Manufacturing Technology

Australian Composites Manufacturing CRC appoints Luke Preston as new CEO

The Australian Composites Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (ACM CRC) has announced that its board has appointed highly experienced engineering manager and entrepreneur Luke Preston as the new full-time CEO, as the CRC builds on the successful first three years of its ten-year term. Preston’s career includes roles as Head of Engineering and Drone Operations at Quickstep Group and Industrialisation Director at Carbon Revolution–both leading Australian companies in composites manufacturing–as well as Manager, Manufacturing Engineering-General Assembly at Tesla Motors in the United States. He has been acting CEO since January, following the departure of Dr Steve Gower. “It’s an absolute privilege to be appointed as CEO. I began my career in manufacturing at Ford Australia, being given opportunities that may no longer exist. I feel a responsibility to re-create pathways for Australians to contribute through manufacturing,” said Preston. “The CRC is three years into our 10-year journey. We have established strong foundations and are well positioned to lean into the fast-changing landscape in AI-enabled manufacturing. “Australia is blessed with strong capability through the skills and smarts of our workforce, combined with an abundance of resources to refine and manufacture into products for Australians and the world. ACM CRC is excited to accelerate the R&D required to enable the execution. “This Australian value creation and self-sufficiency allow Australia to navigate the changing economic order, where products will be made by the smartest nations, not those with the lowest cost of labour.” ACM CRC began operations in January 2023, and has supported and successfully executed industry-led projects with applications including surviving the incredibly high temperatures in orbital rocket launches and hypersonic flight, automating manufacture of smart surfboards, and structural health monitoring for offshore structures. The CRC involves over 30 partners, and has long-term goals including transforming Australia’s established composite technologies capability into a world-class, highly automated, digitally enabled network of designers, manufacturers and service providers, as well as enabling […]

Program launched to get more women working in manufacturing in Queensland

A new campaign has been launched to encourage more women into manufacturing as Queensland faces a critical skills shortage in the $28.9 billion sector. Ahead of International Women’s Day, Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) wants women and girls to know they have a critical role to play in building Queensland’s future and there are numerous job opportunities available to them. MSQ has created the Manufacturing Industry Influencer Program which showcases women who are building successful careers in manufacturing by working in jobs ranging from boilermakers and engineers to rocket designers. MSQ Acting CEO Kris McCue said it is important for women to see other women working in manufacturing because ‘if you see it, you can be it’. “Some workplaces are now seeing increased female participation, and that’s the trend we want to accelerate across the entire manufacturing sector.” The influencers will be visiting schools across Queensland and speaking at community forums and industry events to inspire the next generation, promote MSQ’s training and mentoring programs, and campaign for more women in manufacturing. Influencer Rebecca Linwood works at a leading rail and transit systems business in Maryborough and is known as the ‘safety lady’. “At our facility, more than 10 per cent of the workforce are women, working across boiler making, fitter and turner, safety, finance, purchasing, design and engineering,” Ms Linwood said. “Manufacturing can be fast-paced, exciting, and something you can be proud of. You can be yourself and still play an integral role in making manufacturing happen.” Around 170,000 people work in manufacturing across Queensland. MSQ delivers targeted workforce development programs to support manufacturers in building capability and addressing critical skills gaps across the sector. Creative technologist Steph Piper is based at the University of Southern Queensland and runs the Library Makerspace where students learn about manufacturing skills like 3D […]

