Why Australian Made manufacturing still matters

Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event drew more than 300 attendees, bringing together industry and government alongside Australian Made Week ambassador Andy Lee.

A special industry panel featured Claudia Gatt (Braille Tactile Signs Australia), David McLaughlin (Bodd), Peter Sutton (Sutton Tools) and Dr Ken Cato AO, bringing perspectives from across the manufacturing spectrum.

Across the panel, a clear message emerged: Australian manufacturing is evolving and not just surviving, with its future to be driven by trust, innovation and local capability.

Demand is rising

Braille Tactile Signs Australia designs and manufactures high-quality wayfinding signage that improves accessibility and independence for people who are blind or have low vision.

For Claudia Gatt, Co-founder and CEO of the company, demand for locally made products is growing, but it’s being driven by more than just preference.

“There’s a growing demand that comes through awareness of accessibility and inclusion and compliance,” she said, pointing to the increasing role of regulation and social expectations in shaping markets.

Ms Gatt said this shift is also being reinforced by businesses reassessing offshore production after experiencing quality and delivery challenges, with many now prioritising reliability and responsiveness.

“Remaining Australian Made… represents our brand. It’s quality, it’s reliability, it’s the opportunity to communicate with your client.”

Local manufacturing’s competitive edge

For David McLaughlin, CTO and Co-founder of Bodd, being based in Melbourne has been critical to the company’s success, particularly in accelerating innovation.

Bodd develops advanced body scanning technology and a software platform that captures human measurement data to support workforce sizing and health insights.

Unable to manufacture overseas during the pandemic, Bodd partnered locally to build its product in Victoria – a decision that ultimately transformed its business.

“Proximity became a real advantage for us,” Mr McLaughlin said. “We took months of lead time down to six days of turnaround to iterate on product features.”

That speed, combined with the credibility of being Australian made, has helped the company secure contracts both locally and overseas, including with global organisations.

“I sat in a room with United Airlines and they applauded when I said we were an Australian Made company,” he said.

R&D driving transformation

Mr McLaughlin emphasised that research and development was not just a growth driver, but a survival tool, enabling his business to pivot from tailoring into advanced 3D body scanning technology.

“R&D was a vehicle… to solve challenges in our own company,” he said.

More broadly, he noted that investment in R&D has national benefits, helping create new intellectual property, build skilled workforces, and seed the next generation of Australian businesses.

Adaptability key to long-term success

Peter Sutton, Managing Director of Sutton Tools, highlighted the importance of evolving with global markets, particularly as domestic manufacturing capacity has declined over time.

Sutton Tools manufactures precision cutting tools and drill bits, supplying industries ranging from heavy manufacturing to trades and DIY markets locally and globally.

Today, around 40 per cent of Sutton Tools’ products are exported – a shift he said was essential to survival.

“If we didn’t make that move, we wouldn’t be around today,” Mr Sutton said, reflecting on the company’s expansion into international markets following economic pressures in the 1990s.

Competing globally also forced the business to lift its standards.

“We had to lift our game because we had taken our eye off the global competition.”

The strength of family business

As a fifth-generation manufacturer, Mr Sutton also spoke to the unique mindset that underpins long-standing family businesses.

“We don’t see ourselves as being business owners – we’re custodians of a business for future generations,” he said.

That perspective has helped build a strong internal culture, with long staff tenure and a focus on long-term decision-making rather than short-term gain.

Enduring power of Australian Made

Few symbols carry as much recognition as the green and gold kangaroo – and for Dr Ken Cato AO, the designer behind the logo, its success lies in its simplicity.

“Almost every component of the identity is something we all know already,” he said.

“I think it taught me a lesson… you never ignore the obvious. Just make it obvious visible.”

After nearly four decades, the logo continues to stand the test of time – a rare feat in branding – and remains a powerful marker of authenticity and trust.

“It’s classic,” Dr Cato said. “I’ve worked with a lot of brands, but I’ve never seen numbers like the Australian Made [brand].”

Dr Cato also described Victorian manufacturing as “absolutely necessary” when he was asked about how important manufacturing was in the state.

Critical to Australia’s future

While each panellist brought a different perspective – from accessibility and advanced manufacturing to exports and branding – the underlying theme was consistent: local manufacturing remains essential.

It underpins economic resilience, supports jobs and innovation, and strengthens Australia’s sovereign capability.

At the same time, the sector is embracing new technologies, including AI, with a clear understanding of the balance required.

When asked a question by the audience about AI, the panel members answered it was necessary to work with but shouldn’t replace human production. Dr Cato noted: “We use a program called IQ, not AI”.

A key takeaway from the event was that the future of Australian manufacturing will be defined by its ability to adapt, innovate and compete on a global stage.

And, as the panel made clear, a combination of local capability, strong branding, and ongoing investment in R&D can position the sector well for what comes next.