NZGBA Newsletter April 2009
- Words from your AHK
- Upcoming Events
- Trade Leads
- Having Trouble Finding Good Staff?
- Double the Vision - Your Business Guide
- NZGBA & REALTECH - A success story
- 60 years of NATO
- New German-English guide "International Used Machinery Exchange"
- Germany Trade and Invest - Opportunities for New Zealand Exporters
- Investor Confidence On The Rise In Germany
- Textile Industry
- Art
- Latest Research From Germany
- News from Germany
- New Members
- Member News
Words from your AHK
For the first time this year our office is running at full capacity. As mentioned in the last newsletter, Monique had a particularly long stint away and we're starting to see evidence of her trip to Germany through incoming projects and enquiries (please check out the Trade Leads). We would like to take this opportunity to thank our new member IHK Rhein Neckar for their support and for organising some very valuable business meetings!
From right to left: Michael Westphal, Export Manager Noelken,
Markus Gilbert, AHK Australia and Monique Surges,
AHK New Zealand at
IHK Rhein Neckar in Mannheim
What's the atmosphere like in Germany? It's certainly tough times for foreign companies to make any sales in Germany at present with Germans looking more domestically to save their operations. The same goes for our members representing German products here in New Zealand with the high Euro hitting any profit margins.
On the flipside, times have never been better for our NZ exporters with the NZ $ as low as it is at the moment. With Germany Trade and Invest we have a new support network at our fingertips to support you setting up in Germany.
We hope that you will utilise your membership with us to the max this year. Please talk to us about your challenges and plans - we are here to help!
Kind regards
Frauke Sharplin
Marketingg
New Zealand German
Business Association Inc.
Phone: 09 304 0120
Email:
membership@germantrade.co.nz
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Upcoming Events
Making the most of Tax Thursday 14th May 2009
We would like to invite you to a very topical and complimentary breakfast presentation on the topic of saving tax in 2009 in conjunction with our member KPMG. This is a yummy breakfast definitely not to be missed – if it's not of direct interest to you, I am sure that the person looking after your company's tax would find this extremely useful.
Please pass this invitation on to the relevant contact in your company and get a head start on new legislatives/tax guidelines!
Thursday, 14th May 2009
8am – 9.30am
KPMG Centre,
18 Viaduct
Harbour Ave,
Auckland City
Please email me for further details or to register your attendance.
The NZGBA Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Thursday 4th June 2009
Please make a note in your diaries for the:
NZGBA AGM
on Thursday 4th June 2009
at Hesketh Henry
Level 11,
41
Shortland Street,
Auckland.
5:00pm for a 5:30pm start
It will be a challenge for the board to beat last year's time spent on the official part (+/- 12 minutes!) - in actual fact, we have entered the board into the Guiness Book of Records Challenge this year - so please come along to cheer them on. As in recent years, this is a great opportunity to network and celebrate your membership with delicious food and nice wine! Official invites to go out shortly.
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Trade Leads
Check out our latest trade leads such as:
Supplier of metrological products with an international customer network, particularly in quality control and automated and semi-automated production, is looking for a New Zealand trade partner for measuring technology and sensor systems.
Please click here to go straight to our Trade Leads.
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Having Trouble Finding Good Staff?
We regularly receive enquiries from German job seekers who we list online exclusively for our members. Do take a look!
username: nzgba
password: germanjobs
We can also help you find a German intern. These young people are highly skilled and come to New Zealand after their studies in Germany or for a semester during their studies. Please email us if you require a German speaking intern ... and also if you have forgotten your password!
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Double the Vision - Your Business Guide
Thank you to all of you who have completed our mini survey on Double the Vision. The overwhelming majority voted for a smaller version of last year's guide offering lower priced advertising options. We will approach you shortly with details on the format and your opportunities to place your company's advert in this business guide. Please don't hesitate to contact me directly to discuss your ideas and/or book your advertisement.
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NZGBA & REALTECH - A success story
Late in 2005, the New Zealand German Business Association
evaluated SAP Business One, from SAP Partner and NZGBA member
REALTECH for the purpose of better managing their finance and
membership information. As a result, SAP Business One
was implemented in early 2006.
