December 2014
www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz
THE YEAR THAT WAS Building the skills of your manufacturing workforce
Positive year for manufacturers Roger Usmar.
- Roger Usmar, Sector Development Manager, Competenz A manufacturing career that spans ‘shop floor to senior management’ in operations, competitive (‘lean’) manufacturing and human resources has helped Roger Usmar understand the challenges manufacturers face. It’s also convinced him that investing strategically in training to build a skilled and adaptable workforce is one of the keys to managing these
challenges. Now Sector Development Manager at manufacturing industry training organisation Competenz, Roger shares his thoughts on how to build training into an effective workforce development strategy. “Attracting good people, then building the skills they need in a competitive manufacturing environment, is a challenge – and
it’s one New Zealand manufacturers need to take seriously,” says Roger who joined Competenz in October. “In my thirty-plus years in manufacturing with Fonterra, Kiwi Dairy and Woolworths, I’ve seen the difference a good workforce development strategy makes – and the vital part training plays in supporting the company strategy.
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More complete solutions to benefit relationship Glen Murphy, Regional Director NZTE, Greater China Do you predominantly think of China as a market to sell your products to or do you think of China as a customer with unique needs that you could help with? The way people talk about China would suggest many take the market view. If that’s your approach you need to ask yourself: ‘To what extent could we increase the value of our relationship by creating more complete solutions?’ Are you building long-term trust with your customer that will
sustain your businesses through the inevitable ‘hiccups’ in any relationship? And China does have needs New Zealand can help with: Safe food There is a well-discussed need for food products and a safe supply chain the Government and consumers can believe in. Maybe
it’s time to stop thinking about food safety requirements for China as a compliance hassle and think about the opportunity to gain a competitive advantage by meeting these needs and communicating to Chinese consumers in creative ways?
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The hassle free apprenticeship service Contact Apprentice Training New Zealand to find out how we can recruit, employ and manage apprentices to train in your business.
0800 526 1800 www.atnz.org.nz
John Walley, Chief Executive, New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association
The past year has generally been more positive for manufacturers and exporters than we have seen for a while. A significantly overvalued currency continues to be an issue for margins and competition pressure, but some recovery in export markets and improving domestic conditions, for some, have provided a lift in activity. Our own survey has shown a trend of improving year on year export sales, with falling domestic sales throughout 2014, coupled with consistent expectations of improving future conditions. 2014 has been a very mixed year for international markets, with new opportunities, ongoing uncertainties and new risks emerging. Europe has struggled with stagnating growth and facing a very real risk of deflation, exporters to this area have experienced soft and falling demand coupled with intense competition as producers elsewhere search for sales. This risk of deflation and continued stagnation prompted the European Central Bank to add further stimulus, and they are considering starting a U.S style bond purchasing (quantitive easing) programme.
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