A gauge of manufacturing activity continues to point to moderate expansion.

New Zealand's unemployment rate has dropped to a five-year low as the nation's economic growth spurs firms to take on more staff.

Temporary-use spare wheels - non-standard spare or skinny tyre - are increasingly being supplied as standard by car manufacturers to save space and weight.

The manufacturing sector has seen a significant decline in the number of people employed since 2006, according to a Royal Society of New Zealand Review.

For more than a century, US Steel's strategy was based on volume - make lots of steel, maximise production to minimise costs. Now getting smaller may help it survive.

Furuno Electric Co, best known for its fish finder systems, has purchased a 10 per cent stake in Electronic Navigation, owned by the Hodson family.

Samsung said 59 suppliers failed to provide adequate safety equipment for workers as the smartphone maker struggles to improve labour standards in China.

Pink Batts’ maker Tasman Insulation has confirmed that both it and rival Knauf Insulation are appealing parts of a High Court judgment about the term "batts" and how it can be used in NZ.

Auckland-based drikolor is aiming to stir up the paint industry by developing pigment powders anyone can use to mix their favourite colours.

The industry has pulled huge amounts of salt and sugar out of food but are fearful that consumers will see "low-salt" or "reduced sugar" as meaning "reduced flavour", writes Richard Archer.

One of Pink Batts' competitors has failed to convince the High Court the term "batts" is in common use in NZ and that Pink Batts' trademark of this word should be revoked.

Kiwi experts are not surprised a manufacturer of toe-sock running shoes has revealed there is no scientific proof that wearing its product has added health benefits.

New Zealand's unemployment rate was unchanged in the first quarter as the country's participation rate rose to a record.

The Government announced last week that 12 of this country's 13 baby milk manufacturers had to carry out changes at their production facilities.

Not so long ago there was talk of a crisis in manufacturing. Recent figures, however, show the sector is generally in a more buoyant mood.

A Labour Government would adopt an "unashamedly pro-kiwi'' policy to favour New Zealand suppliers, David Cunliffe said this morning.

Around $47,000 could be shaved off the cost of each new place built in factories under Labour's planned KiwiBuild 100,000-house scheme, an opposition spokesman says.

Businesses have been putting their money where their mouths are and investing in plant and machinery, economic growth data released yesterday show.

Boosting New Zealand's two-way trade with China to $30 billion by 2020 is achievable but there are risks with New Zealand becoming over-dependent on the Chinese market, says a top economist.

Prime Minister John Key's visit to China will include a formal dinner with China's President Xi Jinping.

New Zealand manufacturing activity expanded for an 18th straight month in February with signs a buoyant economy is creating jobs.

A chair is a chair is a chair ... how could millions of R&D dollars possibly improve on the object where we park our backsides?

With the dairying and high-tech sectors routinely hogging the business headlines, you could be forgiven for thinking New Zealand's manufacturing industry was extinct.

Wellington's notoriously volatile weather is nothing compared with the climate Mary Quin faced in her previous home city.

Fisher & Paykel Appliances has unveiled plans for a state-of-the-art new research and development hub at its East Tamaki headquarters.

The country's small and medium-sized manufacturers have experienced a remarkable turnaround in the past year.