Developments

Time to pull our collective heads out of the sand

Yesterday’s release of Treasury’s Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU) provides a fairly sobering forecast of our ability to grow wealth in and for New Zealand, say the New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association. NZMEA Chief Executive, Dieter Adam says, “We have to face the reality of our lack of economic development in New Zealand. And now is the right time to challenge New Zealand’s leading parties to tell us what they are going to do to push our economy towards a more prosperous future for everyone.” “For the next four years (2018 to 2021) Treasury forecasts a decline in the rate of absolute GDP growth in 2020 and 2021, with a similar decline in the export growth rate, down to just over 2% in 2020 and 2021. By then we’ll be four years away from the current Government’s goal of growing the share of exports to GDP to 40%, and further away from reaching that goal than ever. “These observations sit alongside our own, and Statistics New Zealand’s data on exports of elaborately transformed goods, which have been in decline for the past 18 months or so. “Treasury’s forecasts for the increase in GDP, as modest as they may be, are still based largely on a growth of labour inputs due to immigration for 2018. After that, miraculously, labour productivity will take over as the main driver of GDP growth. When it comes to explaining what this expectation is based on, given that for the last three years, for example, we saw virtually no productivity growth in our economy, the report remains silent, but states that “productivity growth may be slower than assumed if labour inputs grow more strongly than expected” – meaning if the forecast drop in immigration numbers doesn’t eventuate. “So, what have we actually got here? […]

Got A Trade? Got It Made!: Industry Training Award Winners

The 2017 Got A Trade? Got It Made! Industry Training Awards, held at Parliament last night, showcased inspiring young people driven to make a big difference in their industry. Fifty of New Zealand’s best and brightest young trainees and apprentices gathered in Wellington to rub shoulders and receive honours at this year’s awards. “These incredibly impressive young people are some of New Zealand’s future business leaders, and we are in good stead,” says Industry Training Federation Chief Executive Josh Williams. “Got a Trade! promotes the massive range of job opportunities that offer the chance to ‘earn and learn’ and launch successful careers. We congratulate last night’s winners for the significant mark they make in their work and study, and we celebrate 148,000 apprentices and industry trainees gaining critical skills and qualifications in over 140 trades and services.” Graphic and Web Designer, Myra Anderson, received the evening’s top honour, Industry Trainee of the Year. Described as driven, focused and positive, Myra has completed a Diploma in Interactive Design, Level 3 and 4 Certificates in Digital Print Processes, and intends to start her Print Management Diploma next year. Myra says her Competenz print apprenticeship gave her the confidence, skills and knowledge to turn a job into a career. She has worked on national campaigns and taught herself both industry and business management skills at Wellington’s printing.com. Her goal is to become an art or creative director – all through on the job learning. Air New Zealand Customer Service Agent, Jahmaine Cummings-Hodge, received the Maori Community Impact Award. Jahmaine enriches and integrates community and cultural elements at work, promoting Te Reo and Maori tourism for local, national and international audiences. Jahmaine has taken Kapa Haka teams to national and international competitions and performing arts festivals. He is a proud recipient of Air NZ’s […]

Laser delivers quality and productivity

The challenge of achieving the highest quality codes on ultra-fast packing lines with difficult-to-mark substrates in markets such as beverage, food, personal care, automotive and extrusions is being met with the launch of a new laser marking solution. The Linx CSL60 laser offers a major technological breakthrough, combining a powerful processor and 60W laser tube with Linx’s unique Visicode system to produce crisp, clear codes on difficult-to-mark materials such as glass and PET at high speeds. This enables manufacturers to meet all compliance requirements and provides effective brand protection and enhancement. The laser incorporates a powerful processor that is able to relay messages from the control unit to the marking head very quickly, which ensures that line speeds are unaffected. As a result, up to 70,000 packs per hour can be marked. The new Linx CSL60 provides the widest choice in configurations in the industry and gives laser the flexibility to be tailored to a customer’s precise requirements. The Linx CSL60 offers a larger marking field than any comparable laser. This provides additional versatility for the marking of wide web applications such as flexible packaging and outer case coding, and coding of products across multiple lines. Along with the CSL10 and CSL30 the Linx CSL60 has been designed to be easy to install, uses a touch screen control for quick and easy creation and selection of messages. The three laser systems in the suite all delivery brand protection, qulity and assist in productivity.

