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.

REE (Resources for Engineering Employers) launched by Engineering e2e with Business New Zealand, has been created in response to what employers said they need - via a cross-sector consultation process conducted in 2016. 

It's packed with toolkits, courses, events, tips, advice and valuable information. Check it out below.

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

New Zealand's level of manufacturing expansion decreased slightly in February, according to the BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).

The seasonally adjusted PMI for February was 53.4. This was one point lower than January, and the second lowest expansion value in the last 13 months.

While the PMI remained in positive territory, the last three months have shown a levelling off of expansion.  A number of respondents have noted the sluggish start to the year, with a dip in new orders being a common message. More...

C Beard

Engineering e2e with Business New Zealand just launched a new resource portal for engineering firms to improve their HR capacity. REE (Resources for Engineering Employers) contains resources specifically targeted at recruiting, retaining and growing talent in the engineering sector.

The online portal segments employment into the key areas identified by a 2016 consultation across the sector. Small to medium business owners identified recruitment and retention of engineers as a particular challenge. Growth through training and development opportunities is seen as an industry wide solution for retaining the engineering talent pool.

Visit ree.org.nz for more information.

Intelligent transport systems could be a sunrise tech industry for New Zealand, earning up to $1.5 billion a year, a new industry report has found.

Unlocking commercial opportunities from intelligent transport systems is a call to action for both business and the Government, recognising the enormous potential for developing and manufacturing intelligent transport systems such as self-driving cars and drones in New Zealand. More...

Companies with a fresh approach – targeting new markets and producing new products and services – are likely to be future leaders.

In this opinion piece featured on Stuff, BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope poses the question, 'how innovative is business in New Zealand?' More...

The MaD2018 Early Bird Registration deadline has been extended to midnight on Friday 13 April 2018.

Registration will remain open until 11 May 2018, but Early Bird pricing will no longer apply after 13 April 2018, so don't miss out!

Check out the MaD2018 Programme Outline here.

At the conference you'll learn about exciting, new manufacturing and design research; be inspired through examples of positive collaborations between industry and researchers; and hear from high profile Keynote Speakers including Peter Beck (Rocket Lab); Troy Coyle (CEO, HERA) and Brendan Lindsay (ex CEO, Sistema Plastics).

Conference Dates: 21 and 22 May, 2018
Venue: ANZ Viaduct Event Centre, Auckland

Register here->>

Taking a black-listed company and turning it around to win international contracts is no small feat, but it’s something rowing skiff manufacturer Laszlo Boats NZ has achieved and has its sights set even higher with the help of an Olympian golden boy. More...

Have your say! WorkSafe New Zealand is consulting on proposed changes to Workplace Exposure Standards (WESs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) for the following substances:

• Flour dust
• Hydrogen sulphide
• Nitrogen dioxide
• Propylene oxide
• Styrene
• BEIs 

Reviews for each of these proposed WESs and BEIs have been carried out by WorkSafe.  There are separate proposal documents for each of the proposed WES and one proposal document that covers all of the proposed BEIs. 

The proposal documents and the Submission Document are located here: Proposed changes to Workplace Exposure Standards and Biological Exposure Indices.

Feedback is welcomed from individuals, businesses and industry associations by the deadline of 15 June 2018.

Send your response to:  exposurestandards@worksafe.govt.nz with subject line: Consultation on WES and BEIs.

Don’t forget to check out our contract manufacturers directory if you are looking for contract manufacturing support or you are wanting to advertise your services! 

There are some great resources - see here->>

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