As we step well and truly into 2025, Australian manufacturers are navigating an increasingly complex landscape.
Supply chains are under pressure to be faster, leaner and more transparent than ever before. Industry and retailer guidelines are evolving, automation is accelerating, and, as a result, compliance demands are growing. It’s a challenging time for the industry – but also one filled with opportunity.
Matthews has been working alongside manufacturers for decades and one thing remains clear: success in this environment requires collaboration, innovation and a commitment to continuous learning.
The importance of getting it right
Non-compliance with industry and retailer requirements is more than just a technical hiccup, it’s a costly issue that ripples across the entire supply chain. Industry estimates suggest that pallet rejections alone cost Australian manufacturers millions of dollars annually. These costs aren’t just financial, they also include wasted resources, delayed deliveries and damaged relationships with key partners.
The solution isn’t just about meeting compliance standards, it’s about embedding efficiency and accuracy into every step of the process. This requires not only the right tools, but also the right knowledge. And that’s where education becomes critical.
Why 2D barcoding matters
One of the most significant shifts we’re seeing is the adoption of 2D barcoding in supply chains and for point of sale at the retailers. Unlike traditional barcodes, 2D barcodes can hold far more information – batch numbers, expiry dates, serialisation data – and they’re becoming a cornerstone of modern traceability systems. Retailers are increasingly requiring this level of detail to improve transparency and efficiency across their networks.
But transitioning to 2D barcoding isn’t just about technology; it’s about understanding how to implement it effectively within your operations. That’s why education is so important – and why we’re continuing our focus on providing practical support to manufacturers.
Learning together: The 2D barcoding workshops
This March, Matthews will host 2D barcoding and supply-chain coding workshops in Sydney and Brisbane. These sessions aren’t about selling solutions – they’re about sharing knowledge.
Held at Woolworths’ distribution centres, the workshops will provide manufacturers with a hands-on opportunity to understand how 2D barcoding works in real-world environments and how it can help them meet retailer expectations.
The feedback from our pilot workshops last year was overwhelmingly positive. Participants told us they left with actionable insights they could take back to their teams, insights that helped them not only comply with guidelines but also identify opportunities for greater efficiency.
As a Strategic Alliance partner with GS1 Australia for more than two decades, we see these workshops as part of our broader responsibility to support the industry. We’re here to help manufacturers navigate change, not just by providing tools, but by fostering understanding.
Collaborative future
The challenges facing Australian manufacturing today aren’t isolated, rather they’re interconnected.
Automation in DC’s impacts coding requirements; retailer guidelines influence production processes; and consumer demand for transparency drives traceability initiatives from point of sale into consumer homes.
Addressing these challenges requires collaboration across the entire industry. At Matthews, we believe that no single company or organisation has all the solutions to support all the answers. Progress comes from working together – sharing insights, learning from each other and building systems that benefit everyone in the supply chain.
Our upcoming workshops are one step in this journey. They’re an opportunity for manufacturers to come together, share experiences, and gain practical knowledge that will help them adapt to change.
To address ongoing industry challenges, specifically in the area of pallet labelling, Matthews is developing a new tool designed to help manufacturers eliminate recalls when it comes to improving labelling accuracy. Still in development, this tool will offer a practical solution to one of the most common causes of supply-chain disruptions.
The manufacturing sector is evolving rapidly, and Matthews is committed to helping businesses adapt. The 2D barcoding workshops and the new tool under development are just two examples of how Matthews is addressing industry needs with practical, forward-thinking solutions.
Looking ahead
As we move further into 2025, I encourage all Australian manufacturers to think beyond labelling compliance. The goal shouldn’t be just to comply, it’s to build resilient supply chains that can adapt and thrive in an ever-changing environment. It also comes with the potential of significant opportunities for those companies that get on the front foot and demonstrate capabilities that improve their own business outcomes.
Whether it’s through adopting new technologies such as 2D barcoding, or investing in education for your teams, every step you take towards greater efficiency and transparency strengthens your position in the market.
If you’d like to join us at one of our upcoming workshops or learn more about how 2D barcoding can benefit your operations, visit our website for details.
