WHAT'S NEW

FANZ PRIORITIES

These are listed under 1 - 4 below

Current Initiatives -

At the March executive meeting it was agreed that the focus of priorities for the 2007/2008 year should be to assist FANZ members in whatever way possible to grow and prosper.   The inititial areas fall under Priority 1) Business Success

The number one focus under this priority agreed by the executive is Business Plans.   We have research this area on behalf of our members and have recommended several options for either updating their current Plans or preparing new Plans.

The second important focus under this priority is Productivity Improvement as a path to business growth and success by increasing the value of what companies produce.   Here again, we have recommended tools for streamling production processes and have arranged a workshop for Auckland members which will focus specifically on ensuring companies work from current costs and communicate these to sales staff.   We also provided a simple template to assist companies with updating calculations relating to hourly rates required to cover overhead costs.

PRIORITIES

1) Business Success

  • Competitive manufacturing/productivity
  • Production Systems
  • Design Innovation

2) Industry Development

  • Furniture Show
  • Export
  • Networking
  • Conference
  • Supply Chain relationships/distribution
  • Sustainability

3) Skilled & Motivated Workforce (in collaboration with FITEC)

  • Training
  • Staff shortages CPIT & apprenticeship
  • Management Training
  • Succession Training

4) Industry Watchdog

  • Political voice/BNZ/MAF/Commerce Commission/DOL/MED/Union Action
  • Accessing government funding  

ACTION TAKEN ON PRIORITIES TO DATE

1) Business Success

•  Competitive manufacturing/productivity/Production Systems: :

Lean Manufacturing -
Conference Speaker;
Information provided in FANZ Newsletter;
Capability Audits (in conjunction with Design Taskforce) –
Opportunity provided to all members to participate and access provided to information on audits from participants.

•  Design Innovation

Regular conference Speakers;
Sponsorship of annual Young Designer Competition;
Regular liaison with Design Institutions;
Access to capability audits leading to focus on design.

2) Industry Development

•  Furniture Show

Highly successful national Furniture Shows run under FANZ umbrella 2005/2006;

•  Export

Supported and encouraged by FANZ through conference speakers, distribution of information, etc., but further activities on hold until more favourable conditions apply.

•  Networking

Regular opportunities provided for networking through FANZ Conference and regional meetings as well as information on Association and industry matters distributed through newsletters;
Extensive promotion of cooperation between member companies through workshops, presentations and newsletters;
Annual Wage Survey.

•  Supply Chain relationships/distribution

Representation of retailers and suppliers on FANZ executive;
Speakers at various conferences on related topics;
Representation of FANZ on Imported Tropical Timber Group;
Liaison with Native Hardwood Network.

Sustainability

Currently a key focus of FANZ Executive;
Value & advantages of a focus on sustainability promoted to members;
Promotion of Enviro-Mark through newsletters.

Other

Furniture & Furnishing Guild set up by FANZ;
Two Market Research Reports commissioned and distributed free of charge to members.

3) Skilled & Motivated Workforce

Items under this heading are dealt with through FITEC who have a permanent seat on the FANZ executive.

4) Industry Watchdog

•  Political voice/BNZ/MAF/Commerce Commission/DOL/MED/Union Action

Membership of Business NZ's Affiliated Industries Group - BNZ is the largest business organisation in NZ representing the interests of business;
FANZ monitors legislation affecting the industry e.g. standards, labelling matters including care, fibre and mandatory country of origin labelling (not taken further because of the Australian situation), formaldehyde, and keeps members informed.

•  Accessing Funding

Funding assistance with Design Audits;
Export funding;
Funding for Productivity Audits and assistance through Technology NZ.