Recent News

Business impacted by oil and gas ban

BusinessNZ says banning new petroleum and gas exploration will have significant implications for New Zealand business. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope said the Government’s decision to continue to recognise existing permits was important, as doing otherwise would have had a potentially devastating effect on investment into New Zealand. “It will be important to see what Government commitment is being made to affected businesses, and how quickly other high value businesses can be developed to fill the void. “Many businesses will be affected by this ban, particularly those using gas. It will likely mean higher gas prices because of the restriction in supply, raising costs for enterprises that use gas for their operations. “Exporters such as Fonterra, NZ Steel, Methanex and Refining NZ may find their products less competitive in world markets. “It is concerning that the ban has been imposed without any consultation with industry. “For the longer term, this decision may raise doubts among investors as to the viability of investing in New Zealand business. If a multi-billion dollar energy industry can be banned, what other industries might face the same fate? “Confidence among both overseas and domestic investors may be the longer-term casualty of today’s decision,” Mr Hope said.

The Show that can’t be missed!

EMEX 2018 can’t be missed, as over 170 international and local exhibitors will inform, delight, entertain and celebrate kiwi design and innovation across the 3 days. There’s also the serious business of putting forward great commercial deals for the manufacturing community. If you’re in Engineering, Manufacturing or Electronics then you really need to visit this free event to best position your business with the latest technology on offer. DISCOVER – what not to miss! World leading automated and robotic plasma cutting systems, designed and build right here in New Zealand for local and international markets by Plazmax in Rotorua, is highlighting the Kiwi Made Innovation feature at EMEX 2018 showcasing 3 separate automated plasma cutting systems, bringing both new and improved innovation to the market. Plazmax will be showcasing their world class capabilities with live demonstrations for all interested parties. After their introduction at SouthMACH 2017, Caliber Design and Locus Research are back at EMEX 2018 and proud to present some amazing examples of collaborative product design in the newly created Innovation Quarter. The products on display at EMEX 2018; the Stabicraft 1600 Fisher, the Ubco 4 x 4 bike and the 2018 Oscar winning Shotover Camera System, are the result of an intensive interaction during the entire product development process. You’ll be impressed by what you’ll see! ENGAGE – Find the right people for the job The Employment and Training Hub will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the well documented skills shortages in the industry with experts from M.I.T and Competenz. As a manufacturer or engineering company this is your chance to learn more about these highly successful programs. You’ll have your chance to engage potential apprentices who have chosen a career in technology by signing up for the ’speed meets’ that are organised during EMEX 2018. […]

Regions get boost with Provincial Growth Fund

The $1 billion Provincial Growth Fund launched by the Government will give New Zealand’s regions a boost and help unlock the potential of our rural and smaller centres, Local Government New Zealand says. The Provincial Growth Fund, launched in Gisborne today by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Minister for Regional Economic Development Shane Jones, detailed the Government’s plans to help New Zealand’s regions maximise their opportunities to boost local economies. New Zealand’s regions are significant contributors to the economy but a range of factors including population and technological changes mean some have struggled. While in recent times economic growth has returned to some areas, this has been uneven and has led to stark discrepancies between sometimes neighbouring regions. LGNZ President Dave Cull says the country’s economic growth strategy needs to consider the nation as a whole and the Government’s commitment to much greater investment in regions is a welcome step. The Fund aims to enhance economic development opportunities, create sustainable jobs, contribute to community well-being, lift the productivity potential of regions, and help meet New Zealand’s climate change targets. “Revitalising the regions, especially those that are not seeing some of the growth others are experiencing, will have benefits not just for those areas but also for the rest of the country,” Mr Cull says. “National success, and achieving our goals of strong and vibrant communities, relies on realising the full economic potential of all regions.” Doing this is a complex task that requires a partnership between local and central government, communities and the private sector. The Provincial Growth Fund acknowledges the important role of local communities in deciding where and how to invest, and LGNZ will work with councils to ensure communities get the most from the Fund. “The approach the Government is taking, with a genuine intent to […]

