It’s encouraging to see March's PMI (Performance of Manufacturing Index) continue on an upward trend, albeit slightly. There are some positives we can take away from the result, but as Catherine Beard’s commentary below will detail, there are plenty of headwinds that continue to be a cause for concern.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment are seeking feedback on legislation on Modern Slavery and Worker Exploitation. ManufacturingNZ and BusinessNZ will be submitting on the issue and are keen to hear from you. You can view the proposal here and email me with any comments you may have. The consultation is public and closes on the 7th June, so we encourage you to submit your own views directly to MBIE too.

Finally, keep an eye out for the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Transformation Plan, the consultation period is due to start in the coming months. We’ll be working with our colleagues at the Employers and Manufacturers Association to roll out workshops – stay tuned!

New Zealand's manufacturing sector saw another, albeit slight, improvement in its level of expansion, according to the latest BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).

The seasonally adjusted PMI for March was 53.8 (a PMI reading above 50.0 indicates that manufacturing is generally expanding; below 50.0 that it is declining).  This was 0.2 points higher than February, and above the long-term average of 53.1 for the survey.

BusinessNZ's Director, Advocacy Catherine Beard said that the March result was another encouraging step towards getting the sector back on track.

Read more ->>

Xero, the global small business platform, today released its Xero Small Business Index for March 2022, with sales and jobs growth slowing compared to February but remaining ahead of March 2021.

Small business sales slowed to 3.7 percent year-on-year (y/y) growth in March, after four months of double digit growth. Jobs growth also slowed to 2.7 percent y/y, from 4.1 percent y/y in February

Read more ->>
View the full report here ->>

For Kiwi small to medium-sized exporters looking to operate and expand on the global stage, invoice financing is one of the best options to consider.

This type of finance solves a classic dilemma in international trade when your overseas buyer prefers terms that leave time for receipt, distribution, and the sale of the goods, when on the other hand you want to get paid at the time the goods are shipped. This time lag can be devastating to a business when it needs the funds straight away and, as a consequence, sometimes misses out on significant trade opportunities.

Bolster Trade Finance is a locally owned and operated finance company designed to support exporters (and importers) that are looking to fund commercial deals but do not have the cashflow to meet these requirements.

Check them out here or give them a bell on 0800 BOLSTER.

As a hotbed of creativity, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) drive growth by developing new technologies, products, services and software. Intellectual property (IP) can play a crucial role in helping to leverage the value of these innovations.

SMEs are very good at inventing and innovating. And as new solutions become more technologically complex, SMEs are more likely to collaborate in different forms of open innovation projects in efforts to drive long-term growth. Open innovation provides SMEs with key benefits such as access to new markets, new customers, and market knowledge; as well as access to complementary expertise and other technologies needed for innovation. Open innovation can also help SMEs to build their credibility and brand reputation.

Read more ->>

One of the country’s largest wool carpet manufacturers is set to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by up to 30%.

Bremworth's Napier wool yarn spinning plant is getting a $2.1 million upgrade which will see it transition from using natural gas to electric heat pump technology during part of its dyeing and finishing process.

It's a move which will see them reduce emissions of up to 1,500 tonnes of CO2 per annum – the equivalent of planting between 800 and 1500 radiata pine trees.

Read more ->>

BusinessNZ says Government support to decarbonise large businesses will benefit those willing to explore innovative technologies, while paving the way for others to adopt. Fifteen businesses have received funding as part of the Government’s third round of Investment in Decarbonising Industry fund, administered by EECA.

BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope says sustainability makes good business sense. "Investing in cleaner processes for larger industrial players will have a knock-on effect for small to medium enterprises.

Read more ->>

Times-7 designs and manufactures radio frequency identification antennas, otherwise known as RAIN (UHF) RFID.

Founded in 2006,the company has established itself as a leading company in the global RFID market, exporting its products worldwide.

Jos Kunnen, CEO and Managing Director, is committed to sustainable manufacturing in the Hutt Valley, saying, “this is the perfect place to be with other businesses around us that can support our growth and ambitions.”

Read more ->>

Participate in the Fourth Bicentennial Schools RoadShow , and learn more about the procurement processes for the execution of new infrastructure projects.

The objective is to convene national and international companies from the construction sector , which in an integral, committed and efficient manner, execute our educational infrastructure projects , which will benefit more than 15,000 students in the districts of Carabayllo, Villa María del Triunfo and Villa El Salvador, in Metropolitan Lima, and to more than 7,000 students in the regions of Puno and Cusco.

The roadshow video is available here ->>

For updates on BusinessNZ advocacy and for the latest Advocacy Update, BusinessNZ's advocacy newsletter, have a look at the new advocacy the website here.

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.

More ->>

Missed an issue of Manufacturing News? Click here to access all previous issues in our Newsletter Archive.