In the first week of May, our team attended one of the largest events in Australia’s industrial calendar: Australian Manufacturing Week 2025. Hosted by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), this expo is a highlight in the calendar of anyone involved in Australian manufacturing.
From cutting-edge technologies to industry-wide chats about digital transformation, it was a week packed with ideas and excitement — and we were right in the middle of it. Ever wondered what participation in this expo involved, and the experience? Read on.
Why Manufacturing Matters
Manufacturing is more than a key pillar of the Australian economy — it drives progress and innovation. With close to 900,000 people working in the industry, it contributes to 5.9% of the country’s employment.* It’s an industry that’s at the forefront of growth and evolution.
Why We Love Manufacturing
There is a lot of innovation to happen within the manufacturing industry, which, for us, is exciting. From wind farms to robotics, manufacturing is a super interesting, ever-changing space, run by a lot of family businesses, same as us.
There’s still so much room for digital adoption, and that’s where we thrive — educating, guiding, and implementing changes that lead to real growth. We genuinely enjoy partnering with manufacturers who are ready to transform their businesses, and we’re excited to help them take that next step.
Why We Exhibit
We exhibit to educate, inform, and raise awareness within the manufacturing community. Many are unaware that there are digital marketing agencies that have manufacturing as a core stream — companies that understand its complexities and B2B focus. Our goal is to build meaningful connections, share insights, and show how effective, industry-specific digital strategies can drive real business growth.
Now in its third year, the Future Solutions Speaker Program spanned three days of the expo, and featured over 35 expert speakers who delved into the latest trends and challenges shaping the manufacturing industry. Centered on innovation, the event offers an opportunity to hear from leading voices, discover emerging technologies, and gain insights through real-world case studies. Free to attend, the program served as an exciting platform for manufacturing professionals to stay informed, exchange ideas, and learn from each other. Through the program, many conversations embodied the theme of innovation, but one stood out.
The Moment on Stage
The highlight of the week came on Thursday. Paula, our Director of Digital Strategy, stepped onto the stage and joined a Future Solutions panel session called “Embracing Digital Transformation”. With a focus on innovation, this panel discussed how manufacturers can take their businesses digital. From basic technology to ground-breaking innovation, the panel focused on improving business processes and customer experience, and creating new opportunities. Here’s what Paula had to say about her experience:
“With a strong passion for innovation and how technology can help business development, manufacturing is an industry I truly love. The potential for business efficiencies through digital solutions – both to the end user and within our clients’ teams. For years, we’ve been presenting to showcase and drive awareness of how good web solutions can foster growth and change the mindset within the industry. To present in front of a room of manufacturers from across Australia was truly an experience I won’t forget.“
Paula Glynn
Pixelstorm
Our Experience: Expo on the Ground
By 8 a.m. on the first day, the banners were up and the swag ready to go. Over the next few days, we spoke to students, professionals and executives about how manufacturing businesses can evolve through digital transformation. For the team, this week was about keeping our ear to the ground.
We had candid chats with dozens of manufacturers, from the small frustrations to the big goals, many of whom shared one consistent frustration: Too many digital companies don’t understand the complexities and details of the industry, or simply don’t bother to learn. Cookie-cutter digital strategies have failed them before, and hearing this frustration makes one thing obvious — manufacturers need more than surface-level insights.
Know Your Clients
If we want to deliver real value, we need to know our clients better than ever. Not just what they say in meetings, but actually understanding how they run their business and what their roadblocks are. That level of understanding isn’t fast. It takes time, trust, and a genuine curiosity for asking the right questions. We leave this expo even more knowledgeable on this industry.
Key Takeaway
A key takeaway from the expo was that now is the time for manufacturing companies to go digital. Manufacturers are quick to embrace technical advancements, but surprisingly resistant to expanding their digital presence. We often see that a lot of industrial companies don’t pay as much attention to their digital efforts simply because they haven’t needed to before this. They have old websites, outdated content and a minimal digital presence. But a digital presence is crucial to building a brand in 2025 and beyond. Now is the tipping point for manufacturers who want their businesses to be out there.
Why This Event Matters
For us, the best ideas and solutions were coming through collaboration and partnerships. This expo was an opportunity to do exactly that. We didn’t want to showcase our brand, but learn where our clients are coming from and be present in their world. And with this, we’ll be taking what we learned and putting it to work – bringing new digital solutions to the table and creating industry-specific content.
A big thanks to AMTIL for hosting such an impactful event and to the Future Solutions team for putting together an outstanding speaker program.
Whether it’s cutting-edge manufacturing web design to marketing for niche audiences, we’re passionate about partnering with businesses that share our values and help them grow. If you’d like to chat about how these trends affect your business, we’re here.
