BusinessNZ has been working with our network partners at EMA and the Manufacturers Network to provide some guidance for safe work practices at alert level 3.

Today Minister of Finance, Hon Grant Roberston, gave an update to members and provided greater detail on the Government’s plan to respond to COVID19 - from the first wave of the immediate response, to the second wave of kickstarting the economy and the third wave where the Government will look to reset and rebuild.

In this edition we have some information on standards required for the various level of face mask and hand sanitiser equipment and an indication from Government as to the quantities they would be wanting to source.

The Government is keen to get better visibility of what manufacturing capability we have in New Zealand to produce personal protection equipment (PPE). This could be face masks (hospital grade or for people on the street) ventilator equipment, gowns, hand sanitisers or anything else that could be useful.

In these challenging times, we are aiming to send you information that is most useful, and important things you need to know.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson today outlined a $12.1 billion package to support New Zealanders and their jobs from the global impact of COVID-19.

As this newsletter arrives with you, top of mind is the COVID19 virus and what kind of impact it is having on global supply chains, particularly out of China. If you are being seriously impacted please let us know, as the Government is keen to hear how businesses are faring (we want the good and the bad news).

It is great to see the Performance Manufacturing Index back in expansion for the first time after a lacklustre three months of decline and the forward orders look quite strong which bodes well for continued expansion next month. Positive comments were more dominant (57%) than negative comments, which was also good.

It is concerning that the PMI has gone into contraction for the first time in 7 years. This monthly manufacturing survey indicates that manufacturers are finding demand slowing down, both from NZ customers and from export markets as well. Innovation and productivity improvements are a couple of ways to cope with tough times. See my report below on what industry 4.0 means for manufacturers and check out the IRD calculator below to see if you are eligible for R&D tax credits.

Greetings manufacturers, winter is here and the PMI suggests the sector is still in modest expansion. Callaghan Innovation got some additional funding from the lastest budget and it looks like some of it will go towards helping manufacturers embrace the much touted industry 4.0 and the "internet of things". You can check it out here.