AMF 2026
Robotic arm on a manufacturing line

Auckland · 23 September 2026

Advancing Manufacturing Forum 2026

From assessment to action. A full-day forum connecting New Zealand manufacturers, academics, and the next generation of engineers.

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Date
23 September 2026
Venue
AUT City Campus
Register NowView Programme

Presented by

  • AUT
  • Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa
  • Auckland Council
  • UniServices and Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland

The forum focus

Manufacturing Process Innovation Excellence

  • Faster
  • Cheaper
  • Better

About the forum

Where manufacturing challenges meet fresh thinking

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. 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.

Engineers at work in a manufacturing workshop

Panel discussion, 9:15 am

The Future of Manufacturing in New Zealand

A moderated discussion between government, industry, and academia on what it will take to lift New Zealand’s manufacturing capability over the next decade.

  • PanellistIndustrySarah RamsayCEO & Co-owner, United MachinistsSarah Ramsay leads United Machinists based in Dunedin, an advanced manufacturer supplying high-value sectors from aerospace to medical technology.Since 2019, she has driven the company’s transformation through automation, digital production systems, and advanced machining, all grounded in a people-first approach.Sarah is also chair of AMA and the Minister’s Manufacturing Productivity Advisory Group.LinkedIn
  • PanellistGovernmentShaun TwaddleManager, Small Business & Manufacturing Policy, MBIEShaun leads MBIE’s small business and manufacturing policy team, shaping the policy levers that affect how NZ manufacturers invest, compete, and grow.LinkedIn
  • PanellistAcademiaXun XuProfessor, Department of Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering, University of AucklandProfessor Xu works in the areas of computer-aided design, process planning, digital twins, and Industry 4.0 with an AI-based approach.He established NZ’s first Industry 4.0 laboratory at the University of Auckland: the Laboratory for Industry 4.0 Smart Manufacturing Systems (LISMS).Xu is named on the list of “20 Most Influential Professors in Smart Manufacturing” by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).ProfileLISMS
  • ModeratorAmos BreyfoglePrincipal, Advanced Manufacturing & Strategy, Pivot InnovationAmos Breyfogle is an engineering leader specialising in advanced manufacturing, 3D printing, and technology-driven product development.With global experience across the US and Germany, he helps companies adopt additive manufacturing and automation.Amos is an AMA Board Member based in Queenstown Lakes, supporting community fabrication initiatives and advocating for New Zealand’s advanced manufacturing future.LinkedIn
  • PanellistIndustryLee KingChief Production Officer, Syos AerospaceLee King is Chief Production Officer at Syos Aerospace, bringing deep expertise in high-precision manufacturing and production operations within one of the most technically demanding sectors in the industry.With a career built on driving performance at scale, Lee understands firsthand the pressures facing New Zealand manufacturers — from supply chain complexity and workforce capability to the pace of technological change on the shop floor.LinkedIn

Provisional Programme

The day, hour by hour

  • 8:30 am9:00 amRegistrationWG201
  • 9:00 am9:15 amWelcome
    WA224A-B

    Opening welcome and scene-setting for the day.

    Catherine Lye is the founding Chief Executive of Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa, New Zealand’s industry-led connector for the manufacturing sector.

    Catherine brings together manufacturers, government, and the innovation ecosystem — and AMF 2026 is a direct expression of that work.

    Catherine LyeCatherine LyeChief Executive, Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa | MC, AMF 2026LinkedInAMA
  • 9:15 am10:00 amPanel discussionWA224A-B
  • 10:00 am10:15 amInstruments of Collaboration
    WG201

    An overview of the pathways available to manufacturers for working with universities — from funded research and student projects to consulting and commercialisation.

    Luke Spencer leads industry and government partnerships for University of Auckland researchers in digital technologies, electronics, automation, and engineering.

    With a background as CTO of a technology consultancy, Luke brings both commercial and academic perspectives to the challenge of translating research into real-world manufacturing outcomes.

    He has been with UniServices since 2022, connecting manufacturers with the right university capabilities at the right time.

    Luke SpencerLuke SpencerPartnerships & Innovation Manager — Digital and Automation, UniServices, University of AucklandLinkedIn
  • 10:15 am10:45 amMorning teaWG201
  • 10:45 am11:30 amParallel sessions
    • Session AWA224AFrom Research to Reality: What Could We Solve Together?

      What’s next for manufacturing — and what could it mean for your business?

      Manufacturing is changing rapidly. Advances in new materials, additive manufacturing, digital technologies and AI are opening new possibilities for how products are designed, made and improved.

