Why a highly-skilled workforce is critical for success

Why a highly-skilled workforce is critical for success

Fiona Kingsford. “While employers may not be able to protect jobs from automation, we can collectively be responsible for protecting our people and preparing them for change through ongoing training and reskilling.”     Ensuring staff have the right skills now and in the future is vital for the sustainability, productivity and global competitiveness of […]

EMEX 2018 – The biggest in decades

EMEX 2018 – The biggest in decades

More than 150 international and local exhibitors will inform, delight, entertain and celebrate kiwi design and innovation across the three days. There’s also the serious business of putting forward great commercial deals for the manufacturing community. If you’re in Engineering, Manufacturing or Electronics then you really need to visit this free event to best position […]

Regions get boost with Provincial Growth Fund  

Regions get boost with Provincial Growth Fund   

  The $1 billion Provincial Growth Fund launched by the Government  will give New Zealand’s regions a boost and help unlock the potential of our rural and smaller centres, Local Government New Zealand says. The Provincial Growth Fund, launched in Gisborne today by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Minister for Regional Economic Development Shane Jones, […]

New education programme to support Kiwi entrepreneurship

New education programme to support Kiwi entrepreneurship

 Aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs alike will see their business ideas reach new heights thanks to two high-profile business leaders who have developed an entrepreneurial education programme to put New Zealand at the top of the world map when it comes to innovation. This month, the Practical Innovation and Entrepreneurship Paper – an online course for […]

Innovate or Die

Innovate or Die

Hamish Whyte, CEO, Furnware. Innovation is the buzz word these days, but how and what to innovate in your business or product range is often a difficult decision. Two things stand out; asking questions and listening to the answers of course.  And passion, as you will find out in the interview I had with Hamish […]

Manufacturing shows solid growth to end 2017

Manufacturing shows solid growth to end 2017

Manufacturing showed solid growth in the December quarter of 2017, with total manufacturing improving 1.8% on December 2016, while manufacturing excluding meat and dairy saw an impressive 3.2% growth on the December 2016 quarter. “This was a great way to end 2017 for manufacturing, which when excluding meat and dairy, experienced consistent growth throughout 2017 […]

Corrosion impact on bridge infrastructure

In New Zealand,  many of the older timber rail bridges nearing the end of their useful life are being replaced by 'weathering steel' girder bridges which should provide a longer operational lifespan.

Corrosion impact on bridge infrastructure

Corrosion will affect all types of metals to varying degrees of severity and speed. Unless comprehensive management plans are developed and implemented, steel and other metals will ‘rust’ and reinforced concrete will spall and crack. Corrosion can be prevented or minimised by either ‘isolating’ the material from its environment with some sort of coating or […]

Shakeup at Mastip

Shakeup at Mastip

Mastip has been a stalwart of NZ manufacturing for over 25 years. Regarded as a pioneer of the global plastics hot runner industry, its products are now in 40 countries. But importantly, the company is receiving a shakeup from new CEO Marc Michel, calling on him to grow the company, double its earnings accelerate new […]