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Episode 57 -- Ian Lowrey from Wireman
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Welcome to this special episode of @AuManufacturing Conversations with Brent Balinski, one which we're running as part of our quest to identify Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers.
Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers is a new campaign by @AuManufacturing. It has been made possible by the generous support of MYOB, SMC Corporation Australia, and Bosch Australia Manufacturing Solutions. Be sure to check our website and social media channels for regular updates, including profiles of nominees and other information.
In this episode, Ian Lowrey, Director at Wireman, tells us about trying to contribute simple though meaningful innovations to the fencing industry, a place where a lot of products "haven’t really been looked at in any great detail for well over 100 years."
Episode guide
1:12 – An introduction to Wireman and Ian Lowrey, a product designer who was introduced to the problems of wire fencing by his patent attorney.
2:20 – Started looking at barbed wire and the challenges faced by contractors. Invented the DeBarber.
3:10 – Everyone wanted better wire grippers, so they developed these.
4:14 – The issues with torsion springs.
6:18 – Fencing is a dangerous thing.
6:45 – Adoption of 3D printing at the business. Printing in aluminium has been “quite a big deal.”
7:20 – The main considerations in product development
8:30 – How they understand innovation and what they rule in and out when product ideas are considered.
10:35 – How product testing and customer feedback influence Wireman.
12 – A mixture of contract and in-house production.
13:30 – How wire grippers have been a good “gateway product”.
15:25 – Why there’s been a deliberate effort to make smaller-sized equipment.
16:55 – A boost from being featured on the Farm Learning with Tim Thompson Youtube program, and why Youtube is an important medium for people in the bush.
18:40 – “A lot of room to move” in their sector, though there are challenges to having their products adopted.
19:55 – Issues around IP for manufacturers trying to scale up.
Relevant links
Wireman's website
https://wireman.com.au/
WE ARE TRYING TO IDENTIFY AUSTRALIA’S 50 MOST INNOVATIVE MANUFACTURERS. NOMINATE NOW
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