Food & Beverage Sector GroupFood and beverage processing is one of the larger industry sectors within the southern sector of Auckland. The sector employs over 5,460 in the southern sector of Auckland, over 73,500 in New Zealand with a growth rate of over 5% per year. More than half of the export earnings for New Zealand are generated from this sector. The food and beverage industry is well serviced in the region with co-packing, logistic operations and many other support services. In addition it is in close proximity to the international airport, port facilities and the national roading network. These factors ensure the region is very desirable for the establishment of food & beverage manufacturing organisations. The food industry has a long and proud history in New Zealand’s development. The country has always had bountiful resources and food and beverage processing has evolved into a vibrant industry sector. The challenge for the future is how to take this sector to the wider world. With the fierce competition, productivity pressure, innovation necessity and unrelenting demands of the global markets, the challenges will always remain. It’s the responses that will bring the results. Central government, through a recent report “Smart Food, Cool Beverage: New Zealand’s Future in the Food & Beverage Sector “ (August 2006) and the work of the Food and Beverage Taskforce is placing significant emphasis on the sector and is urging that the “Game be Lifted”.
In the Manukau and wider Auckland region there is a heavy concentration of businesses relating to this sector. This provides an opportunity for the sector to work together to become more innovative, more collaborative and to work on projects and programmes that will bring added value and lift export potential and earnings, the stepping stones to export success. The Food & Beverage Sector Group consists of food and beverage companies, including related and supporting businesses that have formed a membership based sector group to provide greater opportunities for growth and development of the industry sector and the individual member companies.
The group is a mechanism to act as a focal point for members networking, collaboration and participation in projects of mutual benefit. Membership includes innovative producers, skilled manufacturers, related packaging and logistics companies, educational and research groups and other supporters of the industry sector. Collaborative and co-operative projects, development of centres of excellence and a building of capability and capacity will ensure that all the stepping stones to export success are in place.
The Sector Group promotes and co-ordinates a platform for members to develop, innovate, research, showcase and market their products, not only to the local market but to the wider export arena. If you would like more information, please call David Anstice on 262 7323 or email david.anstice@em.org.nz
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