Futurist Marcus Barber unpacks supply disruptions, skills shortages, and strategic blind spots shaping Australian manufacturing now.

In this episode, Marcus Barber, foresight strategist and futurist, maps the real forces reshaping Australian manufacturing and what manufacturers should be doing about them. We cover:

- The shift from just-in-time to just-in-case and its cash flow implications for SMEs

- How global tariff movements are creating unexpected export opportunities for Australian manufacturers

- The skills shortage: why the sector can't attract talent and how to rethink engagement

- Hiring in cohorts and slow retirement models as workforce strategies

- How AI and emerging technology will influence Australian manufacturing over the next few years

Whether you're a plant manager, business owner, or operations leader, this episode gives you a strategic view of where Australian manufacturing is heading — and how to position for it.

Show notes and links for this episode: https://www.manufacturingtech.au/episode/72-the-future-of-australian-manufacturing-with-futurist-marcus-barber/