Recent News

New venture to tackle waste in trillion dollar drinks industry

From November issue NZ Manufacturer www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz “When water is literally on tap in your kitchen, it seems crazy to ship it around the world.” A new startup launched by the founder of NZ’s largest regenerative beauty product export business is set to cut the global use of single-use plastic drink bottles by tens of millions every year. Brianne West stepped down as Ethique CEO earlier this year, a decade after starting the $100 million business in her kitchen as a 24-year-old biochemistry student. West’s new social enterprise aims to take on the $1.44tn beverage market which produces over 583 billion single-use plastic bottles annually, with less than 10% of these recycled. The new venture will produce concentrated effervescent drink mixers in the shape of a circular tablet which on contact with liquids such as water dissolve to release flavouring. Each ‘Incrediball’ makes up the equivalent of a 350ml beverage and can be added to both alcoholic and non-alcoholic hot or cold beverages to enhance the taste. West says the product will be the world’s first effervescent drink tab in fully home compostable packaging and could prevent over 10 million single-use bottles from entering the waste stream every year from 2030 and expects this to grow significantly over time. She says while effervescent concentrates in this form usually require plastic wrapping, they will launch new technology within the tablet to protect the product from moisture before use. “When water is literally on tap in your kitchen, it seems crazy to ship it around the world. “Incrediballs is designed to address this – we are looking to transform the traditional model under which drinks are sold in their ready-made form by allowing consumers to purchase the flavouring component in a concentrated format that can be added to sparking, still, hot or cold […]

Structural engineering quality concerns “systemic”

Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau released a report recently that says quality in structural engineering designs has, at times, been compromised due to insufficient checks in the building system. Chief Executive Dr Richard Templer says, “New Zealand engineers do great work every day. However, this report shows our building system is not always catching significant quality issues before designs are built.” He says issues are “systemic”. “This is a concern to engineers because everyone wants confidence that buildings are robust and safe,” he says. The report comes in response to a series of high-profile failures in structural design, some of which are used as case studies. It focuses on the role of engineers in assuring quality but, Templer says, “All players in the building system have a role in ensuring quality outcomes.” This includes firms, councils and Government, and Templer is “looking forward to talking with the next Government about its role assuring quality within the built environment.” Templer says engineers have a duty to be competent and diligent in their work but, occasionally, “negligence, a lack of competence, or human error can lead to quality issues being introduced”. Engineering New Zealand has already made changes to improve rigour in the profession, including strengthening its assessment and complaints processes within the Chartered Professional Engineer system and carrying out a desktop review of structural design for 20 warehouses across the country. Templer says another challenge is the nature of a competitive industry. “There are pressures to keep costs down and it can mean quality assurance can be compromised,” he says. Templer would like to see things change. “We know our engineers in the building system are deeply committed to understanding and learning from issues, and taking action to fix gaps and raise standards,” he says. The report makes […]

Manufacturing continues to be critical to NZ economy, but changes needed if we are to unlock the sector’s potential

From NZ Manufacturer magazine, November 2023 By Brett O’Riley, EMA Chief Executive and Co-Chair of the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Transformation Plan Steering Group Last month, the Technology Investment Network (TIN) released its inaugural Advanced Manufacturing Report 2023. Commissioned by MBIE, the report compares national data with the results of a survey of the top 400 manufacturing companies by revenue and employment, providing a comprehensive picture of New Zealand’s manufacturing sector. Importantly, it includes benchmarks that will be used in future years to measure the health of manufacturing in New Zealand. This makes the report an important read for anyone with even a passing interest in manufacturing. The key takeaway is that manufacturing remains critically important to the New Zealand economy. It contributes more than $23 billion to our economy, or about 10% of GDP. It also accounts for 60% of the country’s exports and employs 12% of our workforce. In fact, the number of New Zealanders employed in manufacturing increased by more than 4% last year, reaching over 222,000. Manufacturing isn’t just concentrated in one part of the country. It plays a critical role in almost every one of our regions – accounting for than 10% of jobs in most regions. It is a large employer in Northland, Southland and everywhere in between. The report outlines some real positives that we need to be celebrate. Between 2018 and 2022, the sector increased research and development from $728m to $886m and reduced carbon emissions by more than 2000 kilotons. By 2024, it is projected the manufacturing will drop behind households to become the country’s third largest emitter. Despite this, there are some worrying trends identified in the report that we need to address if we want manufacturing to continue to be a cornerstone of our economy and drive our future […]

AoFrio named winner in BIER’s global ‘The Cool Challenge’

