Last month massive for the Manufacturing sector
-Hon. Cameron Brewer, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing I had the opportunity to attend and speak at the Hutt Valley Manufacturing and Innovation Expo, where I saw first-hand the breadth of activity and innovation underway in the region. Following this, visiting EMEX 2026 (Pictured)and speaking directly with exhibitors reinforced […]
Do you have a plan for after your exit ?
From June 2026 issue NZ Manufacturer magazine -Mike Warmington, Director, Platform 1 Having a plan for after you exit your business is just as important as the exit plan. You may have been in your business many years and it defines you. There has been structure to your life and […]
Q & A: Greg Balla, CEO, AoFrio
From June issue, NZ Manufacturer magazine. How is business? The business is in great shape and we’re genuinely optimistic about where we’re heading. In 2025, AoFrio’s revenue reached a record NZ$83.2 million, up 4.4% on the prior year with strong growth across our IoT business. We expect full-year 2026 […]
Alan Bollard on the changing rules of global trade
By EMA Head of Export and Manufacturing Simon Devoy From supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions to tariff disputes and shifting trade alliances, business disruption seems to arrive from all angles, often with little warning. For exporters and manufacturers, the challenge is constant. How should they respond? How should […]
Will the budget boost small firms? Not in the way we might think
Rod McNaughton, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau With the lid lifted on Budget 2026 many small and medium New Zealand businesses will be poring over the detail to see what it has in store for them. Many may come away disappointed. With the government having been upfront about its […]
Manufacturing excellence celebrated at annual awards
NZ Manufacturer Manufacturing awards presented during EMEX 2026. The people and businesses driving innovation, growth and resilience across New Zealand’s manufacturing sector have been recognised at the second annual Minister for Manufacturing Awards. “This year’s finalists have set the bar for excellence in modern New Zealand manufacturing,” says Minister for […]
Critical materials: the hidden supply chain risk for manufacturers
By Jim Goddin, Head of Circularity at thinkstep-nz The Iran crisis has exposed a hard truth for global business: supply chains are only as resilient as their weakest link. When conflict disrupts major trade routes, the effects spread quickly through the wider economy. The immediate shock may be geopolitical, […]
A New Service to Power Your Projects
We’re heading back to EMEX 2026, and this year we’ve got something new to share. Complex projects rarely sit neatly inside one discipline. Electrical design, automation, controls, mechanical design, commissioning, and documentation all need to line up. We’ve introduced Automation & Controls so we can support clients across more of […]
Listening harder in a noisier world
By EMA Head of Membership and Export Simon Devoy If there’s one thing Kiwi manufacturers and exporters don’t need in 2026, it’s more noise. Between tariffs, geopolitical tensions and the return of supply chain disruption, clarity is harder to find. That is why the ExportNZ DHL Export Barometer matters, and […]
Delivering Productivity at EMEX 2026
Ian Walsh, Partner, Argon & Co For over 20 years, we have helped hundreds of New Zealand businesses improve productivity and increase EBIT. The outcomes are practical, measurable, and often achieved without significant capital investment. For example: A plastics manufacturer increased throughput by 60%, with the same labour cost A […]
Lessons from the 1%
Success isn’t what you start. It’s what you don’t stop. When you spend time inside New Zealand’s best manufacturing businesses there’s a pattern that shows up again and again. They don’t launch more initiatives They don’t chase the latest tool They don’t rely on heroic effort or last‑minute pushes. They […]
Leadership: The difference between the plan you have and the results you get
Adam Harvey, Business Performance Partner – Manufacturing , The Learning Wave You can feel good leadership before you see it. A strong shift hums. There’s a rhythm: Clean handovers, problems solved where they happen, and a team that knows what “good” is. Output is steady. Waste is controlled. The team […]
EMEX is with us again
From May issue, NZ Manufacturer magazine The latest version, EMEX 2026, is mere days away. The most focussed trade fair for manufacturing businesses in New Zealand continues to display the latest and advanced equipment and technology which our companies require to improve their levels of Productivity and to make better their chances of success on local and export markets. There is no getting away from the fact that New Zealand’s future depends on continuing to find avenues overseas for our quality products. We can’t, of course, guarantee markets. We strive to be product perfect and cost competitive, in a cluttered world where it is everyone for themselves. And the technology and expertise from EMEX 2026 can help your company get there. There is a real plethora of events for your interest, including the Make NZ Industry Conference; the Epicor Knowledge Theatre; Harnex AI Workshops; the Minister for Manufacturing Awards; plus, a host of Industry Speakers, including Ian Walsh from Argon & Co and David Altana from The Better SMB, to bring you up to date with expert advice for better business. Enjoy the trade show, savour in the experience, make new business contacts and make every second count as you network for your company’s future. -Doug Green, Publisher, NZ Manufacturer magazine