The New Zealand Government’s ‘Wellbeing Budget’ unveiled on 30 May has allocated $NZ6.8m to fund the creation of an Industry 4.0 demonstration network with, up to, two smart factories to prepare New Zealand industry for the future.
The budget papers said the money — $NZ6.2m in operating costs and $NZ0.6m in capital funding — would provide funding for an Industry 4.0 demonstration network consisting of a mobile industry showcase, a network of Industry 4.0 site visits and up to two ‘smart factories’, all available for visit by those interested in learning about Industry 4.0 technologies and concepts.
The move follows the government being urged in 2018 by the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) to create a new policy platform to promote Industry 4.0 after the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment launched, in April 2018, a report Beyond commodities: Manufacturing into the future.
EMA CEO Kim Campbell said: “Most developed countries are embracing Industry 4.0 and its enablers such as 3D printing, artificial intelligence and the internet of things. New Zealand needs to be engaged in this process and a new policy platform is a vital next step in this process.”
Campbell said there needed to be a strong focus on manufacturing. “What’s important to note about this report, is that we ignore the manufacturing sector at our peril.
“With manufacturing accounting for more than half our export revenue, 42 percent of New Zealand’s business expenditure on research and development along with employing at least 11 percent of the workforce or more, it’s a sizeable contributor to key elements of our economy now and in the future.”
Other NZ Industry 4.0 initiatives
The New Zealand Government’s innovation agency, Callaghan Innovation has been putting the spotlight on Industry 4.0 for several years. It runs an Industry 4.0 Hub website that provides a range of information on the topic.
It offers a “providers map to find out who provides Industry 4.0 in New Zealand,” a self-assessment tool “to score your business on technology & innovation readiness and maturity,” and a subscription option for Industry 4.0 updates.
Also, the University of Auckland has set up the Laboratory for Industry 4.0 Smart Manufacturing Systems (LISMS), claiming it to be “the leading research institute on Industry 4.0 in New Zealand.”
Its stated objectives are:
– Assisting local industries in better understanding Industry 4.0;
– Encouraging collaborations between industry and researchers;
– Showcasing and implementing the research works at local industries.