"For years we updated two databases – our accounting system and our ever growing CRM system – frankly for a quasi German organisation this seemed totally ineffective to me. What we needed was an easy to use all in one system with different access levels, designed for a smaller organisation with changing staff; SAP Business One is exactly that." Monique Surges, CEO NZGBA
REALTECH launched SAP Business One nearly three years ago. By now, many companies have successfully optimised their operations and are happy with this new and improved information software. Designed specifically for small and medium sized businesses and organisations, it comprises all core functions for running a business including administration, financial accounting, banking sales, purchasing, customer relationship management, stock control, manufacturing, management accounting and reporting. For more information please visit http://www.realtech.co.nz/sapbusinessone or contact Gail Turner, Business Development Manager, by telephone (09) 308 0901 or email gail.turner@realtech.co.nz.
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60 years of NATO
Amid birthday celebrations, NATO faces challenges of a changing
world
As NATO prepares to celebrate its 60th birthday, it may want
to wish for a return to simpler times as it blows out its candles. A
changing world of new threats and challenges means no one will be
putting their feet up. More...
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New German-English guide "International Used Machinery Exchange"
The Chamber of Commerce Schleswig-Holstein and the Chamber of Trade Hamburg have published their current German-English guide "International Used Machinery Exchange". It aims at facilitating the search for specific used machinery, buyers or distributors throughout Germany and the world. The international market for used machinery, used equipment and used plants has been constantly growing over the last few years. Many wholesalers, exporter, importer and service companies are based in Germany. Often they are specialised in certain branches and offer a wide range of services and products. Different chapters make it easy to navigate through the manual: A complete business guide lists profiles of 53 companies trading with used machinery in northern Germany, valuable publications, opportunities for exchange, data banks, website information, rules and regulations for international sales and delivery contracts as well as important international trade fairs. An alphabetical product listing in German and English leads to the appropriate company. Please contact us for a free copy of this valuable guide.
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Germany Trade and Invest - Opportunities for New Zealand Exporters
Promoting Germany as a business location is the mission of
Germany Trade and Invest (Gtai). The new organisation, headquartered
in Berlin, was founded at the beginning of this year following a
merger of the German Office for Foreign Trade and Invest in Germany.
More...
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Investor Confidence On The Rise In Germany
Despite all negative headlines and studies, investor confidence in Germany seems to be growing, as the Center for European Economic Research (ZEW) found out in its recently released report. The index measures German confidence against main players in financial markets. The surprisingly good results might reflect an initial positive response to the government's two stimulus packages. More...
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Textile Industry
Soaring sales of organic cotton Despite economic harsh times the international textile- and clothing chains hold on to sustainable and fair made products. Retail trade sales of products made from organic cotton increased in 2008 by respectable 63% against 2007. Organic cotton is ecologically produced and dispenses of the use of pesticides, fertilizers and genetically modified seeds. The output of cotton has doubled nearly every year and is expected to increase further. More...
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Art
German artist searches for novel couple to front art project in Auckland What could a promo girl and a retired man have to do with public art? Berlin-based artist Ines Tartler will visit Auckland for two weeks in May to present a new public art project in the city. But she needs help because it takes place in a public car park and the artist wants to encourage people to participate. More...
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Latest Research From Germany
- The Electric Car: A Power Bank
- Sensitive Robots
- Sensitive Fitting Process for Leg Prostheses
- Keeping The Heat Down
- Electrosmog On The Circuit Board
- Timely Maintenance Guaranteed
- Data Mining Improves Production Quality
- Beautifully Varnished - Using Renewable
Please click here to read more about these topics.
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News From Germany
Automotive
German Auto Industry - From bad to less worse
March sales numbers
for German automakers are still appalling - but they're not quite as
bad as last month. The freefall in exports also shows signs of
slowing. Is the bottom near?
More...
Fiat Seeks Majority Stake in Opel
A solution appears to be
emerging in the bid to find a major investor for beleaguered German
carmaker Opel. SPIEGEL has learned that Italian automaker Fiat is
planning to buy shares in the GM subsidiary. A letter of intent is
expected to be signed next week. However, workers have said they
would resist the deal.
