Manufacturing Summit 2026: Securing Australia’s Sovereign Capability (Clone)

James Holloway — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 05:27:48 GMT

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Live automation and robotic welding demonstrations feature across both days of the Summit.

Who should attend

The Summit is designed for everyone across the welding value chain — welders and fabricators, engineers and technologists, inspectors and quality professionals, business owners, educators and the government and defence stakeholders who depend on a strong local industry.

Whether you are looking to expand your technical knowledge, explore the latest technology, build industry relationships or simply hear directly from the people shaping the sector, there is a place for you at the table.

National Manufacturing Summit 2026: Securing Australia’s Sovereign Capability

James Holloway — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 05:24:19 GMT

When the doors open at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre this October, the National Manufacturing Summit will gather the broadest cross-section of Australia’s welding and fabrication sector seen in years — from the workshop floor to the corridors of government.

The two-day program is built around a simple proposition: Australia’s ability to design, build and maintain critical infrastructure depends on a capable, certified and well-supported welding industry. As major defence, energy and infrastructure projects ramp up, the demand for skilled welders, qualified supervisors and certified fabricators has never been higher.

Why sovereign capability matters now

Sovereign manufacturing capability is no longer a niche policy concern. From naval shipbuilding to renewable energy infrastructure, the projects shaping the next decade all rest on the same foundation: the ability to fabricate complex, safety-critical welded structures to international standards, here in Australia.

That capability is built on three things — people, standards and technology. The Summit program is structured around all three, with dedicated streams for workforce development, standards and certification, and advanced manufacturing technology.

"A welder shortage isn’t just an industry problem — it’s a national capability problem. The decisions we make on training and certification today determine what we can build a decade from now."
James Holloway, Chief Executive Officer

What’s on the program

Keynote sessions will feature senior leaders from across manufacturing, defence and infrastructure, alongside government representatives outlining the policy and investment landscape. Technical streams will dive into automation and robotics, digital welding, and the qualification challenges posed by new materials and future fuels.

Industry keynotes from manufacturing, defence and infrastructure leaders
Technical streams on automation, robotics and digital fabrication
Standards and certification briefings for fabricators and inspectors
Hands-on technology demonstrations and live welding showcases
Structured networking across the welding value chain

Live automation and robotic welding demonstrations feature across both days of the Summit.