TBC Angeline with video v2

Australia's biggest manufacturing sector isn't cars, machinery or electronics. It's food — a $173 billion industry employing nearly 300,000 people and twice the size of the next biggest sector. Yet it's under pressure from every direction: squeezed margins, rising costs, global competition and years of underinvestment. In this episode, Paul sits down with Angeline Achariya — founder of Innovation Gamechangers and a 20-year food innovation leader across Simplot, Mars, Mondelez, Fonterra and Yum Brands — to unpack what's really happening inside the industry, and why it matters far beyond food. We cover: ✅ Why food manufacturing is the backbone of Australia's economy — and why it's being squeezed from both ends ✅ The cost-cutting cycle that leaves manufacturers worse off after every downturn ✅ Why capital isn't the real barrier to investment — mindset and ROI understanding are ✅ How China is running its solar-panel and EV playbook on food, scaling biomanufacturing that may not need a farm ✅ Why "clean and green" wins markets but doesn't protect your margin ✅ How to map your supply chain vulnerabilities before they find you ✅ Why a partnership strategy is the tool almost no manufacturer has — and how to build one ✅ The shift from volume-driven production to high-value manufacturing that captures more margin Whether you're in food, aerospace or anything in between, the question is the same: how resilient is your supply chain — and who are you partnering with to build it? This one's a wake-up call and a practical guide to staying competitive in a rapidly changing world. 🎙️ Catch Paul and Angeline live at CMAT / Industrial Transformation, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre — Angeline's keynote at ~11am and our "Smart Factory Ecosystems" panel at 11:30am on 23 June. Find the Robotics Australia Group booth (top-left as you walk in) for plenty of robots. 🔗 Connect with our guest: ▶️ Angeline Achariya:   / angelineachariya   ▶️ Innovation Gamechangers: https://www.innovationgamechangers.com 🔗 Listen & subscribe: ▶️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sW6... ▶️ Apple Podcasts: [LINK] ▶️ YouTube: [LINK] ▶️ Show notes & links: https://www.manufacturingtech.au/epis... If this episode helped you, leave us a review — it genuinely helps other manufacturers find the show. — 📌 About the show Manufacturing Tech Australia is the podcast covering the latest technology, tools and systems helping Australian manufacturers improve their business — AI, automation, robotics and Industry 4.0, made practical. Hosted by Paul Mason and Shane Williams. 🙏 Thanks to our season sponsor, Acacia Consulting Services — modern ERP solutions connecting the shop floor, supply chain and business systems. #FoodManufacturing #ManufacturingAustralia #AustralianManufacturing #FoodInnovation #SupplyChainResilience #Industry40 #SmartManufacturing #FoodSecurity #Biomanufacturing #ManufacturingTech #FoodAndBeverage #MTA