Regional Manufacturing

Talk fests do not help the bottom line

Editorial NZ Manufacturer February 2025 We are not short of commentators in New Zealand telling us what is wrong. Some even prefer ideas on how we can fix things. These commentators appear in our newspapers and whatever they say – does it matter? – does not bring about change. They do not affect policy. They keep their Profile and allowance – the newspapers keep their commentators as added value for the paper they write for, seemingly to satisfy the subscriber. If they believe they can make a difference to our way of life, they need to talk less about (say) real estate, where so much money is invested that does not go into the productive sector. People buying up property are, generally, not the creative class, innovators, developers, forward- thinking in their view on the nation’s future. This is where a cloud hangs over our prime minister; he owns properties and whatever he says for the direction the country does not affect his back pocket. He is in a regal position where decisions made will not lessen his financial situation. We have Chris Plenk, the new Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing who does not have a budget, A minister outside cabinet who answers to Judith Collins. We have the disassembling of Callaghan Innovation and its functions moved to other entities. We need to come to grips with where the country is heading and how we are going to get there. Is it more overseas investment, hopefully in businesses and not real estate. Is it public sector and private sector investment – and what will the investment focus on? We continually discuss the rail, road and sea transport systems as to help make the economy stronger. But just what is around the corner? We know agriculture and land-based enterprises continue […]

Steel awards showcase local industry’s expertise and sophistication

Steel Construction New Zealand (SCNZ) is pleased to announce the results of 2024’s SCNZ Excellence in Steel Awards. The winners were announced in Rotorua recently, where close to 300 structural steel industry leaders and specialists gathered to celebrate the best of the best at an event that showcases the sector’s commitment to innovation, best practice and collaboration. Each year, the task of judging becomes increasingly difficult. This year, 24 finalists were selected from a pool of more than 50 outstanding submissions across an impressive array of structural steel applications. Together, they reflect the endless possibilities of structural steel, demonstrating the remarkable design and execution possible when steel is the primary construction material. “This year’s entries have once more showcased our industry’s ability to produce remarkable work,” says SCNZ Chair Malcolm Hammond. “We are a progressive industry that continues to add significant value to projects through our unparalleled knowledge of steel construction, and our appetite to collaborate with our clients and design teams.” “It has been the most hotly contested awards to date and, anecdotally, has produced some of the highest and closest scores ever seen in the SCNZ Awards,” says SCNZ General Manager Darren O’Riley. “It is a reflection of the industry’s continued evolution and sophistication.” The 2024 Supreme Winner and Category Winners are: Supreme Winner and Standalone Residential Category Winner: Grayson Engineering for Geo Domes This stunning domed structure in Mangawhai consists of two residential dwellings constructed from rolled and formed heavy universal column and beam sections. Measuring 42m by 42m and 7.5m high in the centre, the larger dome is comprised of 110 tonnes of steel. Steel was the only viable material for the domes, offering the required strength, durability, quick on-site assembly and cost-effectiveness to meet the design specifications. Coordination between the steelwork and the builder, along […]

Embracing digital transformation: A strategic roadmap for Argus ManuTech Ltd

-Adam Sharman, CEO LMAC Group, APAC Argus ManuTech is a new name, but it has over 50 years of experience as an industry-leading manufacturer of electrical products. It specialises in cable and harness assemblies, viscous reheating products, and electrical medical devices. It has a rich history of supplying local and global customers from its facility in Christchurch. The global manufacturing sector is experiencing a major transformation fuelled by rapid technological advancements and an increasing demand for efficient, sustainable, and data-driven operations. Recognising the opportunities these changes presented, Argus ManuTech set out to tackle key challenges such as improving productivity, optimising supply chains, and remaining competitive despite rising labour costs. To address these issues, the company developed a clear roadmap for its digital manufacturing transformation. Argus ManuTech’s digital transformation strategy was developed through an initial two-step assessment process. Initially, a business survey was conducted with all employees to understand their challenges and needs regarding their work and the opportunities for the organisation. This survey proved invaluable in shaping the transformation strategy and identifying key insights and themes. Nathan Hay, General Manager, says, “I can’t stress enough how impactful and important it was to engage with staff before developing any strategy.” The second step involved using the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) framework to guide Argus ManuTech in prioritising initiatives for digital transformation initiatives. The SIRI framework, an Industry 4.0 diagnostic tool facilitated for Argus ManuTech by LMAC’s certified assessors, was employed to evaluate the current digital state of Argus ManuTech’s factories. This framework addresses three fundamental aspects of Industry 4.0: Process, Technology, and Organization. Based on this assessment, four high-impact areas were identified for ManuTech to focus its resources on: vertical integration, shop floor automation, shop floor intelligence, and inter and intra-company collaboration. Using these impact areas, Argus ManuTech developed a […]

