Grant Thornton Australia

There is not much we cannot manufacture in Australia - and yet the sector represents just 6% of Australian GDP. For the manufacturing sector, what the coronavirus has created is transparency. For the first time, consumers are starting to understand what we do and don't make here - and are becoming increasingly aware of who made it, what's in it and what went into making a product. Even businesses are looking at their supply networks differently as they work hard to source local alternatives to global supply chains. If Government incentivised and prioritised local procurement we can enhance our long term supply chain security which could provide the catalyst for a manufacturing led recovery. Mark Phillips, National Head of Performance Improvement and manufacturing sector expert, explains how COVID-19 has affected the manufacturing industry, how generations to come will change their consumer behaviours as a result, and how the manufacturing sector could potentially lead the economic recovery of Australia.