Paving the way for a more sustainable commercial refrigeration industry AoFrio, a global technology company headquartered in New Zealand, has been named the winner of the ‘Incremental Change in Energy efficiency’ category at The Cool Challenge, an initiative led by the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER). This achievement marks an important milestone for AoFrio, a global leader in creating and manufacturing cutting-edge and sustainable Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and high efficiency motors for commercial refrigeration. BIER is a coalition of leading global beverage companies working together to advance environmental sustainability within the beverage sector. Its new initiative, The Cool Challenge, invited innovators to revolutionise commercial refrigeration related to chilled, canned, or bottled beverages at their point of sale, and shape a sustainable future for the industry. AoFrio entered the ‘Incremental Change in Energy efficiency’ category, which required applicants to present solutions which optimise energy efficiency by leveraging existing compressor technology and pushing boundaries. Entries were judged by global sustainability leads amongst the likes of Heineken, AB InBev, and Coca-Cola. AoFrio received the win for its solution ‘AoFrio Inside’, which showcased the energy efficiency savings its customers can achieve if they implement the breadth of its hardware and SaaS offering in their coolers. AoFrio can reduce its customers’ energy-use by an average of 54% when compared to a basic cooler of the same capacity*. AoFrio Inside is a complete refrigeration solution that combines the best of hardware, software, and cloud-based services – it includes the following: AoFrio ECR 2 motor – a high-efficiency motor that uses significantly less power than shaded pole motors, saving energy and money. AoFrio SCS controller – a smart IoT controller that connects your cooler to the AoFrio ecosystem and enables you to monitor and control the cooler’s temperature, locations, sales, power consumption, and operational effectiveness. […]

Steel awards showcase local industry’s strength and innovation

Steel Construction New Zealand (SCNZ) is pleased to announce the results of 2023’s SCNZ Excellence in Steel Awards. The winners were announced on 27 October in Queenstown, where more than 200 structural steel industry leaders and specialists gathered to celebrate the best of the best at an event that showcases the sector’s commitment to innovation, best practice and collaboration. Each year, the task of judging becomes increasingly difficult. This year, 21 finalists were selected from a pool of 32 impressive submissions, which demonstrate the remarkable design and execution possible when steel is used as the primary construction material. “The high calibre of entries is testament to the industry’s ongoing commitment to raising the bar,” says SCNZ Chair David Moore. He notes there has been widespread emphasis on best practice amongst structural steel contractors and a drive to adopt global initiatives such as Industry 4.0. “Our local industry has also maintained its programme of investment in new cutting-edge plant, machinery and technology. These advances in technology have made it possible to construct highly complex steel structures that were previously out of reach,” says Moore. “The high standard of projects is also a reflection of the professionalism demonstrated by the fabricators, builders, architects and engineers that collaborate to bring these projects to life.” The 2023 winners are: Supreme & Over $3M Category Winner: MJH Engineering for One Whitmore Street Occupying a full city block, One Whitmore Street is a landmark 12-storey office tower in Wellington. The 17,500sqm building with its 1,420sqm floorplates and soaring three-metre-high ceilings will be the new home of the BNZ. The structure is designed to withstand Wellington’s unpredictable weather, with a convex profile and rounded corners that help to counter the city’s strong winds. The diagrid structure, with its diamond-patterned exterior, provides structural integrity while eliminating the need […]

Measuring and reporting your environmental performance – with Stride Property and ESP

Webinar 1:30pm, Tuesday 21 November, 30 minutes Learn how Stride Property is using ESP’s BraveGen software to track and report its carbon emissions and sustainability targets. Stride Property’s Sharyn Bramwell-Reweti, Safety and Sustainability Manager and ESP’s Dan Tomlinson, Head of Markets and Partnerships, joins thinkstep-anz CEO Barbara Nebel. https://www.thinkstep-anz.com/resrc/upcoming-events/stride-property-and-esp/

Tony Browne and Yang Ming, the Board Secretary of TUS-who signed MOU on behalf of TUS

World’s largest science park owner to explore opportunities within NZ

The development of a new technology park here, similar to the Cambridge University facility, could represent a significant opportunity for the expansion of New Zealand’s science and tech sectors. The arrival of the world’s largest technology park developer to explore opportunities within NZ is set to boost the country’s scientific research infrastructure and support business growth through the commercialisation of innovations in the bioscience, agritech and healthcare sectors. Chinese owned Tus-Holdings, manages international assets of $48bn, operates 300 start-up incubators in 70 science parks in 100 cities around the world. The organisation has also partnered with over 200 tertiary education providers, including Cambridge University, to support the growth of thousands of companies over the past 30 years. A newly signed memorandum of understanding, signed by the company and New Zealand’s former ambassador to China in his current role as chairman of the Council of Next Federation, Tony Browne, could lead to a multi-million dollar local incubation facility established to help Kiwi food, health and other technology businesses access the Chinese market. As part of the agreement, Tus-Holdings will explore the joint construction of science and technology industrial parks in New Zealand, Australia and China to promote and commercialise innovation. Browne says if established, the development of a new technology park here, similar to the Cambridge University facility, could represent a significant opportunity for the expansion of New Zealand’s science and tech sectors. He says the company has a focus on the provision of facilities and opportunities for scientific research and its commercialisation. Browne says the potential benefits for New Zealand lie in the development of new research facilities, enhanced international connections, and the chance for startups and other companies to benefit from networks and guidance in developing and growing science-based initiatives. “Through its incubation and funding ecosystem, Tus-Holdings has helped […]