Q & A: Frank Phillips, Managing Director, Fulcrum

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? […]

We need to pay attention to completely natural, consumer quality-verified, unprocessed food

-Phyllis Tichinin, soil scientist, founder of True Health Ltd The health narrative is increasingly moving away from processed food, especially ultra-processed foods (UPFs). More emphasis is being put on vitamin and mineral, antioxidant and polyphenol content, also called nutrient density or ORAC. Consumers are becoming concerned about pesticides and packaging chemicals in what they eat. They are looking for food that fully nourishes and heals cells. Ultra-processed items are receiving bad press and labelled as the cause of chronic disease. In America, ninety three percent of Americans have some form of inflammatory chronic disease: cancer, diabetes, fatty liver, Alzheimer’s, allergies, etc. More than half of the population is obese. Seventy-seven percent of young men are unfit for military service. These figures are mirrored in health statistics worldwide. While sedentary screen time, air and water toxins, and stress are implicated, Influential functional medicine doctors and health celebrities are placing the majority of the blame on consumption of processed food. (Check out Dr Casey Means interviews on the Web or Spotify) Our NZ consumption of UPFs is only slightly lower than in the USA and the UK – around 50%, even for children under 5. This global trend has implications for NZ’s food and packaging industries. Most of the food we export is minimally processed, compared to the ultra-processed foods like packaged snacks, desserts, energy bars, etc. We are presently well positioned with a reputation for natural quality, but in most food categories Italy and France have international reputations superior to ours. We can’t cruise on our laurels in this space and we certainly can’t afford to lose any ground. Food wrapping and containers that preserve vitamins, minerals and flavour components without the use of any chemical, heavy metal, or plastic need to be a focus of innovation. Hand in hand […]

Manufacturers have unique opportunity to bank talent

With forecasts from the Hanga-Aro-Rau Workforce Development Council showing the manufacturing, engineering, and logistics (MEL) sectors will need to fill over 157,000 jobs over the next 5 years, existing recruitment strategies need to be widened to include those with transferable skills from other industries. As NZ Manufacturer business advisor and director of Auckland public relations agency Impact PR Mark Devlin has found, recent government cost-cutting measures could provide an opportunity for manufacturers to access a resource critical for the sector’s future growth. With thousands of government and private sector workers made redundant during the recession and from public sector cuts in recent months, the opportunity exists for the manufacturing sector to create a talent bank of skilled workers. This could help futureproof the sector by accommodating thousands of new employees in manufacturing firms nationwide. A large proportion of the 6,000+ Government workers who are losing their jobs as a result of public sector cuts have highly transferable skills that are in short supply and could be absorbed by a wide range of manufacturing firms that contribute directly to the country’s economic growth. What we know of government workers is that they are well-trained in many of the key competencies in desperate need within the manufacturing sector. This includes people from government departments with an existing relationship with industry such as WorkSafe, NZTE, ACC, and MPI. With Māori and Pacific Peoples expected to make up a growing proportion of the workforce the sector needs to be looking to bring in greater diversity and more cultural awareness – and the Government workforce has an abundance of expertise in this area. As a nation, we have invested heavily in developing our government workforce and it is critical we move to retain these skills, many of which are unique to our ethnic and demographic […]

‘We haven’t the money, so we’ve got to think”

EDITORIAL: From August issue NZ Manufacturer www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz These words were spoken by Lord Sir Ernest Rutherford, Nobel Laureate. Since he spoke them, some inspiring products have been made. These include The Martin JetPack, The Yike Bike, The Springfree Trampoline, Woollen Shoes, The Pavlova, Richars Pearse’s Flying Machine, Hamilton Jet, The Buzzy Bee…and the list goes on. What is significant about these products is that they were made at a time when there wasn’t the money available. Through sheer determination and effort, they found markets and advanced New Zealand’s name on the world stage as an innovative and go-ahead nation. There are a lot more products that have made the country proud and celebrated the entrepreneurs determined to get ahead. However, times have been changing and their is a lack of attention focussing on the productive sector. Financial corrections have been made to get the books in order and, now, support is urgently needed for our manufacturers. Nowhere in the Budget did we hear of the importance of the manufacturing sector to the economy, that all efforts were appreciated and when times get better, assistance would be offered to keep the backbone of the country strong. It seems that Government has gone too far with its slash and burn. The country of 5,000,000 can’t all dance on the top of the designated pin. Anyway, back to the inventions: The Britten Motorcycle, Wave Power, Conducting Polymers, Carbon Nanotubes, The Electric Fence, the Hamburger Holder…

The Tohu App – how cultural mapping can boost industry growth!

