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MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

We've been treated to some great sharing of knowledge and experience lately - both through the Go Global exporter's conference and from visiting international expert on high tech manufacturing, Professor Göran Roos. 

We have a round-up of the Go Global speakers' top tips in a short video which we are on-sharing: watch video here.

Professor Roos had some great insights to share from successful manufacturers operating in high-cost countries such as Europe - see my article below.

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

PMI - Autumn Tinge

Despite a dip, New Zealand’s manufacturing sector remains in solid expansion, according to the latest BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).

The seasonally adjusted PMI for April was 55.2 (a PMI reading above 50.0 indicates that manufacturing is generally expanding; below 50.0 that it is declining).  This was 2.8 points lower than March, although similar to results experienced over the last eight months.  The sector has now been in expansion for 19 consecutive months, with the first third of 2014 averaging 56.4.

Although the level of expansion wasn’t as strong as the previous month, activity was still healthy and positive across most of the sub-indices recorded.

Comments from respondents remained more positive than negative, although a contributing factor to the lower level of expansion that came through was the lower number of working days in April because of the Easter/ANZAC break. More...

Habits of highly successful exporting manufacturers

We were recently fortunate to host (in partnership with Callaghan Innovation) an international expert on high tech manufacturing, Professor Göran Roos.  Professor Roos has studied the habits of high performing manufacturing exporters across Europe, the US and Australia, and had some great insights to share.

His insights are particularly valuable because they come from real case studies of successful manufacturers operating in high-cost countries, such as Europe.  

So what do they do? More...

C Beard

Have you got an e-commerce pathway to China?

We are all aware that China has some great opportunities for Kiwi manufacturering exporters; but do you realize just how massive the e-commerce opportunities are? Here are some facts to put you in the picture as well as some resources that could help your business. More...

C Beard

Safe Use of Machinery free roadshow

WorkSafe NZ together with ACC will be hosting a National Roadshow in June 2014, visiting 12 cities around NZ to launch and promote the NEW Best Practice Guidelines for the Safe Use of Machinery.

Savvy business people make quality health and safety decisions because they are well-informed. Don’t miss the chance to update yourself on this crucial piece of guidance for the manufacturing sector and network with other business people in your region.

Take this opportunity to

  • learn about what the new guidelines mean for you, your employees and your business
  • hear from ACC on the latest research on injuries and risks in manufacturing and learn about tools to up skill staff
  • meet local WorkSafe Inspectors
  • network with local businesses.

Register here for this free seminar...

Sustainable packaging webinar this Thursday!

Lightweighting, recyclability, recycled or renewable content – are these the keys to sustainable packaging? How can this be measured? What's driving it? What are the key levers we need to be aware of?

In a 45 minute session, the Packaging Council of New Zealand, Amcor and PE International discuss where sustainable packaging is today and where it could be headed - including case studies where sustainability has been integrated into packaging design. More...

New NCEA Guide App

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is launching a new mobile App called NCEA Guide, written for employers, parents and whānau.

The App supports employers seeking to understand and evaluate NCEA graduates and their qualification by providing quick and easy access to key information about NCEA. Parents and whānau can access simple content about how NCEA works and how they can support family members studying in NCEA. Content can be viewed in English and Te Reo Māori.

The NCEA Guide App is free to download from the Apple App store and Google Play Store. NZQA is welcoming feedback through the App from employers so content can be further developed to best suit users' needs.

Plant & machinery imports reflect manufacturing sector health

This article in the Herald reports that imports of plant and machinery have continued to grow strongly - up 14 per cent on a year ago - supporting the view firms are increasingly engaging in productivity-enhancing capital investment.

It supports Statistics New Zealand's monthly manufacturing import/export stats that show significant increases in imports since last year in agrcultuiral machinery by 15% and industrial machinery by 12%. More...

Need a cutting-edge metal cutter?

Hypertherm designs and manufactures the world's most advanced plasma cutting systems for use in a variety of industries such as shipbuilding, manufacturing and automotive repair.

It is showcasing some world-class metal cutting solutions at the upcoming Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition 2014. More...

Contract manufacturing

Did you know we have a directory of contract manufacturers listed on our website? Its aim is to allow businesses to find contract manufacturers who may be able to assist them with a particular project.

If you are interested in being listed in our directory, or would like to browse it, click here.

ManufacturingNZ
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