Logan-based GO1 partners with Microsoft to deliver online learning via Microsoft Teams

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GO1, a leading network of the world’s top content providers and learning management systems, announced an integration with Microsoft Teams, enabling any organisation using Teams to access one of the world’s largest libraries of online learning.

“We are delighted to partner with Microsoft to provide an incredible learning experience within Microsoft Teams,” said Andrew Barnes, CEO of GO1. “In these times where remote learning has become a necessity for many, we are looking forward to helping organisations to improve ease of access and engagement for learning content.”

The GO1 app for Microsoft Teams creates a single place to learn within Teams by bringing learning content directly into Teams and enabling individuals to find, consume, share, and discuss learning resources. The app can pull in learning resources from Teams files, your computer, web links, your learning management system, and GO1’s extensive library of learning resources.

“We are pleased to announce this relationship with GO1 to deliver a fantastic end-to-end learning experience within Microsoft Teams. Being able to access content directly in Teams, and facilitate robust conversations about that content, helps create a rich environment conducive to learning of all kinds,” said Steven Abrahams, Program Manager, Partnerships in Education for Microsoft Teams.

GO1 serves as the hub of the learning ecosystem, connecting to learning management systems and content providers. GO1 enables organisations to deliver their own learning content, or popular third-party content, in the systems they use every day, like Teams.

As part of the launch of the GO1 app for Teams, through the end of June 2020, the GO1 Premium subscription, with tens of thousands of learning resources, will be available for free to any organisation using the GO1 Teams app.

To learn more about the GO1 app for Teams, visit go1.com/teams-corporate (for businesses) or go1.com/teams-edu (for educational institutions). Questions can be directed to support@go1.com.

About GO1.com

GO1.com is the world’s largest compliance, professional development and general training marketplace. By providing a single platform that extends from first aid training through to degree bearing courses, GO1 makes it easy to find and compare the best training options available. The marketplace features over 500,000 courses and other learning items created by local and international experts. Customers include SEEK.com.au, Oxford University, State and Local Governments and St John Ambulance.

Since launching in 2015, GO1.com has grown to be a world leader in online learning and education. Local and overseas investors include Y Combinator, SEEK, M12, Tank Stream Ventures, Black Sheep Capital, and Our Innovation Fund. GO1’s Head Office is in Underwood.

 

Logan manufacturer to supply urgent equipment for COVID-19 frontline

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Queensland manufacturers are stepping up like never before to provide essential products for health workers and communities in response to the coronavirus.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland’s manufacturers and producers have come forward to make and deliver urgently needed on-going supplies of vital personal protection equipment.

“Their generosity, creativity and agility as we get ready for an expected surge of COVID-19 patients in our hospitals has been nothing short of inspiring,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“We are facing huge challenges as a state and nation and every Queenslander owes these businesses a very big thanks as they step up production, extend their reach and go above and beyond in the fight against the coronavirus.

“I tasked Minister Cameron Dick with looking after the supply chain and things have moved very rapidly.”

The Premier said the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning will be providing financial assistance of $1.2 million to Logan’s Evolve Group to urgently start making disposable N95 medical masks in high volume.

The N95 mask is the highest quality surgical mask available for frontline healthcare workers and can help to filter out fine particles.

The Premier said the agreement that has been signed with Evolve Group ensures that Queensland has priority access to its own manufactured supply of urgently needed face masks to support frontline health workers and the broader community.

Local Queensland manufacturers are also making other products, including sought after hand sanitizers.

Ms Palaszczuk said it is imperative Queensland establish and maintain a domestic production capacity for PPE now and into the future beyond this crisis.

“We can and we must make these lifesaving products in Queensland.

“We are prepared to back our manufacturers with long term offtake agreements to ensure they keep manufacturing them here.

Queensland Health and the Department of Housing and Public Works have agreed to purchase masks from Evolve Group for a three-year period to support the health system.

Minister for Manufacturing Cameron Dick said the Evolve Group is just one of many Queensland companies gearing up to manufacture large volumes of essential goods.

“Evolve is a great Queensland manufacturing story, and today’s announcement could see around 60,000 N95 face masks manufactured each day to help meet the ongoing need for personal protective equipment,” Mr Dick said.

“This will support workers in health, community support, mining, construction and food processing.  All going well, we are aiming to have the first batch produced within eight weeks,” Mr Dick said.

“The Queensland Government is supporting Evolve Group to secure the equipment and raw materials of two automated face mask manufacturing lines to get us up and running.”

Ai Group’s Queensland head Rebecca Andrews said now is the time for Queensland manufacturers to be diversify their businesses and make a real difference in this critical time.

“It’s great to see another local manufacturer rising to the challenge of combatting COVID-19, in this instance by manufacturing N95 face masks which are vitally needed.”

Evolve Group’s Managing Director Ty Hermans said the company was proud to be able to put its hand up to help.

“We have always prided ourselves on our ability to design award-winning products and rapidly solve complex engineering challenges, but this is certainly our most important project – something we have been training for since we started our reshoring mission back in 2006,” Mr Hermans said.

“We are proud of our ability to apply our Queensland-based advanced plastics manufacturing facility and skills to a mission-critical project like this, supporting our frontline medical teams and others that are sacrificing so much right now.

“Securing supply of critical products like this by reshoring the manufacturing in Australia has to be a priority for all Australians now and into the future. Being Australian-made also ensures the production of high-quality products.”

Mr Dick said the Department of State Development will continue to identify manufacturers around the state who can quickly transition to the production of critically needed supplies.

“Queenslanders can be assured the state’s health and manufacturing systems are world-class and we are well-positioned to confront the challenge ahead,” Mr Dick said.

If you’re a manufacturer able to help fill supply gaps, go to qld.gov.au/qld-supplies

Australia’s oldest distillery lends a hand for Logan community

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With the bottle shops being inundated you’d be right to think Beenleigh Rum would be increasing their rum production.

But no, the Logan icon has all but stopped the production of rum to focus on producing high-strength ethanol to ensure a much-needed supply of hand sanitiser during the COVID-19 crisis.

Steve Magarry, the distillery’s Production Manager, said it was another way Beenleigh Rum was helping Logan and the broader community in times of crisis.

He said the latest effort first came about in an effort to ensure the health and safety of staff at the distillery.

“Typically we produce two products here at the distillery, which are rum and high-strength ethanol for food and beverage purposes,” he said.

“At the moment we’ve actually halted rum production to focus on the high-strength ethanol.

“With the demand for hand sanitiser, we decided to look into making our own as ethanol is the key ingredient of sanitiser.”

After producing it for staff, it was then intended to be made for retail and to be sold through their sister company, Wheel & Barrow.

“When the Queensland Government approached us we were happy to help and we are now supplying them with 20-litre drums of sanitiser,” Mr Magarry said.

Mark Sawyers – Distiller

Mr Magarry said the distillery had also felt the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak having shut down tours and the visitor centre.

“Fortunately the increased ethanol production has meant we have been able to redeploy staff and utilise them in other areas,” he said.

When asked about whether there may be a rum shortage, Mr Magarry was firm that supplies were fine.

“Absolutely not, there is no shortage of rum,” he said.

“In the coming weeks and months we will re-evaluate and look to return to our normal production.”

See also: A double rum… but not as we know it – Queensland Government Press Release

City of Logan’s COVID-19 relief package to assist community and business

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Logan City Council has announced a financial support package to provide immediate and long-term support to its community and business owners impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Logan Economic Response Package will provide immediate assistance for rate payers, suspend debt recovery measures and prioritise procurement for local business operators.

Council will also redirect $200,000 from the Community Project Grants budget into an Emergency Relief Fund, as part of a broader Community Relief Package.

The Fund will help to cover costs of providing goods and resources immediately to those in hardship and those who have already been significantly impacted by the pandemic.