The 4 x 4 World Class Productivity Simulation

Supercharge your productivity and learn how to apply Digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools Access your CI maturity Create your CI action plan Unlock your operating excellence For leaders who are serious about driving efficiency, gaining clarity and implementing continuous improvement (CI) programs across their organisation – this workshop is for you. The World Class Productivity Simulation (The 4 x 4)is an internationally proven, hands-on learning experience that: *Accelerates team and leadership understanding of continuous improvement as a key tool to lift productivity and drive real change. *Heips you assess your own business CI maturity *Provides a clear roadmap on how to build a culture of continuous improvement *Identifies and prioritises where your business can get measurable productivity gains This is a dynamic experimental workshop where your team will engage, compete, collaborate and apply real-world tools in a simulated business environment. Your organisationwill see the impact of lean principles, operational discipline, and teamwork -immediately and tangibly. From workshop to workplace, real results that stick Practicial outcomes you can use immediately *A clear understanding of CI levers that drive efficiency *Shared language and framework for sustainable improvement *A roadmap to reduce rework, delays and waste *Strategies for lifting performance across functions *Insights and tactics on how and where to boost productivity across teams and functions Who it’s for For organisations at any stage of their continuous improvement journey, whether you’re just getting started or looking to take exisitng capability to the next level. Group size: 12-24 participants Delivered by: Argon and Co’s experienced facilitators Investment: $1,050 AUD per person + GST & travel expenses Location Course No. Course Type Dates-2026 Adelaide 4x4Au000 2-day AI March 10th & 11th Brisbane 4x4Au002 2-day AI […]

Why India joining the US alliance on AI tech is an opportunity for Australia

Arup George, Research Manager, UNSW Sydney India has formally joined the United States’ flagship international alliance on artificial intelligence (AI) supply chain security: “Pax Silica”. Officials from both countries signed the Pax Silica declaration on the sidelines of a major AI summit in New Delhi last week. This initiative seeks to bring together US “allies and trusted partners” to lead the global AI race. Australia was a founding member. While Taiwan looks set to keep dominating advanced AI chip manufacturing, it relies on a complex international supply chain, with critical aspects dominated by China. When essential elements come from a narrow set of suppliers, even minor disruptions can ripple globally. Diversity matters. That’s why Australia and India now have an opportunity to become essential international players. Why Washington is building an alliance AI is rapidly becoming a foundational resource of the 21st century across manufacturing, logistics, finance, healthcare, drug discovery and defence. The Pax Silica alliance recognises different countries play distinct and critical roles in building the tech that powers AI. For example, advanced chip-design expertise is concentrated in the US. Key semiconductor manufacturing equipment comes from the Netherlands and Japan. South Korea produces a small but important slice of the world’s AI computer chips. But the biggest chip maker by far is the tiny island nation of Taiwan. Healthcare AI robots at an exhibition at the India AI Impact Summit. AP The world’s chip factory Taiwan produces 90% of the world’s most advanced AI chips, designed by US firms such as Nvidia, Google and AMD. These firms overwhelmingly depend on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). This remains the only manufacturer that can produce the world’s most cutting-edge chips at scale. And their advantage extends beyond making chips. TSMC also possesses unique advanced packaging capabilities that integrate AI accelerators with high-bandwidth memory chips. This is essential for achieving the tight coupling of “compute” […]

The Interview: Shayne De la Force, Managing Partner & CEO LFI

Tell readers what LFI does? LFI Asia Pacific Pty Ltd is a quantum technology leadership firm. We work with industrial manufacturers to help them understand and navigate the economic consequences of quantum technology before those consequences become problems they can’t easily solve. We’re not a quantum technology company. We don’t sell hardware or software. What we provide is embedded leadership, working inside organisations as a virtual ‘Chief Quantum Officer’ function to give them the strategic clarity and structured preparation they need without the cost of a full-time quantum executive. Our clients are industrials in sectors like mining and resources, defence supply chain, advanced manufacturing, and energy which are the kinds of businesses that are already being affected by quantum-driven changes in their markets, even if they don’t yet recognise it as a quantum issue. Why have you chosen Newcastle, Australia as your Asia-Pacific base? It came down to what the region actually produces. Newcastle and the Hunter Valley anchor some of Australia’s most significant industrial sectors being coal and resources, defence manufacturing connected to the Hunter class frigate programme, advanced manufacturing, and energy. These are exactly the sectors where the economic pressure from quantum technology is becoming measurable first. When defence and aerospace primes begin flowing quantum readiness requirements down their supply chains, Tier 2 and Tier 3 manufacturers in those sectors will need to respond quickly. We wanted to be embedded in the industrial geography where that pressure will land, not in a capital city at arm’s length from it. Newcastle also has the infrastructure of a serious city with the industrial density of a region that still makes things. That combination is rare, and it’s exactly where we need to be. Where do you see areas of growth for the company? The clearest near-term growth is in […]

