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An early morning convoy of shiny rigs into Mystery Creek Events Centre kicked off the third and final day of the Transport and Heavy Equipment Expo 2013. The crowd arrived early and stayed all day taking in not only THE Expo show but also the additional 80 trucks participating in the spectacular Show ‘n’ Shine. ‘Shine competition The Show ‘n’ Shine gives drivers a chance to show off the artwork and lights that transform a truck into a piece of art while competing for various awards and an attractive prize pool. Category winners were: Curtain sider, Flat Deck and Tractor Units category winner: Craig Searle Tankers category winner: Steve Hart & Alan Pearson from Tranzliquid Logistics Limited Tippers category winner: Dean Chandler from Jackson Roadhaul Livestock & Logger category winner: Bryan Lang from Graeme Wright Transport Limited Classic Trucks Winner: Scott Young from Kim Young & Sons Ltd PeopleÕs Choice Award went to Roger David Duncan, Bulldog Haulage Ltd Supreme Award went to Scott Young with a Mack Cruiseliner Supreme Award winner Scott Young won a $2000 tracking system from event sponsor, ITS Intelligent Tracking Solutions. Scott drove the family-owned truck up from Ohakune this morning and said he was pretty amazed to have won the awards. The 1984 vehicle was the first 8-wheeler Mack Cruiseliner in the country and is still owned by the original owner, Scott’s father. “She’s only ever carried carrots, potatoes and the occasional tractor but is pretty much retired now and just does trips from the field to the packhouse,” said Scott. With gate numbers for the final show day at just over 6000, event organisers are very pleased with the total attendance of 13464. One of the many sites that saw a constant stream of visitors was the best medium outdoor site award winner […]

Austech 2013, Australia’s precision manufacturing and machine tool exhibition, is inviting small to medium manufacturing businesses to take part in its new and extended Manufacturers Pavilion. The Pavilion highlights the capabilities of Australia’s precision engineering and advanced manufacturing industry. It provides Australian component manufacturers, precision engineering firms, toolmakers, advanced manufacturers and general engineering companies the opportunity to exhibit their unique capabilities to an expected audience of more than 10,000 visitors next year in Melbourne, from 7 to 10 May 2013. One of AMTIL’s supporters in this initiative is SEMMA, a Victoria-based industry group representing more than 200 manufacturers based in South East Melbourne. “The Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute (AMTIL) is working with industry bodies such as SEMMA to provide as many manufacturers as possible with the opportunity to network and tap into local and international supply chains,” explains AMTIL’s CEO and Exhibition Director Shane Infanti. “The Manufacturers’ Pavilion provides the perfect forum for these companies to put themselves in front of Austech visitors, many of whom outsource and contract out their work.” SEMMA CEO Paul Dowling agrees and adds that their members will greatly benefit from this opportunity to promote their capabilities and gain new business. “Networking amongst members will create mutual gain,” he says. “Moreover, our members will have the opportunity to meet CEOs and decision makers from other manufacturing firms, manufacturing network representatives from other regions and countries, and users of manufactured goods. The Melbourne-based Austech exhibition comes at the right time, as Victorian manufacturing has emerged as the nation’s strongest, with 10,000 full-time jobs created in the past year despite a string of high-profile job losses over the past six months, according to the latest ABS figures. According to Dowling, manufacturing in Victoria has a great future due to the innovative attitude and move towards high technology […]

By Doug Green EMEX 2012 is done and dusted. A successful trade fair which brought buyers together with exhibitors resulting in business being done and enquiries to be followed up over the coming weeks and months. EMEX always seems to come around fast –it’s held every two years – and it is fascinating to see the enhancements in technology on display. The machinery on the DMG stand, the innovations at the German stand and at Leabourn and Rose and Spinner…to name a few companies who drew positive response from the many visitors Next issue of NZ MANUFACTURER we will be reflecting on EMEX 2012. The mood of the manufacturing and engineering market and observations of both exhibitors and businesses alike. To take part in the issue please email me words@xtra.co.nz  

By Doug Green Under clear skies, the doors opened and visitors arrived early to the first day of EMEX 2012. Drawn to the latest in manufacturing and engineering equipment, technology and services, visitors found plenty to see from race cars to the latest in machine tools and highly sophisticated computer software. It is well worth your while to visit and catch up with what is new in the marketplace, to visit the OEM’s like Axiam and ACS and sit in on the business talks which take you all the way from better business practices, the role of HERA in the New Zealand manufacturing environment, enhancing staff productivity, to managing your assets. Your very next equipment purchase may well come from this major industry trade fair which has been at the forefront of showcasing the needs of manufacturers for a number of years now. EMEX 2012 is being held from May 1 – 3 and is being held at ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane with visitor hours 9.00am – 6.00pm.  

