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Australian state looks to New Zealand for export lessons

An Australian state is looking to follow the blueprint of neighbouring export powerhouse New Zealand in a bid to turn its economy around. Steven Marshall’s Liberal Government won the March 17 state election, ending 16 years of Labor Party rule in South Australia. Still in his first 100 days of office, Marshall has vowed to lower taxes, streamline approval processes and grow exports. Several aspects of his plan seek to follow the success of New Zealand when John Key was Prime Minister from 2008-2016. During this time Key lifted the country out of recession forged strong export ties with China and helped develop several strong export industries. Led by the dairy industry, six of New Zealand’s top seven export categories are food or drink related and include meat, fruit, seafood and wine. New Zealand’s exports hit a record high of A$50.2 billion (NZ$53.7 billion) in 2017, up 11 per cent on 2016 and beating the previous record of 2014. Despite having about 7 per cent of Australia’s population, South Australia only accounts for 4 per cent of Australia’s total exports. Marshall said this compared to 7.4 per cent of Australia’s merchandise exports in 2002. Like New Zealand, South Australia’s major export categories are dominated by primary industries such as wheat, meat and wine. China is the biggest trading partner of both jurisdictions with Asia accounting for more than half of all exports in both economies. However, Marshall said South Australia’s exports to China had lost ground against other Australian states in recent years. He said New Zealand’s success was in pinpointing sectors, such as the dairy industry, and aligning them with targeted export markets. He said he had already met with three of South Australia’s largest red meat exporters with a view to increasing their opportunities. “New Zealand had a […]

Are you a future-ready manufacturer?

Greg O’Loan, regional vice president, ANZ for Epicor Software Corporation For manufacturers to compete successfully in the face of cheaper overseas competitors, it’s essential to look to technologies that can offer improved processes, increased efficiencies, and substantial cost savings. Before businesses can determine whether they’re a future-ready manufacturer, they need to understand exactly where their business sits today, where it could be in three to five years, and how the business can embrace innovation and automation. This requires a time investment to create a roadmap. However, this investment will pay off as the business becomes truly future-ready and can leverage new and emerging technologies to compete more effectively. At the very least, tackling these tough questions will put organisations ahead of competitors who are consumed with putting out today’s fires rather than focusing on growth opportunities. Manufacturers that don’t invest in breakthrough technologies will be rendered irrelevant and, more often than not, it will happen at a much faster rate than they ever could have dreamed possible. It’s important to address this significant business risk sooner rather than later by embracing ways to work smarter and more efficiently. The next generation of manufacturers can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. Future manufacturers will need to be aware of how the world is changing, pay attention to economic and geopolitical forecasts, and invest in technology. While innovation is important, the key for the average manufacturing plant looking for a toehold is knowing your customers and their needs just a little bit better than the competition does. The opportunities for growth have increased recently and the Australian manufacturing industry is set for a resurgence. It has added 40,000 new jobs in since June 2016, and increased the value of Australian-made goods sold to international markets by more than $20 billion since 2009. […]

Welders’ powered air now more affordable

After hearing the news regarding the reclassification of welding fume by the IARC and putting together a Welding Fume White Paper on what this means for Australian welders, AWS, the sole agent for the 3M Speedglas Brand in Australia and New Zealand, has decided to reposition the 3M Speedglas 9100XXi Air Powered Air Purifying Respirator with a sharper price point to help make powered air respiratory protection more affordable for Aussie and Kiwi welders. The Speedglas 9100 Air The Speedglas 9100 Air coupled with the award winning Adflo PAPR combines the largest viewing area on the market with Speedglas TrueView which allows the welder to view their weld with better clarity and more colour. When combined with the peripheral Side Windows the 9100 Air gives welders vision like no other welding helmet currently on the market. With an External Button that allows the welder to bounce between two saved welding settings and grind mode, the welder never needs to touch the welding lens interface again. Simply switch between welding and grinding tasks with a touch of an external button while maintaining your positive pressure seal and desired level of welding respiratory protection. When selecting a non-flip-up welding helmet with a PAPR consider the following: • Welding Lens Viewing Area: Speedglas 9100 Air, with peripheral SideWindows, has the largest viewing area currently available on the market. • Arc Detection: The 9100 Air has the most powerful arc detection available down to 1amp • Light State and True View Optics: With a light state of 3 and Speedglas TrueView, set-up and inspect with colour and clarity and weld in High Definition. • Controls: With external grind and memory modes, the 9100 Air makes switching applications easy. • Side Windows: If you have never experienced Speedglas Side Window peripheral vision it’s time to […]