More....
German government demands guarantees from Opel investors
The
German government is demanding that potential investors in
struggling automaker Opel commit to preserving jobs, according to
media reports. A proposal by Italian automaker Fiat has Opel's works
council worried.
More.....
Volkswagen Mulls Porsche Takeover
Volkswagen is reported to be
pondering a takeover of the Porsche sports car business. Parent
company Porsche Automobil Holding is struggling to service its debts
and CEO Wendelin Wiedeking is reported to be losing the backing of
the Piëch and Porsche families.
More.....
Germany extends new car subsidy program
German Chancellor Angela
Merkel's grand coalition has agreed to boost subsidies for consumers
who trade in their old cars for new ones from 1.5 billion euros to
five billion euros (US$6.6 billion).
More...
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Economy
European jobless rates surged in February
The euro-zone
unemployment rate has unexpectedly jumped to 8.5 percent -- the
latest sign that the 16 euro-zone economies are deteriorating faster
than expected amid the global financial downturn.
More...
ECB cuts key lending rate to 1.25 percent
The European Central
Bank has cut its key interest rate to an all-time low. The bank also
reduced its two other reference rates, the deposit rate and the
marginal lending rate.
More...
Exports down to record low in Germany
German exports have
plummeted to their lowest level since 1950. The drop means Europe's
largest economy will contract more than expected.
More...
Optimism Dips As Economic Downward Spiral Continues
The German
economy is sinking precipitously as a result of the global economic
crisis, creating the worst downturn since the Great Depression.
Politicians and labor leaders are concerned about social unrest, but
the government remains firm in its conviction that its not time yet
for a third stimulus package.
More...
Recession tightens its grip on Europe, IMF says
Europe is facing
a sharp slump in growth this year, the International Monetary Fund
has said. It also forecast that the German economy was likely to
contract by 5.6 percent, pushing unemployment rates up.
More...
Economic institutes see hard times ahead
Leading German economic
institutes say Europe's largest economy is caught up in the
maelstrom of a global recession. Their forecast is even gloomier
than the IMF's prediction for 2009.
More...
Industry looks for a silver lining at Hanover's trade fair
Judging by interest in the Hanover Fair, you wouldn't guess that the
world is in the middle of its worst economic crisis in nearly 80
years. But other figures paint a grim picture.
More..
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Environment
German government promotes carbon storage to fight climate change
The German government has paved the way for coal-fired power plants
to start trials of carbon storage systems. A draft law supports
companies that invest in pumping CO2 underground rather than into
the air.
More...
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Finance
Commerzbank's Merger Crisis
In the midst of a major financial
downturn, Martin Blessing, CEO of Commerzbank, is charged with
managing one of the biggest mergers in German banking history -
despite massive losses and ongoing risks. But there's no turning
back, either for Blessing or for Germany's political establishment.
More...
Toxic Waste Urgently Seeking Dump
The German government is
hosting talks with banking supervisors about what to do about the
hundreds of billions of euros of toxic assets still left in the
banks' balance sheets. It sounds like a mission impossible -- saving
the banks without bankrupting taxpayers.
More...
Leaked list reveals German banks have 816 billion euros in toxic
assets
A German newspaper has published a leaked list from the BaFin
financial oversight group that shows German banks are weighed down
under 816 billion euros in toxic assets.
More...
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Food and Drink Industry
German food manufacturers now allowed to "supersize"
It's the
revolution of the German supermarket shelves; after years of strict
regulations on packaging sizes, starting this Saturday, most food
items may be sold in any size or volume.
More...
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Transportation
Berlin chooses Grube as new Deutsche Bahn chief
Daimler manager Ruediger Grube has been nominated as the new head of German national
railway Deutsche Bahn. Grube will replace Hartmut Mehdorn, who
resigned his post amid a spreading industrial-spying scandal.
More...
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Tourism
'Turn Left at Gestapo Headquarters'
Foreign tourists flock to the
Third Reich walking tours in Munich. Even now, 64 years after World
War II ended, visitors from abroad still only seem to associate
Germany with two things - beer and Hitler. The country's image seems
to be changing far more slowly than it would prefer.