Key components of the support plan include:

  • An additional interest free period is in place for the April – June quarter rates and charges notice (to September 30).
  • Council’s existing hardship arrangements for residential property owners will be extended to all ratepayers.
  • Council will cut its invoice payment time by half with 14-day payments to contractors.
  • A 50 per cent refund for operational (licence) fees paid since July last year for nearly 1300 businesses including hospitality and food operators, hotels and motels, manufacturers and a range of other businesses.
  • Fees will be waived for any new applications received up until August 31 this year.
  • Three months of lease fees will be waived to external operators engaged to manage Council-owned venues.
  • Annual lease fees for not-for-profit organisations who lease a Council community leased facility will be waived for 2020.
  • Organisations operating from a Council community leased facility (and have none or less than 15 gaming machines), will have their existing levels of Council remissions increased to 100 per cent for the January to March 2020 billing period (billed in April 2020).
  • Financial relief for more than 180 sport, recreation and community organisations within Logan that have memberships in excess of 40,000 people, through lease fee waivers.
  • Future initiatives will be investigated and considered as part of Council’s 2020/21 Budget processes.

Logan City Council Interim Administrator Tamara O’Shea, said Council had a civic and moral responsibility to support the local community during this challenging time.

“Council is reaching out to its residents and the business community to offer support and assistance,” she said.

“While all levels of government have a support role to play, Council has a unique position as the leading agency within the Logan community.

“We are here to support our residents and businesses in whatever way possible. This includes job opportunities for locals by revising our procurement process and relieving pressure on household budgets.”

Ms O’Shea said Council’s support and assistance packages were designed to help Logan residents and business tap into social funding and economic stimulus initiatives already announced by the Federal and State government.

These include the Federal Government’s First ($17.6 billion) and Second ($66 billion) Stimulus Packages and the State Government’s $4 billion support package.

For business owners, the Logan Office of Economic Development (LOED) has established a support team to respond to the emerging needs of the business community.

It will include mentors who are available to provide tailored support including financial mentoring and business planning.

Ms O’Shea said the Logan community was strong and resilient but conceded monumental challenges would bring some uncertainty.

Her message is “together we will get through this”.

“My thoughts are with everyone doing it tough, from business owners to those who may have lost jobs, mums and dads, grandparents and children, many of whom are experiencing hardship,” she said.

“Also spare a thought for the hundreds of volunteers working tirelessly for charity organisations around the city who ensure some of our most vulnerable members of the community are supported.

“It’s going to take a dedicated and carefully managed approach and all of us joining together to help support – then reignite – our communities, our businesses and our economy.”

For details on community support, emergency relief, donations and the latest update on Council services go to logan.qld.gov.au/covid-19

Supplements manufacturer goes from strength to strength

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Business is booming for ATP Science, a Loganholme-based business that will move into a new $15 million, purpose-built facility in Meadowbrook next month.

Director, Jeff Doidge, said the company had evolved from selling supplements to becoming an international supplier.

“My wife and I owned another business in Logan in a retail supplements store selling all over Australia since 2002, so we’ve been in business here almost 20 years,” Jeff says.

“By 2012 we had grown to become one of Australia’s largest specialty sports protein powder retailers, turning over sixty thousand a month, selling imported supplements.”

Jeff said ATP Science was established that year, prompted by the unreliable quality of imported products.

“In the beginning we started on hope, a wing and a prayer and $60,000. In 2013 we used retained earnings to invest in manufacturing and expanding the business,” he said.

“We were manufacturing in the United States, which is supposed to be bigger and better, but we were consistently finding that the supplements were not being made to our specifications so then we brought manufacturing back to Australia.

“We manufactured with a few companies here, but the quality wasn’t there so in 2016 we decided to do the manufacturing ourselves.

“We’ve been doing exceedingly well in Australia and the market has matured for us.

“We are now moving into the mainstream consumable market and that brings in the likes of the major grocery chains, as well as expanding into new overseas markets.”

Jeff says the export market is flourishing, led by the company’s flagship product GutRite.

