Media Release: AFC Launches Australia’s First Clothing Smart Factory Feasibility Study with Three Leading Universities, Backed by Epson Australia and Investment NSW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A blueprint for creating a next-generation, technology-enabled clothing manufacturing facility at a viable scale and cost.
The study is backed by Epson, and two government portfolios; Investment NSW and the NSW Government's Fashion Sector Strategy.
Three leading universities, RMIT, Swinburne and UTS, are pooling expertise to form the research consortium.
The AFC's longer-term ambition is a scalable, replicable model for a national network of smart factories over the coming decade.

Sydney, Australia: The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has commissioned a landmark feasibility study to establish a first-of-its-kind Clothing Smart Factory in Australia, a nationally significant step towards rebuilding sovereign capability and creating a new generation of advanced fashion manufacturing. A Clothing Smart Factory is a next-generation, technology-enabled manufacturing facility designed to bring onshore garment production back for Australian brands. The purpose-built manufacturing incubator will allow brands to test ideas, conduct R&D, and run small production at a scale and cost that is currently unviable onshore.

The study is backed by global technology leader Epson, the AFC’s strategic print and projection partner supporting the digital textile printing capability, and supported by Investment NSW through its Fostering Innovation Sponsorship Program. The study brings together a research consortium of three of Australia's leading universities, RMIT, Swinburne University of Technology and University of Technology Sydney and, combining deep expertise across advanced manufacturing, textile technology and the emerging skills needed to power the fashion industry's digital transformation.

The Smart Factory will investigate a Cut, Make and Trim (CMT) facility equipped with digital pattern making, digital textile printing, CNC cutting, automated production line machinery and advanced finishing technologies. The final study will deliver a blueprint to establish a smart factory in NSW, assessing market demand, technical requirements, workforce and skills, financial modelling and opportunities for government and industry co-investment.

The Hon. Anoulack Chanthivong MP, NSW Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, said: “The NSW Government is proud to support initiatives that keep fashion and textile manufacturing right here in New South Wales. A clothing smart factory has the potential to create skilled local jobs, strengthen our advanced manufacturing base and broaden our innovation ecosystem. This feasibility study is an important step in building the networks across academia and industry to enhance our manufacturing expertise and competitiveness in this sector.”

Sam Delgos, General Manager of the AFC, said "Australia has extraordinary design talent, but for decades we've watched our clothing manufacturing capability move offshore. If we're serious about building a globally competitive fashion industry, we need the infrastructure to support it. This feasibility study is our blueprint; bringing together industry, government and Australia's leading universities to explore a new model for advanced, on-demand production. We’re building the case for long-term investment in sovereign manufacturing, future skills and local production"

Craig Heckenberg, Managing Director of Epson Australia and New Zealand, said: "Epson is once again proud to support the Australian Fashion Council on another important initiative. Digital textile printing is transforming how garments are designed and made, reducing waste and water use while enabling local, on-demand production. We are delighted we can bring our technology and expertise to a project that will reshape the future of Australian fashion manufacturing."

Dr Alice Payne, Professor and Dean, School of Fashion & Textiles, RMIT, said: "RMIT's School of Fashion and Textiles is proud to bring our expertise in design, enterprise and technology to this nationally significant project. Our staff work at the intersection of practice and research, as designers, technologists and industry leaders, and that experience is central to shaping a smart factory model that is genuinely viable for Australian brands. We're excited to partner with the AFC and our consortium partners to help build a funding model that is sustainable and scalable, and to ensure this facility reflects the ethical, sustainable and regenerative practice our industry needs for the future.”

Professor Blair Kuys, Executive Dean, School of Design and Architecture, Swinburne, said: "On-demand and hyper-personalised fashion represent a significant opportunity for Australia’s creative and manufacturing economies. Swinburne University of Technology is proud to be working with the Australian Fashion Council and the consortium university partners to contribute our expertise in artificial intelligent manufacturing and build on our recent investment in fashion technologies. This study is an important step towards supporting the future of advanced fashion manufacturing in Australia.”

Professor James Bennett, Dean, Faculty of Design & Society, UTS, said: “UTS is committed to supporting our world-leading creative industries grow and innovate through ethical and sustainable practices, which is why we are proud to partner with RMIT and Swinburne Universities on this project. This is a significant milestone of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, and UTS will build upon our expertise to complete the Workforce Analysis.”

The initiative is directly aligned with the NSW Government's Fashion Sector Strategy, which signals strong appetite for investment in the sector and a priority for the state. The AFC's longer-term ambition is a scalable, replicable model that could underpin a national network of smart factories over the coming decade. Together with the AFC's work across Australian Fashion Week, Global Gateways export development, workforce capability and the National Manufacturing Strategy, the Clothing Smart Factory represents another pillar in rebuilding Australia's fashion ecosystem from design through to manufacturing and global market access.

The study is expected to be completed in late 2026, ahead of an AFC industry launch event.

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Download imagery here.
For further information:
Prue-ellen Thomas, Head of Marketing and Communications, AFC
pthomas@ausfashioncouncil.com +61 439 882 788

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN FASHION COUNCIL:
The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) is a not-for-profit and the peak body for the Australian fashion and textile industry, representing the sector for over 70 years. AFC members are Australian founded or majority owned businesses involved in producing fabric, clothing, footwear or accessories, including individuals that contribute creatively and economically to the Australian fashion and textile industry. The AFC champion and advocate for a prosperous and creative Australian fashion and textiles industry, with the purpose of building a vibrant, inclusive ecosystem for our member community through education, collaboration and innovation.

ABOUT EPSON AND THE MONNA LISA PRINTER:
Epson is a technology innovation and engineering company whose philosophy of efficient, compact, and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company uses technology and engineering ability to implement real-world solutions in precision innovation, industrial & robotics, office & home printing, and visual & lifestyle. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1.4 trillion.

