Lots to report this month - in fact too much to fit in my intro here so please click More below! In summary:

Last month the South Australian Government released a report on a 10 year strategy to drive high value manufacturing. If we think it is tough manufacturing in NZ due to slower demand and a high NZ dollar – we have it good compared to the Australians. There are some good ideas in the Australian strategy that we should look to emulate in NZ. More...

Later this month I will be travelling to a meeting of the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils meeting in Dubai. Focus is on the competitiveness of manufacturing companies, their key attributes and what sort of regulatory environments help them improve their competitiveness. More...

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

ManufacturingNZ has been offered a special rate for this masterclass with Don Reinertsen, widely recognised as the world’s leading expert on Lean Product Development. The offer is open until 20 November for workshops in Christchurch and Auckland. More...

Look out for a new report from ExportNZ due to be launched this Friday. As 50% of our exports come from manufacturing, the Lifting Export Performance report, is a relevant reality check. It shines a light on what is holding New Zealand back, the effectiveness of export policies, and how best to move forward; proving how vital it is to get the policy framework right. The main focus is on addressing New Zealand’s big issues – its smallness and isolation.

It was a pleasure to give an opening address at the TIN (Technology Investment Network)100 awards in Wellington recently. 

The report gives snapshot of some New Zealand’s leading technology businesses - including NZ's top ten copmpanies by revenue, and the top ten companies to watch. Learn more about the TIN100 report here...

New Zealand’s businesses and public sectors will have accelerated access to innovation, commercialization and entrepreneurial skills if a Fulbright New Zealand business award scheme gets the support it needs to expand. More...

The University of Auckland Business School has commenced seeking enrolment for the 2013 class of its PG Certificate & Masters in Commercialization & Entrepreneurship. The programme is designed for working professionals, so is taught to a schedule that gives people maximum  flexibility over their time. Applications are due by 8 December 2012. More...

Industrial Research Ltd (IRL) has teamed up with the University of Auckland to establish a joint graduate school in Innovative Manufacturing & Materials.

Co-supervised by researchers from the two institutions, the new courses will help provide NZ manufacturers with opportunities for technological innovation and growth. More...

The balance of economic power is expected to shift dramatically over the next 50 years according to a new OECD report. The United States is expected to cede its place as the world's largest economy to China, as early as 2016. India’s GDP is also expected to pass that of the United States over the long term. Combined, the two Asian giants will soon surpass the collective economy of the G7 nations. More...

An interesting article by McKinsey & Company about how leading companies combine insights about customers, competitors, and costs to develop more innovative and cost-effective products. More...

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