Business News

Increasing investment in advanced technologies a priority for manufacturing

Catherine Lye, EMA’s Head of Advanced Manufacturing & Export Communities The Advanced Manufacturing Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) recognises the essential role manufacturing plays in the New Zealand economy, for jobs and communities. The draft plan, released for public consultation in June 2022, attracted hundreds of participants to workshops and 60 written submissions that helped identify some key priorities for the ratified plan. “Increasing investment in advanced technologies and processes to lift productivity and wages, and improving the understanding and perceptions of advanced manufacturing to attract more people into the sector will be the initial focus based on the feedback received,” says Brett O’Riley, EMA Chief Executive and Co-Chair of the Advanced Manufacturing ITP Steering Group. Manufacturing plays an important role in creating jobs and is the second largest employer of Māori and Pacific peoples in the country. The plan identifies ways to help manufacturers acquire more skills and embrace the low-carbon, sustainable economic growth it offers. “One of the keys to accelerating growth will be the investment in new plant, new technology, and new skills, something the EMA will continue to work with the Government on,” Mr O’Riley says. Rachel Mackintosh, fellow Co-Chair of the Advanced Manufacturing ITP Steering Group and Vice-President of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi and Assistant National Secretary of E Tū, agrees. “We want to transform the industry so that people will choose to work in advanced manufacturing for generations to come. We have the opportunity to harness the creativity of the diverse manufacturing workforce to develop a sustainable industry, where people can build their skills and enjoy decent work and decent wages. To do that we need cooperation across workers, employers, communities, and the government,” she says. The ITP brings together a raft of elements – skills, sustainability, carbon neutrality […]

Women in Engineering: Ankeeta Karmakar

Most of the programmes that I found were master of civil and/or structural engineering, so when I discovered the University of Auckland’s Master of Earthquake Engineering programme, I just couldn’t think of any other school.

Clean Planet manufacturing healthier and safer cleaning solutions

-Rebecca Reed Clean Planet is a nationwide health and sustainability focused cleaning and life services franchisor, established in 2008 by a passionate bunch of New Zealanders who recognised the need for healthier, greener cleaning solutions. It is also the first cleaning company to come up with their own locally formulated and manufactured range of sustainably sourced, health-focused products. Chief Executive Tony Pattison says the founders decided they wanted to develop, formulate, and manufacture their own range of cleaning products from the beginning so they knew what works and what doesn’t. “We wanted to establish an ethical cleaning company that is kinder to both people’s health and the health of the planet. Since then, we’ve been getting rid of toxic cleaning chemicals in Kiwi homes and workplaces by using our own brand of cleaning products we formulated to achieve this. Our range of healthier, environmentally kinder cleaning products do not contain chemical culprits such as bleaches, EDTA and phosphates, yet work for domestic and commercial cleaners just as effectively as conventional cleaners.” Clean Planet outsources the manufacturing to local business AWS Group who operate out of a factory in Penrose, Auckland, only a few minutes away from Clean Planet’s Head Office. The company manufactures a core range of 10 cleaning and santising products for Clean Planet which they then supply to their 240 franchisees to use nationwide. “We have a strong relationship with AWS Group, they have excellent facilities and are BioGro and Organic certified which aligns with our brand values and goals.” Once manufactured their products are then packaged to Clean Planet’s warehouse nearby in Penrose where they package it up and ship it out to their franchisees. “We are proud to have introduced recycled packaging for several of our products made out of recycled milk bottles. I believe our […]

Amos Taihia, Rudi Clote, Christo Botha_ Wrapit Man

Company Profile: Exxovantage

The business has expanded to Australia, the USA, Africa and Singapore, with bold plans to become the global leader in wearable robotics technology.

Skills shortage survey confirms worst fears

Upskilling and training staff may be the easiest solution for the 71 per cent of businesses unable to fill technical roles, with 54 per cent already engaged in apprenticeships, and another 24 per cent planning to take on an apprentice in the next twelve months.

Timoti Harris, Managing Director at Empowering Change:Te Tiriti in the workplace

While the broad strokes of Te Tiriti o Waitangi are now widely acknowledged, many people do not know its contents and intent. Much of HERA’s forward programme of research involves achieving industry focused solutions – but a much-needed change is that it now needs to be reviewed through the lens of te ao Māori. This is part of HERA’s commitment to acknowledge Te Tiriti o Waitangi and interfaces between Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and industry to expand knowledge and practice more generally. An example of this is HERA’s Endeavour Fund four-year research project focused on transforming the construction sector in Aotearoa New Zealand using Construction 4.0 approaches. The Mātauranga Māori research theme within it, aims to address the gap of knowledge that exists and build a uniquely Māori framework to address the challenges of Construction 4.0. This will create new knowledge domestically and will sit internationally as an example of indigenous knowledge being incorporated into sectoral transformation. HERA acknowledges that for industry, this will be confronting for some. Challenging the status quo of ‘doing’ business requires courage, even more so when the way to do it means looking through a cultural lens that may be unfamiliar. However, there are significant changes occurring in New Zealand that indicate HERA needs to focus on this, as does business. This includes from a government perspective, the development of the Vision Mātauranga strategy of MBIE; development of the Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways White Paper on the future of the research, science and innovation system imbedding Te Tiriti as one of four key focus areas; the revisions to the Education Act that now require honouring of Te Tiriti; and changes to government procurement rules that call for business to consider how to create opportunities for Māori. As industry faces skills gaps and labour […]

Doppelmayr sustainable transport solutions across New Zealand

Garreth Hayman, CEO Doppelmayr New Zealand To meet our 2030 and 2050 climate targets, Aotearoa must think differently about how to move its growing population. Doppelmayr’s urban ropeway technology offers innovative, affordable and sustainable solutions that can keep our cities moving. With the ability to transport 12,000 people per hour, ropeways enhance a city’s liveability, connect harder to reach communities, integrate with existing transport infrastructure, relieve congestion and attract more people to use public transport. Do you have examples as to where your company has done this before? Doppelmayr has designed and delivered several public transport systems using ropeway technology, including in London, Mexico City, Luxemburg and Portland. We are currently underway with the first-ever public transit gondola for Paris which will be completed in 2025. Our largest urban ropeway ‘Mi Teleférico’ in La Paz, Bolivia, consists of ten lines with an overall length of more than 30 kilometres. Mi Teleférico transports about 300,000 people every day as a means for getting to work and school, whilst providing access to community hubs and leisure-time activities. With more than 300 million passengers transported to date, commuters continue to benefit from significant time savings and escape from daily road congestion. What do you mean by an integrated transport solution? Doppelmayr’s urban ropeway solutions can be integrated into existing and future transport networks, to complement train, bus and ferry services. This includes integrated stations for easy transfers between modes and the integration with existing payment methods, such as Auckland Transport’s HOP system or the new National ticketing system. Do you see this integration across large cities or rurally? Most of our existing urban ropeway solutions have focused on connecting cities where high density and geographical barriers have prevented other transport expansion to take place. However, this doesn’t mean that integration isn’t possible in […]

RS PRO & Engineers Without Borders announce winners of student design competition

RS PRO & Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB) have drawn the winners of their recent student competition, awarding three winners in Australia and New Zealand. The three winners were commended for their socio-technical skills, sustainable design and social impact of their designs. The first winner, Luke Nelson studying at ANU, is building a seed sorting robot which is a shaker-table based device which aims to address the significant time and labour challenges associated with sorting native grains. The real world application has been tested through an Indigenous owned organisation working to develop a native grains industry for the benefit of First Nations people. Maja Ranzinger who studies at Auckland University is currently developing a prototype design for an autonomous apple picker. The body is a thin, electrically motorised four-wheel system that fits within the orchard lanes. Maja’s project aims to lower the production cost whilst solving the problems of labour shortages in this industry. Lastly, Patricia Wang-Zhao at ANU is developing a local design summit which is a collaborative platform whereby student and professional engineers engage with local First Nations people. The summit aims to explore opportunities in engaging with Indigenous knowledge for economic and environmental benefit. RS Pro and EWB are supporting these winning submissions with product packs worth $3,000 which includes RS PRO components, tools, and accessories tailored to the projects. The competition criteria included: Socio-technical skills. Sustainable design skills, including the environmental, economic and social impacts. The demonstration of effective communication skills through the design pitch application whilst articulating teamwork skills of the project. A demonstration of how the fund will help the entrant achieve positive social, economic, and environmental impacts. Scott Philbrook, Managing Director ANZ for RS, the parent company of RS PRO, says he is looking to support future generations of engineers through programs like […]

