Whether it’s cold storage warehouses in Sydney’s west or packaging plants in regional Queensland, the Australian food and beverage sector is facing one of its greatest modern challenges.
With inflation tightening margins and supply chains under strain, consumers are more conscious than ever of their purchasing habits. They want their food products to be fresher, faster, cheaper and greener, and while a six per cent dip in consumer confidence makes headlines, the real story is the mounting pressure behind the scenes.
Trade routes are shifting, compliance demands are increasing, and the need for speed is no longer negotiable. This leads to the key question for Australian food and beverage producers, manufacturers and retailers – are your logistics, manufacturing and packaging systems ready for what’s next?
Historically treated as a cost centre, intralogistics, automation and packaging are now three critical levers of business resilience and growth. Today, they are the difference between delivering fresh stock daily or running empty shelves.
Between hitting sustainability targets or falling behind regulation. They have shifted from a background function to a competitive weapon, ultimately becoming the difference between surviving or thriving.
In July, food and beverage leaders will have a rare opportunity to see how key players are pioneering the way for transformation firsthand.
Three interconnected events offer one game –changing opportunity
From 22 to 24 July 2025, three of the region’s most future-focused trade shows will converge under one roof at The Dome, Sydney Olympic Park:
- CeMAT Australia.
- Industrial Transformation Australia.
- The Processing & Packaging Expo powered by APPMA.
Together, they form an integrated platform designed to help food and beverage businesses compete in a system being redrawn in real time.
CeMAT Australia: reimagining food logistics
CeMAT is an Australian event the showcases the latest products and information in intralogistics, robotics, automation and warehousing technology – all vital for a sector where shelf life, hygiene, traceability and temperature control are non-negotiable. Here are what will be some of the highlights of the event:
Discover robotics, ASRS and automation solutions purpose-built for food environments.
Learn how to streamline cold chain logistics and reduce food waste.
Explore tech for faster fulfilment, smarter inventory and fresher delivery.
What to expect:
- Live demos of warehouse robotics and AI driven fulfilment systems.
- Cold chain and traceability solutions to meet compliance standards.
- Knowledge Theatre sessions with logistics and FMCG supply chain leaders.
- The Australian Forklift Championships – celebrating operational precision.
Industrial transformation Australia: smarter production for every palate
As private label grows and production shifts closer to market, food and beverage brands must adopt smarter manufacturing. Industrial Transformation Australia showcases automation, IoT and data-driven production to help optimise every part of the supply chain from ingredients to shelf. Why it matters for food and beverage:
- Improve production visibility and traceability from paddock to plate.
- Discover scalable automation for mixing, batching and labelling.
- Use real-time data to increase yield and reduce waste.
What to expect:
- Innovation Stage presentations on AI, predictive maintenance and digital twins.
- Supplier meetings with automation and process control experts.
- Case studies on adaptive manufacturing in food and beverage plants.
Processing & Packaging Expo powered by APPMA: where innovation meets fresh thinking
Sustainable, functional and fast — food and beverage packaging must do more than ever. The Processing & Packaging Expo powered by APPMA brings the latest in automation, smart labelling and sustainable packaging design.
Why it matters for food and beverage:
- Explore compostable, recyclable and smart packaging innovations.
- Meet packaging automation suppliers who understand food grade needs.
- Optimise packaging lines for both speed and sustainability.
What to expect:
- Hands on demos of automated case packing, labelling and inspection systems.
- Materials and machinery built for extended shelf life and minimal waste.
- ESG aligned solutions to help meet customer and compliance targets.
A must attend event for food and beverage innovators
Whether you’re managing a processing plant, scaling a direct-to-consumer brand or optimising a cold chain, this is the one event that connects the full ecosystem. One pass gives visitors access to all three shows, curated to help food and beverage professionals innovate faster, operate smarter and deliver better outcomes for customers and the planet.