Key’s out. So what does it mean for our members?
A week on from the announcement that John Key is stepping down as Prime Minister we’ve had some time to digest the news and perhaps form an opinion on what…
HERA Chairman update 2016
Firstly, I would like to thank the members for voting me onto the HERA Executive for a third term, and secondly a ‘Thank you’ to the HERA Executive for endorsing…
Activating disruption in our industry
In May, I wrote an article ‘Preparing Our Industry for Disruption’. Going one step further – what are the specific opportunities for our industry to not just respond to disruption…
Is ‘protecting’ our FTAs more important than supporting remaining local manufacturers?
Around mid July 2016, Fairfax Media raised the spectre of NZ ‘steel dumping’ claims on imports from China. The response from our Prime Minister was to play it down, whilst…
Radio NZ raise questions on structural bolts
As members may have heard from Radio New Zealand’s interview of Stewart Askey on 19 August 2016 -concerns have again been raised on the quality of steel imports. Whilst the interview was…
Why a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude doesn’t work for Olympic athletes – or your business
If you’re like me – since the beginning of the 31st Olympic Games in Rio, you’ve been rushing home in the evenings to catch the highlights of the day’s events and…
Think Pokemon Go has nothing to do with the metals industry? Think again!
If you have no idea what Pokemon Go is, it’s safe to assume you’ve been living under a rock – and if so, it’s time to crawl out. As potential…
Brexit highlights export access challenges into the EU
The big breakaway happened – with a slim 48/52 vote in favour of exiting the European Union (EU). The positives and negatives of the decision have been covered in much…
Stepping up from platform to market
Paul Allen co-founder of Microsoft recent said in a statement. “That’s the thing about new platforms: when they become easily available, convenient and affordable, they attract and enable other visionaries…
Vitamin ‘Sea’ – the worlds renewable energy supplement?
The ocean is not only vast, beautiful and integral to all known life on Earth, it also represents a potential goldmine for renewable energy generation. But like many emerging energy…
Global steel industry outlook
The steel industry continues to face a challenging economic environment due to the economic slowdown in China, volatility in financial markets, sluggish growth in global trade, and low prices of…
Budget 2016 – how does it affect innovation in our businesses?
Everyone has their views when it comes to the 2016 Budget. “Funding lift a thrill for scientists,” NZ Herald. “Top-ups for research bodies part of (business) growth agenda,” Minister Steven Joyce. “It’s…