Full of Good Cheer
Has confidence bounced back in anticipation of the festive season? Again we saw overall performance slip and confidence
grow in our survey of Canterbury manufacturers completed in DECEMBER. The middle ground strengthened and the pessimists
evaporated. “The marginally optimistic came back with the sunshine and the season. Net confidence reported in DECEMBER
was +24 21 up from +6 in our survey completed in NOVEMBER,” said John Walley, CEO of the Canterbury Manufacturers'
Association.
Overall dollar sales decreased for the month of NOVEMBER by around 11 14% on NOVEMBER 2001, with domestic sales down by
over13% 9% and export sales down by about 11% . 20%. “There is not a lot of cheer in these numbers,” said Mr Walley.
“However, anticipated sales and profits seem to have firmed, lifting sentiment.”
Staff numbers have shown a decrease of just over 3% on the same period last year. In the survey completed in DECEMBER
our net leading indicators - staff, investment, profitability and turnover all improved, back on trend for the last half
of 2002. "Perhaps there is a feeling that the edge has moved away again, the sun is shining and good cheer seems to be
with us,” said John Walley.
From the constraint standpoint, market conditions remained at 65% were 60% with skilled staff constraints at 12% . 15%.
Capacity was cited as a constraint by the balance of our respondents.
"The continued strength of the Kiwi against the US and Australia dollar caused most comment. Potential loss of freight
competition associated with the Air New Zealand/Qantas issues was also a hot button,” said John Walley
“Confidence is nice but sales drive growth and accelerating economic growth needs more emphasis in the New Zealand
political landscape. Thinking things are fine can lead to complacency,” said John Walley. “Without growth in the
manufacturing sector, particularly amongst our small and medium sized companies, there will not be much good cheer in
the future.”