We have all heard of our ‘productivity problem’. Adopting proven and well understood technology – not the bleeding edge risky stuff – will be key to tackling it.

Anyone in manufacturing who has tried to search for technology solutions to solve a particular challenge knows the rabbit hole it can become. The associated lack of confidence in vendors (particularly when there’s no in country support) follows; so it goes in the too hard basket and progress stops.

All this in a nation where Number 8 wire pedigree and ‘build it yourself’ solutions start to proliferate. This distracts from core business focus and can be a black hole of investment to develop and maintain.

What does Fulcrum do?

We save time; give confidence and ultimately help manufacturers get stuff done!

Fulcrum connects New Zealand manufacturers to New Zealand technology partners. Part of this is a simple self-service platform, but we also act as your part time CTO, prioritising and advising to make sure the right things get done by the right partners.

In New Zealand we have all the skills, knowledge and technology for manufacturing to thrive, but we often don’t do a great job of talking about it!

Fulcrum  works with manufacturers and primary industries of all sizes. We often find that our on-boarding and follow up sessions allow us to act as an unofficial ‘part time CTO’ – helping manufacturers to prioritise, build the foundations of their digital transformation and work with the right partners to deliver it.

We’ve been conscious when onboarding Technology partners that their can be a right size fit to consider. A specialist contractor working independently may be the right fit for one manufacturer in agility and cost, but not right for another where long term support agreements are needed.

Digitisation is the way forward?

Not always, our background in manufacturing brings with it a huge amount of pragmatism, we will just as often guide manufacturers away from a technology solution for certain things (knowing there is a cheaper or simpler way)!

A lot is written about Digitisation / Industry 4.0 / Digital transformation (and I’m guilty!); in reality, many of the technologies delivered by Fulcrum Technology Partners are well known and proven. Although the hardware and system architectures that support them have evolved (just think of the move to cloud based software), the outcomes for manufacturers are still hugely valuable.

For example, manufacturers have been getting live data from their machinery for decades, how this is achieved now will look different. Potentially using IIoT instead of traditional networks.

How can companies be more competitive with automation?

Automation suggests brand new, freshly painted machinery being installed. And this is important, for productivity and attracting talent to the industry. In a broader sense it includes removing manual and time-consuming tasks from admin, sales, reporting and many more.

It probably pays more to look at the virtuous circle; with automation freeing up talent to focus on the next big win, or strategic project. Retaining and attracting great people for innovation.

The ultimate example of these working in harmony are the ‘reshoring’ success stories, where the total cost of ownership has actually become cheaper to process in New Zealand than traditional offshoring locations.

What is Fulcrum’s strategy for growth?

Our growth and focus, short term, will come for the manufacturing side of the platform, with 22,000+ manufacturers in the country, the majority of which will be looking at some form of technology to support their business in the next 12 months. We want to engage and support them with our really accessible model.

The opportunities long term are really varied; expanding to other partners that manufacturers might wish to be connected to such as auditing, Health & Safety and R&D specialists for example. There’s already examples of this with Digital Skills Training and other complimentary services being listed on the platform.

Alternatively, taking the platform overseas, either as a white label product for other countries to adopt, or giving New Zealand based technology partners an avenue into other markets.

How are you finding the current business climate?

Now is probably not the time to be starting a new boot strapped venture from reading and listening to the media!

There are two sides to Fulcrum: Technology Partners – and Manufacturers.

Technology Partners have been receptive so far, and we’ve focussed on this side of the market first to build the platform. Ultimately we’re providing an edge over, particularly international, competition.

For manufacturers, it’s early days. The true test was our launch on the 7^th October, so watch this space.

Has Fulcrum found a niche to work within?

We are trying something new for the industry. In a way we’re trying to create a niche.

Whilst Fulcrum is new to the scene, we are certainly not. We know the value connecting with the right technology partner can have, first hand.

How we facilitate this here in New Zealand is morphing continually. We’re always keen to talk to more manufacturers and technology partners about what we do and how we solve the productivity problem using New Zealand skills and technology, and this will shape our niche for us.