Manufacturers Working Hard in Trying Conditions

MEDIA RELEASE FROM NORSEWEAR NEW ZEALAND LTD

18 September 2006

Manufacturers Working Hard in Trying Conditions - Norsewear

The latest survey of manufacturing activity in New Zealand shows that local manufacturers are working hard in a difficult environment, says Norsewear CEO Robert Linterman.

“These businesses have made the decision to stay in New Zealand, make their products in New Zealand and create jobs in New Zealand. I think they should be applauded. The survey results show how trying the current conditions are,” says Mr Linterman.

“The Business New Zealand Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) results for August released on Friday showed a slight drop from July. The final reading of 53.0 shows how precarious the manufacturing situation is – a PMI reading below 50.0 would indicate that manufacturing was generally declining,” he says.

“Manufacturing in New Zealand is expanding – but only just. The main negative result in the PMI was employment which continued to decline for the third straight month. Most manufacturers are choosing to work through that rather than going off-shore,” says Mr Linterman.

“To me, the result confirms that the ‘Buy New Zealand Made’ and ‘Buy Kiwi Made’ brands should remain reserved for companies that have made the decision to stay true to country and stay here. As one Kiwi clothing company has rightly observed ‘Buy New Zealand Made – It Does Matter’,” he says.

ENDS

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