N E W S - I N D U S T R Y M A T T E R S
Enerpac gets
charged up
Powerful, portable and efficient
new electrically powered EWCE
wire rope and cable cutters have
been introduced by Enerpac to
reduce hazards and increase
efficiency when cutting heavy
duty material.
The 25kg guillotine-style cutters
offer 380kN (42.7 tons) force to
speedily slice through rope up
to 42mm diameter and cable up
to 55mm, instead of the material
having to be held in place and
cut amidst a shower of sparks
or broken blades as operators
attempt to employ methods such
as angle grinders or gas saws.
Safety, durability and speed
are huge benefits of the EWCE
cutters, which can handle
materials up to HR 48 hardness
while maintaining effectiveness
throughout rigorous use on sites
such as mining, electrical, construction
and infrastructure. 2019 ExportNZ DHL
14 November 2019
Export Barometer
Exporters expect an increase in 2020 activity,
yet cautious about international marketplace. At a glance:
The 2019 ExportNZ DHL Export Barometer
offers compelling insights into the
state of New Zealand’s exports and a
glimpse into trends and opportunities
in 2020.
One of the key findings is that while offshore
markets are receiving an extensive
variety of Kiwi goods, New Zealand
exporters have experienced a slight
softening in their export orders over the
past 12-months.
According to the research - which was
conducted among more than 400 New
Zealand exporters - 50% of Kiwi exporters
experienced an increase in export
orders; this is down from 52% in 2018
and 55% in 2017. Despite the softening
of exports, expectations for 2020
are positive, with 61% expecting an increase
in export orders. This could indicate
that the demand for quality Kiwi
products from international markets
will always be there, but Kiwi exporters
need to be nimble in their approach to
get their products out globally.
Kiwi exporters have indicated they are
more cautious about the international
marketplace, with the cost of exporting
at the forefront of their concerns. Kiwi
exporters have cited ‘the level of the
New Zealand dollar’ and ‘concern about
increasing costs in New Zealand due
to coming industrial regulation’ as the
two major barriers to exporting. While
the increased costs may not have directly
affected them personally yet, it
remains a concern as the international
trade dispute escalates.
DHL Express New Zealand Country
Manager Mark Foy said that this year’s
results highlight that Kiwi exporters
should prepare for challenges ahead,
but it is pleasing to see Kiwi businesses
remaining confident for the coming
year.
"The number of New Zealand exporters
investing in innovation, new product
development and sustainable
initiatives to reach international audiences
is a testament to the strength
of our exporting community here in
New Zealand and the reason why the
rest of the world will always want our
Kiwi goods."
In the ever-changing global marketplace,
Kiwi ingenuity has proven once
again to be the main driver among the
New Zealand exporting community
with just under half of Kiwi exporters
surveyed tapping into new initiatives
to reach international markets. The
results also indicated that Kiwi exporters
are getting behind a sustainable
future, with 49% implementing sustainable
initiatives.
ExportNZ executive director Catherine
Beard says, "The sentiments of
Kiwi exporters are upbeat in the face
• 50% of exporters have seen
international orders increase
over the last 12 months,
and more than half remain
optimistic that international
orders will increase in the
next 12 months
• The cost of exporting cited
as a major concern for Kiwi
exporters
• Positive changes for the
environment have increased,
with 49% of exporters having
implemented sustainable
initiatives
of considerable international uncertainty.
However, despite the confidence to
manage the uncertainty, there remain
strong concerns with staying competitive
in the face of increasing industrial
relations costs, which weighs on small
to medium-sized firms when they make
export decisions."
Challenges ahead and what is
next for exporters
• Sustainable Future
2019 has been the year of focus on
climate change and the impact that
everyday life is having on the natural en-
Technology
the answer to
stretched mental
health services
With Statistics New Zealand
research finding that nearly a
quarter of Kiwis experience
some level of poor mental
wellbeing and with mental health
services throughout New Zealand
stretched, NZTech says it is great
to see technology being used to
help provide mental wellbeing
support to more than 850,000
Kiwis.
A recently launched research
report into small business
wellbeing produced through
a collaboration between the
Mental Health Foundation of
New Zealand and Xero found that
most small business owners fail
to realise that their team, and
their business results, would
benefit from the improved mental
wellbeing of their staff.
“What was interesting to read was
that every dollar spent on mental
health will repay $3.50 in productivity
gains, and that organisations
that prioritise employee wellbeing
outperform the industry average
by 10%,” NZTech chief executive
Graeme Muller says.
“So not only is it the right thing
to do at an individual or personal
level, helping people with their
mental wellbeing, it is also critical
for our nation’s productivity and
our businesses success."