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Being aware of developments in other industries as they’re happening can help you anticipate new solutions to improve efficiencies and add value in your business. Aside from the Internet of Things (IoT), information-driven manufacturing (iDM), social robots and Internet 5.0, here are three trends manufacturers need to watch:

1. Rapid prototyping + crowdfunding: Together, these two trends allow almost anyone to bring solutions to market quicker than many organisations can develop counter measures. It is the very definition of “disruptive innovation”.

2. Cradle-to-grave traceability: Every recall hitting the headlines reminds manufacturers of the critical need for end-to-end traceability to mitigate the risks to consumers and businesses. Intensifying this need are the proliferating counterfeit markets, worth US$32 billion and causing one million deaths annually. Traceability can counteract this.

3. Beyond the IoT: Blockchain is an emerging technology beginning to play a major part in IoT, especially with its potential to overcome many manufacturers’ concerns around data security. Another IoT evolution is machine learning, which falls under the wider artificial-intelligence umbrella. While adding natural language processing to machine learning gives a whole new opportunity: cognitive learning systems.

Find out more about these trends by reading the full story here and watching this video:

 

Food & Drink Business

The Australian Industry Group – Confectionery Sector’s annual conference is marking its 30th anniversary at its 2026 event on 2 June, at the MCG in Melbourne.

Perth-based food technology company, Whole., has launched a Pre-Series A investor round, aiming to commercialise its proprietary WINX (Whole Ingredient Nutrient Extraction) platform, which transforms plant ingredients into functional food formats.

The Queensland government has released a targeted plan to strengthen the state’s economic ties with the Pacific region. Delivery of the Queensland-Pacific Trade and Investment Strategy 2026-2028 will be led by Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ).