Looking forward to SouthMACH 2025
-Adam Sharman, CEO LMAC,APAC As we look ahead to SouthMach 2025, it is hard to avoid the national and global context in which this year’s event is set. Global volatility and uncertainty, combined with a slow domestic economy are providing significant headwinds for New Zealand’s manufacturing industry. With the country’s […]
Own It: Leadership is a Personal Responsibility, Not a Title
In the picture: David Altana is head of Growth & Partnerships at Smartspace.ai & Co-Founder & Host of The Better SMB Podcast. You can’t change your business without changing how you lead. In the picture: Rob Bull, Director & Principal Consultant at Plexus Consultant & Co-Founder & Host […]
Hutt Valley’s focus on manufacturing’s future
Just released is strategic report 35 BY 35, the ten-year roadmap for Hutt Valley business growth, with a strong focus on manufacturing. The ambitious 10-year plan is to grow the Hutt Valley’s GDP by 35%, increase productivity by 16%, and increase highly skilled jobs by 18% – putting our region […]
Digital transformation on a shoestring: Auckland’s innovative approach to manufacturing
A new insights paper from Tātaki Auckland Unlimited reveals how small manufacturers can embrace digital technologies without breaking the bank or risking disrupting their processes. Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s economy, contributing more than $11 billion to the region’s GDP and employing approximately 85,000 people. Despite this […]
The pay equity puzzle: can we compare effort, skill and risk between different industries?
Gemma Piercy, Lecturer, Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, University of Waikato Bill Cochrane, Senior Lecture in Sociology and Social Policy, University of Waikato Suzette Dyer, Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management, University of Waikato Last week’s move by the government to amend pay equity laws, using parliamentary urgency to rush […]
Upskilling your workforce: the secret weapon to staying ahead in tough economies
Convex, an innovative New Zealand plastic packaging company, sees staff training not just as a strategy, but as a vital driver of success. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the company actively invested in upskilling its people to stay agile through the crisis. Now, with New Zealand businesses facing fresh economic challenges, […]
Engineering capacity when and where you need it
Celebrating 10 Years of Caliber Design at SouthMach 2025 Caliber Design is turning 10—and we’re marking the occasion at SouthMach 2025 with a celebration that reflects who we are: practical, people-focused, and project-driven. Visit us at Booth 135 for a slice of birthday cake and go in the draw to […]
Unemployment data shows real weakness behind the headline rate
Unemployment data released today by Statistics New Zealand shows ongoing weakness in the labour market, with falling employment, falling hours of work, and nearly half of all workers getting a pay rise less than inflation, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “While the unemployment rate number stayed at […]
Chemz: Built on experience, Powered by Kiwi loyalty
From May issue of NZ Manufacturer magazine. We celebrate this outstanding achievement. Chemz: 100 Seasons of Kiwi Innovation and Loyalty A New Zealand-owned success story built on quality, loyalty, and a commitment to solutions that work for Kiwi industries – celebrates 25 year anniversary. -John Berry The Chemz story begins […]
Managing legal and reputational risk
Business News/Analysis -Kate Alexander, co-founder, Crisis and Legal PR, Alexander PR The intersection between law and public perception can be a blind spot for lawyers. Yet today’s digital reality is that damage in the court of public opinion can outstrip that in a court of law. It usually happens much […]
Article 2: The Crucial Role of System Integrators in Industry 4.0 and Automation
-Frank Phillips, Director, Fulcrum Welcome to the next part of our Industry 4.0 series for SME manufacturers. We’re exploring various companies that can help you embrace advanced technologies and optimise your operations. Today’s focus: System Integrators. Let’s dive in and see how they can drive your business success. System Integrators: […]
Double materiality: What it is and why it matters to manufacturers
Sustainability isn’t just about ticking boxes for your next report. It’s about seeing the big picture – how the world is affecting your business and how your business is affecting the world. That’s the idea behind double materiality, and it’s something manufacturers across New Zealand should start paying attention to. […]
Navigating the tariff maze: How NZ manufacturers can thrive amid trade tensions
Adam Sharman, CEO LMAC Group APAC Tariff turbulence: Understanding the impact on kiwi manufacturers. As trade tensions escalate globally, through the introduction of heavy tariff from the U.S. New Zealand manufacturers find themselves navigating increasingly complex waters. The United States is one of New Zealand’s key export markets worth approximately NZ$9 billion annually, and New Zealand products provide key components in other countries’ supply chains into the USA. The ripple effects of U.S. tariff changes extend far beyond simple price adjustments. When tariffs increase, manufacturers face immediate margin pressure, but also longer-term strategic questions about market positioning and investment priorities. For New Zealand’s primary sector, dairy processors, which have developed specialised ingredients for U.S. food manufacturers, tariff increases could undermine carefully cultivated market positions. Similarly, premium meat exporters who have invested heavily in sustainability certifications and farm-to-table traceability to command premium pricing, could see their value propositions challenged. The impact extends beyond agricultural processing. New Zealand’s high-tech manufacturing sector, including medical device manufacturers and precision agricultural equipment producers, faces similar challenges. For organisations that have established niches in specialised global supply chains where even modest tariff increases could significantly alter competitive dynamics, a focus on IP protection and maintaining certifications required for market access, for example in aerospace, pharmaceuticals and defence help protect market position, and reduce price sensitivity. Strategic pivot: Capitalising on trade war opportunities While tariff increases present challenges, they also create strategic opportunities. As tensions escalate between the United States and other major trading blocs, particularly Europe and China, New Zealand manufacturers could benefit from “tariff arbitrage” – situations where Kiwi products become relatively more competitive due to higher tariffs on competitor nations. Exporting organisations are required to think differently about their global market positioning, both in terms of direct market tariffs and the relative position […]