The AMTIL National Conference, to be held in Melbourne this November, will feature an outstanding line-up of expert speakers who will explore the ways in which emerging digital technologies are impacting our industry.

Under the theme ‘Manufacturing’s Future in a Digital Age’, some of the speakers who will be presenting at the Conference include:

  • Brad Howarth.
    Keynote: ‘Navigating to a Digital Future’
    Brad is a respected authority on technology, marketing and digital media. As a journalist, Brad spent the last two decades researching and writing about technology’s impact on organisations, society and individuals. While he continues to study change as a freelance journalist, as a speaker and facilitator he works with organisations to help them understand and plan for changes yet to come. In 2012 Brad was selected to participate in the Prime Minister’s Digital Economy Forum alongside leaders from Australian industry and academia. Brad’s books ‘Innovation and Emerging Markets’ and ‘A Faster Future’ (co-authored with Janelle Ledwidge), respectively examined the impact of high-speed communications technology on business, society and individuals, and the path to commercialisation for Australian technology innovation. His latest, ‘Managing for Change’ (with Peter Fritz AM) sets out a practical guide for helping people anticipate, understand and plan for change to improve their lives.
  • David Chuter.
    Industry 4.0 – Australian Industry Uptake
    David is Managing Director and CEO at the Innovative Manufacturing CRC (IMCRC). David is an experienced senior executive with a strong industry record in leading strategic business growth, operational management and change in the manufacturing sector. He is passionate about local industry and creating a stronger platform for the wider Australian manufacturing sector through catalysing investment in technology, innovation, collaboration and competitiveness. David has more than 25 years of international manufacturing experience, with much of this experience gained in the global automotive industry. David joined the IMCRC in June 2016. Prior to this, he was CEO of MHG Asia Pacific from 2014, and a member of Futuris Automotive’s executive leadership team from 2001.
  • Dr Nico Adams.
    Industry 4.0. State of the Sector, Opportunities and How to Get Started
    Nico Adams is IMCRC Program Lead for Digital Transformation, as well as a Senior Research Scientist and formerly Product Manager in CSIRO’s Data61 business unit. He supports Australian manufacturing companies in exploring and leveraging modern information technology, the Industrial Internet and Industry 4.0 to develop new products and services. By understanding how manufacturing companies think about the role of digital technologies in their businesses, and through his work from across CSIRO and engagements with external stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem, Nico develops products and services designed to lift the digital and innovation capabilities of companies. He holds degrees from the Universities of York and Oxford.
  • Dr Steve Dowey
    The Smart-Enough Factory: Realising a Low Cost IoT Solution For Factory Visualisation
    Steve is Technology Manager at Sutton Tools and a Senior Research Fellow at RMIT University working with the Australian Defence Materials Technology Centre. After serving in the Royal Air Force in the UK he gained a BEng and PhD from Hull University and worked with SCADA, PVD coating and associated equipment development for cutting tool and semi-conductor applications. His current projects include ‘Additive Manufactured Tooling’, ‘Tooling for Robotic Applications’ and applied ‘Industry IoT’ in collaboration with the DMTC. Steve’s Industry 4.0 focus is on the ‘The Smart Enough Factory’, where the issues of legacy systems, security and STEM skills are addressed to ensure the benefits of Industry 4.0 can reach the Australian SME.

In addition there will be panel discussions over the course of the day. A Research & Training Panel Discussion will examine ‘How to Train the Next Generation Workforce’. Meanwhile a Technology Applications Panel Discussion will look at ‘New Technology in the Production Process’.

The AMTIL National Conference will take place on 14 November at Leonda by the Yarra, Hawthorn, Victoria. For more information on the Conference please contact AMTIL Events Manager Kim Banks on kbanks@amtil.com.au.

www.amtil.com.au/Events/AMTIL-Conference