Some useful events coming up over the next couple of months - from learning how emerging technologies - such as the Internet of Things, and Industry 4.0 - are changing manufacturing, to how Kiwi businesses can use such innovation and technologies to help them be globally competitive.

Not such a great month last month according to the BNZ - BusinessNZ PMI, with BNZ Senior Economist Doug Steel indicating the results could be hinting at outright slow growth in the manufacturing sector.

A brilliant result from the latest PMI, with the highest level of expansion since the beginning of the year. Positive comments typically noted a lift in construction, as well as a pick-up in offshore orders. See more below.

One of the key aims of this e-newsletter is to bring you news you can use, which is why I'm really excited about a new online portal to help engineering companies to recruit, retain and grow their teams.

It's great to see the opportunities generated through innovation being injected into more traditional manufacturing practices - such as construction. Off-site and hi-tech manufacturing of homes is opening up a great opportunity for companies to make KiwiBuild homes. This could be a game changer for New Zealand according to Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford.

One of my favourite sayings is that Kiwi firms need to collaborate onshore to compete offshore.

Read more

Read more

Read more

New Zealand's level of manufacturing expansion in May came back down to more steady levels of expansion, according to the BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).