The Industrial Transformation in Australia – Removing the Barriers forum took place on 23 July 2025 at the Sydney Olympic Park, as part of Industrial Transformation Australia (ITA) 2025. Hosted by the Industry Capability Network (ICN) and supported by SeerPharma and the International Centre for Industrial Transformation (INCIT) through its thought leadership programme Global Executive Industry Talks (GETIT), the event brought together industry leaders, policy makers, and innovators to tackle the pressing challenges and opportunities shaping Australia’s manufacturing landscape.
Designed as a targeted forum, the session focused on removing roadblocks to digital transformation and equipping organisations with strategies to start, scale, and sustain Industry X.0 journeys. Discussions spanned regulatory considerations, workforce culture, technology adoption, research partnerships, and funding mechanisms—critical areas for enabling transformation across the sector.
Highlights from the Day
The event featured a strong line-up of expert speakers sharing practical insights, success stories, and forward-looking strategies:
- David K Martin (Australian Industry Group (Ai Group)) provided an overview of the latest trends, challenges, and outlook for Australian manufacturing. [Full report here]
- Cori Stewart (ARM Hub) sparked discussion on what Australia can learn from international examples—including the UK, Singapore, Germany, and the USA—in establishing manufacturing support hubs. [Read the ARM Hub white paper here]
- Ian Lucas (Gallarus Industry Solutions) demonstrated a rapid implementation of an edge device and Unified Namespace to set up live OEE monitoring with ease.
- RSM presented various funding options available to Australian manufacturers.
- Paul Hughes (Integra Systems) shared how Industry 4.0 technologies are being practically implemented on the shop floor, and how Integra Systems is supporting other manufacturers to adopt similar technologies. [More insights here]
- Dr Andreas Hauser (AIQURIS) introduced approaches to managing risks associated with AI implementation. [Learn more here]
The speaker roster also included Dr Jesmond Hong (INCIT), Kah-Ming Chai (Yokogawa), Duncan McFarlane (University of Cambridge), Volker Schmid (Festo Didactic), and Timothy Burt (Future Skills Organisation), each contributing valuable perspectives on digitalisation, workforce readiness, and industry innovation.
INCIT’s Perspective
Representing INCIT, Dr Jesmond Hong, COO, discussed how the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) can help organisations start, scale, and sustain their Industry X.0 transformation journeys in the right direction. As part of INCIT’s mission to transform manufacturing globally, SIRI continues to serve as a key prioritisation tool for organisations seeking to overcome inertia and unlock sustainable growth.
Looking Ahead
The Removing the Barriers session successfully created a space for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and action planning. From practical case studies to global insights, participants left with a clearer understanding of the barriers holding back transformation—and how to break through them. As the manufacturing sector continues to evolve, events like this serve as vital catalysts for change, equipping leaders with the tools and networks needed to drive industrial transformation.
Thank you to the Industry Capability Network for hosting and to all speakers and attendees for contributing to a highly impactful session. INCIT looks forward to continuing the conversation and supporting manufacturers on their transformation journeys.
