Manufacturers' Monthly Podcast

In this episode of the Manufacturers' Monthly Podcast, Dr Camile Farah, CEO and managing director of Optiscan Imaging, discusses how the company is advancing real-time digital microscopic imaging and positioning itself as a global leader in medtech innovation. Farah explains how Optiscan's miniaturised, pen-sized devices enable instant, high-resolution imaging of living tissue at the cellular level — transforming diagnostics, surgical decision-making and pathology workflows. By reducing reliance on traditional biopsy and slide-based processes, the technology is helping clinicians make faster, more accurate decisions at the point of care. The conversation also explores Optiscan's Melbourne-based manufacturing capability, its growing international footprint, and the broader rise of Australian medtech manufacturing on the global stage.

In this episode of the Manufacturers' Monthly Podcast, host Jack Lloyd speaks with Bernie Quinn, CEO and engineering director of Premcar, about Australia's automotive past — and what it means for the future of local manufacturing. Quinn reflects on the rise of Australia's car industry, the impact of the end of mass vehicle manufacturing, and the engineering capability that still exists across the country. Drawing on Premcar's work in advanced vehicle development, he explains why Australia still has the technical expertise, precision engineering skills and innovation capacity to play a significant role in global automotive programs. The conversation also explores the importance of rebuilding a national manufacturing mindset. Quinn discusses sovereign capability, skills retention and why long-term thinking is essential if Australia is to remain competitive in advanced manufacturing sectors. From the legacy of local vehicle production to the opportunities emerging in modern automotive engineering, this episode looks at how industry knowledge, design capability and engineering excellence can help position Australia as a serious manufacturing nation once again.

In the debut episode of Manufacturers' Monthly Podcast, Manufacturers' Monthly editor Jack Lloyd speaks with Dr Matthew Tetlow, CEO of satellite manufacturer Inovor Technologies, about how advanced manufacturing is underpinning Australia's growing role in the global space sector. From sovereign capability to scaling complex space hardware locally, the conversation explores why Australia is better positioned than many realise – and what needs to happen next to turn ambition into sustained industrial capability. This episode marks the first instalment Manufacturers' Monthly Podcast, a new podcast examining the people, technologies and ideas shaping Australian manufacturing.