For most people, rubbish or waste is considered ugly, smelly and – well, let’s be honest – pretty gross. But, as we tackle the challenges of developing a more sustainable society to repair the damage we’ve caused to our environment, the development of movements like circularity and circular design, and other innovative recycling solutions, are showing us that waste can, in fact, be made to be beautiful. 

Wido van den Bosch is serious about cleaning things up. We find out more about the man behind Brink Industrial, his international partnership in circular manufacturing with Integra Systems, and his progressive take on circularity and sustainability.

The relationship between ergonomics and human-centred design is a complex but ultimately far more synergetic approach to design and manufacturing. As Nick Restall, Design and Development Manager at Integra Systems, explains, it’s defined by the biomechanical working in harmony with the psychological.  

Waste shouldn’t be about smelly bins that sit neglected in the corner. We’re ushering in the next generation of waste instead; one that is something to be proud of, as exemplified through our Lune Collection.

With the exception of cars, TVs, boats and passenger jets, we tend to measure progress by how much smaller we can make our devices. But there’s an area of technology where evidence tells us that going big could be much better – that’s in the screens we increasingly use as an interface in our working life.

At the 2022 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards, Integra Systems was awarded Leader in Workforce Skills Development. To be recognised for the hard yards put into fostering a productive, motivated and stimulated workforce is something that means a lot to the management at Integra Systems.

With words like ‘Circular Design’, ‘Circularity by Design’ and ‘The Circular Economy’ being used more frequently in the Integra lexicon, we thought we’d take a moment to explain what we mean when referring to ‘Circularity’ and the long-term role it plays in helping us all battle and ultimately overcome climate change.

As part of their commitment to the advancing sustainability in all of Integra’s manufacturing processes, Integra is working towards achieving a number of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Starting life as a side hustle for five friends in the city’s inner-north who shared a love of food and drink, Brunswick Aces has grown into one of Melbourne’s most unique bars and distilleries, and carries the distinction of being Australia's first non-alcoholic bar.

We are pleased to announce we been awarded a Good Design Award for the K4.0 Kiosk in the Engineering Design category.

We’ve already considered the urgency of needing more waste reduction in Australian business & now we’d like to put forward some practical advice on how all businesses in Australia can step up their game when it comes to waste reduction and recycling. 

“I think we've always had something pretty unique here in Australia compared to the rest of the world and we should fight hard to keep our reputation for quality and not compromise on it.”

While contributing to sustainability, a focus on reducing the amount of waste produced also has important benefits for Australia’s long-term economic performance and any given organisation’s bottom-line.

As an SME at the forefront of Industry 4.0 design and manufacturing, Melbourne-based Integra Systems sees itself as a prime candidate for employing women - not just as engineers in their design team, but giving them critical hands-on production experience on the assembly floor.

Erika Hughes, Commercial Director, believes the time is right for a re-think and re-investment in Australian manufacturing. And she’s seeing an increasing number of local manufacturers put their money where their mouths are.

For Integra Systems, putting sustainability front and centre of their business operations is non-negotiable, as evidenced by a number of company-wide initiatives.

Having adapted and overcome numerous challenges over the years, Integra Systems sees this ‘happy collision’ of technology and sustainability in manufacturing as a major opportunity. Read more to find out how Integra have adopted Industry 4.0.

Check out the Integra TransForm corporate showreel!

John Bongiorno, operations manager, shares insights on how Alba Cheese navigated their way through the pandemic, while highlighting a stark challenge to Australia’s primary production future that requires some urgent attention.

Check out the Integra Systems corporate showreel!