      But which developments are genuinely useful for New Zealand manufacturers — and which are still more hype than reality?

      Professor Sarat Singamneni will cut through the noise, sharing insights from advanced manufacturing research and real-world examples. The session will explore where emerging technologies could help SMEs make products faster, cheaper or better, and where a more cautious approach is needed.

      Most importantly, this is an opportunity to connect industry challenges with university capability and ask:

      What problems could we usefully investigate together?

      Prof. Sarat Singamneni, AUTProf. Sarat Singamneni, AUTRead bio
    • Session BWA224BAI for Manufacturing: What’s real, what’s next — and what does it mean for NZ manufacturing

      Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative AI in particular, is rapidly transforming manufacturing.

      Questions are often where they can deliver tangible business value and how AI-enabled solutions can be implemented in ways that are safe, accurate, auditable, secure, and explainable.

      This panel will explore what’s working today, what’s coming next, and what it all means for New Zealand manufacturers. Drawing on some real-world examples, the discussion will examine the evolving role of AI across the manufacturing value chain, from product design and production planning to quality assurance, maintenance, and operational optimisation.

      Panellists
  • 11:30 am12:30 pmIndustry Engagement Session
    WA224A-B

    Company-specific advice in a roundtable format.

    Connect with 3rd and 4th year engineering students, Masters students, academics and industry leaders to help tackle problems and innovation challenges.

    For the best result, submit your manufacturing process challenge or project in advance to assist in the matchmaking process.

  • 12:30 pm1:30 pmLunchWG201
  • 1:30 pm2:15 pmParallel sessions
    • Session CWA224AManufacturing Processes and Materials

      Researching manufacturing processes/technologies serves to improve efficiency, costs, qualities and functional properties of products, sustainability, and/or expand opportunities and capabilities.

      This is the aim of Professor Zhan’s work over the years in his study of the physical events and material behaviour during manufacturing.

      In this talk, professor Zhan (a materials engineer) will provide his own examples of studying the metallurgical, thermomechanical and transformation behaviours during die casting, friction stir welding and metal additive manufacturing of both traditional and newly developed alloys. Linkage of the studies directly or indirectly with industry will be explained.

      Prof. Zhan Chen, AUTProf. Zhan Chen, AUTRead bio
    • Session DWA224BDigital Manufacturing Light

      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.

      Dr Jan Polzer, UoADr Jan Polzer, UoARead bio
  • 2:15 pm3:15 pmIndustry Engagement Session
    WA224A-B

    Company-specific advice in a roundtable format.

    Connect with 3rd and 4th year engineering students, Masters students, academics and industry leaders to help tackle problems and innovation challenges.

    For the best result, submit your manufacturing process challenge or project in advance to assist in the matchmaking process.

  • 3:15 pm3:45 pmAfternoon teaWG201
  • 3:45 pm4:00 pmAddress: Minister Cameron Brewer
    WA224A-B

    Ministerial address from the Hon. Cameron Brewer, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing.

    Cameron Brewer is New Zealand’s Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing and Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, appointed April 2026.

    Hon. Cameron BrewerHon. Cameron BrewerMinister for Small Business and Manufacturing; Minister of Commerce and Consumer AffairsBeehive profile
  • 4:00 pm4:30 pmClosing keynote
    Closing keynoteWA224A-B“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.
    Rob McKenzie-CarrollChief Operating Officer, HamiltonJet
  • 4:30 pm4:45 pmClose
    WG201

    Closing remarks and thanks.

    Catherine Lye is the founding Chief Executive of Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa, New Zealand’s industry-led connector for the manufacturing sector.

    Catherine brings together manufacturers, government, and the innovation ecosystem — and AMF 2026 is a direct expression of that work.

    Catherine LyeCatherine LyeChief Executive, Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa | MC, AMF 2026LinkedInAMA
  • 4:45 pm5:45 pmLab and Facility Tours
    WZ100

    A guided tour of the universities’ advanced manufacturing research facilities.

    Stops include 3D Printing (Prof. Sarat Singamneni), Materials Lab (Prof. Zhan Chen), and Robotics.

    An opportunity to see university research capabilities up close and explore potential collaboration.

  • 5:45 pm7:00 pmAfter-Forum Networking Reception
    WZ100

    Drinks and informal networking to close the day.

    A chance to continue conversations from the Forum in a relaxed setting.

Registration

Secure Your Place

Industry

$149

per company

Covers two attendees from the same company, including catering and the industry engagement session.

  • Two attendees per company
  • Full-day programme access
  • Catering included
  • Project brief pitch slot
See a project brief example
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