Short, sourced updates about pricing, supply chains and digital adoption — with a clear distinction between the published facts and what they may mean for quoting.
Last reviewed: 2 October 2026Published fact. The ABS reported 12% of Australian businesses used AI in 2024–25, compared with 1% in 2022–23.
Why it matters for quoting. For fabrication teams, the useful question is not whether AI exists — it is whether software keeps the estimator in control and applies AI to practical work such as extracting RFQ information, comparing history and surfacing exceptions.
Australian Bureau of Statistics · Characteristics of Australian BusinessPublished fact. The same ABS release found 59% of businesses reported supply-chain disruptions in 2024–25, and 15% said supply-chain issues significantly hampered business activity or performance.
Why it matters for quoting. Material, supplier and lead-time assumptions can change between one quote and the next. A quoting workflow should make assumptions visible rather than silently reuse an old price.
Australian Bureau of Statistics · Characteristics of Australian BusinessPublished fact. ABS Producer Price Indexes showed final demand prices rose 3.6% over the year to June 2026. Output prices for the manufacturing industry rose 2.2% in the June quarter; that manufacturing figure was driven by petroleum and coal products and is not a sheet-metal-specific measure.
Why it matters for quoting. The practical takeaway for estimators is simple: historical quotes are useful context, but current rates and assumptions still need review before a price is reused.
Australian Bureau of Statistics · Producer Price Indexes, Australia