Instinctive pathways to peak performance

  • What's in the report

    The Manufacturing Insights Report is based on the views of more than 300 decision makers and influencers from around Australia. It explores the top opportunities and challenges facing the industry. 

  • Insights from peers

    Insights directly from the industry can help manufacturers respond and adapt with confidence. We investigate:

    • Manufacturers’ performance and outlook
    • Responses to rising costs, supply chain and cash flow issues
    • Strategic priorities for the year ahead
    • Technology investment and adoption trends
    • The state of cyber security and initiatives
    • Sustainable manufacturing and its impact
    • Benchmarking across manufacturer types

Where the industry's headed

“Australian manufacturers are well acquainted with disruption and uncertainty. Despite the prospect of a slowdown in demand and rising costs, most are forecasting increased profit. History would suggest that’s because they know where to invest to boost productivity and are seasoned experts at driving efficiencies.

– Maria Christina, Head of Manufacturing and Wholesale Trade

Get in touch with our industry specialists

Key insights

  • 74 %

    of manufacturers expect profits to rise in the next year

  • 92 %

    are confident about business conditions in the next year

  • 86 %

    plan to increase technology investment with efficiency in focus

  • 88 %

    view sustainable manufacturing as key to business strategy

  • 78 %

    have a carbon emissions reduction target in place

Industry viewpoints

Hallett Group

Hallett Group is setting new standards for sustainability across its operations and capturing the benefits.  

Actron Air

Actron Air is investing in emerging digital solutions to help it become leaner and maximise output to get ahead.

Report deep dives

Female led-manufacturing

The number of women in the Australian manufacturing workforce continues to grow, albeit from a low base. With most organisations on track to meet diversity targets and gender as the top focus, it is clear some steps are being taken to improve female participation.

Regional manufacturers in focus

Australia’s regional manufacturers are setting the pace for the industry’s investment in technology, with 99% set to lift digital spend in the year ahead. Our latest Regional Manufacturers in Focus research suggests that is designed to help drive efficiencies and capacity to keep production targets and margins on track.

Download the full Manufacturing Insights Report

Things you should know

  • CommBank Manufacturing Insights is an exclusive, wide-ranging analysis of Australian manufacturers. This edition examines how manufacturers are navigating the industry’s emerging challenges and opportunities, focusing on trends in business performance, inflation and supply chain management, digital transformation, and sustainable manufacturing.

    The research is based on an online quantitative survey conducted by ACA Research on behalf of the Commonwealth Bank. The survey was in field during January 2023 and was completed by 300 key influencers or decision makers from Australia’s manufacturing industry, including 68% in metropolitan areas and 32% in regional Australia.

    The report has been published for general information purposes only. As this information has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should, before acting on this information, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances, if necessary, seek professional advice. The Bank believes that the information in the report is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made, based on the information available at the time of its compilation, but no representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is made or provided as to accuracy, reliability or completeness of any statement made in the report. Any projections and forecasts are based on a number of assumptions and estimates and are subject to contingencies and uncertainties. Different assumptions and estimates could result in materially different results. All analysis and views of future market conditions are solely those of the Commonwealth Bank.

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