Dematic has marked 60 years of operations in Australia, highlighting its ongoing role in manufacturing and supply chain automation.
In a media release, the company said the milestone reflects its evolution from a Sydney-based engineering and manufacturing business founded in 1966 as Colby Engineering, established by Gerry Hatton AM, into a global provider of automation technologies used across retail, grocery, healthcare, e-commerce and industrial sectors.
Dematic stated that its early manufacturing roots included mechanical and structural steel expertise and the development of the ColbyRACK adjustable racking system, which remains part of its local offering.
“Dematic has always been built on a culture of innovation, partnership, and a commitment to customers,” founder Gerry Hatton AM said in comments attributed by Dematic. “From the very beginning, there was a strong belief that we could design and build world-class solutions locally, while continuing to evolve with the changing needs of industry.”
Dematic said it now employs more than 850 people across Australia and New Zealand and continues to invest in local manufacturing capability, engineering, and apprenticeship programs as demand increases for automation, robotics and AI-driven optimisation in supply chains.
According to Dematic Vice President and Managing Director for ANZ Simon Barrow, the company’s technology underpins a significant volume of goods moving through modern distribution networks.
“A significant number of products move through supply chains powered by Dematic technology every day,” Barrow said.
“Whether consumers are shopping online, purchasing groceries, accessing medical supplies or receiving essential goods, there is a high probability that Dematic technology has played a role somewhere along that journey,” he noted.
The company said its growth has tracked broader changes in Australia’s supply chain and manufacturing sector, shifting from traditional warehousing models toward highly automated distribution systems supported by robotics, goods-to-person solutions, and integrated software platforms.
Barrow also said ongoing investment in engineering capability remains central to the business. “For 60 years, we have remained focused on helping customers solve complex operational and supply chain challenges,” he said, adding that manufacturing, engineering and training programs continue to support long-term capability development within the company.
