Want a challenge? Get into manufacturing.

The car-friendly guide to fixing human-made greenhouse emissions.

Free Download!
Sample Chapters

Get the real book from
Accurate Stories

Or, get the ebook from
Smashwords

Buy it for your Smartphone, Tablet, Computer, or eBook Reader, from
Smashwords
Barnes & Noble
Diesel eBook Store
Kobo eBook Store
NOOK

Free Download
Sample Chapters

Want a challenge? Get into manufacturing.

We’ve been hearing that the New Zealand manufacturing sector is getting busy. That sounds great until you dig beneath the surface. A consulting firm called Castalia analysed the stats as part of a study for Business New Zealand. According to their report: “If the meat and dairy product sub-sector was excluded from the manufacturing sector, total sector sales would remain flat.” In other words, manufacturing is picking up because the meat and dairy markets are picking up. In itself, that’s OK. But it’s not what we really need.

A healthy manufacturing sector, independent of our primary industries, would diversify our economy.

I’m not at all surprised that the wider manufacturing sector is moribund. It’s not attracting talented people. Politicians, academics, scientists, and bureaucrats patronise manufacturers, if they talk to them at all. Why? The Castalia report says (in chapter one): “Manufacturing has historically been perceived as a low skilled sector.” Which reminds me of something written by motoring journalist L.J.K. Setright: “Scientists would have made motor cars quite differently, had they demeaned themselves enough to try it...” Most people like their cars. The car has extended our life expectancy. It has liberated women. It has opened the way for healthy, low-density suburban living. I reckon it catalysed the development of modern middle-class society. How can anyone seriously suggest the car was developed by a “low-skilled sector?” The car was developed by some of the smartest people who ever lived. They are, or in some cases were, manufacturers.

Therein lies an important problem. A lot of engineers don’t go for manufacturing because they think it’s beneath them. And yet, if you want to create innovative new products, you have no choice but become a manufacturer. Otherwise, you end up with lots of pretty pictures, computer renderings, a scruffy-looking prototype, and a stack of unaffordable bills from intellectual property lawyers.

Slowly, academics and bureaucrats are beginning to catch on. Castalia said in their summary that: “New Zealanders do not typically think of themselves as living in a manufacturing economy. This misperception can lead to people taking training and career paths, and entrepreneurs to making business decisions, which could undermine the potential for growth.”

Er.

That’s been happening for decades.

At least the academics are starting to notice.

Kevin Cudby is a Wellington-based Freelance Writer and Parametric Modelling Consultant who loves writing about cool new technology. Email him to discuss your requirements: hello {a} kevincudby.com