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MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As we near the end of 2015, it's encouraging to note that New Zealand's manufacturing sector is continuing its expansionary path, and has now been in continued expansion since October 2012. See the latest BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) below for the October performance results.

Meanwhile, looking forwards into 2016 there are already some inspiring and innovative events lining up to help Kiwi manufacturers to grow, develop and gain even more success moving into the future.

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

BNZ - BusinessNZ PMI
Offshore Boost – PMI

New Zealand's manufacturing sector continued its expansionary path for October, according to the latest BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).

The seasonally adjusted PMI for October was 53.3.  Although this was 1.7 points lower than September, the level of expansion was still healthy.  The sector has now been in continued expansion since October 2012.

"Although the key sub-indices of production (53.1) and new orders (55.9) both experienced lower levels of expansion, they continued to lead the way for October.

"In addition, the proportion of positive comments for October (61.8%) picked up from September (58.7%), with many of these in relation to increased offshore orders and new customers." More...

C Beard

Nanogirl and the Incredible World of Nanotechnology

Discover the world of Nanotechnology with Nanogirl, AKA Dr Michelle Dickinson, as she explains how the manipulation of matter invisible to the naked eye is changing our lives.

IPENZ is hosting a lecture at 7 locations around New Zealand.

Some of the most incredible technological advances in recent years have been made under powerful microscopes. These discoveries are fuelling progress in many aspects of our lives from medical breakthroughs to designing technology for a sustainable future.

Each lecture starts at 6.30pm sharp and lasts one hour followed by a Q&A session. The Pickering Lectures are open to the public, no registration is required and entrance is free. Seats are limited so people need to get there in plenty of time! More...

MobileTECH - Primary Industries 2016

The theme for the next MobileTECH is “Innovation through Connectivity / Productivity through Connectivity” and it's taking place in Rotorua on 30-31 March 2016.

This established (and revitalised) industry event will create a platform for change, bringing together our rural industry leaders, technology developers, engineers, researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators and early adopters. They will discuss, showcase and learn about new innovative tools & technologies that can improve efficiencies & productivity through connectivity, including:

  • Rural Connectivity Automation UAVs / Aerial Drones Communications
  • Big Data Productivity Apps Remote Sensing Electronic Tagging
  • M2M Online Software Robotics Data Ownership
  • Cloud Platforms Mobile Hardware Satellite Mapping Field Capture Tools.

For further details and the latest event programme click here.

The Materials Handling & Logistics Expo (MHL) 2016

The Materials Handling & Logistics Expo (MHL) - New Zealand’s premier trade event for the materials handling, warehousing and logistics industry - is taking place on 11th - 13th October 2016 at the ASB Showgrounds, Auckland.

This is an opportunity to showcase new & innovative products and techniques and provides a professional & comprehensive marketing platform bringing together industry buyers, suppliers and educators to share ideas and develop business relationships.

In 2016, MHL is to be co-located with Foodtech Packtech (FTPT) the nation’s leading event for the food packaging and technology industries. More...

What does Australia think of us?

New Zealand Story recently added global image testing, to help them gain a better understanding of key offshore markets. They asked what the different marketrs would like to see more of, what they’d like to see less of, what our businesses can do to impress them and which images increase their appetite for New Zealand goods and services.

The Australian results are in! The full pack is available to view here.

Haven't registered yet?  You’ll need to register online to download the pack, plus there are lots of other helpful resources like images, videos and other assets you can use in your presentations. So if you haven’t already, click here and get signed up.

Findings from research in the USA, China and South East Asia will be available over the next few months.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Maggie Christie at maggie.christie@nzstory.govt.nz

Manufacturers doing their bit for the planet

StatisticsNZ has reported that energy demand from manufacturing has fallen 8 percent:

The manufacturing industry used around 157,000 terajoules of energy in 2014, down 8 percent from 2012. Manufacturing contributes approximately 11 percent of New Zealand's GDP, and is a major exporting industry.

The overall decrease in energy used in manufacturing was due to changes in the food, beverage, and tobacco manufacturing industry.

The manufacturing industry, as a whole, uses different types of energy for different purposes: electricity for lighting and heating, and petrol and diesel for transportation and operating other machinery.

Increasing energy efficiency in the workplace was a medium or high priority for 70 percent of manufacturing businesses in 2014. Additionally, 77 percent of businesses had some form of energy management initiative in place. More...

New education models for changing economy

BusinessNZ supports the latest inquiry by the New Zealand Productivity Commission to review new and emerging models of tertiary education.

The inquiry announced today will look at changes in the skills and capabilities needed for current and emerging industries, to identify ways to better support innovation in skills delivery.

BusinessNZ Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly said the inquiry would help improve tertiary education’s contribution to growth in productivity and competitiveness.

“This is an opportunity to improve outcomes for individuals and achieve a higher impact from investment in tertiary education.

“Productivity growth is fundamental to growing a competitive economy and higher living standards.

“Traditional models of tertiary education need to be rethought in the face of rapidly changing needs.

“This inquiry is an opportunity to explore how tertiary education including workplace learning can better equip New Zealanders with the skills and capabilities needed to get good jobs or start up their own businesses, and how it can better serve longer and multiple working careers.

“Stronger links are required between tertiary education organisations and businesses to drive innovation and growth, and the inquiry will help achieve this,’ Mr O’Reilly said.

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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