New education programme to support Kiwi entrepreneurship

Aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs alike will see their business ideas reach new heights thanks to two high-profile business leaders who have developed an entrepreneurial education programme to put New Zealand at the top of the world map when it comes to innovation. This month, the Practical Innovation and Entrepreneurship Paper – an online course for Kiwis striving for success built around The Periodic Table of Innovation – launches out of an innovation hub at Auckland University of Technology. Co-founded by AUT Adjunct Professor and former advertising expert Mike ‘the Hutch’ Hutcheson, and educator, business mentor and inspirational speaker Catherine Newton, the Paper will give Kiwis the opportunity to ‘think differently’. “We want to help New Zealanders turn an idea into a tangible business model. We designed this course to provide business insight and practical tools to launch into the world of entrepreneurship,” says Hutcheson. “Kiwis are not short of great ideas, but they are short of being able to implement and commercialise their ideas. Our geographic isolation and ability to attract funding are some of the reasons behind not being able to develop scalable businesses that create jobs,” Hutcheson adds. The Practical Innovation and Entrepreneurship Paper (ENTR770) welcomed its first official intake of students on 14 March, following its successful pilot programme in 2017. Just 12 weeks in length, the course arms participants with practical skills to test, develop and bring a business idea to life, or develop an existing entrepreneurial idea or business. Newton, responsible for co-creation and delivery of the course training modules, is driven to inspire, educate and empower students – with a strong focus on helping women reach a level playing field. Newton, who holds a Bachelor of Education Degree and Diploma of Teaching, as well as 20 years’ experience running her own businesses, draws on […]

EMEX 2018 highlights hot topics in Engineering and Manufacturing

As EMEX 2018 is gearing up to be the largest event in its almost 40 year history, showcasing the latest technologies and products, it will also address the most pressing issues industry is facing. How do NZ companies address the growing lack of skilled labour and succession problems? What are we doing in areas as work safety and what practical steps are we making to improve our not so great record? What does all this talk about Industry 4.0 actually mean for you? Innovation is a fancy and very popular word but what qualifies as an innovative product? Who can help your business to become more innovative? You will find answers to all these questions at EMEX 2018 by talking to the experts and visiting the Innovation Quarter in the newly added Hall 1, where advisors from Callaghan Innovation are happy to discuss opportunities on how to tap into the Government R & D funds. You may even be the lucky winner of the $5,000 prize. The Innovation Quarter will showcase amazing technology that is revolutionising the industry. EMEX 2018 is proud to host the Employment & Training Hub where you can discuss your needs with ‘The Manufacturers Network’ and the Maintenance Engineers Society of New Zealand (MESNZ), who both are enthusiastic supporters of Competenz and M.I.T., who will run ‘speed meets’ will feature amazing technology and activities that include apprenticeship workshops and ‘speed meets,’ where employers are coupled to young upcoming talent, aiming for a career in Engineering and/or Manufacturing. The third reason why you should visit Hall 1 is the Work Safe Advisory Lounge, where you can have a meaningful conversation with specialist about the real workplace health & safety you’re required to implement. Myths are taken away really quickly when talking to one of the experts. If […]

Focus on New Zealand brands needed in face of trade uncertainty

Uncertainty over Brexit means New Zealand needs to urgently focus on developing brands and differentiating our agricultural exports. However, the recently announced TPP agreement – which is to be signed on 1 March – offers potential for enhancing our markets. Senior lecturer in Agribusiness Management, Dr Nic Lees, said New Zealand produces some of the best fruit, wine, meat, seafood and dairy products in the world but around 70 per cent reaches the consumer with no identification that is sourced from here. “Sudden changes such as Brexit remind us that relying on undifferentiated commodity exports leaves us vulnerable to sudden changes in government policies,” Dr Lees said. “When consumers demand a branded product, it is difficult for governments to shut it out of the market.” Forty-four years ago, Britain joined the European Common Market. At the time Britain took approximately 90 per cent of our butter, 75 per cent of our cheese and about 80 per cent of our lamb exports. Britain had to adopt the European “common agricultural policy” which imposed tariffs and quotas on non-European agricultural imports This meant New Zealand was effectively shut out of our largest agricultural export market. At the time, most of these products were being exported as commodities, frozen lamb carcasses and blocks of cheese. The only branded product was Anchor butter. For the next thirty years the New Zealand economy suffered as we searched for new markets and attempted to develop alternative industries. China has replaced Britain as our largest market. However, 70-80 per cent of our food exports are still sold as commodity products. “We need to develop differentiated and branded products that consumers demand,” he said. “We can learn a lesson from Anchor butter, as it is a brand that is still strong in the British market.” However, he […]

Machines can’t dream

People are concerned about robots. Ever since a computer system defeated chess champion Gary Kasparov 20 years ago, public perceptions of progress in artificial intelligence (AI) research have been defined in terms of high-profile competitions pitting human against thinking machine. Anxiety is high about what the ultimate consequences could be. In the wake of Deep Blue’s triumph, other machines powered by AI have racked up momentous victories against human opponents in the game show Jeopardy and, most recently, against the world champion Go player. The latest version of Google’s AlphaGo software taught itself to play the strategy board game without any human help at all. The debate among leaders, technologists, futurists, employees of all stripes is on the profound impact AI will have on our workplace, our societies, our lives. The scale of this impact is hotly debated. Could machines replace us? Could they actually take over? There are smart minds on all sides of this issue. Some, like Professor Stephen Hawking, believe AI’s rise represents an existential threat. He told a BBC radio audience: “I think the development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race.” Others believe the rise of automation represents a veritable utopia made possible by smart machines. Optimism is a free stimulus in any country. In that spirit, this evolution could create massive potential for the human race. Any way you look at it, one thing is clear: there is nothing to be gained by hand-wringing about a dystopian future that we have the power to avoid. Let’s create the future we want to live in. Even in divisive times like these, we see human qualities such as ingenuity, kindness, innovation, and creativity rise up, take hold and gain unstoppable momentum. It is possible to create a world where AI benefits humanity, […]

