We kick off the year with the good news that PrintNZ saw an increase in membership numbers in 2017 for the first time in a number of years. This is pleasing recognition of the work that we do in the industry and the broad range of services we offer to members. The PrintNZ team look forward to continuing that work in 2018 by assisting member businesses, promoting the industry, recognizing the talent in our industry and keeping our ear to the ground with the new Government to make sure our voice is heard and we don’t miss anything.
We have continued to expand the service offering and increase our engagement activity, and as it is the start of a new year it is an opportune time to remind everyone of the work we do and exactly what is available to help your business. Our six core areas of work are:
- Compliance advice – employment, health and safety, hazardous goods – interpreting legislation, providing templates, reviewing case law,
- Promoting the industry – telling the good story of print and providing resources to our members to tell the good story of print.
- Training – trade training, health and safety, lean manufacturing, sales, business etc
- Member savings – group buying schemes that provide a discount to our members including St Johns, Mobil petrol, insurance, Enviromark accreditation, OfficeMax stationery, Contact Energy electricity
- Lobbying – acting as the voice of the industry in matters that have the ability to affect our industry both positively and negatively.
- Benchmarking – collecting data that will provide statistics for use by the industry itself and for supporting presentations to other organizations – including wages, charge-out rates, financial benchmarks.
PrintNZ’s work with members in the area of employment and industrial relations remains one of our core activities.Employment law is a moving target and decisions made in the Employment Authority today can change the way you need to apply this to your business tomorrow. It is our job to keep abreast of those changes and make sure they are communicated. In this one area alone members can save thousands of dollars in legal fees by seeking advice before working through an issue, or by using our services to work through a problem that has developed.
Health and Safety has seen an increased focus since the introduction of the new Act in April 2016. No business can afford to ignore it’s responsibilities in this area. Prosecutions made under the new legislation have seen fines increase ten-fold. PrintNZ has an extensive knowledge and resource base to assist businesses to comply with the new legislation, from implementation programmes through to high level detailed documentation. Directors have strict liabilities under the new legislation and an annual audit by PrintNZ staff can provide an independent verification of processes and procedures, and identify any gaps in compliance. Worksafe respect the work we do with member businesses in this space and will recommend the audit process as part of an annual check-up.
During 2018 PrintNZ will continue its work towards raising the profile of print. Making use of the valuable collateral provided by the Two Sides and Value of Paper and Print campaigns we participate in, it is our role to see that information spread as widely as possible to promote the positive message about print, and the effective job it does in communicating. We will NEVER live in a world without print and we let’s make sure everyone knows it. In 2017 we participated in a global survey of consumer attitudes towards paper and print and the findings from that survey will focus some of the messaging we use in 2018 as consumers confirm that print still plays a vital role in their lives.
Training is vital to the ongoing health of our industry and PrintNZ continues to work with Competenz to ensure that the training needs of the industry are met, and that businesses take advantage of the myriad training options that are available. In April we are hosting training graduations to recognise all those that completed a training programme during 2017 and encouraging businesses to continue taking on trainees in 2018. We will also announce those that have excelled in their apprenticeship programmes with the announcement of the Top 5 apprentices, along with the Top Trainer, Top Training Company and Top Diploma of Print Management student. These are capped off with the announcement of the Apprentice of the Year at the 25th Pride In Print Awards on 11 May in Auckland.
And last but not least – part of our work as the print industry association involves building relationships and working with Government to have the industry’s voice heard. This work includes monitoring proposed policy/legislative changes and lobbying Government on the issues that will impact the industry. PrintNZ are the go-to organisation for statistics, feedback and positioning for our industry and the contact we have with our members contributes greatly to the work we do in this area. We need to know what the industry wants and put that position forward, so please continue to provide feedback on issues that affect your business. With a new Government in place there will likely be some game-changing legislation introduced/amended and it is our job to minimise the effect on member businesses where possible.
Our overarching goal is to work towards having a strong, well represented industry made up of successful businesses. Be part of the organisation that is here to help you and help our industry.
For more information on issues raised in this article please email ruth.cobb@printnz.co.nz or contact me on 027 2489404