“New Zealand is our largest export market with the United Kingdom rapidly catching up. The UAE is coming along leaps and bounds–we received our largest ever order from them last December and we are making inroads into the United States with health food and pharmacy chains.”

The company’s success is has not gone unnoticed in the business world.

“We are now in the BRW (Business Review Weekly) Fast 100. We finished 13th in 2018 and we have been experiencing double digit growth since inception and had a few years of triple digit growth, Jeff says.

“We turned over $24 million last year and we expect to sell $30 million in 2020.

Jeff says ATP Science employs 45 people but planned to expand its new facility.

“I anticipate we will have 80 full time staff in 2021 after we consolidate our four sites into the new building. Being purpose built, it has everything – from multiple production lines through to the laboratory, refrigerated warehousing and office space – all under a 7,600 square metre roof.”

ATP Science building in Meadowbrook

The decision to build the new headquarters for ATP Science in Logan was an easy one says Jeff.

“We have great support. We’re working with Griffith University training interns in our lab. We’ve had no problems finding high quality employees and it’s perfectly situated as an international distribution hub.

“We’re proud to be an Australian company and Logan has proved to be a great place for us to do business.”

ATP Science will open its new facility at 47-53 Meakin Rd, Meadowbrook in March 2020. atpscience.com

Stay informed this storm season

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In the event of a disaster, it is important to access up-to-date and accurate information to allow you to take action and quickly respond to protect your business.

Council’s Disaster Dashboard provides a wide range of information in one spot for emergency situations, including:

  • road hazards
  • weather warnings
  • fire incidents
  • power outages
  • flood and traffic cameras
  • evacuation centres
  • river heights

Social media feeds from key agencies are also displayed on the Disaster Dashboard, including:

  • Bureau of Meteorology
  • Queensland Police Service
  • Queensland Fire & Emergency Services
  • Energex
  • Translink

This information allows you to make last minute preparations to prepare for the potential impacts of severe weather on your business.

Visit the Disaster Dashboard at disaster.logan.qld.gov.au for more information.

Is your business prepared for a disaster? Hear the top ten tips for preparing your business ahead of a disaster from the Disaster Management Program at Logan City Council. Workshops are being held in February and March at libraries across the city.

Manufacturers thrive in Logan

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Business confidence in the City of Logan continues to strengthen as major investment is secured for future industrial estates and manufacturers embark on multimillion dollar expansion plans and explore opportunities in new international markets.

Manufacturing has long been a significant contributor to Logan’s economy – valued at around $2.88 billion and creating 8,700 jobs, the sector is the top third highest revenue generator and is the city’s fifth largest employer.

While the industry has seen an overall decline nationally, many Logan businesses in both traditional and emerging manufacturing sectors have continued to grow and thrive.

Local vitamin supplement manufacturer ATP Science will soon consolidate their premises into a $15 million purpose-built 6000 sqm headquarters in Meadowbrook – a move that will allow the company to develop new lines, double their workforce and fast-track global expansion plans.

Managing Director Jeff Doidge said the time was now to invest in a new Logan headquarters as the business was experiencing massive growth and exploring opportunities offshore.

“About 80 per cent is sold in Australia and we are currently exporting to the UAE, US and UK and have some emerging markets in India and China,” he said.

“Being in Logan gives us access to the ports, the airport and the sea docks – as far as major infrastructure is concerned it’s fantastic.”

Accessibility is one of the city’s main draw cards for manufacturers – Logan is just a 30 minute drive to the Port of Brisbane, in close proximity to 3 international airports and conveniently located between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Infrastructure investment in Logan is at historic levels – with the completion of the $500 million Logan Enhancement Project and more than $18 billion in the pipeline, investors are taking interest in the city’s industrial areas.

International property investors MapleTree Logistics Trust recently secured 36 hectares of land in Park Ridge for $95 million, which forms part of a future 157 hectare industrial estate.

The city is already home to several industry leaders including award-winning product commercialisation facility Evolve Group; and specialists in rocket and propulsion systems Black Sky Aerospace, who were the first to secure access to NASA’s Australian launch site.

