From June issue, NZ Manufacturer magazine www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz

 

• Review from Calibre Design

There was a strong sense of optimism at SouthMACH this year. The energy was good. People were open, engaged, and proud of the work they’re doing. Yes, there are still challenges—but the general feeling was that things are picking up, and that real progress is being made.

Capability remains a key issue. “We’ve got the ideas. We just don’t have the resource.” The work is there. Priorities are clear. But teams are at capacity. There’s limited room to take on more—let alone deliver faster.

Shifting the Dial

Whether the focus is production, upgrades, product development, or compliance—it takes people to get things done. Not just more hands, but the right experience, at the right time.

At SouthMACH, there was strong interest in how to keep momentum without overloading internal teams. Many are turning to flexible engineering support—people who can step in, contribute from day one, and help shift the dial.

The common thread? Capability isn’t just about technical knowledge. It’s about judgement, communication, adaptability, and the ability to work well on-site, under pressure, and in step with the wider team.

What We Noticed

Amidst the usual challenges—capacity, backlog, deadlines—there was also a clear sense of optimism. Many have weathered tough years and come through more focused.

Some of the best conversations we had were about what’s working: building long-term partnerships that help teams flex as needed; investing in project engineering—not just design, but full delivery; and embedding engineers into existing teams to remove bottlenecks and keep work flowing.

We also asked our team: “What was the most exciting innovation or product you came across during the event?” The answers were varied—but all pointed to practical, clever engineering solving real problems.

Dawn Aerospace stood out to several engineers—not just for the ambition of spaceflight, but for their development of 3D-printed rocket thrusters and reusable payload systems.

Their titanium components, with internal cavities for high-pressure fuel delivery, show just how far local aerospace tech has come.

3D Printing Systems impressed with high-resolution scanners capable of exporting clean geometry straight into CAD. At FI Innovations, metal 3D printing sparked strong interest with its range of materials and local manufacturing applications.

Takticians, a company offering integrated quoting and production software, also caught attention—not just for the product, but for how they were using SouthMACH to engage with real customers and adapt their roadmap based on feedback.

Other mentions included an AI-powered robotic welding trainer, and HamiltonJet’s new unit, which impressed with its  sheer size, and also it’s use of additive manufacturing—using technologies like Markforged to push the boundaries of performance and design.

The Innovation You Might Have Missed
In his Engineering the Future commentary, James Richardson shared a nationwide view of innovation happening quietly across Aotearoa—from product development in aerospace to process improvements in food and beverage, manufacturing, and heavy industry.

He asked for a show of hands on how many people recognised the companies featured. Few did—and that was the point.

Some of New Zealand’s most impactful engineering is happening behind the scenes, in industries that keep the country running.

It’s not always about launching something new—it’s about doing things better, solving real problems, and delivering results.