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It's great to see the opportunities generated through innovation being injected into more traditional manufacturing practices - such as construction. Off-site and hi-tech manufacturing of homes is opening up a great opportunity for companies to make KiwiBuild homes. This could be a game changer for New Zealand according to Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford. See story below...

The other good news on the buidling front is that Emirates Team New Zealand will build their own America's Cup yachts. This is a first in the syndicate's history. 

Team NZ's chief operating officer, Kevin Shoebridge, says the team will be "leaning heavily" on the New Zealand boating industry for many of the boats' components. They also want to give an opportunity to some young people without boatbuilding experience, and train them in the field. More on this below...

Catherine Beard

027 463 3212 or cbeard@businessnz.org.nz

Moderate May – PMI

New Zealand's level of manufacturing expansion in May came back down to more steady levels of expansion, according to the BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).

The seasonally adjusted PMI for May was 54.5. This was 4.6 points lower than April, but still the third highest result over the last six months.

Those who provided positive comments typically noted steady demand and work flow, with some new markets being sought after.  

BNZ Senior Economist, Craig Ebert said that "May's PMI cemented the idea of a moderating rate of expansion in the manufacturing sector, compared to calendar 2017.  Then again, above average is above average, which is encouraging". More...

Proposals for KiwiBuild off-site factories to be sought

The Government will invite companies to express their interest in setting up or expanding off-site manufacturing factories to make KiwiBuild homes, Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford announced today.

"Cabinet has decided the Government will seek interest from both local and overseas companies to come forward with their plans," Phil Twyford says.

"One of the challenges for KiwiBuild is there isn’t the scale and capacity in the construction sector to build the number of houses New Zealand needs.  Since KiwiBuild launched in November, we’ve been approached by a number of highly capable international and domestic companies who are already using innovative methods such as off-site manufacturing to build quality houses quicker and more efficiently.

"High tech manufacturing of homes, as is done in Europe and North America, could allow us to build KiwiBuild homes at scale and pace. More...

More than your bread & butter – how customer intimacy and innovation is paying off

I caught up with Nic Wetere, CEO of Canary Enterprises Ltd, fresh off the plane from Singapore where she had been attending the Food & Hotel Asia Trade Show. This event is synonymous with the food and hospitality industry in Asia and internationally, spanning across 10 huge warehouses.

“It was an amazing experience – the buzz and excitement of working with like-minded companies in the NZ Pavilion with NZTE, and seeing so many NZ companies doing amazingly innovative things. You wonder why you haven’t heard of them! It’s a great event for networking and showcasing,” says Nic.

As a food innovator and manufacturer of quality, premium dairy products, Canary’s model is all about being in the niche market, premium product space. “We’ve been around 16 years, and it all started with seeing an opportunity in the market where we could deliver premium butter products to end consumers, while helping to reduce their cost and add value,” says Nic.

More...

C Beard

Invitation comment on conformity assessment services in New Zealand

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is seeking feedback from businesses with experience of New Zealand’s conformity assessment services as part of a wider review of New Zealand’s conformance system.

A 10-minute online survey will be available shortly for you - here - to share your thoughts on conformance infrastructure, how it effects your business, and how it can be improved.

Conformity assessment services include inspection, certification, testing and systems audits. They give independent assurance that products and services meet standards or regulations.

For more information you can email conformancereview@mbie.govt.nz. MBIE is keen to hear from as many assessment service users as possible, so please share this message with your networks.

The survey will be available between 26 June until 10 July 2018.

2018 Review of the Essential Skills in Demand Lists

If you, your business, and or your industry is struggling to fill occupations and/or employ migrant staff, then the review of the skill shortage lists will be of interest to you.

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has commenced the review of occupations on the Skills Shortage Lists.

For more information on the review process and to view the lists please click here->>

Team NZ to build their boats for the first time

This story was originally published on Newsroom.co.nz. It is republished on Stuff with permission.

For the first time in the syndicate's history, Emirates Team New Zealand will build their own America's Cup yachts.

The Cup defenders have decided to build the hulls of their two AC75 foiling monohulls in-house for the 2021 Cup regatta on the Hauraki Gulf, after more than two decades of having their race yachts constructed at Auckland boatyards, Newsroom can reveal. More...

Endless job opportunities in South Canterbury's 'food bowl' economy

South Canterbury's "food bowl" economy means a New Zealand-wide initiative to teach primary school students about the red meat sector will be especially beneficial to the region.

An education programme funded by the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) and delivered by New Zealand Young Farmers saw 40 pupils from Timaru's Beaconsfield School recently visit a 380-hectare South Canterbury farm where they learned about job prospects in the primary industries.

"It's not just about shearing sheep and driving tractors," farm owner Bill Wright said.

Aoraki Development chief executive Nigel Davenport said the food processing and manufacturing sector had hired 5000 of the 25,000 people working in South Canterbury, making it the region's largest employer group. More...

Save the date! Asia Pacific Energy Leaders Summit 2018

Don't miss out on this ground-breaking conference. Save 31 October - 1 November 2018 in your diary now for the Asia Pacific Energy Leaders' Summit in Wellington, NZ.

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.

The 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.

Find out more->>

Is your relationship with suppliers and business customers fair and healthy?

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is looking to better understand how small- and medium-sized businesses are getting on when negotiating terms with suppliers and business customers.

If you’re significantly involved in your business’ agreements and relationships with suppliers and business customers, could you please participate in this anonymous survey - click here->>

Get your business ready for payday filing

IRD payroll filing can now be done every payday rather than monthly – a timesaver for employers.

Employers should talk to their payroll or software provider about when they will offer the functionality to enable payday filing.

For more information, click here->>

Transformative Leadership & Innovation for Competitiveness course

The world is changing at a rapid pace never seen before with technology taking center stage as a major catalyst. In this era of constant change, successful global business leaders must be knowledgeable of technology trends and must understand new models to foster innovation.

Transformative Leadership & Innovation for Competitiveness is an innovative program at the critical intersection of technology, business and policy. The course offers a unique opportunity to grasp on the transforming global landscape and engage with change-makers and experienced practitioners – CEOs/CTOs, former Ministers and Prime Ministers, Heads of IOs – from the GFCC network, currently represented in 35+ countries.

Participants will have an intensive 6-day learning experience in October 2018 and engage with more than 30 speakers, from 10+ countries. Find out more->>

Is insurance law working well?

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is undertaking a review of insurance contract law. MBIE is keen to hear from businesses about what is working well and what isn’t for business insurance policies.

Please provide feedback here->>

Submissions close on Friday, 13 July 2018.

Contract Manufacturers

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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