Manufacturing PMI Rises in April as Supply Disruptions and Inflation Intensify, S&P Global Says
Australia’s manufacturing PMI edged up to 51.3 in April, pulling the sector back into modest expansion after a March dip below 50. The rise was driven mainly by longer supplier delivery times and higher input inventories, not by stronger demand. Meanwhile, new orders, output and employment remained in contraction, and input‑cost inflation accelerated to its fastest rate in over four years. The underlying weakness reflects intensifying fuel shortages and logistics disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.
The Hidden Cost of Absenteeism in Manufacturing and Why It Is Rising
Australian manufacturers are confronting a rising absenteeism problem, with workers missing roughly 9‑10 days per year on average. The surge is driven by three intertwined forces: chronic fatigue from overtime and shift work, an ageing labour pool that experiences more...
Chinese Manufacturing Growth Hits Highest Level Since 2020 – RatingDog
China's General Manufacturing PMI jumped to 52.2 in April, the strongest reading since December 2020 and the fifth consecutive month above the 50‑point growth threshold. The surge was fueled by a rapid rise in new orders, especially in consumer goods,...
ULVAC Brings New Production Line of Magnet Vacuum Melting Furnaces to Japan
ULVAC, a Japanese specialist in vacuum melting furnaces, is launching a new production line in Japan to meet soaring demand from magnet makers in Europe and North America. The company projects a threefold increase in annual furnace orders as rare‑earth...
War in Middle East Drives Japan’s Sharpest Supply Delays in 15 Years
Japan’s manufacturing sector rebounded strongly in Q2, with the S&P Global PMI climbing to 55.1 in April – the highest level since 2014. The surge was driven by a mix of robust sales, inventory‑building, and heightened demand for AI‑related equipment....
Major Food Processing Tech Exhibition Set for Tokyo in June 2026
FOOMA Japan, organized by the Japan Food Machinery Manufacturers’ Association, will take place June 2‑5 at Tokyo Big Sight, featuring over 1,025 exhibitors and more than 7,000 food‑processing products. The four‑day event, themed “The Shift Is On,” includes an Innovation...
Mining Industry Examines Quantum Technology to Improve Exploration Accuracy
Australia’s $235 billion (≈ $155 billion USD) mining sector is exploring quantum sensing to boost exploration accuracy and lower costs. At the Quantum Australia Conference in Sydney, leaders highlighted early applications such as CSIRO’s LANDTEM system and startups like Nomad Atomics and Teraglo...
Manufacturing Revival in Focus as Western Sydney Report Outlines Path to Growth
Western Sydney’s manufacturing sector, responsible for 11% of local jobs and 60% of the region’s export value, is positioned to spearhead a national industrial resurgence. A new discussion paper, “Re‑Tooling a Manufacturing Powerhouse,” highlights the area’s talent pool, historic strengths,...
Metal AM Simulation After the First Wave
The article argues that metal additive‑manufacturing (AM) simulation tools evaluated between 2016‑2020 are outdated for today’s larger, more complex parts. Early bake‑offs focused on simple coupons and often failed to deliver accurate, fast predictions, leading many firms to abandon simulation....
Renewable Energy Goals Tied to Manufacturing Capability and Supply Chain Reform in Australia
New research from Adelaide and Flinders Universities warns that Australia’s renewable energy targets could be jeopardized by weak domestic manufacturing and fragile supply chains. The study, published in the Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, cites dependence on imported components, grid...
DEEP Robotics Showcases Deployment-Ready Quadruped Robots at Hannover Messe
At Hannover Messe 2026, DEEP Robotics unveiled three quadruped robots—LYNX M20, X30 and Lite3—available for immediate shipment and EU‑compliant. LYNX M20 is a hybrid wheeled/legged system with thermal, gas and acoustic sensors; X30 adds LiDAR, 360° cameras and feeds data...
Australia and Finland Explore Manufacturing Links in Quantum Technologies Collaboration
Finland’s VTT Technical Research Centre and Australia’s CSIRO are exploring a joint effort to link research, development and manufacturing of quantum‑technology components under Finland’s “Quantum Leap” initiative. The partnership was discussed at the Quantum Australia Conference in Adelaide, where VTT...
