Latest news with #AdvancingManufacturingAotearoa
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Excellence Celebrated At First-Ever Minister For Manufacturing Awards
Press Release – New Zealand Government Manufacturing fuels the economy by contributing over 8.4 percent to New Zealands GDP, generating more than 250,000 jobs and reinforcing our position as a global competitor, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing Chris Penk says. Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing Exceptional Kiwi businesses and outstanding individuals who are driving industry productivity, innovation and job creation have been honoured at New Zealand's inaugural Minister for Manufacturing Awards. 'Manufacturing fuels the economy by contributing over 8.4 percent to New Zealand's GDP, generating more than 250,000 jobs and reinforcing our position as a global competitor,' Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing Chris Penk says. 'The 2025 Minister for Manufacturing Awards celebrated the prosperity this industry drives and most importantly, the outstanding people behind it.' Held yesterday evening at Christchurch's premier industry showcase, SouthMACH, the event was hosted by Mr Penk in collaboration with Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa. 'The calibre of finalists and winners reflects the strength and diversity of New Zealand's manufacturing sector – from suppliers of sustainably harvested timber, to developers of ground-breaking recycling technologies and producers of life-saving medical equipment,' Mr Penk says. 'These businesses are led by innovative thinkers and powered by skilled, hard-working Kiwis. Their success is something we can all take pride in and shows that manufacturing will continue to play a significant role in shaping New Zealand into a world-class economy.' The awards recognise excellence across four key categories. The winners are: Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year supported by Enztec: Michael Vitale – Pacific Steel Michael is working towards his Mechanical Engineering apprenticeship through Competenz at Pacific Steel. His early completion of theory components and impressive focus on health and safety in example projects shows remarkable dedication, and his success has encouraged the company to open apprenticeships to other operations employees. Excellence in Manufacturing Leadership supported by Lawson Williams Consulting: Nathan Hay – Argus ManuTech Nathan Hay is a passionate manufacturing leader who has championed technology adoption, grown the workforce and empowered his team through focused upskilling. Mr Hays has led impactful partnerships, including med-tech ventures with MARS Bioimaging, that highlight how progressive manufacturing can drive positive social and environmental outcomes. Excellence in Process Innovation supported by Swell Group: Breadcraft Wairarapa Ltd Breadcraft Wairarapa is a fourth-generation artisan bakery that's been proudly baking in Masterton since 1942. Through innovative brands like Rebel Bakehouse, they're combining tradition, sustainability and creativity to lead New Zealand's baking evolution. Manufacturer of the Year supported by BNZ: Douglas Pharmaceuticals Douglas Pharmaceuticals specialises in high-barrier prescription medicines, produced in FDA and TGA-certified GMP facilities. They have grown from a family business into a people-focused industry leader that is continually innovating and delivering strong financial results. Douglas Pharmaceuticals sets the benchmark for NewZealand manufacturing and is a worthy recipient of this award. 'I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the outstanding businesses and individuals honoured at the awards ceremony, and a sincere thanks to everyone who entered and attended,' Mr Penk says 'Your dedication to building a thriving industry inspires the future generations of Kiwi makers and creators. I look forward to celebrating your achievements again at future Minister for Manufacturing Awards.'
