Expansion of education to work schemes encouraging
The Youth Guarantee and other skills training schemes are clearly getting traction so it’s great they’re being expanded and added to, says Kim Campbell, chief executive of the Employers and Manufacturers Association, commenting on the training package announced today. “We’re much encouraged by the government focus on getting younger people […]
New Zealand ‘18th most competitive’ nation
New Zealand is the 18th most competitive country in the world, according to this year’s Global Competitiveness Index*. The Index ranks countries according to their performance on factors such as innovation, market size, market efficiency, infrastructure, business sophistication and others. This year New Zealand has overtaken five countries, including Australia, […]
Trade deficit a growing problem
The latest New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NZMEA) Survey of Business Conditions completed during August 2013, shows total sales in July 2013 decreased 2.62% (export sales decreased by 3.7% with domestic sales decreasing 1.74%) on July 2012. The NZMEA survey sample this month covered NZ$551m in annualised sales, with […]
Fonterra’s false alarm shows danger of ‘crying wolf’
Victoria and Otago Marketing academics provide expert comment on the Fonterra crisis: Although it is good news that Fonterra received the ‘all clear’ from the Ministry for Primary Industries yesterday, a lot more needs to be done to restore New Zealand’s reputation, say academics from Victoria University of Wellington and […]
High-tech manufacturing sector continues to grow
The high and medium-high technology manufacturing sectors have shown growth and resilience despite global economic challenges, a new Government report shows. The High and Medium-High Technology Manufacturing Sectors Report was recently released by Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce. High-tech manufacturing includes pharmaceuticals, aircraft manufacture, professional and scientific equipment manufacturing, and […]
Enhanced integrated electrode solution
A range of enhancements has been added to the Delcam Electrode integrated solution for the design, machining and inspection of electrodes. The new version includes support for burn-vector electrodes, automated machining of electrode frames, batch processing of multiple machining projects and faster generation of electrode drawings. Delcam Electrode also benefits […]
Versatile swivel lamp
Two versatile and compact L.E.D interior lamps may well shine more light throughout the interiors of caravans, motors homes and boats. The two newcomers feature a swivel action that allows the lens to be rotated 180¼ for fast and easy adjustment of the light to where it is required. The […]
Manufacturing in crisis, but not here
By Bruce Goldsworthy, EMA, Manager of Advocacy and Manufacturing Services. The crisis in manufacturing makes grim reading, but thankfully for New Zealand its happening in Australia, not here. Unlike their counterparts across the ditch, Kiwi manufacturers are showing every sign of resilience and investor confidence. The evidence for the Australian […]
Alarm over extent of workplace drug problem
The extent and cost of drugs affecting the workplace and work output has raised the alarm with the Employers and Manufacturers Association. Over half of the workplaces responding to a recent EMA survey* said they have had to take disciplinary action with an employee over a drugs issue. “Nearly half […]
LVR “speed limits” welcome and necessary
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) has released the details on restrictions to high loan to value ratio mortgages, which will come into effect on the 1st of October. This is a positive step forward in addressing some of the issues immediately facing our economy; this and more tools […]
Trend setter
Manufacturing activity for July continued the trend of healthy expansion in the sector, according to the latest BNZ – BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI). The seasonally adjusted PMI for July was 59.5 (a PMI reading above 50.0 indicates that manufacturing is generally expanding; below 50.0 that it is declining). […]
State of the Environment reporting good news for business and the environment
Today’s announcement by the Environment Minister Amy Adams that the Government will legislate for independent environmental reporting is an important step forward for the future of New Zealand’s economy and environment, says the Sustainable Business Council, a division of BusinessNZ. Penny Nelson, Executive Director of the Sustainable Business Council, says […]
SouthMACH 2023 – technology and manufacturing excellence
SouthMACH, the bi-annual technology trade fair returns to Christchurch Arena 24-25 May, in two weeks time. www.southmach.co.nz With on-going change in products and services for the manufacturing sector, some of it quite profound, it is important to visit trade fairs like this, to see the latest technologies available and mix and discuss business opportunities with your peers. IIvisitors Visitors include Canterbury University, progressive members of the chamber of commerce, industry leaders, engineers, technical specialists, operations managers, company decisionmakers and operatives who have a stake in the future of manufacturing in the South Island – and further afield. Students are warmly invited to visit, to view and consider potential career options for the future. Partake in… Make NZ’s ‘Listen and Learn’ manufacturing industry conference on May 24, as part of SouthMach which will focus on peer-to-peer learning opportunities for manufacturing leaders. It’s a one-day conference with presentations from well-known and exciting manufacturing leaders across three sessions,” says Aad van der Poel, exhibition sales and event manager for Xpo Exhibitions, organiser of SouthMach 2023. Sessions during Listen and Learn will include a focus on the local and global environment that New Zealand manufacturers operate in, innovation for profit – as well as products, processes and business models. Reducing waste and carbon footprint will be covered and many are looking forward to MESNZ’s James Neale with his presentation ‘If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, do your homework first’. Van der Poel says that the wide variety of key industry people with crucial information will help manufacturers meet customer expectations, become an employer of choice, and retain a social licence to operate, Industry 4.0, to name but a few. “You will walk away with plenty of new ideas for making the boat go faster in your factory, and future-proofing you manufacturing business,” […]