Business Management

Leading voices in Australia's manufacturing technology industry convened in Canberra on August 21 for the National Manufacturing Technology Skills Summit. The event, led by AMTIL and facilitated by the Victorian Skills Authority, focused on crafting an actionable plan to address the critical and widening shortage of qualified CNC (Computer Numerical Control) operators across the country. While demand outweighs supply for many skillsets required by the manufacturing industry, the lack of CNC professionals stands out as a particularly urgent issue. AMTIL estimates that the shortage currently sees 1,000 roles unfilled, a figure projected to exceed 3,000 within two years without deliberate intervention. The reasons behind the shortage are multifaceted. Training to competency takes time, with a Certificate IV typically requiring several years of vocational education, followed by extensive on-the-job training. Given the high cost of CNC machinery and materials, operators must be adequately skilled to avoid costly errors and ensure consistent quality. Yet, despite the technical sophistication and stability of the role, CNC operation remains under-recognised as a stepping-stone…

Voice Phishing (Vishing) attacks against manufacturers and other organisations by cyber criminals are rising rapidly around the world, according to a leading cybersecurity provider.   US-based cybersecurity company CrowdStrike says that the number of criminals and other threat actors using their own human voices to deceive targets has already eclipsed in 2025 the total number of recorded attacks in 2024.  “Voice phishing (vishing) attacks increased by 442% from the first to the second half of 2024, marking a significant and effective evolution in eCrime tactics,” the report says.   “These attacks are successful because they exploit human vulnerabilities and leverage compromised credentials and social engineering to bypass traditional security measures, gain initial access and move laterally within organisations at speed.”  CrowdStrike head of counter adversary operations Adam Meyers said these attacks often take place through a voice call to a company help desk.  "Typically, the call is pretending to be a user, they will do it out of hours to limit the possibility the user is…

In the fast-paced and cost-driven world of manufacturing, businesses often face tough decisions when investing in new machinery. While price is a major factor, cutting costs by opting for non-certified machines can have serious consequences—ranging from safety hazards to costly downtime, regulatory challenges, and limited resale opportunities. Globally, machinery safety regulations have become more stringent, particularly in regions like Europe, where CE certification is the benchmark for compliance. While Australia does not mandate CE certification, the risks of operating non-certified equipment are becoming increasingly evident. What is CE certification, and why does it matter? CE certification, or CE marking, is a European safety and compliance standard ensuring machinery meets rigorous health, safety, and environmental protection requirements. The CE mark signifies that the manufacturer has verified the machine’s compliance with European safety directives, often involving independent assessments and rigorous testing. For manufacturers, CE certification assures that equipment meets a globally recognised standard, minimising the chances of operational failures, safety incidents, and compliance issues. While Australian standards such as AS/NZS 4024 focus on machinery safety, CE certification continues to be a well-regarded mark…

Students from across five Monash region schools stepped into the future of work at the Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2025) Industry Immersion, hosted by AMTIL at AMW, in collaboration with Monash Tech School. The event, dubbed Future Solutions, provided a rare and powerful opportunity for secondary students to engage directly with cutting-edge technology, training providers, and industry professionals in the heart of Australia's advanced manufacturing sector. Held at AMW2025, the immersive experience gave 61 students a firsthand look at the innovation driving the sector, with hands-on exposure to emerging technologies and career pathways. Participating schools included Ashwood High School, Brentwood Secondary College, Highvale Secondary College, Mazenod College, and Wheelers Hill Secondary College. “It’s one thing to see this kind of work online,” said a teacher from a partner school. “But it’s quite another to walk the floor and speak directly to the people shaping Australia’s industrial future.” Students didn’t just observe — they engaged. They asked questions, explored training options, and imagined themselves in roles they may never have considered before. Survey results from the day highlight the event’s significant…