Rob Lavender Visitors to EMEX 2012 will not only get hands-on with the latest in engineering, electronics and manufacturing, but also get a glimpse into the future thanks to the presence this year of eight top New Zealand universities. Dr Luke Krieg of AUT says that the universities will show everything from product design to nano-tech. “We’ll be making this as exciting as we can with a wide range of technologies and expertise on show. We’re also arranging a fascinating programme of speakers from research and industry. Whether it’s micro-machining, friction stir welding, wireless power transfer or anything else, you’ll see the leading edge at our EMEX 2012 space.” The successful event’s sales manager, Rob Lavender, says EMEX 2012 is industry’s key event for manufacturing businesses, with thousands of professionals gathering over the three days in May. “Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds will again be the only place to be 1-3 May. EMEX offers exhibitors and visitors alike fantastic return on their time and money investment. That’s why more than 150 key industry suppliers exhibit and approximately 4000 people visit. It’s also why it’s endorsed by IPENZ and HERA. “Among the dozens of organisations already confirmed are industry groups New Zealand Heavy Engineering Research Association (HERA) and Metals New Zealand Incorporated. Also at EMEX this year will be world-leading machine tool manufacturers DMG/MORI SEIKI, Road Runner Manufacturing – known for their Precision Abrasive Waterjet Systems, and the New Zealand German Business Association Pavilion.” Leading motor vehicle manufacturer Ford will run a number of show-only promotions before and after the event, giving visitors a genuine reason to buy. Chris Masterson, national marketing manager at Ford says, “It’s an exclusive business target audience and one that we just had to jump at – and we are the first major vehicle brand to partner with […]

Sir Ken Stevens is leading the trade mission to Malaysia. The range of business opportunity on offer through a trade mission heading to Malaysia, Sarawak and Brunei in late March represents a rare and important opportunity for exporters, says Sir Ken Stevens. “But time is short to get involved – we need to close registrations off within two weeks. “The mission will facilitate one-on- one meetings with business people as well as briefings, site visits for example to the top Asian theme park, Sunway Lagoon, and to several major food, engineering and supply chain sites such as at Intel and Air Asia,” Sir Ken said. Sir Ken Stevens, who is leading the mission, is founder and CEO of Glidepath Group and Chairman of Export New Zealand. Export New Zealand is organising the mission in association with the ASEAN New Zealand Combined Business Council. Sir Ken said the mission is focusing on: • Fast moving consumer goods plus related technologies • IT and engineering • Education • Cultural and adventure Tourism “We are working closely with contacts on the ground in Malaysia, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure the group gets to places they wouldn’t otherwise get to, and meet business people not normally available,” he said. “Developing trading relationships to achieve specific trade outcomes can carry a lot of pressure and this is where traveling in the group can prove so valuable. “Mission delegates have a huge amount of invaluable advice, contacts and other information they share between them. “After leading a trade mission to Vietnam last March it was clear that if you go there on your own you won’t get anything like the same level of business contacts and opportunities. “Amongst them was an introduction to the […]

Effective management practices are closely related to higher productivity and output in New Zealand manufacturing firms, according to an international comparative study released today. The study of 152 medium and large New Zealand manufacturing firms benchmarks New Zealand management practices against 16 other countries, including Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States, and was led by the London School of Economics and McKinsey & Co. The results show a strong relationship between New Zealand management practices and various firm performance indicators, particularly the profit per employee, firm sales and number of employees. Management practices in New Zealand are ‘middling to average’ by global standards according to the study.  It shows that, while New Zealand managers in manufacturing firms perform well on operational and performance management, they are relatively weak on people management, particularly when it comes to attracting and retaining talent and managing poor performers. Economic Development Ministry Acting Deputy Secretary Michael Bird said “This study demonstrates a strong link between effective management practices and various firm performance indicators.  The message for New Zealand firms is clear:  improving management practices impacts positively on the firm’s bottom line. “This report allows us to look at ourselves compared to other countries for the first time.  It also clearly identifies management practices that New Zealand firms can improve.” Michael Bird said that the Ministry was working closely with Business New Zealand, the New Zealand Institute of Management, and NZ Trade and Enterprise to help firms learn more about the research, and encourage firms to focus on improving their management practices. The study, commissioned by the Ministries of Economic Development, Labour and The Treasury, as well as New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, was undertaken by University of Technology Sydney (UTS).  UTS also did an equivalent study in Australia. nextSTEP Visit www.med.govt.nz.