Feature

With Industry 5.0 kicking off, manufacturing companies are at the forefront of a technological revolution, seeking innovative solutions for their factories to drive operational efficiency and maintain a competitive edge.

For manufacturers operating across Australia, labour shortages are an ongoing challenge, with many businesses now looking to innovate and deploy specialist technology to assist with the day-to-day running of their operation.

Outdated assumptions and stereotypes surrounding manual labour have meant manufacturing has always been one of the most male-dominated industries in Australia.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.

Now more than ever, manufacturers all around the world are being pushed to test the limits of their current capabilities as they weather multiple disruptive global events, like the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. 

For over three decades, Austal has been a leader in Australian shipbuilding, transforming from a small fishing vessel manufacturer into a global force in lightweight, high-performance ship design. 

Unplanned downtime remains one of the most costly – and often misunderstood – challenges on the manufacturing floor.

As global industries dive deeper into Industry 4.0, it is becoming increasingly clear that understanding and utilizing data and artificial intelligence is not just a technological advancement. It is a fundamental prerequisite for maintaining market competence and securing long-term success. 

One of the major challenges for modern manufacturers in the post-pandemic era is the reliability of its supply chain. When building material and critical components used in the production line fall short, productivity drops, and operational costs can rise very quickly. In fact, a disruption can cost an organization 45% of one year’s profits over the course of a decade.

Times are tough for many industries, but COVID-19 has thrown the spotlight on Australia’s manufacturing sector. With the sudden restrictions in overseas’ markets and...

Browse the shelves at any major pharmacy or supermarket and you’ll likely spot a Life-Space Group product.