Epson is very much at the heart of onshore garment production with solutions such as its Monna Lisa direct-to-fabric series of digital printers that enable print on demand manufacturing that minimises waste, reduces energy use and shortens supply chains – all key goals for an industry striving to meet both environmental and creative challenges. Featuring water-based pigment inks and precision print technology, the Monna Lisa series also enables sustainable on demand manufacturing, reducing waste, uses less water and helps brands become faster and more agile to changing trends while making local production more cost effective.

Media Release: Australian Fashion Council And Epson Australia To Develop Smart Factory Blueprint Powered By Ai And Digital Technologies

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – 15th May, 2025

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) and Epson Australia have launched an initiative to evaluate the potential for an AI and digitally-powered smart factory to advance Australia's clothing manufacturing capabilities. The organisations are seeking a qualified research partner to conduct a six-month feasibility study that will create a detailed blueprint for a pilot facility combining digital design and print, automation, and AI technologies to revolutionise local production.

The announcement comes just one week after the AFC unveiled its commitment to developing Australia's first-ever National Manufacturing Strategy for the fashion and textile industry. This smart factory feasibility study will evaluate how cutting-edge technology can form a key pillar in rebuilding local manufacturing capabilities.

A clothing smart factory is an automated production facility that enables on-demand, customisable garment manufacturing with minimal waste and fast turnaround times. By bringing together digital design and print and advanced manufacturing technologies with AI-powered systems and analytics, smart factories enable quick, flexible production runs that respond rapidly to market trends without the high minimum order quantities that can result in overproduction.

Jaana Quaintance-James, CEO of the Australian Fashion Council, said: "This smart factory initiative addresses multiple challenges facing Australian fashion manufacturing, from supply chain disruptions to skills shortages. Our sector is at a critical tipping point. The feasibility study will validate whether a smart factory pilot program can be commercially viable while delivering broader benefits as part of an integrated advanced manufacturing ecosystem."

Research commissioned by the AFC has estimated that for every $1 million invested in returning production to Australia, approximately $1.2 million in economic returns could be generated through job creation, technology adoption, strengthened local supply chains, and reduced import dependencies.

Craig Heckenberg, Managing Director of Epson Australia, said: "Epson is committed to supporting innovation in Australian manufacturing as we believe Epson’s digital textile printing technology can help build a more sustainable world and improve lives. Our partnership with the AFC and this blueprint and initiative will help local brands, big and small, have access to smart manufacturing capabilities that match their scale and ambition. For smaller brands, it means producing high quality garments locally, on demand. For larger companies it offers a blueprint to implement smart factory practices within their operations. As a result, we see a future where Australian made sustainable fashion will set the global standard, leading not just in design, but also in ethical, high-tech manufacturing.”

Why a Feasibility Study?

Before committing significant resources to establish a smart factory, the AFC and Epson recognise the importance of thoroughly validating the concept, and learning from other local and international examples. The comprehensive six-month study will assess market viability, technical requirements, operational models, financial projections, and social and environmental considerations to create a detailed implementation roadmap.

"This isn't just a research exercise, it's the foundation for action," said Quaintance-James. "Following completion of the study toward the end of 2025, we'll develop a detailed implementation plan to secure investment partnerships, finalise specifications for an initial pilot, develop training programs with educational institutions, and create a governance framework to maximise benefits to the Australian fashion industry."

"The smart factory concept represents a transformative shift toward 'rapid agile' on-demand manufacturing,” Heckenberg said. "Rather than speculative production, this approach enables creating products in response to actual consumer demand, simultaneously addressing profitability challenges and environmental concerns."

The initiative aims to retain sovereign manufacturing capability, rebuild local supply chains, drive digital innovation, and upskill the workforce through educational partnerships. "These advancements will deliver far-reaching economic and community benefits - from job creation and skills development to regional growth and greater participation for women in technology-driven manufacturing roles," Quaintance-James added.

Call for Research Partners

The AFC and Epson Australia are seeking research partners with experience in technology and innovation, fashion and textile industry expertise, stakeholder engagement, comprehensive research and analysis skills, and financial analysis capabilities.

Research partners may be Australian-based or international organisations with the capacity to conduct a thorough feasibility study that delivers actionable recommendations.

Interested parties should submit their expressions of interest by Sunday, 15th June, 2025.

For more information, please contact: Sam Delgos, Industry Relations Manager, AFC, sdelgos@ausfashioncouncil.com

The complete program page can be found here.

About Australian Fashion Council
The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) is a not-for-profit and the peak body for the Australian fashion and textile industry, representing the sector for over 70 years. AFC members are Australian founded or majority owned businesses involved in producing fabric, clothing, footwear or accessories, including individuals that contribute creatively and economically to the Australian fashion and textile industry. The AFC champion and advocate for a prosperous and creative Australian fashion and textiles industry, with the purpose of building a vibrant, inclusive ecosystem for our member community through education, collaboration and innovation.
www.ausfashioncouncil.com

About Epson Australia
Epson Australia offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the commercial, industrial, consumer, business, photography and graphic arts markets, and is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) solutions for the retail market. Epson is the market leader in Australia and worldwide in sales of projectors for the home, office and education. Established in 1983 and now in its 41st year of operation, Epson Australia is headquartered in North Sydney and is a subsidiary of the Epson Group headquartered in Japan.
www.epson.com.au

Media Contacts:
Elizabeth Anderson
Head of Policy & Communications, AFC
eanderson@ausfashioncoiuncil.com
+61 424 991 231

Salvatore Di Muccio
Well Above
salvatore@wellabove.com
+61 412 649 964