Innovation is a strong theme in manufacturing and is key for keeping a competitive edge.

This is reflected in the various initiatives and events happening around the country - from Fonterra launching a new platform to collaborate with innovative entrepreneurs, to Callaghan Innovation bringing global innovation experts to New Zealand.

There are also two key annual events in the manufacturing calendar coming up - both focussed on innovation.

MobileTECH on 22-23 March will showcase new and innovative mobile and digital technologies reshaping the primary sector. Then in May, the national conference for innovation in manufacturing and design - MaD for the Future - is coming to Auckland.

These are great oppotunities to connect, collaborate and find out what technology could do for your business. 

Catherine Beard
027 463 3212 or cbeard@businessnz.org.nz

Activity in New Zealand's manufacturing sector saw January experience a dip in expansion, according to the BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).

The seasonally adjusted PMI for January was 51.6. This was 2.6 points lower than December.  While this decrease was not ideal, it was clear from comments that a number of factors played a part.

"Those who outlined negative comments noted the Xmas/holiday break playing a sizeable role in reduced activity, as did weather conditions.  On the flip side, those who outlined positive comments often did not note anything specific, but more business as usual. Combined, this meant that the proportion of positive comments dropped from 70% in December to 59.5% in January". More...

Entrepreneurs have a new avenue for support with the launch of Fonterra Ventures Co-Lab.

The open platform – www.fonterraventures.com – provides the opportunity for anyone, anywhere to collaborate with Fonterra on disruptive ideas for mutual benefit.

Individuals, small businesses or large corporates around the world can submit game-changing concepts that the Fonterra Ventures team will review and then potentially partner on to scale and succeed together. Submissions could relate to any kind of disruptive innovation such as new business models, services, technologies or processes.

It's fantastic so see Fonterra getting into the corporate venturing space and using their scale to support good innovation.  We're big fans of NZ businesses investing more in innovation and this will be a great help in the New Zealand business ecosystem. More...

Good innovation leadership increases business growth, creates new revenue streams and increases profits. But it’s not easy to get right. So, what does it take to successfully lead innovation within a business?

Callaghan Innovation is bringing global innovation expert Phil McKinney to New Zealand to share his Seven Immutable Laws of Leading Innovation at a full day practical workshop on either April 4 or April 5 in Auckland. The same workshop will be run on both days, choose the day that best suits your schedule.

PLUS: All attendees will receive a FREE copy of Phil McKinney's book Beyond the Obvious, where he shares how innovation and creativity helped him achieve personal and professional success.

Register here for 4 April workshop

Register here for 5 April workshop

Across China’s labour force as a whole, hourly incomes now exceed those in every major Latin American state apart from Chile, and are at around 70% of the level in weaker eurozone countries, according to data from Euromonitor International.

The Financial Times article 'Chinese wages now higher than in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico' has had such a huge impact that the FT has made a video about this phenomenon.

Watch Video

Produced and edited by Jamie Han, Footage:Bloomberg/Reuters,Photography:Bloomberg

This conference is an opportunity to consolidate, connect and collaborate with the New Zealand Manufacturing and Design (MaD) network, focused on New Zealand’s manufacturing economy of the future.

Research institutions from around New Zealand and MaD industry representatives will be showcasing their manufacturing and design work and expertise.

Conference Dates: Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 May, 2017

Venue: ANZ Viaduct Event Centre, 161 Halsey Street, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland

Scope of the Conference: CONSOLIDATION, CONNECTION, COLLABORATION. Please click here for more.

Early-Bird Registration closes on 1 April 2017.

Click here for Sponsorship Prospectus.

MobileTECH 2017 - Disruptive Innovations Reshaping the Primary Sector is being held in Rotorua on 22-23 March 2017.

This is an annual independent platform to showcase new and innovative mobile and digital technologies for the primary sector. 

Delegates will be rubbing shoulders with a wide range of technology leaders, innovative developers, industry heavyweights, early adopters and the next generation of primary sector operators.

View programme here.

Register now!

The Mexican Embassy and the Mexican Trade Promotion Agency Proméxico are organizing three seminars on Doing Business in Mexico in:

• Christchurch on March 21 at CECC, 57 Kilmore St from 8.30-11am
• Wellington on March 22 at the Embassy of Mexico, AMP Chambers, Level 2, 187 Featherston St at 8-11am
• Hamilton on March 23 at Mystery Creek, Events Centre HQ, Gate 2, 125 Mystery Creek Road at 8-11am

CBL in Christchurch, and Fisher and Paykel in Wellington and Hamilton, will be sharing their success stories in Mexico.

Mexico has offered to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement with New Zealand, supports New Zealand participation in the Pacific Alliance, and is more than willing to continue working for a successor of TPP in the Asia Pacific Region.

Spaces are limited and registrations close 17 March! So please register by emailing here.