All reports point to a new manufacturing resurgence as factors such as technology, economics and customer demand indicate some positive opportunities for New Zealand.

In this edition I check out recent reports by The Economist which spell out the trends affecting manufacturing on a global scale and relate these to the New Zealand context.

Couple this information with insights from world renowned manufacturing expert Professor Roos when he visits New Zealand this month and you have a formula for finding success.

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

Further to the global financial crisis it seems that manufacturing is back in fashion.  Around the world there is a growing recognition that manufacturing makes for more stable and richer economies than those based on selling services. 

The Economist magazine has produced a special report on Manufacturing (April 21-27) which it calls the Third Industrial Revolution. The good thing about the new trends is that they lend themselves to more bespoke and tailored manufacturing solutions, which is where NZ manufacturers excel. This also means that manufacturers will be staying ahead of the game, not based on their labour being cheaper, but on their ideas and designs being better. More...

C Beard

How have mid-sized manufacturers outperformed the rest of the economy in Europe? What are their secrets and common attributes? How have they gone about dominating their global niche?

You have a unique opportunity to gain these insights and more from renowned expert Professor Goran Roos on 27th June. More...

Phillip Ridge of the Canterbury Development Corporation reports on the realities of the current state of the recreation of Christchurch - what it means for industry, community, economy, employment and for New Zealand as a whole.

One indication that things have finally turned the corner is a recent survey of employment intentions. More than half of South Island employers are saying they would take on more staff in the next three months. A net 50 per cent of manufacturers are intending to hire. More...

The Industry Capability Network NZ (ICN NZ), a New Zealand business networking organisation that introduces local companies to major projects in New Zealand and overseas, has helped New Zealand companies secure $40m worth of deals over the last 12 months. More...

The pilot Meet the Buyer event held in Wellington on 9 May was a great success, bringing together businesses with government procurement managers..

If you missed it, here is a flavour of what went on. We're hoping to bring you news of more of these events in the near future.

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A custom-designed, affordable, top-quality board for wind or sea surfing delivered within a week? This New Zealand start-up has plans to slash lead times and costs for manufacturing and delivering surfboards worldwide. Through UniServices, The University of Auckland was early on the wave, contributing world-leading knowledge in composite materials to help the company achieve commercial success. More...

Industrial Research Limited is holding a one-day event featuring a series of thought-provoking presentations and practical, hands-on exhibits highlighting the value and necessity of becoming an innovation-led organisation. As Lew Platt, Former Chairman and CEO Hewlett-Packard, pointed out, "Whatever made you successful in the past, won't in the future." More...

Workflow Ltd has recently released a productivity appliance into the NZ manufacturing market. The cost effective visual scoreboard "bolts onto" exiting lines and process, and tracks production performance, measuring down time and overall efficiency. More...

Collaborating with the right engineering expertise and funding could help an Auckland company treble the rate it can apply life-saving rumble strips to busy New Zealand roads.

Coastline Markers Ltd needed a faster way of laying the strips to save time, money and disruption to motorists. Together R&D expertise from the University of Auckland, they have developed technology with funding help from the Ministry of Science and Innovation's Technology Transfer Voucher scheme. More...

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