In a year that has brought its challenges, there are success stories of businesses striving and finding new opportunities and markets.

And we also have a balancing act, one where we retain staff or see them leave for overseas in their quest to try something different.

It has been a year of central government keeping the treasure chest closed and seeing restraint as the best way forward (for now). Let us hope that the Minister for Manufacturing, Andrew Bayly, can, at some stage, soon, be allocated some funding to benefit our manufacturing industries.

In this issue we include our annual Year in Review and Innovations 2024 to reflect on where we have been and where we are going to.

On Page 1, Ian Walsh from Argon and Co, describes this year as “The year to survive”, with  businesses focused on managing costs, avoiding unnecessary spending and looking to how they can improve their productivity to improve returns. In 2025, Ian wants to see an increased adoption of lean techniques and tools, AI and automation tools and a unified approach to leadership and team capability.

Adam Sharman, LMAC, (Page 14) believes the New Zealand manufacturing sector has navigated a complex landscape this year, a flat-lining of productivity rather than a significant decline. The industry experienced 2.3% modest growth in 2023-24 which indicates a gradual recovery and renewed resilience.

David O’Connor of The Learning Wave, (Page 15) believes there is a sense of optimism and energy for our manufacturing businesses.

Dr Troy Coyle, CEO, HERA (Page 15) would like to see a bilaterally supported pipeline of national infrastructure projects, with a secured budget allocation, consciously timed to ensure stability of construction.

On Page 16, Director of Auckland public relations agency Impact PR, Mark Devlin, discusses how selective outsourcing can be leveraged to expand capacity and access lucrative export markets.

On Page 17, Jane Finlayson, EMA’ s Head of Advanced Manufacturing says the resilience, adaptability, and determination of our manufacturing community have shone through. However, the year also showed how much work remains to be done to turn the sector around and get productivity back on track.

On Pages 18-21 you can read, in brief, highlights of the year from some of our innovative companies.

Best wishes for the holiday season and 2025.

Doug Green, Publisher