When it comes to manufacturing, Australia operates in a high-cost business environment, much like Germany. This means we’re not the ideal place for producing low-grade, low-value, and easily replicated products. This is especially true in the electronics sector. So, if you can’t compete on raw transactional costs, what can you compete on? Eighteen months ago, we relocated to a larger design office and a separate electronics manufacturing factory in Dandenong South. Now, we have an SMT pick and place line, enabling us to produce higher volumes of products at a reduced unit cost. However, we are not aiming to become a Contract Electronics Manufacturer (CEM), and we still collaborate with established Australian CEMs such as Precision Electronic Technologies, Duet Electronics, and Entech Electronics. We are not looking to compete with them in volume manufacturing; instead, we specialise in high-quality, high-mix, low-volume manufacturing for prototypes, field trial units, and niche opportunities. While this is not the core business for the CEMs, it represents a critical area for startups…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising supply chain planning, but a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. AI isn’t just for highly advanced supply chains; regardless of maturity, every company can benefit. The key is aligning AI adoption with current capabilities rather than rushing into advanced solutions without a solid foundation. However, blindly implementing AI—without understanding your supply chain maturity or selecting the right technology partner—can be risky. AI success depends on choosing tools suited to your needs and ensuring proper integration. The Five Levels of Manufacturing and Supply Chain Maturity and AI Readiness A Supply Chain Maturity Model helps businesses assess where they stand and determine what AI can offer at each stage. While various models exist globally (Gartner, Oliver Wight, Deloitte, PwC, SCOR), the DMS Manufacturing Supply Chain Maturity Score is tailored to Australian and New Zealand manufacturers. This model evaluates people, processes, technology, strategy, and collaboration, helping businesses identify strengths, weaknesses, and AI opportunities. Here’s how AI fits into each maturity stage: Disjointed Manufacturing Supply Chains (Low Maturity) Limited processes, poor…

Australia’s manufacturing sector performance improved at an accelerated pace in March. Rising new orders supported a renewal of production growth. Job creation also resumed, aiding the clearance of backlogged orders. Meanwhile, purchasing levels were increased for the first time since September 2022, contributing to a significant rise in inventory of purchases. On the prices front, average input prices continued to rise at a steep rate in March, but output charge inflation eased despite reduced optimism regarding future output. The seasonally adjusted S&P Global Australia Manufacturing Purchasing Manager’s Index™ (PMI®) increased to 52.1 in March, up from 50.4 in February. Remaining above the 50.0 neutral mark for the third consecutive month, the latest data indicated that conditions in the manufacturing sector continued to improve in March. Furthermore, the latest headline index was the highest recorded since October 2022. Contributing to the increase in the headline index was manufacturing production, which expanded at its fastest pace since October 2022. The recent acceleration in output growth was driven by rising new business inflows and increased capacity. Australian manufacturers reported receiving new orders at the…

The wait is almost over! It's not too late to register and gather all your key exhibitors, stands, people, and attractions. Registrations are open for Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2025), held at the MCEC in Melbourne. Organised and run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2025 will occupy more than 12,000 square metres of exhibition space at the MCEC, with over 400 organisations taking stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. That's just about the whole venue. This is going to be huge! If you haven’t done so already, REGISTER NOW online to visit Australian Manufacturing Week in Melbourne and plan your days on the My Show Planner. After registering to visit AMW2025, you can log in and tap through to My Show Planner. The My Show Planner online tool has everything you need to make the most of your time at AMW2025 in Melbourne. My Show Planner is the AMW2025 visitors-side view of Map Your Show. You can connect with Exhibitors online, set up appointments and plan…

If you’ve been under a rock lately, you won’t know that the USA has imposed a minimum 10% tariff on all Australian exports. While this is a disappointing development for Australia, its manufacturing sector, and its producers, it is a stark reminder of the importance of championing and supporting Australia’s sovereign manufacturing and growing capability. “It’s never been more important to support our Aussie manufacturers, growers, and primary producers,” said Australian Made Chief Executive Ben Lazzaro. “These sectors have faced numerous challenges recently, becoming more challenging for some. More than 90% of Australians prefer Australian-made products, so let’s turn that preference into purchases.” AMCL has also welcomed the government’s recently announced policy measures to address the tariffs, including strengthening Australia’s anti-dumping regime and financial support for exporters to access new markets. These measures, combined with the government’s commitment to support Aussie manufacturers with its ‘Buy Aussie’ policy for government procurement and contracts, provide some positivity in the wake of these challenging international trade barriers. “A strategic approach to ‘buy local’ initiatives, incorporating consumers, businesses…

