Matter: The Magnificent Illusion -1st Edition
by Guido Tonelli What are we made up of? What holds material bodies together? Is there a difference between terrestrial matter and celestial matter – the matter that makes up the Earth and the matter that makes up the Sun and other stars? When Democritus stated, between the fifth and […]
Book Review: Power Metal
By Vince Beiser Power Metal sounds the alarm on the environmental and social consequences of electronic and digital energy—and how the ways we are combating climate change come at a cost. When we bring our mobile phone to life with a tap or settle in behind the wheel of our car, […]
Innovation in adversity: Transformative approaches to outsourcing
As the year winds down, businesses across New Zealand reflect on lessons learned and strategise for growth. For some, this year has been transformative, driven by innovative approaches to overcoming industry challenges. Director of Auckland public relations agency Impact PR Mark Devlin, discusses how selective outsourcing can be leveraged to […]
Elevating New Zealand Manufacturing: A Vision for 2025 and Beyond
-David O’Connor, Head of Emerging Markets, The Learning Wave As we bid farewell to the challenging winds of 2024 and step into a fresh new year, there’s a sense of optimism and energy for what lies ahead for Kiwi manufacturing businesses. The opportunity to drive growth while scaling operations […]
New Zealand Manufacturing: A Year of Resilience and Transformation in 2024
Adam Sharman CEO LMAC-Group APAC The New Zealand manufacturing sector has navigated a complex landscape in 2024, with significant headwinds such as persistent inflation and increased operational costs, local and global supply chain complexities and global economic uncertainty; factors which led many to adopt the mantra of ‘survive to ‘25’ […]
2024 : We are experiencing the bust, are we prepared for the boom?
Dr Troy Coyle, CEO NZ Heavy Engineering Research Association (HERA) 2024 was a difficult year for construction and therefore manufacturing supply chains supporting it. Our levy, which is legislated under the Heavy Engineering Research Levy Act, 1968, is a reliable indicator of sector activity (at least in the segments that use […]
A year to reflect and renew
From NZ Manufacturer magazine, December 2024. By EMA Head of Advanced Manufacturing, Jane Finlayson There’s no doubt that 2024 has been another challenging year for New Zealand’s manufacturing sector. Global uncertainties, local economic pressures, and significant supply chain disruptions have tested manufacturers across the country. Yet, despite these obstacles, the […]
Editorial NZ Manufacturer December issue: Challenges and success hand in hand in 2024
In a year that has brought its challenges, there are success stories of businesses striving and finding new opportunities and markets. And we also have a balancing act, one where we retain staff or see them leave for overseas in their quest to try something different. It has been a […]
What will 2025 bring? Ian Walsh, Partner, Argon & Co NZ
From December NZ Manufacturer magazine, The Year in Review If 2024 was the year of “survive to 25”, what will 2025 bring? Many businesses this year were very focused on managing cost, avoiding unnecessary spending and looking to how they can improve their productivity to improve returns. Of course, many […]
Report: China & New Zealand National Brands Forum
Held in November during the China International Import Expo in which New Zealand was the guest of honor. The forum was co-hosted by the NEXT Federation and the New Zealand Business Roundtable in China, with co-organisation by the China Chamber of Commerce of I/E Foodstuffs, Native Products and Animal By-Products, […]
NZ SME manufacturers primed for a bounceback, says report
The downward economic trend for the NZ SME manufacturing industry has stabilised, with key signals pointing to a recovery, according to new data from inventory management software company, Unleashed. The quarterly Unleashed Manufacturing Report showed purchasing activity by New Zealand manufacturers rose in Q3 for the first time since the end of 2022, indicating […]
Navigating a Reputation Crisis
Business leaders rarely expect a reputation crisis, but these situations do arise, often attracting media scrutiny. Facing media inquiries in challenging times can be daunting, particularly when potential brand damage is involved. Director of Auckland public relations agency Impact PR Mark Devlin discusses how manufacturers can navigate a crisis in […]
How manufacturers can prepare for the ESPR
www.thinkstep-anz.com Image by Dinh Khoi Nguyen from Pixabay. As global sustainability regulations evolve, New Zealand manufacturers must stay ahead of the curve to maintain their competitive edge, especially with upcoming policies like the European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). But what is the ESPR, and how can manufacturers in New Zealand prepare for it? What is the ESPR? The ESPR is a new EU policy aimed at making products more sustainable and circular throughout their lifecycle, supporting the EU’s 2050 climate goals. The ESPR applies to products sold within the EU, setting specific sustainability requirements for design, use and disposal. It applies to most products sold in the EU, except for some like food and medicines. Non-compliant products may face fines or bans. Although it took effect in July 2024, the detailed rules will be developed over the next year. The regulation aims to make products more durable, reusable, repairable, and recyclable, while banning the destruction of unsold goods like electronics and textiles. A digital product passport will also be required, giving consumers direct access to sustainability data and exposing brands to greenwashing claims under the Green Claims Directive. Why should New Zealand manufacturers pay attention to ESPR? For manufacturers exporting to the EU or intend to: Failure to prepare for the regulations could result in loss of market access, fines, or even prosecution. Your products will face stricter comparisons on sustainability and circularity, which could impact your market share positively or negatively. Even if your business doesn’t currently export to the EU, the trends set by the ESPR are likely to influence regulations and purchasing decisions in other markets. As supply chains globalise, multinational corporations may enforce ESPR-style standards on all their suppliers, no matter where they are located. With more sustainability and […]