As manufacturers face growing supply chain disruption, rising costs and increasing operational complexity, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud ERP and connected digital systems are becoming essential tools for improving visibility, resilience and decision-making.

Manufacturing became the largest occupier group in Australia's industrial and logistics property market during the second quarter of 2026, accounting for 37 per cent of national take-up, as the sector continued to record solid leasing activity and the national vacancy rate declined to 4.8 per cent, according to new research from JLL.