As we start the new year, the first BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) reports that the NZ manufacturing sector recorded its highest month of expansion for 2015 in December. A great position to start January from.

In this issue, we also cover the upcoming changes to health and safety law, and what it could mean for your business.

There are also some innovative new tools and inspiring events to help Kiwi manufacturers to grow, develop and gain more success in 2016 and beyond.

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

New Zealand's manufacturing sector recorded its highest month of expansion for 2015 in December, according to the latest BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).

The seasonally adjusted PMI for December was 56.7.  This was 1.8 points higher than November, and the highest level of expansion since October 2014.  The sector has now been in continued expansion since October 2012.

"Overall, it has been a solid and positive year for the sector.  Although the PMI averaged 54.2 over 2015 compared with 56.0 for both 2013 and 2014, the slightly lower expansion level was partly due to the first half of 2015 experiencing a moderate patch of growth. However, results over the last few months have seen the sector in stronger expansion. More...

C Beard

By now you probably know that the new Health and Safety at Work Act comes into force on April 4 2016. But what does that mean for you and your business?

The first thing to understand is that the basics of good health and safety aren’t changing. If your business has good systems in place and follows through with good practice day-in, day-out then nothing much will need to change.

WorkSafe New Zealand will be producing a range of information and guidance material to help businesses and workers come to grips with the new law and regulations. Already there is plenty of information about the general provisions of the new Act on the WorkSafe website to help you get ready.

Tony Collins, Safety Hub consultant, has put together some guidance for F&B manufacturers in the following report.

Check out the manufacturing safety report here.

Safety Hub specialises in automation and supports businesses virtually with H&S expertise. If businesses feel like they need extra guidance they can contact Worksafe New Zealand for a free, no obligation consultation.

The theme for the next MobileTECH is “Innovation through Connectivity / Productivity through Connectivity” and it's taking place in Rotorua on 30-31 March 2016.

This established (and revitalised) industry event will create a platform for change, bringing together our rural industry leaders, technology developers, engineers, researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators and early adopters. They will discuss, showcase and learn about new innovative tools & technologies that can improve efficiencies & productivity through connectivity, including:

• Rural Connectivity Automation UAVs / Aerial Drones Communications
• Big Data Productivity Apps Remote Sensing Electronic Tagging
• M2M Online Software Robotics Data Ownership
• Cloud Platforms Mobile Hardware Satellite Mapping Field Capture Tools.

For further details and the latest event programme click here.

Congratulations to TruDesign for their recent DAME award win in Amsterdam at METS - the world’s largest trade exhibition of equipment, materials and systems for the international marine leisure industry. TruDesign is a long-serving New Zealand manufacturer that has been exhibiting at METS for 10 years; receiving this recognition on an international stage is validation of their hard work.

TruDesign’s load bearing collars won the marina equipment, boatyard equipment and boat construction tools and materials category, one of just seven winners at the awards from a field of 110 entries. The jury mentioned it particularly appreciated the design simplicity of the collars.

Some 51 products were selected from the entries to be judged in the final round, which were chosen by a 10-strong jury of industry experts from around the world.

A UK based tool has been developed to help workplaces find the right respirator for their employees and help manage their respiratory protection programme.

The tool was developed by the Health and Safety Executive, NHS Health Scotland and Healthy Working Lives (HWL).

This tool can be used by New Zealand workplaces to assist in choosing and managing the correct respiratory protection, however there are some important points that you need to read and consider before using this tool for your workplace.

Click here for more information on the Respirator Selection Tool.

The Materials Handling & Logistics Expo (MHL) - New Zealand’s premier trade event for the materials handling, warehousing and logistics industry - is taking place on 11th - 13th October 2016 at the ASB Showgrounds, Auckland.

This is an opportunity to showcase new & innovative products and techniques and provides a professional & comprehensive marketing platform bringing together industry buyers, suppliers and educators to share ideas and develop business relationships.

In 2016, MHL is to be co-located with Foodtech Packtech (FTPT) the nation’s leading event for the food packaging and technology industries. More...

In a first-of-its-kind summit, top level decision-makers from around Asia Pacific are gathering in Wellington on 16-17 March 2016 to discuss Delivering Resilient Energy Infrastructure.
Co-hosted by the BusinessNZ Energy Council and the World Energy Council, the event will allow decision-makers from business and governments to share ideas, experiences and resources on resilience - how to plan and pay for it, manage risks, collaborate and jointly find solutions.

“There is a dawning realisation of just how important resilience is,” BusinessNZ Energy Council chair David Caygill said.

“It’s about more than weather.  Resilience is a state of preparedness for all sorts of unexpected shocks and stresses including cyber-attacks and social activism.

“Themes to be discussed include emerging technologies, transport and smart cities..." More...

The www.business.govt.nz site provides useful tools and information for small and medium businesses. A recent feature is “Business Planning 101”, which includes an introduction to business planning, a guide on how to create a business plan and helpful planning tools.

The Government is proposing a number of initiatives to get rid of redundant legislation and reduce loopy rules. Findings from the Rules Reduction Taskforce show real opportunities for both central and local government to make life easier for small and medium businesses - updates will be posted on www.rulesreduction.govt.nz.

The Government has recently committed to a further five and a half years of support to help small businesses grow through its Regional Business Partner (RBP) programme.

Did you know we have a directory of contract manufacturers listed on our website? Its aim is to allow businesses to find contract manufacturers who may be able to assist them with a particular project.

If you are interested in being listed in our directory, or would like to browse it, click here.

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