Advanced manufacturing and automation have been at the forefront of global economic growth, innovation and competitiveness. With more businesses seeking to automate their processes and adopt new technologies, countries must keep pace to remain competitive.
Let’s dive into Australia, America, and China’s progress and position in advanced manufacturing and what implications this may have for their future competitiveness.
Advanced Manufacturing in America
America is the world leader in advanced manufacturing. Driven by the country’s large market, highly educated workforce and significant investments in research and development, the country is home to some of the world’s largest and most innovative companies, such as Apple, Tesla and Boeing.
The U.S. government has also been actively supporting advanced manufacturing through various initiatives, such as the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation and the Manufacturing USA program, aimed at promoting innovation, collaboration and competitiveness.
According to a recent National Institute of Standards and Technology report, the U.S. advanced manufacturing industry is growing faster than the overall economy. It has added over 500,000 jobs since 2010. The country also leads the world in Industry 4.0 technologies such as 3D printing, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
Contribution to the economy
Advanced manufacturing in the United States is a significant contributor to the economy, accounting for approximately 12% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and providing employment for over 12 million people. This sector has been a key driver of economic growth and innovation in the US and continues to play an important role in the country’s overall prosperity.
Exports
Advanced manufacturing plays a crucial role in the US trade balance, accounting for over 60% of the country’s total manufactured exports. This highlights the importance of this sector in driving economic growth and maintaining the competitiveness of the US in the global marketplace. The success of advanced manufacturing in the US is a testament to its commitment to innovation and its ability to produce high-quality, cutting-edge products for export to the rest of the world.
Investment in research and development
The United States is a leader in advanced manufacturing research and development (R&D), accounting for over 40% of all R&D spending in the country. This demonstrates America’s position as a leader in developing cutting-edge technologies and products. The investment in R&D in advanced manufacturing is a key factor in driving economic growth and maintaining the competitiveness of the US in the global marketplace.
Automation adoption
The United States is a leader in automation adoption, with over 60% of manufacturers reporting that they have already implemented some form of automation in their operations. This high adoption rate reflects US manufacturers’ commitment to using technology and automation to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and remain competitive in the global marketplace. The widespread adoption of automation in the US manufacturing sector is a testament to the country’s leadership in innovation and its ability to stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly digital world.
Manufacturing output
The United States has a highly productive manufacturing sector, with an output per hour worked that is over 50% higher than the average for all industries. This reflects the high levels of investment in technology, automation, and human capital in the sector, as well as the country’s commitment to driving innovation and competitiveness. The high level of manufacturing output in the US indicates the country’s strong and dynamic economy and ability to remain at the forefront of global manufacturing.
Innovation
The United States is a hub for advanced manufacturing innovation, with a strong culture of entrepreneurship and numerous world-leading advanced manufacturing companies. The country is also home to top universities, research institutions, and engineering schools, which are vital for driving innovation and new technologies. This combination of cutting-edge companies and world-class academic institutions makes the US a leader in advanced manufacturing and helps to ensure its continued competitiveness in the global marketplace.
Advanced Manufacturing in China
China is fast becoming a dominant player in advanced manufacturing, driven by the country’s massive investments in research and development and favourable government policies aimed at promoting the industry. With a large and growing middle-class, and a vast market, China is rapidly catching up with America and is expected soon to become the world’s largest advanced manufacturing market.
The Chinese government has been heavily investing in advanced manufacturing, focusing on developing the country’s capabilities in key areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology. The country has also been aggressively promoting the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies and has set a goal of becoming a world leader in advanced manufacturing by 2025.
According to a recent report by the World Intellectual Property Organisation, China filed the most patents related to Industry 4.0 technologies in 2018, surpassing the U.S. and Europe combined. The country is also home to some of the world’s largest robotics and automation companies, such as DJI, Siasun and Huawei.
Contribution to the economy
Advanced manufacturing is a significant contributor to China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides employment for millions of workers. The sector has been driving the country’s rapid economic growth over the past several decades. It continues to play a vital role in maintaining China’s competitiveness in the global marketplace. The significance of advanced manufacturing in China’s economy highlights its commitment to innovation and its ability to produce high-quality, cutting-edge products.
Exports
China is the world’s largest exporter of manufactured goods, with advanced manufacturing playing a major role in the country’s export-oriented economy. The significance of advanced manufacturing in China’s exports reflects the country’s ability to produce high-quality, competitive products that are in demand globally. This strong position in the global marketplace highlights China’s competitiveness and commitment to developing and expanding its advanced manufacturing sector.
Investment in research and development
China has been making substantial investments in research and development in recent years with a focus on the advanced manufacturing sector. This investment has made China one of the world’s leading R&D spenders, with its investment in the industry growing rapidly. This commitment to R&D highlights China’s ambition to become a global leader in advanced manufacturing and its willingness to invest in the future of its manufacturing sector.
Automation adoption
China is rapidly adopting automation in its manufacturing sector, with many companies investing in advanced technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence. This quick adoption of automation reflects China’s commitment to modernising its manufacturing sector and becoming a leader in using advanced technologies. The country’s embrace of automation is also a response to the need to increase efficiency, competitiveness, and innovation and to keep pace with global trends and demands.
Manufacturing output
China is the world’s largest manufacturer, with a manufacturing output several times larger than the United States. The country is also one of the world’s most productive, with an output per hour worked significantly higher than the average for all industries. This impressive manufacturing output is a result of China’s large and rapidly growing manufacturing sector and its commitment to modernising and improving the efficiency of its manufacturing operations. The country’s manufacturing prowess is a key driver of its economic growth and global competitiveness.
