Advancing Manufacturing Forum 2026

AMF2026 brings together New Zealand’s manufacturing community, industry leaders, academics and the next generation of engineers for a day focused on solving real-world manufacturing challenges.

This is not a traditional conference. This is a problem-solving platform. Manufacturers bring the challenges; experts, students and industry peers bring fresh perspectives and practical solutions.

The programme combines interactive workshops and industry–academia sessions spanning process innovation, advanced materials, automation, sustainable production and digital transformation. Participants will leave with practical ideas, new connections and clear pathways into the wider innovation ecosystem.

AMF2026 is particularly designed for small and medium-sized manufacturers who are:

• Challenge-ready: willing to share a specific production bottleneck or innovation challenge in advance, helping shape the workshops.

• Collaboration-ready: open to working with universities, students and other manufacturers to explore new approaches.

For SMEs, it is a unique opportunity to put real operational challenges in front of independent academic experts and emerging engineering talent — gaining fresh thinking, building valuable relationships and uncovering opportunities to take their manufacturing capability to the next level.

NB:

1) This event is for manufacturing firms only.

2) When ordering tickets:

• one admission = 2 company representatives ($149.00 + GST for two people).

• two admissions = 4 company representatives ($398.00 + GST for four people)

• If only one company representative is attending, the price is still $149 + GST.

More detail on feature programme elements:

Panel Discussion: The Future of Manufacturing in New Zealand

Sarah Ramsay - CEO, United Machinists

Lee King - Chief Production Officer, Syos Aerospace

Shaun Twaddle - Manager Small Business & Manufacturing Team, MBIE

Prof Xun Xu - Department of Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering, University of Auckland

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Featured: Morning Breakout Stream B

AI in Manufacturing: From Hype to Operational Advantage with Prof Xun Xu

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming manufacturing. While many organisations recognize AI's potential, the challenge is no longer understanding what AI is, but determining where it can deliver tangible business value and how the AI enabled solutions can be implemented safely and remain accurate, auditable, secure, and explainable.

This session explores the evolving role of AI across the manufacturing value chain, from product design to production planning and optimization, and from quality assurance, to workforce enablement. Drawing on some real-world examples, the session will demonstrate how advances in machine learning, computer vision, digital twins, generative AI, and industrial data platforms can help manufacturers improve productivity, reduce downtime, enhance quality, and strengthen operational resilience, supported by safe data and AI practices.

Attendees will gain practical insights into identifying high-value AI opportunities, while avoiding common implementation pitfalls.

Key Takeaways:

• Where AI creates the greatest value across manufacturing operations.

• How generative AI is changing engineering, maintenance, and frontline work.

• Lessons learned from successful industrial AI implementations.

• Some foundations required to adopt AI safely and effectively.

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Featured: Afternoon Breakout Stream D

Digital Manufacturing Light with Dr. Jan Polzer

Get real-time visibility into your factory — without a major technology investment.

You don’t need to digitise your entire factory to start improving productivity.

Digital Manufacturing Light shows how simple, affordable digital tools can give SMEs immediate visibility into where time, energy and capacity are being lost — and where to act next.

At this session, you’ll see practical examples you can take back to your factory:

• Track every job

• Measure machine energy use

• See where production is being lost

You’ll also learn how the Digital Manufacturing Light approach works, what funding is available, and how to take the first step.

No big-bang transformation. No expensive technology overhaul. Just practical digital tools that can help you find and fix the hidden productivity losses in your factory

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Industry Engagement Session (morning & afternoon)

Company-specific advice in a roundtable format - connect with 3rd & 4th Year engineering students, Masters students, academics, industry leaders to help tackle problems, innovation challenges. For the best result, submit your manufacturing process challenge / project in advance to assist in the matchmaking process

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Closing Keynote Speaker

Rob McKenzie-Carroll - Chief Operating Officer, HamiltonJet

“So what does it take to remain competitive as a New Zealand manufacturer?”

People & capability
Building the workforce and capabilities required to compete.

Supply chain, materials & resilience
What disruption has taught HamiltonJet about sourcing, suppliers, materials, inventory and resilience.

Innovation & technology
Where technology has genuinely changed the way HamiltonJet operates or competes.

Global competitiveness
How these capabilities come together to support international growth.

Looking foward

• What should businesses be doing now?

• Where should they collaborate?

• What capabilities should New Zealand be investing in collectively?

• What opportunities should manufacturers be taking advantage of?