Eight tips to get your sustainability strategy pumping in 2024
From February issue, NZ Manufacturer It’s February and you’ve eleven months to make your manufacturing business more sustainable in the year ahead. These eight tips will help you create (or review) your sustainability strategy – and take action. Becoming more sustainable adds value to your business Sustainable businesses are excellent […]
Harnessing the Power of Biogas: A Sustainable Opportunity for Industrial Manufacturing
From February issue of NZ Manufacturer -By Insa Errey While renewable energy has been making strides in various sectors, the potential of biogas in revolutionising industrial manufacturing remains largely untapped in New Zealand. This article explores the opportunities and benefits of exploring the opportunities of biogas in industrial processes. Biogas […]
Transforming Supply Chain Planning: How to create resilience, efficiency and agility
From February issue of NZ Manufacturer -Chris Foord, Partner, Argon, New Zealand Post Pandemic we are seeing an essential change in how businesses review their supply chain strategy with a focus on integration and forward-looking planning. Advanced Planning Systems (APS) are at the heart of digital transformation when looking to […]
The year of digital transformation
From February issue of NZ Manufacturer -Adam Sharmer, Senior Partner, Dsifer If 2023 was the year of Generative AI, 2024 looks set to be the year of digital transformation. A recent survey of manufacturers found that 70% of those surveyed planned to increase spending on digital transformation in 2024. This […]
Small is our Superpower
From February issue of NZ Manufacturer “AMA is committed to working collaboratively towards a system that works smoothly and supports a sustainable, prosperous future.” -Catherine Lye, CEO, Advanced Manufacturing Aotearoa (AMA) New Zealand has a strong manufacturing sector, but it could be better, stronger, more productive. Technology is a key […]
RegenerationHQ Perspective – Unpacking Productivity in New Zealand
From February issue, NZ Manufacturer – A view by John Luxton Productivity has long been a buzzword in political and economic discussions in New Zealand, often presented as a simple solution to complex problems. However, I am deeply unimpressed with people who rattle off the word “productivity” with no more […]
Landmark carbon reduction project powers ahead
From February issue of NZ Manufacturer magazine. www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz Around 70% of world’s steel is produced from iron ore reduced in blast furnaces. Most of the remaining 30% is produced by minimills, which recycle scrap steel using electric arc furnaces – a proportion set to grow as companies seek to […]
Choose reuse as the new normal
From February issue of NZ Manufacturer magazine. Nada shares with us the vision of her company, Again Again, and even tells us what her favourite book is! Nada Piatek, Founder, CEO, Again Again. Again Again’s vision is to end single-use waste with a commercial, reusable container borrow system that makes […]
Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization
by Ed Conway Sand, salt, iron, copper, oil, and lithium. These fundamental materials have created empires, razed civilisations, and fed our ingenuity and greed for thousands of years. Without them, our modern world would not exist, and the battle to control them will determine our future. The fiber-optic cables that […]
Productivity Works
I The year ahead, NZ Manufacturer will be following closely the policies of the new government and will, of course, invite the Minister for Manufacturing, Andrew Bayly, to share his thoughts and explain how New Zealand companies can enhance on their current situation for a brighter future. We invite […]
New Zealand Steel: Landmark carbon reduction project powers ahead
Around 70% of world’s steel is produced from iron ore reduced in blast furnaces. Most of the remaining 30% is produced by minimills, which recycle scrap steel using electric arc furnaces – a proportion set to grow as companies seek to decarbonise their operations. Work is underway at New Zealand […]
What is net zero?
Net zero is an ideal state where the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) released into the earth’s atmosphere is balanced by the amount of GHGs removed. Decarbonisation efforts are needed to reach net zero. If you follow sustainability and climate topics, you have probably heard the term net zero thrown around. […]
“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 – becomes not merely a choice but an essential strategy for survival and growth. There has been much written about the significant need for our New Zealand businesses to prioritise investment in digital technologies. This investment isn’t just about staying afloat; it’s about thriving in an increasingly competitive landscape, and we totally agree that this ongoing investment is vital. Yet, while investing in cutting-edge hardware and software is crucial, it’s only part of the equation. At the core of this transformation lies the workforce – their ability to effectively utilise digital tools will define the sector’s competitiveness and resilience moving forward. Currently, the New Zealand manufacturing sector is grappling with a significant skills gap in digital capabilities. Our clients continue to affirm this and as more technology is introduced to their business, they are quickly identifying a broader range of workers who lack the digital mindset and digital skills required to operate advanced machinery, analyse data, or collaborate in digital environments. What is even more surprising is that according to KPMG’s 2023 CEO Outlook report, this gap impedes digital transformation for 78% of Kiwi CEOs, yet less than half are addressing it. We are seeing a growing interest from manufacturers for training programmes that focus on digital upskilling, and a focus on planning for skills training of their workforce alongside their technology investments. While many of our clients have already identified key work groups that need training, we are hearing from the sector that many are still unsure of where […]