Funding Boost to Expand Manufacturing and Jobs in Victoria’s Critical Minerals Sector
The Victorian government has launched a $1 million Advancing Antimony Grants program to fund early‑stage research on domestic antimony processing. The state, home to Australia’s largest antimony deposits and its only operating mine, hopes a local facility will double jobs in...
CELO Boosts Manufacturing Capacity with Certified Facility in Mexico
CELO has opened a certified production facility in Guanajuato, Mexico, expanding its global footprint. The 2,238 m² plant meets ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 standards and can produce up to 250 million precision screws per year. The site builds on CELO’s logistics presence since...
AIDN: NIOA Cites Sovereign Manufacturing Gains in Defence Strategy Update
Australian defence prime NIOA has praised the government’s updated National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program, saying it reinforces sovereign manufacturing of missiles and munitions. CEO Robert Nioa highlighted the strategy’s focus on long‑range strike, missile defence, autonomous systems and...
15 Years of Australian Solar Manufacturing: Tindo Highlights Growth and Next Phase
Tindo celebrated 15 years of continuous Australian solar panel manufacturing, underscoring its status as the nation’s sole domestic PV producer. The company highlighted its Mawson Lakes facility’s expansion to 180 MW annual capacity and a feasibility study for a 1 GW gigafactory....
Finalists Named for NZ Manufacturing Awards
The New Zealand Government announced the finalists for the second‑year Minister for Manufacturing Awards, highlighting the sector’s role in economic growth, innovation and employment. Manufacturing employs 250,000 workers, generates about 8% of GDP and accounts for 60% of exports. The awards...
Research Partnership Focuses on Improving Sustainability in Boat Manufacturing
A two‑year, $1.9 million (≈US$1.25 million) research partnership led by the Australian Composites Manufacturing CRC is investigating basalt fibre and bio‑resins as sustainable alternatives to traditional glass‑reinforced plastic in boat hulls. The initiative, involving UNSW Sydney, Steber International and other partners, will...
Mining Contractors Prepare for Growth as Activity Rebounds, Says Grant Thornton
Grant Thornton’s latest report shows mining contractors are gearing up for a new growth phase as commodity prices rebound, especially for gold, copper and lithium. Contractors are adopting profit‑sharing and joint‑venture contract models, diversifying portfolios and tightening capital discipline to...
Manufacturing Demand and Infrastructure Drive Steady Growth in Australia Steel Market, IMARC Reports
The IMARC Group forecasts Australia’s steel market to grow from roughly $20.1 billion in 2025 to about $26.6 billion by 2034, a 3.03% compound annual growth rate. Steady demand is anchored by construction, infrastructure projects and a resilient manufacturing base, especially automotive...
AMGC Surveys Supply Chain Impact on Manufacturing
The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) has launched a brief survey to capture how ongoing supply‑chain disruptions are affecting Australian manufacturing SMEs. The questionnaire targets logistics constraints, financial pressures, and aims to feed data into government consultations. Findings will quantify...
Australia Expands Defence Manufacturing with $2.3B HIMARS Strike Capability Upgrade
The Australian government approved a $2.3 billion programme to upgrade the Army’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and add Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), extending strike ranges to 500 km with future capability beyond 1,000 km. A second long‑range fires regiment will be...
Australian Gov’t Signs AI Agreement with Microsoft Under National Plan
The Australian government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Microsoft, marking the second AI‑focused agreement under its National AI Plan. The non‑binding MoU sets out cooperation on AI safety, workforce upskilling, and cloud infrastructure, while highlighting Microsoft’s $5 billion commitment...
KONGSBERG Australia Reports LEED Platinum Certification for South Australia Facility
KONGSBERG Australia’s Mawson Lakes facility in South Australia earned LEED v4.1 BD+C New Construction Platinum certification, making it one of the first ten buildings worldwide to achieve this level. The U.S. Green Building Council awarded the rating, recognizing top performance...
GBP K.K. to Establish Renewable Energy Manufacturing Hub in Japan
GBP K.K. announced a 50,000 m² domestic manufacturing and product‑development hub in Yamaguchi City, Japan, slated to begin phased operations in May 2026 with full capacity by 2027. The facility will produce solar generation components, battery storage systems, and interconnection hardware, integrating...