RS launches NZ warehouse

Launched in November, RS will stock 500+ products in their new Auckland warehouse for next-day delivery across New Zealand. RS have further committed to the New Zealand market, leveraging the Group’s logistic partnerships with the opening of a state-of-the-art warehouse facility in Auckland. This commitment will ensure that customers can expect shorter delivery times with next day delivery available on many selected products. Established in New Zealand in 2013 RS, a global omnichannel product and solutions provider, has forged valuable partnerships with prominent industrial customers by augmenting their procurement, inventory, and maintenance operations. This recent expansion exemplifies RS’s dedication to minimising costly downtime for its clients. Customers can now readily access industry leading brands such as Schneider Electric, Fluke, TE Connectivity, Honeywell, and Amphenol Industrial through this facility, along with RS PRO, RS’s own brand which offers customers a price competitive advantage. It is expected that RS over the short term will expand the number of brands available directly through this warehouse, offering customers more locally sourced options. “The team at RS in New Zealand are excited to have leading brands locally available to enhance our service offering to New Zealand customers,” explains Angie Shears, RS’s New Zealand Sales Manager. “We’re particularly looking forward to being able to provide our customers at short notice with a wider range of products including dangerous goods such as lithium batteries, adhesives, and silicon, as well as brands previously unavailable in New Zealand. “ This new warehouse is another reason manufacturers and other industries throughout New Zealand should have RS as their preferred MRO supplier. Cost incurred through forced down time is a major issue for business in New Zealand, RS works diligently with its customers to minimise these. RS also builds efficiencies in their customers’ procurement through helping them consolidate their supplier base […]

Q & A:Sean Doherty Advanced Manufacturing,Callaghan Innovation

How can Advanced Manufacturing take NZ forward? Advanced manufacturing involves the use of technology to supercharge the manufacturing sector. Already an incredibly pivotal part of our nation’s economy and operations, there is real value to be found in unlocking the full potential of our manufacturers. The implementation of smart products and processes such as artificial intelligence, robotics and 3D printing are just some of the key ways we can look to automate, digitise and further develop operations. New Zealand hopes to reach the level of manufacturing represented by Industry 4.0 – a blueprint made up of a series of government initiatives from around the world. As a nation, reaching this goal would propel the nation forward in several critical ways. Manufacturers can harness new technologies to revolutionise their products and processes, effectively increasing their quality of output, and driving productivity forward. Economically, this creates an increase in profitability, enhances market competitiveness, and helps to generate higher-value jobs by automating lower-level tasks. Fostering innovation, this strengthens our supply chain resilience, and reduces our dependence on foreign sources. We can also work towards realising our full potential as a ‘clean, green New Zealand’, by encouraging resource-efficient, environmentally friendly practices. We are not a country rich with natural resources, except for dairy, horticulture and agriculture. We once made cars and TV sets. When that stopped it couldn’t be started again. So where can Advanced Manufacturing help to turn things around? Market demand, competition, global economic conditions and access to raw materials play crucial roles in the ability for a country to operate in a highly competitive industry – which is largely why dairy, horticulture and agriculture are particular strengths for New Zealand. However, advanced manufacturing holds endless possibilities for improvement. As we increase our capabilities, this certainly creates new opportunities for growth […]

What is prompt engineering?

Let’s say you’re making spaghetti marinara for dinner. Sauce from a jar is perfectly fine. But what if you buy your tomatoes and basil from the farmers market to make your own sauce? Chances are it will taste a lot better. And what if you grow your own ingredients from your garden and make your own fresh pasta? A whole new level of deliciousness. Just as better ingredients into a generative AI model can make for better results. These inputs are called prompts, and the practice of writing them is called prompt engineering. Skilled prompt engineers design inputs to interact optimally with other inputs in a generative AI tool. These inputs help elicit better answers from the AI model, meaning the model can perform its tasks better, such as writing marketing emails, generating code, analysing and synthesising text, engaging with customers via chatbots, creating digital art, composing music, or any of the other hundreds, if not thousands, of current applications. Let’s look at an example. Say you want a generative AI model to help you promote an upcoming financial-planning workshop with the CFO of your organisation, Acme Inc. You provide a generative AI chatbot with a simple prompt: “Write a social post advertising a class.” Here’s the output: **Elevate Your Skills: Join Our Class!** Unlock new knowledge, connect with experts, and embrace growth. Limited spots available—reserve yours now! #LearnWithUs #SkillBuilding #ClassTime It’s pretty generic and unlikely to generate much interest. Let’s try again. This time, you make your prompt a little more specific: “Write a short social post advertising a financial-planning workshop with the CFO of Acme, Inc.” Here’s what the model gives you this time: **Master Your Finances with the CFO of Acme, Inc.!** Get ready to take charge of your financial future! Join our upcoming Financial Planning Workshop featuring the CFO of Acme, […]

«‹ 15 16 17 18 ›»

News Ticker

Recent News