The Australian Manufacturers Zone again proved the value of putting local capability directly in front of industry.
**This story originally appeared in the July 2026 edition of AMT Magazine**
With exhibitors including the likes of Queensland Government, Ronson Gears, Manufacturing Skills Queensland, the Australian Foundry Institute, PJ Bowers, BAC Systems, Capral, the Australian Made Campaign, City of Moreton Bay, Ipswich City Council and Shearform, the zone brought together manufacturers, industry bodies and government partners with a shared focus on Australian capability.
The mix on display reflected the breadth of local manufacturing: precision gears, aluminium extrusion, engineered foam, sheet metal, storage systems, skills development, foundry capability, regional investment attraction and the Australian Made brand. It was a strong reminder that manufacturing strength is not built around one product or one region, but across a connected ecosystem of suppliers, makers, councils, training bodies and industry partners.
Jason Kidd, Queensland’s Deputy Director-General, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development, said AMW provided an opportunity to showcase the state’s manufacturing depth, “Queensland offers a unique combination of advantages for manufacturing businesses and investment, including a skilled workforce, world-class infrastructure, proximity to the Asia-Pacific region and a strong network of ports, rail and road links.”
He also pointed to Queensland’s manufacturing hubs as an important part of that support system, providing services around benchmarking, digital adoption, advanced manufacturing, leadership development and pathways from schools into industry.
“Our goal is to help businesses like yours succeed here in Queensland,” Kidd said. “Together we can ensure that Queensland remains a leader in manufacturing, creating jobs, driving innovation and delivering prosperity for our communities.”
The Queensland Government stand also featured a range of partner organisations on hand to provide advice and answer questions from manufacturers. These included TAFE Queensland, the ARM Hub and ICN, giving visitors access to information on skills and training, advanced manufacturing and AI adoption, and supply chain opportunities.
Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) continued the skills conversation. With workforce shortages still affecting many manufacturers, MSQ’s presence underlined the importance of training, career pathways and industry-led workforce planning. Nathan Edwards, Senior Data Strategist at MSQ, said the future of trades is not about replacement, but transformation. “Trades are not disappearing, they are expanding and changing,” Edwards said. “The question is whether our system will change with it.”
“Queensland manufacturing remains a cornerstone of the economy, contributing more than $28 billion and employing more than 170,000 people, with more than half of the workforce and businesses located outside South East Queensland.”
However, Edwards warned that training, technology and industry needs are not always evolving at the same pace. “We don’t have an issue of pipeline quantity; we have a pipeline issue of level and alignment,” he said. “The risk is not automation or AI, it is inaction,” he said. “Transform, train and invest in these people and the industry will bloom.”
Regional capability was also strongly represented. The City of Moreton Bay used the zone to highlight its growing advanced manufacturing base and encourage visitors to connect with local manufacturers. The Ipswich and Wagga Wagga City Councils also showcased their industrial strengths and investment potential, reinforcing the role local governments play in attracting business, supporting industry networks and connecting manufacturers with opportunities.
At the PJ Bowers stand, Kyle Mace explained that the company specialises in engineered foam and custom manufacturing, supplying sectors including defence, marine and packaging. Based at Sumner Park, PJ Bowers produces a wide range of foam solutions using materials from EPS packaging foam through to high-quality Zotefoams from the UK.
“We do engineered foam and custom manufacture,” Mace said. “We supply to all sorts of industries, from defence to marine to packaging. Our in-house capabilities include CNC machining, glass wire cutters, oscillating knives and four-digit cutters, depending on the shape, size and application required,” Mace said. “We can do all sorts.”
Custom foam solutions were also highlighted by OSAAP Australia, which used the show to demonstrate how foam inserts can improve tool control, order and protection across workshop and operational environments.
Ronson Gears brought precision gear manufacturing to the zone, showcasing its Australian manufacturing capability alongside KHK stock gear products from Japan. Capral reported a strong start to AMW2026, with visitors stopping by to learn more about its Australian-made aluminium extrusions and latest solutions for local manufacturing. The company’s presence reflected the continuing importance of aluminium in transport, construction, renewables, fabrication and advanced manufacturing supply chains.
The Australian Made Campaign added a national identity to the zone, reinforcing the value of trusted local provenance. For manufacturers, the green-and-gold kangaroo remains more than a logo; it is a signal of local production, quality and supply chain confidence.