Drilling Equipment Manufacturer Metzke Announces East Rockingham Expansion
Australian drilling equipment maker Metzke announced a $22 million investment to build an advanced manufacturing facility in East Rockingham, Western Australia. The 20,000 sqm site, more than double its current footprint, will feature a 3,500 sqm warehouse for large‑scale fabrication, machining and assembly,...
IperionX Highlights Manufacturing Ramp-Up as Titanium Operations Move to Continuous Production
IperionX reported that its Virginia titanium facility shifted to continuous 24/7 production in the March 2026 quarter, moving from commissioning to full‑scale output. The company ramped titanium powder output to 4.2 metric tonnes for the month, equivalent to about 50...
Manufacturing-Led Growth as Queensland Launches First Graphite-to-Anode Site
Queensland has launched Australia’s first graphite‑to‑anode demonstration plant in Townsville, operated by Graphinex. The facility converts graphite from the Esmeralda project into lithium‑ion battery anodes, targeting electric‑vehicle, drone, and robotics markets. The state streamlined approvals by designating the project a...
Automotive Canopy and Tray Manufacturer Manages 6,000 SKUs with Self-Implemented ERP
Australian 4WD accessory maker Trig Point replaced spreadsheets with the cloud‑based MRPeasy ERP in just three months. The implementation gave the company control over more than 6,000 part numbers across two factories and integrated seamlessly with Xero accounting. New matrix...
China’s Zoomlion Debuts New Robot Operating System at Hannover Messe 2026
Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology unveiled Robot Ops, an embodied‑intelligence operating system, at Hannover Messe 2026 in Germany. The platform merges DevOps, DataOps and AgentOps into a single lifecycle solution that spans data collection, model training, simulation, deployment and...
Capral Highlights Role in Safetylyne Manufacturing
Capral Aluminium emphasizes its long‑standing partnership with Safetylyne, a Queensland‑based provider of engineered height‑safety and building‑access systems. Capral supplies the aluminium extrusions used in Safetylyne’s walkways, platforms and custom structural components, citing aluminium’s corrosion resistance and strength‑to‑weight benefits. The collaboration...
Manufacturing Outlook for 2026 Shaped by AI, Sustainability and Workforce Change – Sandvik Coromant
Sandvik Coromant says 2026 manufacturing will be driven by AI, sustainability and workforce development. Companies face pressure from rising input costs, skills shortages and climate mandates, prompting faster digital adoption. AI is moving from pilots to core production, supply chain...
ARENA Backs Lithium Refining Manufacturing Trial in Western Australia
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is committing up to AUD 38.1 million (about US$25 million) to fund a low‑emissions lithium‑phosphate demonstration plant in Western Australia. Led by PLS Group, the pilot will use Calix Limited’s electric‑kiln technology to cut calcination emissions by...
New TAFE Centre of Excellence to Deliver Renewable Energy Training Nationwide
The Victorian Government, together with the federal Albanese administration, is investing $50 million Australian (≈$33 million USD) to launch a Renewable Energy TAFE Centre of Excellence in Morwell, Gippsland. The hub will anchor a national training network covering smart grids, energy networks and...
ARENA Funding Targets Manufacturing Advances in Battery Pack and Materials Projects
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has earmarked more than $4 million under its Battery Breakthrough Initiative to fund two domestic battery‑manufacturing projects. PowerPlus Energy will receive $2.32 million to automate its pack‑assembly line, tripling annual capacity from 50 MWh to 150 MWh. Firebird...
How Australian Manufacturers Can Prevent Logistics Cost Blowouts as Inflation Returns
Australian manufacturers are facing renewed inflation pressure that threatens logistics costs, prompting a reassessment of supply‑chain efficiency. The article highlights four levers—metric visibility, full‑cost review, operational flexibility, and telematics—to curb blowouts. By tightening delivery performance metrics such as DIFOT and...
Lockheed Martin Australia Black Hawk Industrial Base Grows Past 200 Staff Across Three Sites
Lockheed Martin Australia has grown its Black Hawk sustainment workforce to more than 200 employees across Holsworthy, Brisbane and Oakey. The expansion supports the Australian Army’s 19‑aircraft UH‑60M fleet, which has logged over 5,000 flight hours since achieving initial operating...
NSW Opens $96M RNA Research and Manufacturing Facility
New South Wales has launched a $96 million (≈$63 million USD) RNA research and manufacturing hub at Macquarie University’s Innovation Precinct. The state‑run facility, operated by Aurora Biosynthetics, will produce RNA‑based vaccines and therapeutics from a single site. NSW pledged an additional...
