Feature

The first of seven mask-making machines being built by packaging automation manufacturer and integrator Foodmach began producing 60,000 masks a day late last month...

As the Australian manufacturing sector faces the challenges and transformations that come with rapid globalisation, the role of digital technology within the industry has never been more critical. 

Australian manufacturing is thriving despite cost pressures, supply chain issues and labour shortages. A new CommBank report shows how digitisation and sustainable practices are reshaping the sector.

A new study from Forrester Consulting is a warning for mid-market operators struggling to update their tech systems, but it also shines a way forward.

It is undeniable that 2023 has been a transformative year for the Australian manufacturing sector as it navigates through numerous challenges throughout the year. 

Australian-owned floorcare and cleaning company Godfreys last month announced the opening of a new Commercial Support Office in Melbourne. While the showroom itself marks an exciting foray into commercial cleaning at an impressive scale, it also suggests the beginning a new post-covid era that sees a renewed focus on health and safety in the manufacturing industry and beyond.

Over the last three years, manufacturers all over the world have had to dramatically shift their focus from efficiency to resiliency in order to weather unprecedented global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. 

The manufacturing industry has been revolutionised by additive manufacturing (AM), which provides unmatched design freedom, material efficiency, and quick production times. Despite these benefits, post-processing is still essential to ensure that AM parts have the necessary surface polish, accuracy, and functioning.

Challenges that plagued the manufacturing industry in 2022 are not showing any signs of slowing down, leaving business leaders with the monumental task of dealing with these issues—or at least their remnants— all while pushing innovation, meeting customer demand, and driving operational growth. 

The Australian Industrial Manufacturing, Fabricated Metals and Engineering sectors make a significant contribution to our economy, playing a vital role in industrial development, aiding economic growth and employment.