Feature

At just 21 years old, Edward Robinson is preparing to do what many seasoned engineers and entrepreneurs only dream of – launch a satellite into space. But he’s not doing it alone.

Outdated assumptions and stereotypes surrounding manual labour have meant manufacturing has always been one of the most male-dominated industries in Australia. In 1998, the Australian Government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency reported that just 25.9% of its workforce was female.

The Australian manufacturing sector is navigating increasingly rapid changes in industry dynamics as more technological advancements are adopted worldwide. 

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 manufacturers are poised for unprecedented access to US and UK defence markets under the AUKUS partnership, presenting long-term contracts, deeper supply chain integration, and industrial growth. 

The manufacturing and distribution sectors have traditionally been slow to adopt business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce, but this drastically changed in the wake of the pandemic. 

Smart factories are the future of Australian manufacturing. Characterised by digital technology, real-time data-driven systems, automation and artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), the modern smart factory is an achievable goal for manufacturers of all sizes, across all industries.

Digital transformation technologies are experiencing a gold rush in the manufacturing industry, not just in Australia but beyond. However, amid this surge in cutting-edge tech and automation processes, a fundamental element remains crucial: trust.

In 2024, Australia’s manufacturing sector showed incredible resilience and adaptability, proving why it’s such a vital part of the country’s economy. 

While there is no doubt the current health pandemic has had an impact on many Australian manufacturers, the inaugural CommBank Manufacturing Insights report suggests the sector is on the precipice of a new growth phase.