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Industry 4.0 is propelling manufacturing into novel territory. New technologies are continuously emerging but some existing ones are accelerating the trend.

While Industry 4.0 makes sense for new sites and production lines, most manufacturers are unlikely to outlay significant capital to replace every part of their existing infrastructure. But you don't have to. The intermediary period of intelligent information-driven manufacturing (iDM) is where existing devices will be connected across the entire value chain to deliver real-time improvement insights. We’re calling this “Industry 3.5”, because it’s the stepping-stone to realising the gaps while working towards Industry 4.0.

The best place to start is gaining visibility of your line. Identify every single machine or process (from raw materials to finished and packaged goods) not currently “connected” and understand what information is immediately accessible. This will tell you where opportunities to optimise, change and improve are, ensuring you deploy automated, connected solutions in those parts of the process that will bring the greatest rewards.

By understanding and harnessing the technologies driving Industry 4.0, you can start reaping the benefits of a connected factory, particularly in terms of better decision making. So start small, but plan big.

Find out more about these technologies by reading the full story here

Food & Drink Business

The Victorian government has invested $160,000 to support the sustainability and profitability of the state’s wine industry, matched by $240,000 from Wine Australia. The funds will help Wine Victoria to provide the wine industry with the knowledge, tools and resources needed to improve practices and outcomes.

Australian spirits producers had an outstanding showing at the 2025 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) in London, with top scoring producers including 30 Knots Spirits, Australian Distilling Co., Ester Distilling, Mt. Uncle Distillery, Nine Circles Distillery, and Turner Stillhouse.

The recent innovation forum hosted by the Australian Marketing Institute and research company, T Garage, examined the reality for the rapidly evolving landscape of consumer goods that innovation is now table stakes. Experts from three of Australia's Top 100 food and drink companies shared their experiences and confirmed innovation is not just a corporate strategy, but a mindset permeating personal and professional life.