Manufacturing Partnership Targets Next-Generation Oil-Free Motor Systems
WEG S.A. and Finnish firm SpinDrive announced a partnership at Hannover Messe 2026 to integrate SpinDrive’s active magnetic bearing (AMB) technology and IoT condition monitoring into WEG’s electric motor portfolio. The joint effort will produce oil‑free, maintenance‑free motor systems that...
Manufacturing Sector Seeks Priority Status Under Stage 3 Fuel Planning to Safeguard Construction Supply Chain
The Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) is urging the federal government to grant the construction‑materials manufacturing sector priority status under Stage 3 of the National Fuel Security Plan. The call aims to secure diesel supplies for quarrying, production and freight,...
Hyperion Lands Manufacturing Contract for Modular 3D-Printed Tiny Home
Hyperion Systems secured a contract with Little Castles Small Homes to produce a modular tiny home using recycled polymer feedstock and advanced additive manufacturing. The company will 3D‑print the core structure in about 48 hours at its Henderson facility, after...
Manufacturing Boost as Victorian Gov’t Backs $92M Flour Mill Expansion in Ballarat
The Victorian Government is backing a $92 million (≈$61 million USD) expansion of George Weston Foods' Mauri flour mill in Ballarat, adding a new warehouse, production line and state‑of‑the‑art milling technology. The project, funded through the $150 million (≈$99 million USD) Victorian Investment Fund, will create...
New Monash-Rio Tinto Agreement Targets Improved Performance of Pilbara Rail Network
Monash University’s Institute of Railway Technology has signed a Master Supply Agreement with Rio Tinto to provide research and engineering services for the miner’s 2,000‑kilometre Pilbara rail network. The partnership will focus on enhancing the AutoHaul autonomous system through real‑time...
Qld Invests in Renewable Diesel to Support Fuel Security
The Queensland Government is committing A$25 million (≈US$16.5 million) to convert Ampol’s Lytton refinery for renewable diesel production, marking Australia’s first domestic second‑generation low‑carbon fuel project. Construction is slated to start by mid‑2027 with an initial output of up to 20 million litres...
CSIRO Report Highlights Manufacturing in Regional Blueprint to Safeguard Australia’s Food Future
CSIRO’s new South East Queensland Food System Strategy places manufacturing at the core of a coordinated regional plan to strengthen Australia’s food security. The blueprint responds to climate volatility, population growth and supply‑chain disruptions, targeting a projected six‑million‑plus population by...
Mapei Invests $60M in Melbourne Manufacturing Plant to Back Construction Growth
Mapei has broken ground on a $60 million (≈ $40 million USD) manufacturing plant in Truganina, Melbourne, slated to open in 2026. The facility will produce high‑performance construction materials for major Victorian projects such as the Suburban Rail Loop and North East Link....
Weld Australia Backs Cairncross Dockyard Redevelopment as Manufacturing Capability Model
Weld Australia has endorsed the Cairncross Dockyard redevelopment in Brisbane, a $2.5 bn (≈US$1.65 bn) privately‑funded project designated by the Queensland Government. The initiative aims to create more than 1,000 direct jobs while reviving the Morningside site as a ship‑sustainment hub for...
Cummins Reaches 100-Year Milestone in Global Mining Operations
Cummins is celebrating a century of supplying power to the global mining sector, marking its first involvement in rope shovels and excavators in the 1920s. Over the decades the company has expanded from basic diesel engines to high‑horsepower platforms, turbocharging,...
Manufacturing Potential Highlighted as Australia Eyes Share of $68.56B Upcycled Food Market
Australia’s manufacturing sector is poised to capture a share of the fast‑growing global upcycled food market, which Fortune Business Insights projects will reach $68.56 billion by 2032. A two‑and‑a‑half‑year study by Queensland University of Technology, End Food Waste Australia and the...
Rio Tinto Reports Manufacturing-Linked Output Growth in Q1 on Copper and Aluminium Strength
Rio Tinto reported a 9% year‑on‑year rise in copper equivalent production for Q1 2026, driven by higher output at the Oyu Tolgoi mine and a solid aluminium segment that posted a 1% increase in primary aluminium and a 6% rise in alumina....