Growth in plastics industry

The plastics industry has been growing for some time, and exports have been increasing over recent years. The number of employees in the industry is expected to grow from 8,000 to approximately 12,000 by 2015.

Most plastics manufacturing jobs are in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch or Dunedin.

Exchange rate affects plastics industry

The exchange rate affects plastics manufacturing businesses in varied ways. For businesses that are producing relatively low value, price-sensitive products, a high dollar can reduce competitiveness, as it makes their products more costly for overseas markets.

At the same time, however, a high dollar provides some cost savings because plastics manufacturers import raw materials from overseas.

The exchange rate has less of an impact on plastics manufacturing businesses competing in niche markets. This is because customers are buying products based on quality and innovative features that meet their demands, rather than just price.

Not all goods produced by plastics manufacturers are for export. Some businesses produce goods for domestic industries, such as the dairy industry, where demand is strong for plastic products.

Niche markets the key for growth

More businesses in the plastics industry are making niche products so they can remain competitive in a global market, and this trend is expected to continue. As a result, employers will be looking to attract, retain and develop more highly skilled workers to improve efficiency and produce high quality products.

Role becoming multi-skilled

As employers seek to maximise the use of technology, and increase the efficiency and capability of the workforce, the role of a die setter is becoming more multi-skilled. For example, in some businesses die setters conduct maintenance on the machinery and do some engineering work. In addition, die setter and machine operator roles are increasingly being combined.

As a result of these changes, which aim to save costs and boost competitiveness, training is becoming more important for plastics die setters. Over recent years there has been a significant increase in opportunities for workers to gain national certificates through on-the-job training.

Further progression in the plastics industry possible

With further training die setters can move on to plastics process technician or plastic engineer roles in the industry.

(Written 23/04/2007)