Leading manufacturer in tanker solutions Holmwood Highgate has operated in Logan since 1994 and continues to expand their workforce to keep up with business growth.

Director Wade Mellish says that the city’s location and access to a skilled workforce has supported Holmwood Highgate explore opportunities in the global defence industry.

In 2018, Holmwood Highgate was awarded a contract as part of Rheinmetall’s Australian supply chain, a crucial step in furthering their expansion into new markets.

“The City of Logan allows us to deliver world-class products both domestically and internationally,” he said.

“We’ve got upwards of 200 staff now – blue and white collar – and increasing the workers every day because of the amount of work that we have on.”

Within a 40km radius, the city has access to a regional catchment of more than 2.6 million people and a large pool of talent for employers to choose from.

Furthermore, the presence of major transport and logistics companies and proximity to a diverse network of suppliers makes Logan an attractive location for businesses of all sizes.

The ease of doing business in Logan has driven an emergence of niche manufacturers in the food and beverage categories.

Food and beverage processing has continued to grow and is the city’s most productive sub-sector.

Small businesses including craft brewers, honey product manufacturers, coffee roasters and chocolate makers operate successfully from Logan.

Logan City Council has recently made it easier for craft brewers to establish themselves in Logan by implementing significant changes to the planning scheme.

The City of Logan is fast-becoming a destination of choice for manufacturers in the region and offers eligible businesses incentives to move into the city.

Find out more about the opportunities for manufacturers in Logan by visiting https://www.loed.com.au/investinlogan/.

All Purpose Transport launch Queensland’s first 100% electric delivery truck

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Berrinba-based transport and logistics company All Purpose Transport have this month launched the state’s very first 100 per cent emission free electric vehicle.

All Purpose Transport General Manager Paul Kahlert said “we led the way with workforce development and now we are leading the way with last mile emission free deliveries. Our goal is to drive social change and focus on helping the environment.”

All Purpose Transport has been partnering with IKEA for 10 years and Kahlert said the new electric vehicle would perform up to 15 deliveries a day whilst significantly reducing noise and carbon emissions to residential areas in Brisbane.

IKEA Australia’s Renea Robson said the launch of the truck was a significant milestone for the company as part of their electrical vehicle strategy, which is aiming to have zero emissions for home deliveries by 2025.

“It’s a big commitment to move forward but we can’t do this if we’re not working with likeminded companies like All Purpose Transport who want to preserve the planet for future generations,” she said.

The truck is a modified Hino 917 glider with the SEA-Drive® 120a power-system that was converted from diesel to electric, has a 200-250km range, four-hour charging rate and a three-and-a-half tonne carrying capacity.

The truck was launched by The Honourable Mark Bailey Minister for Transport and Main Roads at an official function at the Royal International Convention Centre in Brisbane. The Honourable Mark Bailey MP said that “the country needed to see more of a shift towards clean energy in our economy as climate change is something impacting us and it’s great to see All Purpose Transport leading the way here.”

All Purpose Transport boasts over 45 years’ experience and have completed over 20 million deliveries on behalf of leading retailers and manufacturers.

For more information about All Purpose Transport’s 1st 100% electric truck please contact Belinda Polglase, All Purpose Transport.
bpolglase@allpurpose.com.au
www.allpurpose.com.au

Free early warning alerts for disasters

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Severe weather events can devastate businesses, however careful planning is the most effective way to minimise the impacts of a disaster and give businesses every chance of a quick recovery.

Council’s Logan Early Warning service provides free early warning alerts to businesses for potentially severe weather, bushfires and flood notifications.

This allows business owners to plan, prepare for and respond to severe weather events before they happen, and take early action to minimise any potential damage that may occur during severe weather.

Businesses can receive the free alerts via:

  • push notification (by downloading the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store)
  • SMS
  • email
  • text-to-voice for landlines.