Kemppi adds Pulse model to X5 FastMig welding range

Leading international welding equipment manufacturer, Kemppi, has released its latest addition to its range of X5 FastMig welders – the new X5 FastMig Pulse. The X5 FastMig Pulse multi-process welding system has been specifically designed for steel, aluminium and stainless steel welding in industrial environments. The machine delivers a range of features that help significantly enhance arc welding productivity. Built using energy-efficient inverter technology, the X5 FastMig Pulse offers faster welding and quality welds thanks to Touch Sense Ignition, effortless operation, excellent welding ergonomics, flexible equipment setup and is industry 4.0 ready. Faster welding, better quality weldsA high-performing machine, the X5 FastMig Pulse features the latest in ignition technology – Touch Sense Ignition – as standard. When combined with WiseSteel software, which is also included in the X5 FastMig Pulse, it delivers precise ignition capability and stable arc control. The X5 Pulse tackles the challenges of globular arc by alternating between short arc and spray transfer. In short-circuit transfer, it improves the arc stability adaptively, providing better out-of-position steel welding capabilities. In spray transfer mode, micropulsing of the current and voltage increases travel speed significantly. In doing so, the X5 Pulse helps to minimise the spatter produced by a traditional globular arc, as well as the need for post weld cleaning, saving the welder both valuable time and cost, while helping to deliver better quality welds. For more challenging steel, stainless steel and aluminium applications, the arc control can be further optimised with optional MAX welding programs and Wise special processes. Effortless operationDesigned to be hassle-free, the new model can be quickly set up thanks to Weld Assist.This feature guides the welder to set the right parameters for each application so they can start welding faster. The X5 Pulse is also very easy to operate. It features a large, graphical and […]

Eagle Protect ensures high-performance disposable gloves

Christchurch-founded company, Eagle Protect, is challenging the disposable glove industry by bringing transparency to its supply chains through the launch of “Delta Zero”, the multi-layered proprietary glove quality testing program. As the world’s only B Corp certified company in the sector, Eagle Protect is on a mission to provide Kiwis and those across the globe with access to high-quality disposable gloves which are safe, durable and free of contamination. The global industry’s supply chains are plagued with malpractice such as reject quality, counterfeit and already-used disposable gloves being repackaged and sold to end-users as brand new, all of which can often lead to breakdowns in infection and hygiene control. Eagle Protect’s five-year microbial analysis study revealed the widespread risk of contamination within the disposable glove industry, with independent lab testing uncovering 50% of new and unused gloves analysed had human faecal indicators. To combat these issues Eagle Protect is establishing the global industry standard for compliance, providing a method for ensuring that vulnerable industries, including food handling and healthcare sectors, have access to clean gloves, free of harmful toxins and contaminants. “In the effort to mitigate glove contamination risks to multiple industries and glove users we’ve spent the last few years refining our Delta Zero verification process,” said Steve Ardagh, CEO and co-founder of Eagle Protect. “It’s a proprietary, multi-layered, five-point testing process that ensures Eagle gloves strictly adhere to the industry’s highest level of safety and performance.” Though most of the general public remains unaware, New Zealand relies on the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations for the quality assurance of food handling gloves. However, there are significant limitations within the FDA’s current food glove compliance requirements. The FDA’s own code for imported gloves (FDA Title 21, Part 177) does not specifically require them to be intact, […]

«‹ 23 24 25 26 ›»

News Ticker

Business News