From efficiency to resilience: Supply chains in an uncertain world

Rick Kroon, Argon & Co, Europe For decades, supply chains were designed primarily around cost and efficiency. Globalisation, lean inventories, and just-in-time production enabled companies to operate at minimal margins. Yet the disruptions of recent years, from the COVID-19 pandemic to geopolitical tensions, extreme weather, and raw-material shortages, has exposed the fragility of this model. Today, resilience has become a strategic capability. Organisations are recognising that supply chains built solely for efficiency, struggle to absorb shocks. Resilient supply chains, by contrast, can anticipate, adapt, and recover while maintaining service levels and profitability. A Gartner Supply Chain Survey1 (2024) found that 83% of global supply chain leaders now prioritise resilience, up from just 45% before the pandemic, underscoring a clear shift from “cheapest” to “strongest.” Understanding the new risk landscape Uncertainty is no longer an occasional issue; it has become a constant aspect of global trade. Disruptions arise from multiple directions: Geopolitical instability, including trade restrictions and regional conflicts. Climate-related events affecting production and logistics networks. Cybersecurity threats across increasingly connected digital supply chains. Demand volatility and supply shocks driven by inflation and market fluctuations. According to Lund et al.2 (2020), companies can expect month-long disruptions every 3.7 years on average, with the potential to erode up to 45% of one year’s EBITDA over a decade. Building resilience is therefore not only a defensive strategy, but also a financial imperative. Resilience and efficiency can coexist A common misconception is that resilience inevitably increases cost. In reality, modern supply chains can achieve both efficiency and resilience through intelligent design, enhanced visibility, and proactive risk management. Leading organisations focus on three levers: Visibility and transparency Digital control towers and predictive analytics enable faster detection of disruption, improved exception management, and more informed decision-making according to Deloitte3 (2018). Diversification and optionality Multi-tier, multi-location sourcing models, including nearshoring and regionalization, reduce […]

HMAs Award Winners (30-10-25) - High Res-38

Local manufacturers prove the future is Hunter made

From start-ups and apprentices to global exporters and century-old innovators, the 2025 Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) have celebrated a sector on the rise, one that’s building the industries, technologies, and jobs of Australia’s future. Now in its 21st year, the awards drew a record number of entries, more than 50% up on last year, showcasing the ingenuity, craftsmanship, and courage that continue to define manufacturing across the Hunter, Central Coast, Mid North Coast, and New England. HMA Chair Jacqui Daley said the night was about recognising the strength, innovation, and resilience of a sector that is vital to Australia’s economic future. “Manufacturing in the Hunter is more diverse, more advanced, and more connected to the world than ever before,” Ms Daley said. Our 2025 Manufacturer of the Year winners, Brain Industries and Agrana Fruit Australia, both have export at the heart of their success. They’re taking the Hunter to the world and proving that regional manufacturers can compete, and succeed, on the international stage.” “We’re seeing extraordinary things being made right here, from Elecbrakes revolutionising towing technology through Australian-made automation, to Supacell turning everyday recyclables into sustainable insulation, and from Tomago Aluminium’s digital transformation to Design Anthology’s advanced med-tech design.” “Manufacturing isn’t sitting quietly behind the scenes anymore. It’s the backbone of our economy, the engine of regional jobs, and the platform that will power Australia’s next great leaps in clean energy, defence capability, health, and technology.” Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley congratulated all winners and finalists, acknowledging their contribution to the region’s proud industrial legacy and future growth. “Tonight’s celebration is the best of the Hunter on display, our ingenuity, our craftsmanship, and our courage to reimagine what’s possible,” Minister Catley said. “This year’s Hunter Manufacturing Awards theme, Forging Our Future, could not be more fitting. […]

