Analysis

New white paper finds impending issues for NZ boards

A new white paper finds that New Zealand boards face many of the same issues and obstacles as their overseas counterparts, with a number of problems originating in the communications field – such as the collapse of the tech-sector backer Silicon Valley Bank after a bank run triggered by a convoluted, disastrously timed media release. Titled ‘2023: The Perfect Storm?’ and subtitled ‘23 Habits your Board Should Change in the Era of Polycrisis’, “2023: The Perfect Storm?” the themes of the white paper tip a hat to the buzzword emerging from this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos. Polycrisis refers to the rolling maul of global emergencies amid persistent geopolitical and economic instability; the white paper is designed to help boards plan for and grapple effectively with volatility of all kinds. The white paper observes there are commonalities in bad or unproductive habits among boards, and New Zealand governance follows similar patterns to boards in overseas markets. The common themes which have emerged globally include: Failing to develop or adhere to a coherent strategy Trying to declare ‘crisis over’ too early Acting without sober preparation and planning Letting ego into the boardroom Favouring short-term results over long-term objectives Another recent public example of board failings was the case of CEO and founder Simon Henry and the board of his company DGL. Henry and the board were castigated after Henry made offensive and derogatory remarks about a female entrepreneur in a media interview and it took days for the board to condemn his comments. Analysis of the matter found Henry, as the company’s majority shareholder, had an outsized influence on the board, whose slowness to respond to their CEO-made crisis – which drew comment from the Race Relations Commissioner and the Prime Minister, among others – likely contributed to the company’s […]

Sheren Omega_Head of Sustainability at GRP NZM

Building the roadmap to sustainable steel manufacturing

*Sheren Omega, Head of Sustainability, GRP Could the steel manufacturing industry be a major proponent for sustainability? The steel manufacturing industry is critical to global economic development and, according to S&P Global, the demand for steel is forecasted to edge up to 2.2% in 2023. Despite ongoing trade wars, geo-political conflict and supply chain bottlenecks, steel has yet to let up, owing to the rise in consumption, increased infrastructure construction and thriving automobile sectors. However, the steel industry is also one of the most energy intensive industries, accounting for around 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions. In today’s climate, regulators and consumers alike are more discerning of the toll this industry takes on the environment and societies. Collectively, there has been increased pressure for steel manufacturers to transition into more sustainable practices. The Paris Agreement calls for emissions to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and hopes to reach net zero by 2050. The European Union and its member states have further pledged to cut their carbon emission by at least 55% by 2030 and debated on making the pledge legally binding. With such ambitious goals for reducing carbon emissions, countries need all industries to innovate and transform into a more sustainable mode of production. Steel manufacturing and sustainable operations almost seem mutually exclusive. Nevertheless, as markets are on a rapid rise towards sustainability, there is no doubt that opportunities are vast and wide for the construction and manufacturing industries. To thrive and fulfil their corporate social responsibility, steel manufacturers must have the determination to not only invest their resources into acquiring new technology, but to completely transform their vertical integration to ensure green production. Within the steel industry, energy efficiency has become an increasingly vital strategy to address climate change challenges. According to EY, advancements in technology for over […]

Podcast: At Source

This podcast is a place for busy people who want to get to the core of health and wellness with information about the latest health advances and trends. It helps you gain useful insights direct from the source – from doctors, industry experts, wellness advocates and everything in between. Past guests on the show have included Gilbert Enoka (All Blacks mental skills coach), Lance Burdett (NZ Police and FBI negotiator), Karin Kos (Apiculture NZ CEO), Dr Rosie Bosworth (future foods advisor) and other leaders. https://atsource.podbean.com/

Part two Ten tips to get Kiwi manufacturers started on circular economy

CE economy is about systems and partnerships. Collaborate with suppliers, customers and, at a general level, your competitors too.

State of Smart Manufacturing Report

Technology is crucial to mitigating risk and delivering growth.

How is your learning organisation?

Not enough NZ businesses are investing in or developing talent.

Increasing investment in advanced technologies a priority for manufacturing

Catherine Lye, EMA’s Head of Advanced Manufacturing & Export Communities The Advanced Manufacturing Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) recognises the essential role manufacturing plays in the New Zealand economy, for jobs and communities. The draft plan, released for public consultation in June 2022, attracted hundreds of participants to workshops and 60 written submissions that helped identify some key priorities for the ratified plan. “Increasing investment in advanced technologies and processes to lift productivity and wages, and improving the understanding and perceptions of advanced manufacturing to attract more people into the sector will be the initial focus based on the feedback received,” says Brett O’Riley, EMA Chief Executive and Co-Chair of the Advanced Manufacturing ITP Steering Group. Manufacturing plays an important role in creating jobs and is the second largest employer of Māori and Pacific peoples in the country. The plan identifies ways to help manufacturers acquire more skills and embrace the low-carbon, sustainable economic growth it offers. “One of the keys to accelerating growth will be the investment in new plant, new technology, and new skills, something the EMA will continue to work with the Government on,” Mr O’Riley says. Rachel Mackintosh, fellow Co-Chair of the Advanced Manufacturing ITP Steering Group and Vice-President of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi and Assistant National Secretary of E Tū, agrees. “We want to transform the industry so that people will choose to work in advanced manufacturing for generations to come. We have the opportunity to harness the creativity of the diverse manufacturing workforce to develop a sustainable industry, where people can build their skills and enjoy decent work and decent wages. To do that we need cooperation across workers, employers, communities, and the government,” she says. The ITP brings together a raft of elements – skills, sustainability, carbon neutrality […]

Women in Engineering: Ankeeta Karmakar

Most of the programmes that I found were master of civil and/or structural engineering, so when I discovered the University of Auckland’s Master of Earthquake Engineering programme, I just couldn’t think of any other school.

Amos Taihia, Rudi Clote, Christo Botha_ Wrapit Man

Company Profile: Exxovantage

The business has expanded to Australia, the USA, Africa and Singapore, with bold plans to become the global leader in wearable robotics technology.

Skills shortage survey confirms worst fears

Upskilling and training staff may be the easiest solution for the 71 per cent of businesses unable to fill technical roles, with 54 per cent already engaged in apprenticeships, and another 24 per cent planning to take on an apprentice in the next twelve months.

«‹ 19 20 21 22 ›»

News Ticker

Analysis