Manufacturing in New Zealand
Manufacturing means transforming basic supplies into new products, like using leather to create shoes, or steel and other materials to build cars.
Many of New Zealand’s great business success stories involve manufacturing innovations – ideas that began in a workshop or garage and grew to the scale of factories and production lines.
Making your own products may be a great option for your business. It can:
- give you more control over what you make
- tap into New Zealand’s well-connected industry and solid infrastructure
- make your business less reliant on overseas suppliers.
Taking the step into manufacturing creates new opportunities for your business to innovate and grow. There’s a lot to consider and plenty to learn, so we recommend talking to a business advisor before you get started. They’ll help you follow in the footsteps of other New Zealand manufacturers, and get the right plan in place for your business.
Get support for manufacturing in New Zealand
If you’re a New Zealand manufacturer, you may be eligible for financial support for things like tech and research or vehicle maintenance.
Options include both government funding and private investments.
Getting financial support can make a big difference for your business, so make time to do your research and ask for help if you need.
Embrace Industry 4.0
What is Industry 4.0?
Manufacturing today has changed a lot from the factories of previous generations. Digital technologies have created what experts call a “fourth industrial revolution” — or Industry 4.0.
These are cutting-edge technologies that allow manufacturers to finely control processes and maximise efficiency. And they’re changing how businesses of all sizes work.
Advances like machine learning and business intelligence allow manufacturers to make smarter decisions based on real-time data.
Making the leap from spreadsheets to sensors can:
- optimise operations
- reduce waste and expense
- improve safety
- streamline logistics.
Whether you’re an established manufacturer or you’re just starting out, adopting Industry 4.0 is key to future-proofing your business.
Lean manufacturing
If your focus is on improving your productivity, lean manufacturing might be a good option for you.
Lean manufacturing is a methodology that streamlines processes and saves you time, material and effort by reducing unnecessary obstacles in the production process. This can mean adding advanced tech to your processes.
By following the principles of lean manufacturing, you can create a more flexible, responsive and cost-effective business.
What's next
Prepare for unexpected events
Health and safety
Intellectual property
IT risks and scams
Understanding customer complaints
Premises and assets
Operations strategy
Running a sustainable business
Importing
Exporting