Mandurah engineers have the nuts to take on the world – literally.
Mandurah-based developers Segnut Pty Ltd created a nut that can be removed faster and safer by workers undertaking heavy industrial maintenance.
Its inventors have their sights set on the global industrial market, and they now can thanks to an innovation grant – worth $519,245 – from the federal government.
The Segnut’s design eliminates the need for oxy-cutting and other dangerous equipment, as well as increasing efficiency.
The nut design consists of an inner section with three segments, held captive by an outer sleeve.
When the outer sleeve is turned in the tightening direction, the Segnut releases from the bolt and falls away.
Its inventor Brian Bradshaw has estimated significant savings for businesses, as the nut slashes maintenance times.
Segnut is one of eleven businesses to be offered $5 million in commercialisation grants announced by Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Craig Laundy under the Accelerating Commercialisation element of the Australian Government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme.
Federal member for Canning Andrew Hastie was onsite at Westurn Engineering in Greenfields on November 30, to hear a presentation about the nut from Mr Bradshaw and chief executive officer Tom Baskovich.
Mr Baskovich said the company had picked the resource and mining industry to focus on in the beginning.
Eventually when the company build their profile, Mr Baskovich said they would like to expand into other industries.
Mr Bradshaw said he came up with the concept after returning from a trip in southern Western Australia.
After thinking of the idea during a long drive back to Perth, Mr Bradshaw went into the workshop on Carleton Place in the early hours of the morning and got to work.
“By the morning we had prototype,” Mr Bradshaw said.
“I just don't sleep, my mind doesn't switch off.”
The nuts have been put through a vigorous testing process, both internally and externally.
Mr Hastie said the innovative product was further evidence of the good things coming out of the Peel region.
To date, the Entrepreneurs’ Programme has provided 264 businesses with commercialisation grants totalling $133.6 million.
For more information on how to apply for an Entrepreneurs’ Programme commercialisation grant, go to business.gov.au/ep.
More information on Segnut can be found at www.segnut.com.
