MarketplaceNZ.com is free service for companies around the country.

Published in the National Business Review of 02 November 2007

A new online marketplace, specifically for manufacturers to showcase their wares has attracted just 11 participants so far but organisers are hoping the promise of both local and overseas eyeballs will win over more industry players.

The Wellington based MarketplaceNZ.com initiative is backed by the region's Industry Development Centre (IDC) but is open to all New Zealand manufacturers.

The launch gives Kiwi manufacturers a virtual storefront to showcase their business to the world, the Centre's Director Wolf Marbach said.

"It aims to make finding the right product or service from a local manufacturer easier," he said.

It is one of three related websites designed by the IDC in partnership with Employers' and Manufacturers' Association (Central), as a free service to help New Zealand manufacturers.

The site allows manufacturers to create an online profile of their business by entering their own text and pictures to show who they are and what they do. They can add photos of their premises, machinery, key staff, products, and other information. Content can be changed at any time.

MarketplaceNZ.com has Google-like search functionality which makes it easy for prospective buyers to find suppliers and products,

This site is partnered by NetworkingNZ.com which is an electronic bulletin board.

"It is a forum for manufacturers to use as they wish," Mr Marbach said.

"People can enter information or ask questions in their own natural language when they want to find something, rather than being constrained to the format of an automated search feature.

"And rather than get whatever result an automated search would provide, the answers on NetworkingNZ.com come directly from other human beings."

The site is also funded by the Employers' and Manufacturers' Association, crown research institutes and NZ Trade and Enterprise.