BusinessNZ’s Election Manifesto

Based on a survey of employers throughout New Zealand, the Manifesto outlines seven priorities that business would like to see enacted after the 2017 General Election. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope said businesses want a Government that will reduce taxes, fix problem legislation, and boost growth in the regions. “Business wants to see a tax cut for all categories of taxpayer early in the first term of the new Government, and no new taxes of any kind.” Mr Hope said employers in many sectors were worried about being unable to fill job vacancies, and wanted action on skills. “They are unhappy with the level of skills coming out of the education system and want those skill gaps fixed by education and, if necessary, immigration. They want employees with better technical skills to help to grow more innovative and sustainable businesses.” Local government and the Resource Management Act were also a key concern “There’s a strong view that the RMA is holding the country back – 95 percent of businesses surveyed want it fixed or gone.” Businesses were also concerned about local government investing rates money in council-controlled enterprises and non-essential spending, while failing to invest in infrastructure. 65 percent wanted local government to stick to core functions like providing infrastructure. Kirk Hope said business wanted a Government that continued negotiating free trade agreements to reduce the tariff burden on New Zealand exporters. A large majority want trade agreements with the US, UK, EU and the new TPP-11. “These seven priorities if enacted by a new Government would improve the environment for enterprise and help business to create jobs and prosperity in local communities all over New Zealand.” The Election Manifesto can be read at www.businessnz.org.nz

Metals Industry Conference, Christchurch, September

To be held in the Addington Raceway & Events Centre in Christchurch on the 15th of September, the Metals Industry Conference and Industry Awards Gala Dinner, organised by industry advocacy association Metals New Zealand, are a reason for networking, celebrating and learning. Various streams by industry associations HERA, SCNZ, MRM, NASH and NZSSDA will run in the morning till mid-afternoon with presentations by local and international industry experts and activities. In the late afternoon, all will converge into the conference plenary with a welcome and overview of the Canterbury rebuild and beyond by Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel, and a high-quality presentation by economic commentator and analyst Rod Oram. Rod uses his skills in journalism, management and leadership to help New Zealanders face tough economic challenges and seize on exciting business opportunities. Rod is eminently is presenting the opening keynote address at the Metals Industry Conference, Addington Raceway & Events Centre in Christchurch, on 15th September. In the evening, seven metal industry associations will come together to celebrate achievements and heroes in their respective industries at the Industry Awards Gala Dinner hosted by The Crowd Goes Wild’s Andrew Mulligan. The Hon Nicky Wagner, Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration will be our VIP guest for the evening. Metals New Zealand wishes to thank the sponsors for their support of the Conference and Canterbury. They are: NZ Steel, (platinum) ACRS, Steel & Tube, easysteel, BOC (Gold). The various industry associations are, therefore, very excited to be having the event in the re-vitalised region. Since the first big quake in 2010, the Government has invested more than $14 billion in the rebuild and recovery of Christchurch and greater Canterbury. Today, Canterbury’s population has topped its pre-earthquake numbers; the economy is growing faster than in many other parts of the country; and its unemployment rate […]

A question of change

In August issue of NZ Manufacturer we have included comments and wish lists from business leaders as to what they would like to see from the next elected government. NZMEA wants all parties to put forward their vision for creating a more prosperous and high-value economy, with manufacturing playing a key role. BusinessNZ wants a government that will reduce taxes, fix problem legislation and boost growth in the regions. Lewis Woodward, managing director, Connection Technologies, Wellington wants overseas companies to pay and contribute more to the New Zealand economy. And he would like local businesses to be supported more. NZMEA has a whole plethora of concerns and want to see greater emphasis on the education sector to address current and future skills shortages; a minister for manufacturing appointed; and amongst others, providing the right incentives for shifting more investment into the productive sectors of our economy. We have a choice, continue with the tried and known or change government to bring in a fresh way of doing things. Systems and processes we have in place are not working for all people. Wages are not competitive enough, housing is a stressful issue, the health service struggles to keep up with a growing and aging population. And the future is changing. Disruptive technologies and Industry 4.0 are changing the face of manufacturing. Where there is change there is opportunity. When you initiate change it means you (ought to be) ahead of the game. As a small economy we are subject to world economic conditions. We cannot be isolated in our approach to export markets and need to keep up, to be competitive. The next government needs to be fiscally strong (and smart) and meet the challenges we need as a nation to bring about a sense of fair play in these extremely […]

Sweet success at University of Waikato’s Science and Engineering Open Week

In the picture: Secondary school students from Thames High School sorting different sized lollies without touching them was just one of the tasks encountered by school students at the University of Waikato’s Science & Engineering Open Week recently. Sorting different sized lollies without touching them was just one of the tasks encountered by school students at the University of Waikato’s Science & Engineering Open Week recently. More than 500 secondary school students from across the North Island came to the University’s first-ever Science and Engineering Open Week which offered Year 12 and 13 students the chance to attendi hands-on workshops and experience a day in the life of science and engineering students. The workshops covered the programmes on offer in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. They gave potential tertiary students a taste of the fun and varied subjects available to study as part of a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science (Technology) and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours). The lolly-sorting workshop was just one of the tasks encountered by students during the Engineering sessions. The Chemical and Biological & Materials and Process Engineering session challenged groups of students to find a suitable strategy to sort a range of lollies using separation processes such as air classification, filtration and gravity. The project emphasised how engineers must separate materials such as plastics and synthetic fibres to recover useful product within them. Also on the programme for Engineering was a Mechanical Engineering workshop where students constructed and modified cars using different wheel sizes and gear ratios for delivering a bottle of water as fast as possible to an area on top of a ramp. A Civil and Environmental Engineering workshop showed students the importance of reinforcing materials, while an Electronic and Software Engineering workshop called for programming an electronic mousetrap. In Molecular […]

