The future of Australian manufacturing: 2022 and beyond

Since March of 2020, the world has been turned upside down. Local industry has felt the effects of the change, and is shifting with the times. With all the unexpectedness that has taken place, many business owners are wondering what the future holds – and rightly so.

While our team doesn’t have a crystal ball, we do have a unique vantage point from which we see the manufacturing world, and we’re here to share it with you. Keep these insights in mind when you’re scouting for new investments, as they could prove invaluable in the coming months and years!

Automation and AI within the Australian manufacturing industry

Advances in technology have shown us that automation is the way to go. Labour-reliant factories are struggling to keep up at this point in time, and unless they’re in a very niche market, chances for sustained growth are slim. 

One of the biggest automation breakthroughs isn’t in the mechanics of machinery at all. It’s in software. Models like the CMS Eidos have been equipped with their own streamlined software, featuring AI functions that “remember” material parameters. What’s more, they can automatically adjust settings to suit different runs. This feature is highly beneficial for high-volume production, where every minute counts. Be prepared to see more of it.

As for the technology itself, decision-makers are going to need to keep up-to-date with the latest advances now more than ever. With delays and delivery disruptions happening globally, staying at the forefront of industry developments isn’t just smart -– it’s essential.

Get clean and lean

Looming climate regulations are just around the corner, bringin incentives to invest in more energy-efficient methods of production with them. Manufacturing is a resource-intensive process that utilises everything from raw materials to power and water, putting it right in the firing line of green policies and agendas.

Innovations like CMS’ Greenjet technology (built into all of our waterjets) are a great example of solutions already aligned with the agenda; by delivering a 30% reduction in energy usage. Paired with Italmecc water filtration systems, an almost complete reduction in fresh water intake can be achieved – while making it dead-simple to dispose of the waste produced. No more messing around with 10 different storage tanks that fill up with sludge over time. 

We’d also recommend finding a sustainable way to feed power into your factory – especially if it happens to be on your roof.

Prepare your crew for turbulence

The past few years have put a spotlight on the fragility of human interaction at work. Rather than being disheartened by problems, we suggest viewing challenges as opportunities to create greater resilience and growth.

Those who can hire, train, and keep quality employees will always benefit, especially if those staff members can shift roles in a dynamic way. Consider encouraging “T-shaped” specialisations within your facilities; where staff are specialised in one particular field, but also have the flexibility to move to other areas. Adaptability is your greatest asset.

Use change to your advantage

If there’s one thing that we can be sure of, it’s that change will always be present. With a little foresight, future events don’t have to turn your world upside down -– they could actually help you get ahead. Sometimes that’s all it takes to succeed in business.

We’re doing our part to make that happen by shipping the most requested machinery into our store room for fast delivery. With demand increasingly spirking, there’s no guarantee that equipment will be in store long enough to get the word out. If you’re thinking of investing in new machinery and need it fast, we suggest that you sit down with our staff members and prepare a shortlist.

In the meantime, sign up to our mailing list, where you can find previews of the newest CNC machines, along with insights on what others are doing in the industry. It’s well worth checking out!