These manufacturers often use flexible, short-run production cycles to supply high-value global niches. Increasingly, they also create value in the areas of design, research and development, production and servicing.
Some of New Zealand’s international manufacturing successes have been:
- development of the world’s first jet-propelled boats and pioneering the use of fibreglass in marine construction
- creation of sophisticated systems for animal management and security that originated from our invention of electric fences for livestock
- designing and manufacturing luxury bathroom products, including water-saving shower heads that don’t compromise on look and feel.
According to Statistics New Zealand, there are about 22,700 manufacturing businesses in New Zealand, which together produce about $20 billion of sales quarterly.
The global manufacturing opportunity
Manufacturing globally is increasingly complex. The modern manufacturing product cycle now includes functions from market research to distribution, branding and after-sales service, through to end-of-life disposal.
All industrialised countries face increasing competition from lower cost, but increasingly sophisticated, producers.
This means that global value chains are emerging whereby the various stages of developing a product or service are occurring in different areas of the world, depending on where it makes best business sense.
How NZTE can help specialised manufacturers
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) employs staff with manufacturing business expertise in strategic locations around the world. Much of our work with manufacturers is focused on projects and customers in Australia, Southeast Asia, North Asia, Europe, North America, and South America
NZTE works with a range of manufacturing industries to build the capability of businesses, assist them to identify new opportunities for growth internationally, and help to promote their industry’s strengths globally.
We can help selected manufacturers improve their productivity by implementing Lean Business systems that increase efficiency and eliminate waste. We encourage manufacturers to think about how to create value across all areas of their business through our Manufacturing+ Value Creation strategy sessions.
We also help businesses access international procurement opportunities through our Industry Capability Network, the NZTE-funded National Project Office, and tender identification service ProjectLink.
To find out more about NZTE’s work in the specialised manufacturing industries, or to talk with an NZTE representative about participating in initiatives in the industries:
More general information about New Zealand’s various manufacturing industries can be found via industry bodies that work with NZTE.