From July issue of NZ Manufacturer magazine www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz By Dr Troy Coyle, HERA CEO Our engineering, construction and manufacturing sectors are struggling to find talent. We need to be far more inclusive so we can unlock the potential of a diverse future workforce and all the benefits they bring to our mahi (work). I have for some time spoken about this based on my own experience, being female. I have fast realised that wāhine Maori are even more under-represented and indeed Māori generally. The reasons as to why women and Māori (and Pacific for that matter) are not attracted to these sectors are varied and complex. However, one key issue is that high school children (and even down to intermediate and primary) are not engaging with STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Mātauranga Māori). They are not aware of the plethora of disciplines in STEMM or the future careers that are available to them. They don’t know how exciting, engaging and rewarding careers in these disciplines can be and how they contribute in so many different ways to inter-generational wellbeing. Importantly, they don’t know what will match with their own individual wants and needs from a future career. For Māori, this requires a matching process where rangatahi (youth) can identify careers that map to their values in a kaupapa Māori way. If there is one thing we have learnt at HERA over our years holding space for Matauranga Māori, it is that Māori need to be engaged in a Māori way. Prevailing career matching tools do not consider cultural differences and they don’t consider a person’s values either. They often simply match a person to a career based on their perceived academic aptitude. This fails so many of our rangatahi and leaves many behind. It also, likely, pushes rangatahi towards […]

International Women’s Day Profile: Kate Ricketts, developer of world first biofluorescent nit treatment

This year’s theme: Inspiring Inclusion Kate Ricketts, a Kiwi mother and entrepreneur has created the world’s first biofluorescent nit powder to improve visibility of head lice during treatment, address the stigma associated with the condition and increase access for vulnerable children. The product, which was recognised with a UN Sustainable Development Goal associated award, has now entered production for domestic and international markets. NZ Manufacturer caught up with Kate ahead of International Women’s Day to hear about her journey. What does International Women’s Day mean to you? It is a time to celebrate the amazing things that female innovators are currently doing and recognise the pioneers who have paved the way for change. It’s also a time to reflect on the areas where progress is still needed. In today’s business environment, do you see opportunities and also recognition for aspirational female entrepreneurs? Having developed my product with the University of Auckland, I’ve been fortunate to have experienced their entrepreneurship incubators and how they feed into the wider world of industry. You have access to amazing people who have helped when the training wheels came off and who understand some of the additional pressures that come with being a female founder. Tell us about what you do I’m the founder of ISpyNits, a company that produces a glow-in-the-dark head lice treatment product that allows you to better identify lice eggs and remove them to prevent reinfections. We have developed a supporting education programme using biofluorescence to destigmatise the condition among children. How did the idea for a biofluorescent powder come about? The product was developed in response to a frustrating problem that many parents have faced treating head lice and missing eggs. As a vet nurse I used UV light to confirm the presence of ringworm and read an article suggesting […]

Developing the manufacturing sector

By Jane Finlayson; Head of Advanced Manufacturing; EMA A lot has changed in recent months. Not only have we had a change of government, and with it a change in policy direction, but we have also seen the establishment of Advanced Manufacturing Aotearoa (AMA). Led by Catherine Lye, AMA is tasked with working with key sector partners - including unions, researchers, educational institutions, industry organisations, and Māori and Pacific manufacturers – to gather information and supply feedback on the practical steps that can be taken to further develop the manufacturing sector. The AMA is an important initiative that we hope will be supported by the new government. It is industry-driven and independent, representing manufacturers across Aotearoa New Zealand. This positions it to deliver enormous benefit to the manufacturing sector at a scale not realised previously. The EMA is proud to support the AMA, alongside our other partners across the country. As the newly appointed Head of Advanced Manufacturing at the EMA I am looking forward to working closely with Catherine and the AMA to advance the interests of the manufacturing sector. Since taking up my new role, I have enjoyed the opportunity to attend regional manufacturing action group meetings, in Waikato, Northland, Bay of Plenty and Auckland and I’ve met with a wide range of innovative manufacturers who have adopted technology to enhance their businesses and improve productivity. Clearly the past year has been challenging for many manufacturers. The global economic slowdown, rising costs, supply chain constraints and critical skills shortages have all combined to create a difficult environment for the sector. This has been reflected in the steady decline of the BNZ – BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI), which has sat below 50 since March. This indicates manufacturing activity in New Zealand has been contracting throughout much of […]

1 2 3 4 ›»

News Ticker

Regional Manufacturing