Material passports for construction: Why I see them less as banks… and more as donor registries
From December NZ Manufacturer -Troy Coyle,CEO,HERA Across the infrastructure and construction sectors, material passports are emerging as a promising tool for enabling circularity. They’re often described as a “bank of materials,” and I understand why (in fact HERA even describes them this way). After all, they catalogue the materials embedded […]
Building psychologically safe, high-performance cultures: Why ISO 45003 matters for NZ manufacturing
From December issue, NZ Manufacturer www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz Theresa Grainger, General Manager, The Lean Hub Every manufacturing site I visit, whether it is a busy factory floor or a small specialised workshop, I believe has one universal truth and that is that people want to feel valued, supported, and safe to share […]
The tough year that was 2025
From December issue of NZ Manufacturer www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz The Year That Was -Sean Doherty 2025 was a brutal year for most New Zealand manufacturers, with many focused on staying afloat rather than growing. Rising costs for electricity, gas, labour, and raw materials squeezed margins across almost every subsector. Official data shows […]
Lifting Productivity from the Ground Up
How project engineering keeps NZ manufacturing efficient, safe, and moving Caliber Design, Christchurch Productivity is one of the most talked-about issues in New Zealand manufacturing. We all want to do more with less: more output with fewer delays, more progress with leaner teams, and more innovation with limited budgets. Yet […]
Wired for success: Re-engineering apprenticeships to power New Zealand’s workforce
Toni Christie, Competenz General Manager, Employer and Learner Experience. A strengthened apprenticeship support system is driving higher completion rates across engineering and manufacturing — helping New Zealand build the skilled workforce it needs. Toni Christie explains how industry training organisation Competenz redesigned their apprentice learning experience to give every one of their […]
Make your emissions data stand up to scrutiny
Starting out with your first carbon footprint, or refining years of data? Either way, the credibility of your greenhouse-gas (GHG) numbers matters. Reliable, verified information builds trust with customers, regulators and supply-chain partners – and helps you make confident decisions. Here’s how to find the right type of independent check […]
Q & A: Paul Durose, Logik Freight & Logistics Head of Operations
How is business? The NZ business environment is currently very challenging with a noticeable downturn in import/export activity, meaning that Logik Freight & Logistics have had to make some difficult decisions in order to navigate through this period. Which systems do your company use for efficiencies of scale? We use […]
Are you a Leader or a Liability?
Why the best leaders focus on replacing themselves At the core of New Zealand’s productivity problems is a leadership opportunity. We have no shortage of smart people, but they are trapped working in their businesses instead of growing their teams and the people who can run them. David Altena […]
Management Buy-In vs Management Buy-Out
Not all exit options are right for your business. A Management By-In or Buy-Out could be an attractive option worth evaluating. -Mike Warmington, Platform 1 Many people know about a Management Buy-Out when a person or team within your business becomes your exit option, generally over time. A Management Buy-In […]
Manufacturing’s safety shift is progress worth protecting
By EMA Manager of Employment Relations & Safety Paul Jarvie. Manufacturing accounted for 29,224 injury claims in 2024. It was one of the industries with the highest incidence rates of work-related claims last year. Statistics like this underline the sector’s long and tortuous health and safety journey. But insights from […]
Age-Inclusive manufacturing: Passing the torch: Practical mentoring and knowledge sharing across generations
By Shyamini Szeko, 2025: Based on Master’s research into ageing and work in NZ manufacturing (AcademyEx) Why mentoring matters “I didn’t learn my job overnight.” – Team Leader, 33 years in manufacturing That sums it up. Experience can’t be replaced overnight. Older workers carry deep know-how, the kind that keeps […]
Strong shifts start with strong leaders: Inside Ashburton Meats’ investment in its people
Adam Harvey Business Performance Partner – Manufacturing, The Learning Wave You can feel it the moment you walk the floor. A strong shift hums. Clear direction, tight handovers, problems solved right then and there. A weak one? Well, we’ve all seen those too. Targets slip, rework piles up, and safety […]
How Trimax built export success through customer-first culture
NZ Manufacturer, November issue Bob and Michael Sievwright. Founded in 1981 in Tauranga, Trimax Mowing Systems has grown from a small New Zealand manufacturer into a globally recognised provider of commercial mowing solutions. Known for its focus on innovation, quality and export success, Trimax has become a case study in how a family-owned business can scale internationally while maintaining a strong customer-first culture. The EMA’s Nicholas Russell spoke with CEO Michael Sievwright about Trimax’s journey, its approach to growth and innovation, and how it is inspiring the next generation of Kiwi manufacturers. How has Trimax developed from a small Tauranga operation to a global exporter? Michael Sievwright: The journey really has a few phases. In the early years, our focus was on building a strong foundation: producing great products, establishing a solid brand, and laying down our footprint in international markets. My father, Bob Sievwright, emphasised customer-led innovation from day one, making sure our equipment was reliable, easy to maintain, and genuinely useful to those who used it. Then came what I’d call the ‘scale phase’. It wasn’t about constantly inventing new products; it was about asking: How do we sell what we already have? How do we leverage our existing footprint, build strong service and support, and make sure every customer receives the full value of a Trimax mower? That focus on sales, support and customer relationships has been as crucial as product innovation. How did Trimax build its footprint in offshore markets? Michael Sievwright: When entering a new market, our first step is to learn, not to sell. We observe how people buy, who they trust, and what their challenges are. We also maximise the domestic market in New Zealand. which is perfect for testing: grass grows year-round, machinery is put through rigorous use, and we can refine […]