Innovation
China has been investing heavily in research and development in recent years, with advanced manufacturing being a key focus area. As a result, the country is now home to many of the world’s leading advanced manufacturing companies and is rapidly becoming a hub for innovation and new technologies. China’s strong commitment to R&D and innovation, coupled with its large and rapidly growing manufacturing sector, makes it a significant player in the global advanced manufacturing landscape.
Advanced manufacturing and automation have become increasingly important for nations to remain competitive in today’s global economy. Technological advancement has resulted in many countries investing heavily in automation and advanced manufacturing, but the question remains, is Australia keeping up with the rest of the world?
Advanced Manufacturing in Australia
Australia has a rich history of innovation, with many significant contributions in various fields, including technology, medicine, and transportation. One of the most notable examples is the development of Wi-Fi technology, which was invented in 1992 by a team of researchers at the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), Australia’s national science agency.
Another important contribution to the field of medicine came in the form of the cervical cancer vaccine, which was developed by Professor Ian Frazer and his team at the University of Queensland in the early 2000s. The vaccine has since become widely available and has helped reduce the number of cervical cancer cases worldwide. These are only a few of the countless innovations that have come out of Australia. With such a rich history of innovation, is Australia still a competitor in today’s market?
Contribution to the economy
Despite supporting over 862,200 jobs, the manufacturing sector is not a priority for the government in terms of funding and support, which makes it difficult for companies to access the resources they need to modernise their operations and become more competitive.
One of the main reasons advanced manufacturing in Australia lags is that it only accounts for a small share of the Australian economy, which is less than 10%. This means that the sector lacks the size and scale to drive innovation and investment in advanced manufacturing practices.
Exports
Advanced manufacturing contributes significantly to Australia’s exports, accounting for a substantial portion of the country’s total manufactured exports. This highlights the crucial role the sector plays in the nation’s economy.
Investment in research and development
Australia is investing in research and development, particularly in the advanced manufacturing sector, but still trails behind other major economies with R&D spending at only 1.8% of GDP, compared to the OECD average of 2.4%.
Automation adoption
While Australia has made some progress in adopting automation in its manufacturing sector, the rate of adoption is still low compared to other countries. Only one in ten Australian businesses have embraced automation, which is half the rate of same-sized companies around the world.
This means that many Australian manufacturers still rely on traditional, less efficient and cost-effective methods than advanced manufacturing techniques. Automation is critical for modernising the manufacturing sector and enabling companies to compete on a global scale. Australia must address this gap if it wants to become a leader in advanced manufacturing.
Manufacturing output
Australia’s manufacturing output is significantly smaller than leading economies such as the United States and China, with a relatively small share of the global manufacturing sector. Despite this, the industry still holds a crucial role in the country’s economy, providing employment and contributing to economic growth.
Innovation
Australia is recognised for its innovative culture, with top universities and research institutions. However, it has been ranked last in the OECD in research collaboration between businesses and public/academic institutions since 2013. This means that there is a lack of collaboration between different stakeholders, which limits the transfer of knowledge and expertise and makes it harder for businesses to access the latest technologies and innovations in advanced manufacturing.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate the challenges facing Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector and the need for the country to address these challenges to maintain its competitiveness and drive economic growth.
The Implications of Lagging Behind
Compared to America and China, Australia needs to catch up in advanced manufacturing and automation. The country has a small domestic market, limited investment in research and development, and a relatively low level of technological adoption. While the country has a highly educated workforce, there has been a lack of government support and investment in the advanced manufacturing industry.
According to a recent report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the country’s advanced manufacturing industry is growing slower than the overall economy and has not kept pace with the growth seen in other countries such as America and China. Australia is far behind, ranking 25th in innovation globally, compared to the United States ranking second and China 11th. The country also has a relatively low level of automation compared to other developed economies, with only a small number of companies adopting Industry 4.0 technologies.
This disparity is due to a lack of investment in automation and advanced manufacturing technologies, as well as a lack of skilled workers in these areas. In addition, Australia’s regulations and restrictions on automation and advanced manufacturing have hindered growth in these areas.
The implications of lagging behind in advanced manufacturing and automation are significant for Australia, as the country risks falling further behind the rest of the world in terms of competitiveness and innovation. With other nations investing heavily in advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies, Australia risks being left behind in the race to develop new and innovative products, services and solutions.
The consequences of lagging behind in advanced manufacturing can be far-reaching and impact various aspects of the economy and society. Here are some of the implications:
Economic impact
Advanced manufacturing is an essential source of economic growth and job creation. By lagging in this field, Australia is missing out on potential benefits such as increased productivity, exports, and competitiveness. This could result in lower economic growth and reduced job opportunities for Australians.
Skills shortage
As the manufacturing sector moves towards advanced techniques and technologies, workers must be trained in new skills. If Australia is not investing in education and training programs for its workforce, it could face a shortage of skilled workers, limiting the country’s ability to take advantage of new opportunities in advanced manufacturing.
Dependence on imports
If Australia is not producing advanced manufactured goods, it is more likely to become dependent on imports, which could negatively impact the balance of trade and the country’s economy as a whole.
Innovation gap
Advanced manufacturing is closely linked to innovation and research and development. By lagging in this field, Australia is missing out on opportunities to develop new technologies and processes, which could limit its competitiveness in the long run.
Environmental impact
Advanced manufacturing is often more environmentally friendly than traditional manufacturing methods, incorporating technologies and processes that reduce waste, energy consumption, and emissions. Australia could miss out on opportunities to reduce its environmental footprint by not embracing advanced manufacturing.
The implications of lagging behind in advanced manufacturing are significant and far-reaching. The Australian government and industry must work together to address the challenges and create an environment that supports the growth and development of the advanced manufacturing sector.