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Excellence Celebrated At First-Ever Minister For Manufacturing Awards
Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing Exceptional Kiwi businesses and outstanding individuals who are driving industry productivity, innovation and job creation have been honoured at New Zealand's inaugural Minister for Manufacturing Awards. 'Manufacturing fuels the economy by contributing over 8.4 percent to New Zealand's GDP, generating more than 250,000 jobs and reinforcing our position as a global competitor,' Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing Chris Penk says. 'The 2025 Minister for Manufacturing Awards celebrated the prosperity this industry drives and most importantly, the outstanding people behind it.' Held yesterday evening at Christchurch's premier industry showcase, SouthMACH, the event was hosted by Mr Penk in collaboration with Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa. 'The calibre of finalists and winners reflects the strength and diversity of New Zealand's manufacturing sector - from suppliers of sustainably harvested timber, to developers of ground-breaking recycling technologies and producers of life-saving medical equipment,' Mr Penk says. 'These businesses are led by innovative thinkers and powered by skilled, hard-working Kiwis. Their success is something we can all take pride in and shows that manufacturing will continue to play a significant role in shaping New Zealand into a world-class economy.' The awards recognise excellence across four key categories. The winners are: Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year supported by Enztec: Michael Vitale – Pacific Steel Michael is working towards his Mechanical Engineering apprenticeship through Competenz at Pacific Steel. His early completion of theory components and impressive focus on health and safety in example projects shows remarkable dedication, and his success has encouraged the company to open apprenticeships to other operations employees. Excellence in Manufacturing Leadership supported by Lawson Williams Consulting: Nathan Hay – Argus ManuTech Nathan Hay is a passionate manufacturing leader who has championed technology adoption, grown the workforce and empowered his team through focused upskilling. Mr Hays has led impactful partnerships, including med-tech ventures with MARS Bioimaging, that highlight how progressive manufacturing can drive positive social and environmental outcomes. Excellence in Process Innovation supported by Swell Group: Breadcraft Wairarapa Ltd Breadcraft Wairarapa is a fourth-generation artisan bakery that's been proudly baking in Masterton since 1942. Through innovative brands like Rebel Bakehouse, they're combining tradition, sustainability and creativity to lead New Zealand's baking evolution. Manufacturer of the Year supported by BNZ: Douglas Pharmaceuticals Douglas Pharmaceuticals specialises in high-barrier prescription medicines, produced in FDA and TGA-certified GMP facilities. They have grown from a family business into a people-focused industry leader that is continually innovating and delivering strong financial results. Douglas Pharmaceuticals sets the benchmark for NewZealand manufacturing and is a worthy recipient of this award. 'I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the outstanding businesses and individuals honoured at the awards ceremony, and a sincere thanks to everyone who entered and attended,' Mr Penk says 'Your dedication to building a thriving industry inspires the future generations of Kiwi makers and creators. I look forward to celebrating your achievements again at future Minister for Manufacturing Awards.'
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Investment boost seen as a step in the right direction
Dunedin manufacturers say a tax deduction on new assets is a "great step in the right direction" which will give some companies a chance to make smarter investment decisions. Investment Boost, a new tax incentive focused on encouraging businesses' capital investment, was among the announcements made by the government yesterday as part of Budget 2025. It would allow businesses to deduct 20% of the value of new productive assets, such as machinery, tools, equipment, vehicles and technology, from that year's taxable income, on top of normal depreciation. "There's no cap on the value of eligible investments," Finance Minister Nicola Willis said in a statement yesterday. "All businesses, regardless of size, can benefit." The deduction applies to new assets purchased in New Zealand from yesterday, as well as new and used assets imported from overseas. It included commercial buildings but excluded land, residential buildings and assets already in use in New Zealand, Ms Willis said. Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa board chairwoman Sarah Ramsay said a policy on accelerated depreciation had been its "number one ask" to the government. "So I think it's fantastic that they've made a start on it. "I think there's still more to go ... but I think it's a great step in the right direction." More advanced and productive assets had "a much higher price ticket", and the incentive could be the difference between replacing existing assets and investing in more advanced pieces of equipment, she said. "So I certainly think it will factor into decisions around do we buy and replace an asset with like-for-like, or do we actually look at taking a more innovative step because it has been de-risked to a certain extent with that accelerated depreciation." Purchasing new assets could also be challenging due to high commissioning costs and other costs associated with training and onboarding. "It certainly gives companies a bit more air to be able to execute that properly." Mrs Ramsay, who is also the chief executive of United Machinists, said most of the company's machinery purchases were valued at between $500,000 to $1.2million. The company had just commissioned three new pieces of equipment and was looking at investing about another $1.5m over the next year into two new pieces of equipment. Investment Boost would "certainly help" with the company's capital planning and business case, and could even bring some investments forward, she said. Farra Engineering manager director Gareth Evans said the incentive was "definitely a great move" but did not think it would have the impact the government perhaps hoped it would on capital investment in the manufacturing sector. "I think anything that supports capital investment is good. "I'd like to see it augmented with concessionary loans, which would, I think, be much more stimulative in terms of private business capital investment. "But this is a great first step and it's very positive to see." While he did not believe it would affect the company's investment decisions, it could have a material impact for a lot of other businesses. Companies with established revenue streams might stand to benefit rather than any particular specialised field of manufacturing, Mr Evans said. "It's good for established businesses like ours, but for earlier stage businesses where possibly they're not at profitability yet, it doesn't give them the same advantage." While the incentive would have "zero impact" on the company's capital investment plan, it could be a factor for the plans of a select number of other businesses, he said. "I don't think it will drive a fundamental change in behaviour, whereas access to better interest rates or other mechanisms would have a huge impact. "Personally, I don't see it having more than a fairly small percentage uplift in capital investment across the sector."
