Kiwi manufacturing sector strong

Suggestions of strong growth in New Zealand’s manufacturing and engineering sectors have been borne out with local and overseas professionals touting the highly successful engineering, machinery and electronics exhibition EMEX 2010, recently held at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland. The success of this event backs up recent performance of manufacturing index (PMI) figures that show consistent and sustained growth, with an April figure of 58.9 (anything above 50 shows manufacturing is expanding). It is the second largest employment sector in the country, and largest in Auckland.

Brent Spillane of EMEX says he was initially apprehensive given the shaky economy, but has been overwhelmed by the success of the event. “I spent a lot of time at EMEX walking the halls and talking to exhibitors and visitors. Constant positive feedback and reports of strong sales at both the low- and high-value ends, with a good number of substantial machines sold on the floor, was an excellent sign of how good the manufacturing and engineering sectors are at present. As one exhibitor told me: ‘The show has been a financial success for us. I have never, in all my time coming to these shows, seen so many business owners attend as visitors.'

“It was interesting to hear ANZ economist Khoon Goh note that the economy is improving and that this message translated to our trade visitors as a good time to buy capital equipment. There were very few ‘tyre-kickers’ among a very high quality of visitors and, as mentioned, a lot of sales made. Confidence in sustained growth is high too, with a higher proportion of exhibitors than normal already booking exhibition space for EMEX 2012.”

One of the exhibitors, and a key supplier in the manufacturing and engineering sectors, is BOC. Michelle Coffey, the Australian-based marketing specialist for BOC, notes the strength of the Kiwi sector.

“We had a great three days at EMEX 2010, and the reported growth was reflected in the response we had. We had a lot of interest from key people in the New Zealand manufacturing and engineering community. EMEX assisted us in building and maintaining relationships with current customers as well as highlighting our products and services to prospective customers in a growing and dynamic market. While the number of visitors was down a little, the people that did attend were in top positions and had purchasing power. It was a great platform to launch our new Smootharc range of welding equipment to the vibrant New Zealand market.”

EMEX is a biennial event that supports and strengthens New Zealand industry through technology, innovation and education. Sales manager Rob Lavender says the timing of EMEX helped both exhibitors and visitors take advantage of the improvement in the New Zealand and world economic climate. “Many industry decision-makers attended EMEX 2010 to investigate new manufacturing methods and purchase items to help develop and sustain their businesses further.

“We’re on track to make EMEX 2012 a bigger and better event. Nearly 30% of the floor space was already rebooked in the first week after the show. If you are serious about this industry and looking for an even bigger and better engineering mechanical or electronic fix, EMEX 2012 will be a must-attend event.”