Some useful events coming up over the next couple of months - from learning how emerging technologies - such as the Internet of Things, and Industry 4.0 - are changing manufacturing, to how Kiwi businesses can use such innovation and technologies to help them be globally competitive. 

Check out what's on offer below and book dates in your diaries now. Don't miss out!

Catherine Beard

027 463 3212 or cbeard@businessnz.org.nz

New Zealand's level of manufacturing expansion experienced a dip in June, according to the BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).

The seasonally adjusted PMI for June was 52.8. This was 1.6 points lower than May. The slow-down in expansion was mainly due to ongoing drops in a key sub-index.

Production (51.8) experienced another decrease in expansion levels for June, which meant it was down to its lowest point since January 2017.  On a positive note, the other key sub-index of New Orders (57.1) remained in healthy territory, which at least should feed through to production levels in the coming months.  Those who provided negative comments typically noted a general downturn and uncertainty in the market.  

BNZ Senior Economist, Craig Ebert said that "Broadly speaking, the PMI has settled down into a trend-like pace this year, averaging 53.8 (excluding April’s spike). This is after outperformance through most of 2017, when it averaged 56.2". More...

On 23 August, EMA is hosting for members a workshop delivered by Callaghan Innovation to help NZ businesses take advantage of opportunities involving technology in manufacturing.

The half-day workshop is for all organisations, large and small, and across all industry sectors. It is ideal for managers and supervisors. Employees at any level will gain an understanding of why their industry is changing with emerging technologies.

The four session topics are:

• Internet of Things (IoT) opportunities
• Industry 4.0
• 3D Printing
• Advanced Materials.

Find out more and register here->>

Voice your needs and gain support! Plus WIN ALL BLACKS JERSEY & LIONS TOUR BALL!
ExportNZ and DHL are teaming up again for this short exporter survey.

It only takes 5 minutes to complete. Please fill it in so we can ensure government agencies and others can understand your challenges and opportunities, and we can ensure you are properly supported.

Take the survey here->>

YOU WILL GO IN THE DRAW TO WIN A 2018 ALL BLACKS JERSEY AND AN OFFICIAL 2017 LIONS TOUR BALL SIGNED BY THE ALL BLACKS!*

Survey closes 20th August 2018.
*Terms and conditions can be found here.

The annual ExportNZ conference Go Global is returning on 27th September, this year at the Pullman Hotel, Auckland. Save the date in your diary now!

We're securing a huge line up of speakers, including...

• CEO of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Lewis Gradon
• CEO of Sistema, Drew Muirhead
• Tech Tigers will be back, featuring the NZ Hi-Tech Awards Company of the Year, Invenco, and
• ExportNZ Wellington Award winners, gaming company Pic Pok - ​amongst others.

Book 27th September in your diary now. Registration details coming soon!

Are you aware that from 1 October a new Customs and Excise Act comes into force? That’s only a few months away. Are you prepared for the changes that may affect your business?

The new Act is less prescriptive and more principles based which gives it flexibility. It also uses modern language that is easier to understand and interpret.

Most of the intent remains the same as the 1996 Act, however there are some changes that may affect you. The changes are grouped into three categories:

• 10 new services and initiatives
• changes to existing services
• structural reference changes.

Customs has developed a range of tools to help you prepare your business for these changes. The Customs website has a dedicated section for the changes to the Act. 
They’ve also published a Comparison Guide between the 1996 and 2018 Acts to help you understand what’s structurally changed.  Any detailed questions can be emailed to Act2018@customs.govt.nz.

The South Island's largest export summit is happening on 15 August 11.30am - 5.30pm at the Air Force Museum, Christchurch.

From the minds of NZ's biggest and brightest business leaders comes the premier half-day event for the South Island's vibrant export community.

Gain invaluable insights, practical advice and the contacts needed to grow your export business.

Programme->>

Speakers->>

Book now - don't miss out!->>

In today’s increasingly competitive market, streamlining any product development process is key to a manufacturer’s success. In fact, the impact of globalisation has meant that companies cannot afford to merely follow trends; successful businesses differentiate themselves by being trendsetters that are able to rapidly bring new solutions to the market in a shorter amount of time.

With new product development (NPD) and innovations around it becoming invariably more complex, Agile now plays a crucial role within the manufacturing industry.

The agile approach in manufacturing focuses on meeting the needs of customers early, whilst still maintaining high standards of quality and controlling the overall time and costs involved in the production of a new product. More...

3D Vision - New Energy Perspectives will offer an invaluable insight into the global forces that are driving the Energy Sector's three D's: Decentralisation, Digitisation and Decarbonisation. Featuring outstanding keynote speakers and industry leaders from business, energy and technology, the 2018 Summit will help decision-makers navigate the disruptive forces that are provoking profound global change. It's a critical time to bring new perspectives and insights to the challenges, especially from outside of the traditional energy sector.

View Programme->>

REGISTRATIONS for this ground-breaking conference are now open.  Asia Pacific Energy Leaders' Summit Registration for information and to complete your registration.
➢ Early-bird discount available until 5pm 31 August 2018
➢ Group discount ‘5 for the price of 4’ available until 5pm 14th September 2018.

ACCOMMODATION specials – available to delegates for a limited period only. Visit: Asia Pacific Energy Leaders' Summit Accommodation and Wellington City NZ.
While booking your accommodation view what Wellington City, voted the coolest little capital in the world,can offer.
Discover Wellington.

Expertise from the dairy manufacturing industry could be adapted to develop a new plant-based protein industry in New Zealand, says Plant and Food Research.
Many of the requirements for isolating and manufacturing plant proteins are similar to those for dairy protein, says the ‘Opportunities for Plant Protein’ report released last month.

“Our challenge is to extract and apply the engineering expertise and manufacturing capabilities currently held within our dairy industry to develop new opportunities in plant-based proteins.”

Sustainability limits may mean many niche NZ locations better suit plant-based protein production than animal-based protein production, the report says. More...

When hearing about Blue River Dairy’s journey to success, I can’t help but think of famous musicians – such as Ed Sheeran – who slaved away relatively unknown for years before they hit the big time.

You may have seen Blue River Dairy sheep’s milk cheese in NZ supermarkets, but the company’s reach and product range is now much larger than that as it’s enjoying astronomical growth – ranking 10th in the 2017 Deloitte Fast 50.

Gareth Lyness, Marketing and Supply Chain Manager, explains how the turning point came in 2015, as what started in 2003 as a vertically integrated sheep milking business, split when the farms separated from the plant, which was bought by BlueRiver Nutrition Hong Kong Limited.

It was after this fork in its history that things really stated to change for Blue River.  The company recognised that outside of NZ and Australia, competing profitably in the sheep’s cheese market was not feasible. Instead, they realised they needed to get into value-added products using sheep’s milk. A whole milk powder was developed to provide a shelf-stable form of milk. Commoditising sheep’s milk powder was a world first for Blue River. More...

C Beard

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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