The Logan Early Warning smartphone app also provides alerts from across Australia based on your GPS location as well as your registered residential address. This means that business owners are able to receive alerts for both their business and their home.

Sign up to the Logan Early Warning service today, or for more information visit logan.qld.gov.au/earlywarning.

Global businesses invest in Logan

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With a strong economic track record, historic levels of infrastructure investment in the pipeline and business confidence on the rise – the City of Logan has emerged as a global investment hotspot in South East Queensland.

The launch of autonomous drone delivery services in Logan by Wing – a subsidiary of global technology company Alphabet – is just one of the businesses that have funnelled a total of $100 million of private investment into the city over the past 12 months.

Logan is just one of four locations in the world that now has access to Wing’s air delivery service, which flies a range of convenience items by air in just minutes.

Under the helm of Chief Executive James Ryan Burgess, Wing will focus their Queensland expansion plans in Logan first, with select households in the suburbs of Crestmead and Marsden already having access to the service.

Mr Burgess said what made cities like Logan most attractive for investment was not only the demographic factors but the opportunities driven by growth.

“Logan is one of the fastest growing areas of Queensland, so that’s a great fit for us because drone delivery makes it much easier for people to get the things they need in rapidly expanding metropolises. Logan is also a very innovative community, and the growth and excitement around the city makes it a great place for us to start our Queensland operations.

Logan is located in the heart of South East Queensland where around 70 per cent of the state live, and is predicted to be the second fastest growing city in this region.

In just over 20 years, Logan’s population is predicted to grow more than 50 per cent to around 548,000 residents.

This has led to an unprecedented level of infrastructure investment, with more than $18 billion of publicly funded projects underway to support the growing residential population.

Earlier this year, a $1.2 billion agreement – the largest of its type by any government in Australia, was signed by local authorities and private developers to build essential infrastructure in Logan’s Priority Development Areas Yarrabilba and Greater Flagstone.

This follows the completion of Transurban Queensland’s $512 million Logan Enhancement Project in August, which increased freight productivity by reducing road travel times along some of the busiest transport routes in the region.

Major infrastructure projects in the pipeline has triggered a surge in commercial activity along the Logan Motorway corridor, with large national and multinational businesses including Metcash Hardware, DHL, Queensland Logistics Service, Huhtamaki and Pinnacle Hardware setting up operations in Logan’s industrial precincts.

It’s not only the city’s efficient transport connections and affordable land driving this investment, Logan has advantages beyond its borders.

Within a 40 kilometre radius, Logan has access to a regional catchment of over 2.6 million people, a vast network of suppliers and a diverse pool of potential talent for employers to draw from.

GO1.com, the world’s largest on-boarding, compliance and professional development platform, recently relocated their headquarters from Brisbane to Logan to take advantage of this accessibility.

Co-founder Vu Tran said running a global company from Logan was a strategic decision for GO1.com and their future plans.

“Being in Logan has provided us with the opportunity and space we need to grow and also attract the talent that we need for our growing markets,” he said.

“Having businesses like Ikea, John Deere, Avery Dennison all based in the area means they are potential partners for us to engage with.”

GO1.com has offices in the United States, South Africa, Vietnam, United Kingdom and Malaysia, and is on track for further expansion, recently securing more than $30 million of investment led by M12, Microsoft’s venture fund.

The increasing investment in Logan is reflected in the city’s economic report card – an annual 3.9 percent increase in the Gross Regional Product in the year ending 2017-2018 and the highest percentage of jobs growth in over fifteen years.

The arrival of businesses like GO1.com and Wing could mark the beginning of an exciting chapter in the city’s development.

For Wing, the city of Logan will be their largest investment in Australia to date and will play a role in shaping what the company will do in cities around the world.

“We’re really going to be investing here in Logan, learning as much as we can from the community and over time looking to apply that to other countries and cities that we may go to.” Mr Burgess said.

“For now, it’s all our attention on Logan and making sure we offer a great service for the community.”

Why invest in the City of Logan?

Find out more by visiting www.loed.com.au/investinlogan.

 

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