America’s Cup success for small NZ company

A small New Zealand firm made a giant contribution to the America’s Cup. ‘YachtBot’ – GPS tracking systems invented by Dunedin firm Igtimi – was on nearly 40 boats operated by America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA) including official, photo, television, mark-setting and VIP boats. YachtBot lets the race organisers build a “virtual stadium” on the water, and establishes a “seating plan” for nearly 1,000 Superyachts, VIPs, and the public. As weather conditions change, ACEA dynamically adjusts the race course and spectator areas to ensure that everyone is as close to the racing action as possible. Igtimi Co-director, Brent Russell, says “The America’s Cup has never been able to do this before, YachtBot is a critical part of on-water operations”. Using iPads, YachtBot also helps the organisers place the buoys on the course, and displays the AC45 race boats and helicopters to provide “full view” management. It allows skippers and passengers a first-hand account of where they are relative to the imaginary race boundaries. Mr Russell says YachtBot’s goal was to provide cutting-edge training and tracking tools at all levels of sailing from the Olympics to clubs. They customised that technology for the America’s Cup. “Our first tracking devices were on the 33rd America’s Cup boats in Valencia in 2010. Since then, we’ve made them accessible for club yachting. It’s great that America’s Cup picked up on our hardware again at the elite level. The bonus is, we’ll bring this upgraded technology back to club yachting, so it’s a win for everyone,” he says. Co-director, Kylie Robinson, says the YachtBot technology proved to be very popular during the America’s Cup World Series in Japan. “They were impressed to find that the volunteers using our technology to place the race markers did so faster and more accurately than those who were fully […]

Business Election Manifesto

BusinessNZ today released its Election Manifesto. Based on a survey of employers throughout New Zealand-, the Manifesto outlines seven priorities that business would like to see enacted after the 2017 General Election. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope said businesses want a Government that will reduce taxes, fix problem legislation, and boost growth in the regions. “Business wants to see a tax cut for all categories of taxpayer early in the first term of the new Government, and no new taxes of any kind.” Mr Hope said employers in many sectors were worried about being unable to fill job vacancies, and wanted action on skills. “They are unhappy with the level of skills coming out of the education system and want those skill gaps fixed by education and, if necessary, immigration. They want employees with better technical skills to help to grow more innovative and sustainable businesses.” Local government and the Resource Management Act were also a key concern “There’s a strong view that the RMA is holding the country back – 95 percent of businesses surveyed want it fixed or gone.” Businesses were also concerned about local government investing rates money in council-controlled enterprises and non-essential spending, while failing to invest in infrastructure. 65 percent wanted local government to stick to core functions like providing infrastructure. Kirk Hope said business wanted a Government that continued negotiating free trade agreements to reduce the tariff burden on New Zealand exporters. A large majority want trade agreements with the US, UK, EU and the new TPP-11. “These seven priorities if enacted by a new Government would improve the environment for enterprise and help business to create jobs and prosperity in local communities all over New Zealand.”

Supporting the regions

In the picture: Gisborne. It’s an election year. We know this because various types of carrot are being placed in front of us. Ranging from greater welfare support, more houses, improving the quality of water to…financial support for the regions. Especially on the East Coast where the levels of youth unemployment are rampant. Seeing it’s the regions that bring in the maximum revenues for government coffers this is welcome news indeed. But why does it have to take an election to put forward this plan? The problem exists in the region perpetually, so last year and the year before the financial support would have been very welcome! In bolstering the regions, we can look towards more people in employment, and hopefully the ability to commit more money to R & D. It is the regions where New Zealand’s ‘pot of gold’ lives. Primarily in land-based industries which are a far greater contributor to the economy than almost anything else apart from tourism and the construction industries which have on-going work for a while, especially in Auckland. Australia – widely known as ‘The Lucky Country’ – has done very well from the mining industry. Over recent years exports just about looked after themselves; which is good because Australians choose a lifestyle first and have been called too casual in their dedication to growth. After all, they need time for the AFL and test cricket! Our luck has not been different. It is the world’s continual need for agricultural and horticultural products of a high quality which we are renowned for. Markets that won’t fade out and offer New Zealand success for years to come. Because this is regional business it makes sense that investment in the regions can assist with the manufacturing processes of food manufacturers. By making products and […]

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Developments