Manufacturing Tech Australia

74. AI on the Factory Floor, Learning in the Flow of Work & the Rise of Vibe Coding w/ Murali Sastry

In this episode of Manufacturing Tech Australia, we sit down with Murali Sastry to cut through the hype around AI and focus on what really matters for manufacturing. How AI can augment people, not replace them.  We explore what vibe coding actually means in practice, and why it is opening the door for operators, engineers, and frontline workers to build dashboards, troubleshoot issues, and create job aids without waiting months for IT support. Murali shares real world examples from manufacturing and beyond, including learning in the flow of work, low risk augmentation use cases, and why human in the loop governance is critical.  We also unpack the risks, from shadow IT to security and ownership, and discuss where AI should absolutely not be used in high-risk manufacturing environments. Murali finishes with clear, practical steps manufacturers can take tomorrow to get started safely, build capability, and create real ROI from AI.  If you are navigating AI adoption in manufacturing and want a grounded, human-centred perspective, this episode is for you.

73. The Hilux Approach to Warehouse Automation with Rob O'Dea

Warehouses have not changed much in 20 to 30 years, and even when businesses look modern from the outside, the reality behind the scenes is often chaos, spreadsheets, and a heap of decisions operators never expected to be making.  In this episode, we sit down with Rob O’Dea from ShelfBot to unpack the real industry blockers that stop warehouses from taking the first step into automation, including fear of massive projects, over-engineered solutions, and the “consultant trap” of trying to solve 100% of the problem all at once.  We talk about: * Why complexity and integration risk (hello, SAP) can kill projects before they start  * The 80/20 mindset, and why chasing the last 20% can explode cost and complexity  * The human reality of picking, including the 10 to 15 km a day many pickers walk  * The hidden costs and safety risks people miss, including fire suppression and lithium-ion concerns  If you’re a manufacturer, 3PL, or e-commerce operator trying to scale without betting the business on a mega-project, this is a practical conversation about where to start, what to avoid, and how to reduce the fear factor.

72. The Future of Australian Manufacturing with Futurist Marcus Barber

In this episode of Manufacturing Tech Australia, we sit down with futurist Marcus Barber to unpack what is really happening across the manufacturing landscape in Australia today. We explore the ongoing flow on effects of supply disruptions, the shift from just in time to just in case, cash flow pressure on smaller manufacturers, and how global tariff movements are creating unexpected opportunities for Australian exporters. Marcus also shares powerful insights into the skills shortage, why the sector struggles to attract and retain talent, and how manufacturers can rethink engagement by hiring in cohorts and supporting slow retirement models. We also dig into emerging risks, strategic blind spots, shifting consumer markets, and how technology and AI will influence the sector over the next few years.

71. From Silos To Systems: Turning AI Hype Into Practical Automation And Manufacturing Value

We sit down with Harry and Paul from Inturing to move past the AI buzzwords and get practical about automation in Australian manufacturing. We talk about the real opportunities, the common traps, and how to use AI as an enabler for better processes instead of chasing the latest shiny tool.  We walk through how manufacturers can connect the dots between CRMs, ERPs, finance and project systems, and we look at simple ways to free people from low value admin so they can spend more time with customers and on strategy. From sales call transcription to purchase order processing and accounts receivable, we show how small, targeted automations can add up to serious savings and better cash flow. Harry and Paul also share the mistakes they see all the time, why “AI first” thinking often backfires, and a simple way to get started without blowing the budget or creating a data security mess.

70. Why Culture Is Your Competitive Edge with Mike House

In this episode, we sit down with Mike House to talk about what culture really looks like in the workplace and why it matters more than ever in manufacturing.  We explore:  * Why culture is about how we show up, not just what we say  * The biggest mistakes leaders make when trying to build strong teams  * What family-owned businesses often get right (and where they go wrong)  * How to create clarity around purpose and priorities  * What survival training teaches us about leadership and direction  Mike has worked with everyone from founders to frontline teams, and his stories bring a fresh perspective on leadership in complex, competitive environments. If you’re trying to attract great people—or keep the good ones you’ve got—this episode is for you.