View from the top of the year: The picture for Christchurch Industrial Property in 2024
-Greg O’Brien and Mitchell Ryder, Associate Directors, Industrial and Business Services, Christchurch. Savills New Zealand. The current industrial property market in Christchurch is perhaps best described as a multi-layered beast. As a result of the Christchurch earthquakes and the need to complete structural strengthening, local vendors and landlords became some […]
Maruiti Safe Haven: Empowering Māori Safety Leadership in New Zealand Manufacturing
Workplace safety statistics often paint a sobering picture. In New Zealand, Māori workers experience 31% more serious non-fatal work-related injuries compared to their non-Māori counterparts. ACC’s claim rate data, coupled with Stats NZ’s Household Labour Force Survey from 2019 to 2021, underscores a troubling reality: Māori injury rates stand significantly […]
The Productivity Dilemma – don’t wait for the government
John Luxton, RegenerationHQ Right here, right now New Zealand SME owners are well-positioned to boost productivity within their own operations, even amidst broader societal or governmental challenges in addressing productivity issues. This capacity for internal transformation is critical for driving business growth and setting a benchmark for productivity improvement. Embracing […]
Yes, greenwash matters to manufacturers too!
From March issue NZ Manufacturer www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz ‘Greenwashing is a marketing issue. What it’s got to do with manufacturers?’ A lot, actually. Many consumers (wholesale and retail) want to understand the environmental impacts of the products they buy – and every product is manufactured somewhere. So the claims you make about […]
Clearing the Way: Accelerating Industry 4.0 Adoption through Global Benchmarking
From March issue, NZ Manufacturer www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz Adam Sharman, Senior Partner, Dsifer Introduction As organisations look for productivity gains, competitive advantages in agility scalability and sustainability, more and more are looking to technology to support, augment or accelerate their operations. A recent report from Westpac identified that, whilst digital tech adoption […]
Engineering and Manufacturing Cluster identifies key themes: Collaboration and innovation at the forefront
From NZ Manufacturer, March 2024 issue. Southland Engineering and Manufacturing Cluster Manager Brendan Gray. The Southland Engineering and Manufacturing Cluster, a pioneering collective dedicated to transforming Southland’s industrial landscape, has identified key themes within the industry, emphasising collaboration and innovation as primary drivers for growth. Led by Brendan Gray, the […]
“Unlocking Potential: The Role of Digital Skills Training in New Zealand’s Manufacturing Industry”
From March issue, NZ Manufacturer www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz -David O’Connor, Commercial Manager, The Learning Wave In the rapidly evolving landscape of global industry, the New Zealand manufacturing sector finds itself at a crucial juncture. As technological advancements redefine traditional paradigms, embracing digital transformation – and upskilling the digital capability of the workforce […]
If we’re all so busy, why isn’t anything getting done?
From MZ Manufacturer magazine, March 2024 Have you ever asked why it’s so difficult to get things done in business today—despite seemingly endless meetings and emails? Why it takes so long to make decisions—and even then not necessarily the right ones? You’re not the first to think there must be a […]
New Zealand manufacturing – Connecting for prosperity
Paul Clark, Industry Economist, Financial Markets, Westpac Institutional Bank It’s no secret that New Zealand’s manufacturing sector is struggling. Sales adjusted for inflation have been in negative territory for a while, while the much-watched PMI suggests that sector very much in the “bust” part of the cycle. And with the […]
International Women’s Day: Breaking barriers: Paving the way for women in tech
“We’re in 2024 and still talking about women in the workplace. The time is ripe for change. Only then will the tech industry truly be able to excel.’ Isabel Naidoo, Chief People Officer at Wise Despite progress and international efforts in diversity and inclusion, the technology industry remains a male […]
International Women’s Day: Emotional intelligence – the secret weapons women are using to drive change in construction
We speak to three women who are shaking up the construction industry with new ways of thinking. When Melissa Campbell visited a major construction project in central Auckland it was a team of female electricians who were the life and soul of the work site. “They were spectacular,” says […]
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 […]
The Productivity Dilemma – don’t wait for the government
John Luxton, RegenerationHQ Right here, right now New Zealand SME owners are well-positioned to boost productivity within their own operations, even amidst broader societal or governmental challenges in addressing productivity issues. This capacity for internal transformation is critical for driving business growth and setting a benchmark for productivity improvement. Embracing digital transformation is a key strategy for SMEs. By integrating technology into daily operations, such as project management tools, CRM systems, and cloud-based accounting software, businesses can streamline processes, reduce manual tasks, and free up time for strategic development. Additionally, leveraging digital marketing can significantly enhance visibility and customer engagement. Investing in employee engagement and skill development is another avenue for boosting productivity. Cultivating a culture that values continuous learning and improvement, through training opportunities and mentorship programs, can increase team motivation and efficiency. When employees feel valued and are equipped with necessary skills, their contribution to business success is amplified. Process optimisation is essential for eliminating inefficiencies and reducing waste. Adopting continuous improvement principles to focus on maximising customer value while minimising non-essential activities can help SMEs stay competitive and agile. Focusing on customer needs and maintaining a dialogue through feedback mechanisms can lead to improved service or product offerings and higher satisfaction rates. This customer-centric approach can provide valuable insights for innovation and business development. Lastly, fostering a culture of innovation encourages the exploration of new ideas, diversification of product lines, and sustainable business practices. Being open to change and willing to take calculated risks can uncover new growth opportunities and productivity enhancements. By leveraging technology, valuing their teams, optimising processes, focusing on customers, and embracing innovation, SME owners in New Zealand can significantly increase their businesses’ productivity, serving as exemplars of internal initiative in productivity improvement. Waiting for the government to “do something” is called hope and […]