Exporters need a commitment to research and development, says NZ International Business Awards judge Murray Bain
One-hit wonders don't cut it in the world of international business.
Astonishing technical advances and giddying customer choices mean exporters need a play list of enhancements and products to keep up.
Committing capital and staff into an ongoing research and development is critical.
Businesses also require the ongoing support of government agencies such as the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, and Trade and Enterprise to ensure excellence in R&D and to get their products to market faster.
Our best exporters understand the needs of their end users and apply R&D to design unique features to meet them.
They also realise the benefits of working with our universities and Crown research institutes to find R&D solutions, processes and knowledge.
Finally, having an appropriate sales channel in place to maximise the return on their R&D by way of international revenues is vital.
Farm machinery engineers Metalform rose to the challenge of producing a high-tech paediatric wheelchair, but knew its limits.
Its technical team designed the product, while an external team devised the manufacturing processes.
The company then devoted resources to secure an international distribution agreement.
Scott Technology has traditionally found success by designing and automating production lines for appliance manufacturers.
The Dunedin company is diversifying by investing in R&D to support new product development in the meat processing and mining industries.
These are both niche areas that can offer significant value to customers.
Hamilton's Simcro supplies injectors and applicators to deliver animal health pharmaceuticals. But a rigid regulatory environment made it difficult to convince customers to change suppliers.
So Simcro became an innovator and now employs 12 R&D staff who collaborate with global pharmaceutical companies to develop delivery and packaging solutions for existing and new formulations.
These three companies are comprehensive problem solvers and obviously relish a technical challenge.
In particular they understand how R&D collaborations work and recognise that investing in new product development creates a competitive advantage.
* Metalform, Scott Technology, and Simcro are all finalists in the best use of R&D in international business category in the New Zealand International Business Awards. Winners will be announced on Wednesday night.
* Murray Bain is chief executive of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.