Hunter manufacturing embraces innovation and growth

Manufacturing in the Hunter is undergoing a quiet resurgence, with $26 billion in annual output and a growing number of businesses embracing clean energy, digital transformation and inclusive practices. That shift is reflected in a record number of applications for the Hunter Manufacturing Awards, with a 44% increase in applications, including 11 first-time entrants. The strong response points to a sector in transition, with significant growth seen in award categories such as innovation, product design and sustainability. The introduction of two new categories, Diversity in Manufacturing and Digital Transformation, was also met with enthusiasm, reflecting how manufacturers across the Hunter, Central and Mid North Coasts are adapting to the demands of a modern, resilient economy. “This year’s entries tell a bigger story than just numbers,” said HMA Chair Jacqui Daley. “They reveal a sector that is shifting gear, embracing advanced technologies, investing in cleaner, smarter production, and creating more inclusive workplaces.” Manufacturing continues to be one of the most important industries in the region, second only to mining in terms of output. While traditional industries such as steelmaking, aluminium and machinery fabrication still play a key role, the Hunter’s manufacturing landscape is being reshaped by growth in clean energy technologies, defence and aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage production. “In every corner of our region, we’re seeing manufacturers step up with creativity and capability, from batteries and boats to breakfast cereals and biotech,” said Daley. “The 2025 entries showcase the real breadth and depth of talent we have here.” Now in its 21st year, the Hunter Manufacturing Awards program continues to celebrate the people, processes and progress shaping the region’s industrial future. Winners of the 2025 Hunter Manufacturing Awards will be announced at the gala event on Thursday 30 October 2025 at NEX, Newcastle . The event brings together manufacturers, […]

Robots red meatAMPC interim CEO Edwina Toohey

Robots, red meat and resilience: driving productivity and sustainability in the processing industry

AMPC Innovation Showcase, Brisbane 10–11 September, 2025 The Australian red meat processing industry broke three of its own environmental performance records this past year, thanks in large part to practices driven by new technologies and innovation. The industry is coming together in Brisbane for the second Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) Innovation Showcase, where processors, researchers and supply chain participants will gather to talk about how the industry is improving global competitiveness and productivity, while reducing its environmental impact. The red meat sector includes beef cattle, sheep, goats and buffalo. The processing industry is a major contributor to the Australian economy. It currently supports the employment of more than 189,000 people and generates more than $25.4 billion in direct and industry value adds. The two-day Showcase event will bring together more than 400 delegates to look at how red meat will be processed in the next decade, and how technology can help make it safer, more sustainable and more efficient. The program reflects the growing role of innovation in securing food supply, reducing climate impact and shaping the future of work in regional communities. AMPC’s interim CEO Edwina Toohey says rigorous research and development is driving incredible innovation in the red meat processing industry. “Our latest industry Environmental Performance Review showed industry broke three records last year: lowest intensity results for greenhouse gas emissions since reporting began in 1998; industry’s lowest water intensity; and the highest water recycling levels. Environmental improvements have also massively shifted, with bioenergy now having taken over from coal as the second most used thermal energy source. “Those incredible results come at the same time as tech, AI and innovation are opening the industry to a broader workforce, creating even better-quality products and delivering world-leading food safety outcomes. This showcase will give delegates a chance […]

Economic Reform Roundtable :Productivity

Australia is holding a roundtable on Productivity this month Lifting productivity is critical to growth in real wages, incomes, jobs and overall living standards. It needs to be done in a sustainable and inclusive way to ensure all Australians can benefit. Recent trends Lower growth in labour productivity has been a longstanding challenge for Australia. Australia’s average productivity growth in the 2010s was at the lowest rate in 60 years . – Reflecting this slowdown, Treasury downgraded its long-run annual labour productivity growth assumption from 1.5 to 1.2 per cent in 2022. – Even small movements in productivity growth will have large impacts on wages and living standards over time. The 2023 Intergenerational Report found that a decline from 1.2 per cent to 0.9 per cent growth per year would reduce per capita real income by more than $10,000 per person in 40 years’ time. This challenge is not unique to Australia, with labour productivity over the past decade slowing in most major advanced economies. A number of countries, including the United States, Canada and New Zealand have also downgraded productivity growth assumptions in official forecasts. Australia’s productivity slowdown has been broad based. Productivity growth in the market sector, excluding mining, has slowed over time. This has been compounded by weaker productivity growth in the non-market sector and mining industry in more recent years. Productivity growth accelerated temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic before reversing. Productivity returned back to levels observed in 2019 as employment and consumption trends normalised and the labour market recovered strongly. – During this recovery, strong capital growth still did not keep pace with growth in hours worked, resulting in a decline in the capital to labour ratio which has weighed on recent productivity growth. – Treasury and the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) are monitoring the […]

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