The volume of meat and dairy product manufacturing fell in the December 2016 quarter, although sales values rose due to higher prices, Statistics New Zealand said today.
After adjusting for seasonal effects and removing price changes, meat and dairy product manufacturing volumes fell 5.7 percent.
"The fall in meat and dairy sales volumes followed rises in the previous two quarters," business indicators senior manager Neil Kelly said. "In contrast, sales values were up more than $350 million, mainly reflecting a sharp rise in dairy product prices."
Business Price Indexes reported a 14 percent rise in dairy product manufacturing output prices in the December 2016 quarter.
The volume of total manufacturing sales fell 1.8 percent in the December 2016 quarter, following a 1.5 percent rise in the September 2016 quarter.
Excluding meat and dairy, the manufacturing sales volume fell 0.6 percent – the first fall in this series in over two years.
The trend for the total manufacturing sales volume, which gives a longer-term picture of movements, has been mainly rising since mid-2013 but now appears to be easing.
The actual volume of total manufacturing sales was up 0.9 percent on the December 2015 quarter. When price changes are included, the value of manufacturing sales was $26.9 billion in the December 2016 quarter, up $512 million (1.9 percent) from the December 2015 quarter.
Economic Survey of Manufacturing: December 2016 quarter – for more data and analysis
| A StatisticsNZ release | March 08, 2017 ||
A new extreme-duty Flexicon® flexible screw conveyor with purpose-built hopper transfers bulk material received from front end loaders.
The conveyor consists of a heavy-gauge stainless steel screw that rotates within an 8 in. dia. (200 mm) stainless steel tube. Since the conveyor is driven at its top end by a 20 hp (15 kW) variable speed electric motor and gear reducer, material exits the discharge housing prior to contacting any seals or bearings. The tube interior and removable screw are smooth and crevice-free, allowing rapid, thorough cleaning.
Rugged enough to withstand incidental contact with front-end loaders, the heavy-gauge stainless steel hopper holds up to 8 tons (7 tonnes), or 200 cu ft (5.7 m3), providing an ample supply of material for the high capacity conveyor to run continually as a front end loader replenishes the material.
Self-contained on an all-stainless skid equipped with forklifting tubes, the system can be deployed in multiple indoor or outdoor locations with a single power connection, conveying a broad range of free-flowing and non-free-flowing materials from fine powders to largeaggregates including abrasives, corrosives and materials with bulk densities up to 150 lb/cu ft (2400 kg/m3).
Material is conveyed at a 40 degree incline before discharging into downstream processing equipment or storage vessels.
The simple design is said to deliver efficient performance and high reliability while reducing maintenance and cost.
The system is also available constructed of carbon steel with durable industrial coatings.
| A Flexicon release | March 07, 2017 ||
Seismic grade steel reinforcing bar that is not as strong as it should be has been sold in the New Zealand market according to a RadioNZ report aired earlier today.
The report voiced the concerns of a Wellington builder who grew suspicious about the quality of the bar he was using when he found it to easy to bend.
Imported by Euro Corp and distributed by Bunnings the product, according to this report, originates from Amsteel in Maylaysia.
You can read the full report here
Trade Minister Todd McClay and European Union Trade Commissioner Cecelia Malmström have agreed the completion of joint scoping discussions towards an EU-NZ Free Trade Agreement (FTA) following a meeting in Brussels today.
After almost 2 years of discussion, reaching this significant milestone means the FTA process now enters a new phase, where the Commission and New Zealand will seek respective mandates to commence negotiations.
"Today’s meeting was an important demonstration of our commitment to launch negotiations as soon as possible in 2017," Mr McClay says.
“New Zealand and the EU both recognise there are substantial benefits to be gained from free trade, and we are now one step closer to a high-quality, comprehensive FTA that can deliver great outcomes for our citizens.”
Mr McClay and Commissioner Malmström also agreed that officials should look at ways to engage the public on trade issues. Mr McClay said the EU undertakes a number of trade events during negotiations which might suit New Zealand.
"With this in mind, I have invited Commissioner Malmström to visit New Zealand later this year. The Commissioner has accepted this invitation," Mr McClay says.
| A Beehive release | March 08, 2017 ||
The Government’s books are better than expected, with a $1.1 billion OBEGAL surplus for the seven months to January, Finance Minister Steven Joyce says.
“Stronger tax revenues as a result of a healthier economy are flowing through to the Government’s financial performance,” Mr Joyce says.
Tax revenues year-to-date are 3.8 per cent more than they were predicted to be in Budget 2016.
“Company tax in particular is higher than expected, and that reflects the good performance of New Zealand companies in what is still an uncertain world,” Mr Joyce says.
The $1.1 billion OBEGAL surplus compares to Treasury’s forecast of a $517 million surplus at the start of the fiscal year.
Core Crown expenses for the seven months to January were $234 million lower than the Budget forecast, reflecting the Government’s ongoing commitment to prudent spending.
Mr Joyce says that a number of variables made the final out-turn for the full financial year hard to predict.
“The biggest variable at this stage is the cost of the Kaikoura earthquake and how those are allocated between this year and next year,” Mr Joyce says.
“The good news is that this Government’s strong economic management means we can afford to step in to help these communities and support them when they are most in need.
| A Beehive release | March 07, 2017 ||
Auckland based fiberglass engineering company, Maskell have introduced underground storage product Envirotank to the New Zealand Market.
Envirotank eliminates the risk of corrosion both inside and outside of the storage tank, an issue which in the past has led to harmful, toxic chemicals leaching into the surrounding soil.
Intended for a range of applications, the Envirotank can safely store sewage, storm water and petroleum. Envirotanks can also be equipped with Oil/Water separators, which are designed to prevent any spilled petrol, diesel or detergents from contaminating the storm water drainage system.
“Pollution prevention is critical to keeping our waterways clean. Our dedicated oil separators and storage solutions go above and beyond industry regulatory standards to ensure no silts or hydrocarbons (diesel, petrol or engine oil) can enter your storm water system”.
Envirotanks are constructed from corrosion resistant fiberglass and Maskell offer varying product types, depending on what substance is being stored.
In the past, water storage has been dedicated to steel or concrete tanks, which required a high level of maintenance and were at high risk of corrosion and leakage.
For harsher chemicals like petroleum, Maskell offer an even more durable underground storage tank solution in their double walled fiberglass product.
“Envirotank’s double-wall option for petroleum tanks offers customers proven protection from environmental contamination. After more than 250,000 installations in the U.S. as well as tens of thousands worldwide, Envirotank Double-Wall tanks have seen zero leaks from internal or external corrosion.”
Envirotanks, available in New Zealand through Maskell’s website come with a consultation service to ensure customers receive the ideal product for their underground storage needs.
| A Maskell release | March 07, 2017 ||