Unless we improve the law, history shows rushing shovel-ready projects comes with real risk
Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, so too is the road to economic recovery if we don’t get it right. The Covid-19 Recovery (Fast Track Consenting) Bill, currently rushing through the parliamentary process, certainly has noble aims. In simple […]
What is Generative Design?
At a high-level, Generative Design is relatively simple. It is a capability of CAD applications that autonomously generates a number of design alternatives given a set number of constraints. This can be done without an engineer’s guidance or interaction, freeing them up for other tasks. Once complete, the engineers can choose which […]
Shield for protection against coronavirus
Thanks to injection moulding, more than 10,000 components leave a Cologne factory every week and accelerate aid for doctors and care workers. At the moment, the protection of medical personnel is one of the most important challenges. However, a sufficient amount of appropriate equipment of the necessary quality, is not […]
Workplace distancing solution to manage “next normal” manufacturing
Manufacturers are facing new challenges as they restart or maintain operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As preparations are made for the “next normal”, manufacturers must consider additional dimensions of employee safety, including the establishment of production environments and workflows that address physical distancing requirements. Combining proven hardware and software, […]
It’s a Mega event
Trade show for construction, facilities management, architecture and safety industries. With the Government’s announcement to move to Covid alert Level 1, XPO Exhibitions has announced a Mega exhibition for the construction, facilities management, architecture and safety industries on 12 and 13 August 2020. The only large-scale event of its kind […]
New job ads up -SEEK
The biggest contributors to job ad growth are Trades & Services, Administration and Office Support, Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics, Retail & Consumer Products and Healthcare & Medical Canterbury (125.7%), Auckland (118.9%) and Wellington (112.2%) are showing increases in job ad volumes Optimism for future employment / job prospects declined 10% […]
Can we be world class?
For more than three decades, Ian Walsh, Managing Director of Intent Group, has been driving improvements in organisations around the globe. Ian understands deeply what is required to deliver and sustain improvement. Here he shares his thoughts on what New Zealanders can do to recover from the impacts of the […]
Profile: Stephanie Pretorius
Stephanie Pretorius is a Senior Consultant with business transformation specialists, Intent Group. My emphasis is on enhancing performance and alignment through continuous improvement and innovation. I am also Intent’s Service Quality Manager and develop our internal systems for engagement management. Our goal is to ensure our clients are 100% satisfied […]
Fully funded fast-track to global growth
The EMA’s ExportNZ arm is giving 120 businesses in the export community from Taupo North the chance to fast-track their global expansion plans – just when they need it most. The EMA’s Chief Executive, Brett O’Riley, says Covid-19 has hit many of them hard, but exporters are a tenacious and […]
Livelihoods saved through immigration changes
Jobs and businesses will be saved as a direct result of changes made to immigration criteria, ExportNZ Executive Director Catherine Beard says. The Government has announced provisions for people to be able to enter New Zealand to support the economic recovery effort. “The border is a critical line of defence […]
Alert Level 1 a relief but many businesses will still struggle
The EMA says its 7000 members and businesses across the country are relieved at the Government’s announcement of Alert Level 1 from midnight tonight but warns the hard work for the economy lies ahead. Head of Advocacy and Strategy, Alan McDonald, says the move to Level 1 should give employees […]
Level 1 puts focus on the economy
The BusinessNZ network welcomes the move to Alert Level 1 and the return to more normal practices at workplaces. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope says New Zealand’s team of 5 million have worked together successfully to manage the health risks from Covid 19 and now need to work together in […]
Manufacturing fuels the present – SouthMACH 2025 is on soon
From NZ Manufacturer magazine, April 2025 -Doug Green, Publisher Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, Gallagher Industries, Buckley Systems, Rocket Lab, Rakon, Skellerup Holdings, Particle Systems, Scott Technology…are just a few examples of successful companies who have found markets for their ‘home grown’ products and services. And they keep moving ahead in challenging times. www.smartmanufacturingtoday.com They are members of the Creative Class – to which so many of us belong – who help drive the economy. They are the people who role their sleeves up and get stuck in, in their workshops or studios, to make ‘the next best thing’ and find new markets for their unique products. At present, it is not only tariffs we need to keep an eye on, Generative AI (GenAI) is set to reshape manufacturing, driving innovative integration, operational efficiency, and data insights, transforming productivity and revenue. Distribution leaders will need to adopt AI, robotics, and IoT to enhance industry-specific processes, data, and ways of working. Ian Walsh, Partner, Argon and Co is big on Lean. And others don’t just talk Industry 4.0, they also talk Industry 5.0 These are all required for the efficiency of manufacturing. And of course, there is the urgent need to raise the levels of Productivity. This cant just be a never-ending conversation piece – we need to do something about it! Manufacturers will have to be prepared for the continued rise in competition from lower-cost production countries in Asia, including Vietnam, Thailand and China, along with more technologically advanced nations in Europe. The world and its markets are changing and our manufacturers need to adapt and move forward. Research the TIN Network, or the EMA, HERA, the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Southland Business Chamber, Make NZ or the Northland Chamber of Commerce. Join, find out what is going on […]