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MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As the figures show, manufacturing continues to be in positive terrritory, and employment growth is primarily coming from this sector.

There is plenty going on to help manufacturers achieve and grow even more. See below for workshops, events, resources and stories to help and inspire. I look forward to seeing you at some of these.

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

BNZ - BusinessNZ PMI
PMI – Positive frame of mind

New Zealand's manufacturing sector continued to show expansion for July, according to the latest BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI), with a seasonally adjusted reading of 53.5.

"The proportion of positive comments rose from 53.6% in June to 60.8% in July.  The recent fall in the value of the New Zealand dollar came through in many positive comments, while the lower dairy payout continued to trickle through for those who listed a negative influence.

"Although activity in the sector has not been as strong as recent years, the fact that official figures show employment growth primarily coming from the manufacturing sector, as well as ongoing expansion in the PMI, means that the sector continues to hold its own," said Catherine Beard. More...

Government procurement workshop

Each year the government spends approximately $39 billion with third party suppliers accounting for 19% of GDP.  This expenditure covers a wide range of goods and services from contracts for social services, research, the rebuild of Canterbury, to advertising services.  6% of this send is in ICT.  How and what the government procures can significantly influence growth in our economy and our business opportunities.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is working to build government's procurement capability to improve public services, realise value for money, and create an environment where NZ businesses can succeed.

NZRise and MBIE are hosting a half-day workshop in Wellington, providing an opportunity to engage with MBIE, government procurers, and CIOs to talk about what has been working well, what could be better and how to better procure innovation for the future.

There will be representatives from across the Public Sector in attendance.  This will be a great opportunity to engage with officials and your peers around driving innovation through procurement.  To ensure it is an effective workshop, numbers will be limited and reservations are essential.

When:  8:00am-1:00pm, Thursday 27 August, 2015
Where:  Te Wharewaka o Poneke, Odlins Square, 15 Jervois Quay, Wellington Waterfront

Register now to book you place...
 

What message do you want to send Government?

Challenging, in transition, and uneven – they have all been used to describe business conditions in recent weeks, but how are things really going…nationally and in your region?

To help you get a better handle on current conditions and what might lie ahead for business, Phil O'Reilly Chief Executive of BusinessNZ and John Milford Chief Executive of Business Central will be providing an update for business over lunch in your region.

John will be looking at what's happening within your region while Phil will be commenting on trends and events at a national and global level – all with a view to how this might be affecting your business now and in the future.

This is a great opportunity for you to engage with these two business advocates, to express the messages you would like to get through to government. More...

Trends in 3D printing

A great article in the Herald about how companies are using 3D printing in their operations: Caitlin Sykes interviews industrial designer Ross Stevens - senior lecturer at Victoria University's school of design - whose research interests include additive manufacturing (3D printing) technologies. He is also a founder, along with Gary Morrison, of Pure Audio - a company that produces high-end amplifiers. More...

Health and Safety for your workplace

WorkSafe New Zealand has released some guidance on writing health and safety documents for your workplace. You can download it here from their website.

Three Tips from the Top - Themes from the Corporate Governance Symposium August 2015

Minter Ellison Rudd Watts recently held a Corporate Governance Symposium for leading directors and executives. Their panel debated 'The top three things that boards are, or should be, thinking about'.

The three overarching themes from the discussion were:
• Ensure strategy is underpinned by horizons, simplicity and beliefs
• Put the right capabilities in place and develop ‘muscle memory’
• Culture always wins.

Manufacturing News readers are lucky enough to be able to read some of the practical steps boards can put into place to bring these themes to life. More...

HERA Programme for Metals Week 2015

If you're involved in the metals industry, get yourself down to the Aotea Events Centre in Auckland on 3rd September, where Metals New Zealand (of which HERA is founding member) is organising METALS WEEK 2015 - the largest and first ever celebration of the metals industry.

Highlights of the Day include:

  • Metals Industry Conference with keynote speakers Rod Oram,  Cam Calkeon, and other power speakers:

• Dr Wolfgang Scholz on his Study Tour to Germany - Factory of the Future

• TiTENZ CEO Warwick Downing highlights the opportunity presented by Additive Manufacturing

 • Industry Development General Manager Nick Inskip on the Renewable Energy Opportunities for NZ Heavy Engineering

• Welding Centre General Manager Dr Michail Karpenko

  • A panel discussion with HERA Executive members and business commentator Rod Oram entitled Heavy Engineering Industry Development - Determining Our Future.

See the full Programme

Register now

Salmon producer gains major R&D boost

This is a great example of how Callaghan Innovation is helping companies with their R&D. Mt Cook Alpine Salmon, which has salmon farms in Twizel and Tekapo, is among 13 businesses to receive a research and development growth grant this year, the grants worth a total of $25.5 million over the next three years.

Callaghan Innovation is a government agency which was set up to support hi-tech businesses by increasing investment in research and development to support long-term economic growth.

The company was ''thrilled'' to receive the grant as research and development was an integral part of its business, chief operating officer Janine Tulloch said.

''We're developing a culture of continuous improvement and are keen not to simply adopt best practice but to be setting the new benchmarks. Increasingly, our high-end overseas customers are demanding it." More...

EMEX 2016 - inspiring manufacturing and innovation excellence

EMEX - the largest national trade event for the New Zealand manufacturing, engineering, machinery & electronics industries - is returning to Auckland next May-June. Connect with New Zealand's manufacturing industry; showcase, educate and sell! More...

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