More...
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New Members
Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax and
transaction and advisory services meeting the needs of all
businesses, regardless if well established or just starting out. A
team of experts ensures tailored solutions that fit the individual
client and add value to all operations. For example, over ten years
ago New Zealand established the Strategic Growth Markets practice.
Comprising 20 partners and 200 staff dedicated to working with
New Zealand companies committed to driving sustainable growth both
in New Zealand and within chosen international markets. This group
is also part of a global team that enables local experts to deliver
global expertise locally where appropriate. Please visit
www.ey.com/global/content.nsf/New_Zealand/Home
or contact Hanno Schupp directly.
Contact:
Hanno Schupp
Partner
PO Box 2146
Auckland 1140
Tel: +64
9 300 7096
Email:
hanno.schupp@nz.ey.com
Web: www.ey.com/global/content.nsf/New_Zealand/Home
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Waterware Services Ltd
The creation of the G12 building code created new opportunities
in the valve market which led Waterware to begin their very
successful relationship with Caleffi S.p.A Italy. Their growing
reputation and success with Caleffi ultimately led to new
relationships being formed with other high quality Italian
manufactures such as Valsir, Fondital and Ferroli who are now well
known established brands in the NZ market.
More recently Waterware Products Ltd has become three separate specialist entities; Waterware Sales Ltd, Pipeware sales Ltd and Heatware Sales Ltd, all trading under the one banner 'Waterware'. The 'Waterware' operating philosophy together with it's range of products, which is constantly being defined to meet changing market demands, results in today's family company, employing over 20 people, 7 of whom are family members. The company's sales team covers the whole country and our merchant customers are NZ wide. Waterware imports products from many parts of the world and endeavour to 'value add' to their imported range wherever possible and have recently launched 'Flow+' and 'Comfort+' system offers which package their products into custom designed plumbing or heating solutions.
Contact:
Steve Keene
Sales Manager
54 Stonedon Drive
East Tamaki
Auckland
Tel: +64 9 273 9191
Email:
info@waterware.co.nz
Web: www.waterware.co.nz
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Member News
The Artist Goldsmith
Just recently, Christine Hafermalz-Wheeler has made 4 of her
spectacular Double Rings from material given to her by clients to
recycle. Please
click here to view full newsletter or have a look at The Artist
Goldsmith's website:
www.TheArtistGoldsmith.com.
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The Langham Auckland
The exquisite Chuan Spa at The Langham is now open and destined
to become Auckland's ultimate urban oasis while setting a new
benchmark in spa excellence for New Zealand. Offering unforgettable
spa treatments such as a Tri-bathing Ritual which includes a snail
shower, ice experience and herbal steam rooms, Chuan Spa is an
opulent retreat away from the outside world providing signature
health and beauty treatments based on the principles of Traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM). For more information please visit
www.chuanspa.co.nz and www.langhamhotels.co.nz or
contact
Rachel Broadmore directly.
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Heritage Hotel
Stay & Win Simply stay with Heritage and CityLife Hotels before
the end of September and you could win some great prizes to play
with. There are Apple iPhones, Navman GPS units, Samsung digital
cameras, Sony digital photoframes, luxury weekends, bottles of wine
and more to be won! Make sure you pick up your scratch card and
stamp your stamp card at any of our hotel Receptions and receive the
rewards you deserve! For more information please have a look at the
website: www.heritagehotels.co.nz/Stay-and-Play
Ballet & High Tea Heritage Hotels are delighted to support the Advance Dance Guild in Auckland fund raising event for the Royal New Zealand Ballet. The high tea will be held on Sunday 17 May at 2.30 pm in Heritage Auckland's gorgeous roof top Grand Tearoom. The event is to raise funds for the Royal New Zealand Ballet's new dance floor. Tickets are $70 per person and can be bought individually or in tables of 10. A perfect Mothers day gift! Book a ticket and automatically go in the draw to win a fabulous Louis Vuitton Bag. Call 04 381 9013 for ticket bookings or email kat@nzballet.org.nz
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