After a strong post-pandemic recovery, Australian manufacturing is once again being tested – this time by rising global trade tensions, challenging energy markets and rapid technological change disrupting traditional business models.

David will provide Ai Groups analysis of upcoming challenges you need to be aware of and explore the strengths manufacturers can build on, using technology to adapt to changing and emerging opportunities.

Key Learnings: 

1. Manufacturing is in Recession with Declining Competitiveness

2. Cost Pressures are Crushing Margins Despite Strong Investment

3. Trade War Risks and Skills Shortages Threaten Future Growth

About David 

David is Ai Group's Director of Emerging Industries and Innovation. David has been part of Australia’s Innovation Ecosystem for over twenty years and has worked at the executive level across multiple industries including large and small organisations to facilitate innovative solutions to complex and wicked problems.

David has maximised opportunities for Australian industry in $88 billion dollars of major projects, delivered financial assistance of over $22 million dollars to innovative SME's and pulled together over 150 commercially astute bleeding edge research/industry collaborations that have resulted in novel technology and jobs of the future.

David is also a Non-Executive Director and/or Industry Representative on the following bodies.

- NED Director - Police Veterans QLD

- Director - ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel

- Industry Engagement Advisory Committee – Astronomy Australia

- Industry Representative - R&D Tax Incentive Roundtable - DIISR

- Industry Representative - HERC IP Framework Advisory Committee

- Secretary - Emerging Industries Council

In his personal life, David is a crowdfunding tragic, thwarted blacksmith and doting dad to two Dachshund Jack Russell crosses.