How Australian manufacturers can adopt Industry 4.0 using training, collaboration, and emerging robotics technologies.

In this episode, recorded live at CeMAT 2026, Vikram Sachdeva from Swinburne University, Andrew Brown from the Association for Manufacturing Excellence, and Jun from Agibot share how Australian manufacturers can practically adopt Industry 4.0 and AI. Paul covers:

How Swinburne’s Factory of the Future and Digital Jobs programmes help manufacturers build AI and digital capability

Using readiness frameworks like CERI and EMRI to prioritise digital transformation initiatives

How AME supports continuous improvement through systems thinking, networking, and global knowledge sharing

The role of humanoid and quadruped robotics for education, inspection, and manufacturing use cases

Why collaboration across education, industry bodies, and robotics providers accelerates adoption

Whether you're a plant manager, operations leader, or technology buyer, this episode gives you a practical view of how to get started with Industry 4.0 in Australia.

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Show notes and links for this episode: https://www.manufacturingtech.au/episodes/

Food manufacturing is Australia’s largest manufacturing sector, yet it’s under pressure from every direction, squeezed margins, rising costs, global competition, and ongoing underinvestment.

In this episode, Paul sits down with Angeline Achariya from Innovation Gamechangers to unpack what’s really happening inside the industry and why it matters far beyond food.

They explore why manufacturers keep falling into the cycle of cutting costs instead of investing, how this is eroding long-term competitiveness, and why the real challenge isn’t a lack of capital, it’s a lack of understanding around ROI and strategic investment.

Angeline shares a clear pathway forward, from mapping supply chain vulnerabilities and rethinking partnership strategies, to shifting Australia’s focus from volume production to high-value manufacturing that captures more margin.

They also dive into the global landscape, including how China is reshaping food production through technology and biomanufacturing, and what Australian manufacturers can learn from it.

If you’re in manufacturing, this episode is a wake-up call and a practical guide to building resilience, unlocking growth, and staying competitive in a rapidly changing world.

Key takeaways:

• Why food manufacturing is the backbone of Australia’s economy, and why it’s being squeezed

• The real reason companies underinvest in technology and innovation

• Why capital isn’t the constraint, but mindset and ROI understanding are

• How to shift from volume-driven growth to margin-driven strategies

• The importance of mapping your supply chain and identifying vulnerabilities

• Why partnerships will define the next generation of manufacturers

• What China’s long-term strategy means for Australian industry

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Show notes and links for this episode: https://www.manufacturingtech.au/episodes/

Australian Manufacturing Week 2026 delivered more than just machines on stands. It surfaced the real conversations manufacturers are having about productivity, automation, software, skills, and how to stay competitive.

In this episode, Paul Mason and I speak with a cross-section of exhibitors and industry leaders on the show floor, capturing what is actually resonating with Australian manufacturers right now.

You will hear from Tim J. Kelly from the Manufacturing Excellence Forum on why regional manufacturing ecosystems like the Sunshine Coast matter more than ever. PPC Moulding Services share how advanced metrology, scanning and prototyping are helping manufacturers reduce risk before investing in tooling. ECI unpack why ERP, business systems and AI need to solve real problems rather than chase hype.

The conversation also covers workforce challenges, reshoring wins, automation and robotics, manufacturing software, and why AMW 2026 felt different, with fewer tyre kickers and more serious buyers.

This is a practical snapshot of where Australian manufacturing is heading, straight from the show floor.

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Show notes and links for this episode: https://www.manufacturingtech.au/episodes/