Wellington
One way to consider the value of the TIN100 report isto consider what things would be like if it didn’t exist.
The almost 200 colour page report on the NZ-owned top 100 (well 200 if you count the additional‘mentions’ at the back) high value manufacturing, biotechnology and ICT is now into its 8thedition – and its value grows over time.
(As an aside, the collated data of the past eight years is also an important part of the specificbespoke reports TIN100 is able to carry out on request - taking information, converting it intoknowledge and clipping the ticket for such expertise)
Its information, contacts and commentary provide a roadmap of what was quite hidden until GregShanahan kicked the publication off.
What will be interesting is whether Shanahan, when commenting on Australia as a safe haven forTIN100 companies, also looks to carry out the same exercise across the ditch. Apparently there’snothing similar in Aussie, and the TIN100 report also includes a six-page overview of Australia’sTIN50.
Again though, not having this resource - which though sponsored by IRL, MBIE and NZTE, stillcosts $399 – would leave a huge void in the promotion, understanding and employment attraction ofthe value-adding businesses in the sector.
Where else for example, would you get an appreciation that there are nine changes to the TIN100from last year?
In its industry analysis section, the TIN100 notes that 42 companies that have featured in thepublication have been acquired by overseas buyers. After a lull following the global financialcrisis, acquisitions have increased significantly over the past two years – indicating founder andlocal investor fatigue, as well as increased overseas investment interest (obviously!).
The TIN100 also notes that though revenue was up 2.2% for the largest 100 locally-owned, exportfocused technology companies, staff numbers were up 5% to over 28,800.
This was especially driven from growth in IT services and the support sector which increased itsheadcount by 14%, much due to the index’s second largest company Datacom taking onboard 440 newpeople.
And, as Shanahan contemplates an Aussie edition, the TIN100 says NZ companies with an establishedfoothold who had entered the Australian market strongly with something such as an anchor contract,are doing well. New Zealand’s lower cost structure is also helping Australian growth.
With some clever graphics and interesting tables, the TIN100’s an interesting read.
At the risk of repetition – a NZ landscape without this resource would be much poorer forit.