Named to TIME's World's Best Companies List for Third Consecutive Year
09/12/2025 | FlexFlex announced its inclusion on the TIME World's Best Companies 2025 list. This marks the third consecutive year the company was included in this prestigious ranking, which recognizes top-performing companies across the globe.
Secure Semiconductor Manufacturing Acquires Full SMT Line from Manncorp
09/11/2025 | ManncorpSecure Semiconductor Manufacturing, LLC (SSM), an American-owned company dedicated to producing secure printed wiring boards and advanced assembly solutions in the MidWest USA, today announced the acquisition of a complete surface mount technology (SMT) line from Manncorp.
GlobalLogic, Ericsson Deploy Private 5G Network at Hitachi Rail’s State-of-the-Art Digital Factory
09/11/2025 | BUSINESS WIREGlobalLogic Inc., a Hitachi Group company and leader in digital engineering, has designed and deployed a state-of-the-art 5G private network at Hitachi Rail’s most digitally advanced facility in Hagerstown, Maryland, USA.