Business and exporters applaud trade success

BusinessNZ and ExportNZ have welcomed the revival of the Comprehensive Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope said the agreement of all 11 partners to the agreement had been hard won, and was immensely worthwhile. “New Zealand is a trading nation that depends on successful exporting to maintain and grow our wealth. The terms of trade matter greatly to us. The CPTPP will reduce the tariff burden on our producers, allowing New Zealand and New Zealanders to earn more overseas, while growing jobs and businesses here at home,” Mr Hope said. Resolution of Canada’s objections to the CPTPP trade deal meant the agreement could be signed soon, ExportNZ Executive Director Catherine Beard said. “Exporters would like to acknowledge the outstanding work by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Trade Minister David Parker in helping to bring the deal through this last critical stage. “Also the steadfast work over many years by Trade Ministers Todd McClay and Tim Groser and the former Government which laid the platform for this success. “The bipartisan approach by both Governments to this important agreement has been a remarkable achievement.

FactoryTalk Analytics from RA

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has increased the availability of information throughout the enterprise by orchestrating data from multiple sources and applying machine-learning applications. But the power of new IIoT tools to improve machine performance is limited when those with access to information are not experts on the machine, leaving powerful machine information untapped.    To better connect industrial producers with expertise outside their production environment, Rockwell Automation offers the FactoryTalk Analytics for Machines cloud for OEMs. Cloud-enabled analytics provide machine data organized in intuitive dashboards that pull from machines deployed across the globe. “By bringing the expertise of OEMs into a producer’s ecosystem, smart machines perform better, and critical process anomalies can be quickly resolved,” said Todd Smith, product manager at Rockwell Automation. “Cloud-based machine analytics give OEMs real-time and historical insights into how their equipment is operating from anywhere, so they can collaborate with customers to help reduce downtime.” An IIoT-enabled packaging machine from Cama Group showcases the value of increased collaboration to both OEMs and end users. The machine offers independent cart technology for fast changeovers, while the FactoryTalk Analytics for Machines cloud relays critical KPI data to the cloud. Real-time performance insights are displayed to Cama Group service engineers in five, easy-to-navigate screens.   A primary display shows a global map indicating every machine at all customer sites the OEM has subscribed to the service. In addition to the display is summary information on machine status and recent OEE performance. A simple search function then allows service engineers to filter by specific end users, locations or machine types for further analysis. At the machine level, OEMs can also view information about machine states, top events, production counts, cycle time attainment, and custom process variables and counters for the last three months on pre-configured dashboards and drill-down […]

Canterbury-based rehab innovators achieve international medical device certification

With a mission to bring comfort and functionality to people living with complex rehabilitation needs, Canterbury-based company Medifab, who design, manufacture and export specialist seating and disability equipment, have achieved ISO 13485:2016 certification – the internationally recognised standard that guides medical device manufacturers in implementing quality management systems to achieve industry distinction. Trusted and recognised by regulatory authorities across the world, ISO 13485 demonstrates a commitment and excellence to producing medical devices that meet rigorous safety, quality and efficacy standards: a certificate that most major markets require from medical manufacturers looking to sell products in their country. “We’re thrilled to attain the ISO 13485 certification,” explains Medifab’s Managing Director, Roger Mascull. “Now Medifab is globally compliant to the highest applicable industry standard, we can advance our global aspirations. The certificate offers peace of mind for local government healthcare procurement and gives us the licence to operate internationally.” The disciplines involved in attaining and maintaining this prized certification outcome has elevated Medifab’s processes, systems and procedures, which Roger says will continue to enhance the company’s developments. “We’re always committed to improving our products and processes. And now we have this certification, we can continue to shape better lives on a global scale. This is a huge achievement and is a credit to the dedication of everyone at Medifab.’” With the addition of ISO 13485 to its impressive list of ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications, Medifab’s commitment to quality, service and the environment is reinforced and places it as one of the highest quality manufacturing facilities in the whole of New Zealand. ‘We’ve been working very hard for the past 12 months to earn this certification. The whole company, from the engineers and production teams through to the sales and logistics teams, have demonstrated great collaboration and determination to achieve this certification […]

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