Manufacturing in NZ - what does the future hold?
A comprehensive report on New Zealand’s
manufacturing sector signals some of the strengths and
challenges facing the sector at present.
Released at joint
event hosted by the EMA and The
Manufacturers Network
today, the "Beyond commodities: Manufacturing into the
future" report generated by the Ministry of Business,
Innovation and Employment is the first report to look at the
manufacturing sector as a whole.
"What’s important to note about this report, is that we ignore the manufacturing sector at our peril," says Kim Campbell, CEO, EMA.
"With manufacturing accounting for more than half our export revenue, 42% of New Zealand’s business expenditure on research and development along with employing at least 11% of the workforce or more, it’s a sizeable contributor to key elements of our economy now and in the future.
"The
sector is also the engine of growth as these industries
create demand for inputs from a range of other innovative
and knowledge intensive sectors.
"The fact our economy
has moved on from one based on commodities approach to one
of value-add and is now a significant employer in the
regions shows the importance of manufacturing to the wider
New Zealand economy.
"Yet, of concern is investment in productivity, finding enough skilled workers and remaining competitive on the global market. In spite of this, manufacturing wages are 15% higher than New Zealand’s average.
"As manufacturing goes through its next
revolution, most developed countries are embracing Industry
4.0 and its enablers such as 3D printing, artificial
intelligence and the internet of things. New Zealand needs
to be engaged in this process and a new policy platform is a
vital next step in this process," says Mr
Campbell.
ENDS