Aren’t you sick of talking about it? However, I do need to ask “Is your company highly productive, or not productive enough?”

We need to talk about it – not in a “we need to talk about Kevin way” – because Productivity is front and centre for all the country needs, and stands for, to get ahead.

Let’s be clear, there are plenty of companies hugely invested in the technology and specialist staff to enhance their Productivity. And then there are those, unsure of the investment, unsure of return on investment. Too small to fail, too concerned to move ahead. Overcoming this fear can put the world at their feet.

The drive to place Productivity ‘front and centre’ is very much in the mission statement, of such organisations as EMA and HERA, and forward thinker Ian Walsh of Argon. These are all deeply committed to Industry 4.0 and assisting their members and clients to move forward with better tools and outcomes for the future.

The crises that have affected New Zealand’s business momentum over recent years are numerous – the Christchurch earthquake, the terrorist attack, climate change and the war in Ukraine. Supply chain issues, inflation and the relentless search for qualified staff to keep moving business forward.

Whenever money is needed for flood relief or a crisis, there is a scramble to find it. Whatever party is in power does not solve the reality: money will always be tight.

We are a nation that does well with Productivity in a crisis, when we need to clean-up. It is not a financial return!

Work with the specialists and experts who can assist move your company forward. If you need to form a conglomerate to share equipment and resources, do it. Do not get left behind without the technology and skilled staff so essential for success.

I still say we need a Minister for Manufacturing!

-Doug Green, Publisher