Australia’s manufacturing sector performance improved at an accelerated pace in March. Rising new orders supported a renewal of production growth. Job creation also resumed, aiding the clearance of backlogged orders. Meanwhile, purchasing levels were increased for the first time since September 2022, contributing to a significant rise in inventory of purchases. On the prices front, average input prices continued to rise at a steep rate in March, but output charge inflation eased despite reduced optimism regarding future output. The seasonally adjusted S&P Global Australia Manufacturing Purchasing Manager’s Index™ (PMI®) increased to 52.1 in March, up from 50.4 in February. Remaining above the 50.0 neutral mark for the third consecutive month, the latest data indicated that conditions in the manufacturing sector continued to improve in March. Furthermore, the latest headline index was the highest recorded since October 2022. Contributing to the increase in the headline index was manufacturing production, which expanded at its fastest pace since October 2022. The recent acceleration in output growth was driven by rising new business inflows and increased capacity. Australian manufacturers reported receiving new orders at the…

The Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance is proud to participate in Australian Manufacturing Week and connect with industry leaders, employers and innovators who drive the future of Australian manufacturing. As the Jobs and Skills Council (JSC) for manufacturing, our mission is clear: to drive solutions that address the manufacturing industry's evolving skills and workforce needs. Manufacturing is at the heart of Australia’s economy, yet the industry faces ongoing challenges in workforce development and addressing skills shortages. As an industry-owned and led organisation, we work closely with government bodies, unions, employers, and training providers to find solutions to the industry's skills and workforce challenges. Our role is not just about identifying the issues—it’s about delivering practical, industry-led solutions that have a real impact. Workforce planning and training solutions We want to connect with employers and industry professionals, hear firsthand about the challenges businesses face, and collaborate on solutions that ensure manufacturing has the workforce it needs to thrive. Our work spans several key areas: Workforce planning: We provide data-driven insights to support workforce development strategies and make sure workforces are equipped with the skills to…

In an opportunity to take the pulse of the industry and refine AMTIL’s strategic planning, AMTIL has conducted policy roundtables across Australia. We were delighted to have hosted ~15% of the C-suite AMTIL membership using the boardroom table format, and members provided valuable insight into their lived experience and brought forward their top issues for discussion. Five roundtables were conducted, one in Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane, supported by William Buck. The top three issues—skills shortages, safety, and climate reporting—have been woven into the new AMTIL Strategic Plan 2024 – 2026 (The Plan). Based on this important information, AMTIL has set a new work plan for the New Year, which will include a few new offerings. AMTIL’s principle activities, to promote and support the manufacturing technology industry in Australia are to: provide industry resources, services and platforms, and proactively and reactively advocate to governments on policies relating to the manufacturing technology industry. While our vision and mission remain steadfast, The…

For 35 years, National Resources has sourced and supplied local Australian manufacturers with an extensive range of specialist products from around the world. The business has long served the industrial, building, and health industries by trading in rolled aluminium, flexible packaging, PVC films, and medical products. Across its global supply chain, National Resources annually sources 233 products from 139 partners in 22 countries. Each supplier is carefully selected for its superior quality standards and responsiveness. Inventory distribution begins in its large warehouse in Victoria and is then routed through storage and logistics networks across Australia. Maintaining a complex supply chain while driving the business’s financial performance relies heavily on cash flow management. National Resources Managing Director Leon Cox says that having access to working capital to bridge any delays in cash conversion is vital. “Working capital is critical to our business. We buy materials from overseas suppliers and pay when the goods are shipped. It’s on the water for 30 days, and then we offer customers terms of trade locally. That’s a transition period between 90 and 150 days between paying for goods and being paid…