Konecranes explores advanced networks with Nokia’s Digital Automation Cloud

Konecranes Executive Vice President, Technologies, Juha Pankakoski (centre) talks about the future of Konecranes digital solutions and the company’s collaboration with Nokia on cloud technology. Konecranes is exploring advanced networks and global digital automation cloud that enable Konecranes to utilise future network technology and develop 5G capabilities already today. Konecranes has been one of the first companies to employ technology giant Nokia’s Digital Automation Cloud. Konecranes Executive Vice President, Technologies, Juha Pankakoski believes that this advanced technology – which was showcased at Hannover Messe this year – has potential to enhance Konecranes’ current offering by increasing network capacity and reducing latency. Mr Pankakoski first discussed the customer benefits of utilising cloud technologies at a Nokia studio broadcast at the end of last month (April), where he was joined by experts from Nokia and Business Finland. Konecranes digital solutions are already implemented in global scale, with over 570,000 digitised service assets in 55,000 locations, including more than 1,500 in Australasia. More connections are being added every day. Real-time equipment monitoring technologies, such as Konecranes’ TRUCONNECT can be employed on any of Konecranes’ broad range of overhead cranes, jib cranes, gantry cranes, and lifting devices, that can typically lift anywhere between 500kgs and more than 2,000 tonnes. Konecranes TRUCONNECT technology monitors equipment in real-time “Konecranes is actively exploring advanced mobile networks that help our customers establish fast and reliable connections to cranes, even in harsh conditions where there is no general network available,” said Mr Pankakoski. “Konecranes equipment is used in a huge variety of industries, from basic manufacturing and assembly through to large logistics hubs and shipyards. There’s no ‘one- size fits all’ approach when it comes to digital solutions for these industries, but the basic outcome remains consistent: to enhance the efficiency, reliability and safety of material handling operations,” he […]

Checkmaster 2 for mobile testing of pluggable surge protection devices

Leading global electrical engineering manufacturer and innovator, Phoenix Contact, has released Checkmaster 2 – a mobile test case that lets technicians quickly and accurately test all Phoenix Contact pluggable surge protection devices. With Checkmaster 2, technicians can check the electrical status of their Phoenix Contact surge protection devices to prevent unexpected failures, and avoid unnecessary service calls. Checkmaster 2 features a convenient, integrated hand scanner that reads and identifies the surge protection device by its barcode. The test object is then simply inserted into the associated test adaptor and the test process started via the touch panel screen. The surge protection device is electrically tested in an automatic test process that compares the current electrical parameters of the components with the specified reference values. To ensure a highly accurate result, all of the installed protective elements of the surge protection device are electrically tested in a single cycle. These include triggered spark gaps, gas-filled surge protectors, varistors and suppressor diodes. The results are easy to see and read on a colour display, and three status levels accurately inform the technician of the current quality of the device. The three status levels are ‘OK: Test passed’, ‘Warning: Tolerance limit reached’, and ‘Defect: Replacement required’. These help the technician make informed decisions about the device to ensure the ongoing availability of systems. The tests undertaken by Checkmaster 2 conform with requirements in IEC 62305-3 and are performed using a high voltage generator. For user convenience, Checkmaster 2 documents and saves all test results to its internal memory. A USB port lets technicians transfer data for further processing as well as update software. Fully portable so that technicians can take it anywhere, the Checkmaster 2 comes in a sturdy protective case that also provides space for documents. Built with the user in mind, […]

Hamilton and Waikato first to enjoy ‘Warm White’ LED street lighting

Hamilton and Waikato drivers and residents are the first in New Zealand to experience unique warmer streetlights that reduce spillover glare into houses, are less harsh on the eyes and more energy efficient. Over 15,000 new street luminaires have been custom-made by Philips for Hamilton and the Waikato’s conditions, with half already in place and the rest being installed by the end of the year. While numerous districts throughout New Zealand have replaced older HID lights with LEDs, Hamilton and Waikato are the first to specify a 3000 Kelvin luminaire which provides an atmospheric form of ‘warm white’ lighting. This is a less harsh and more welcoming light compared to the more common 4000 Kelvin LEDs which produce a cooler blue-white light similar to daylight. As a fast-growing city, many of Hamilton’s major arterial roads lie in residential areas with high housing density. The lighting must both provide safety for drivers while not spilling over into people’s homes. In addition, New Zealand street light poles are often more spaced out than those in other countries so light has to reach between poles but not outwards or upwards towards homes. The $7.2 million project, funded by the NZ Transport Agency with contributions from Waikato District and Hamilton City Councils, covers all roads throughout the council areas and is scheduled for completion in December. It is being managed by the Infrastructure and Waikato Alliances, a strategic partnership between the councils and Downer, with Cory’s supplying 16,000 Philips ‘Road Grace’ luminaires. Over 9,300 existing lights will be upgraded on the two council’s P category residential roads and 5700 along higher volume V category roads. The new LEDs fit into existing street light poles and infrastructure, are more energy efficient and require less maintenance, with Hamilton expecting to save over $250,000 in reduced power […]

Synlait Palmerston North officially opened

“We’re very excited to be opening Synlait Palmerston North, which is home to our new Research and Development Centre,” says John Penno, Managing Director and CEO. “We have some major opportunities in front of us. With the strong team and partnerships we’ve got in place to lead liquid innovation within our business, we won’t miss a beat,” he says. Vice Chancellor of Massey University, Professor Jan Thomas, opened the facility and highlighted the important new relationship between Synlait and the university. “The establishment of Synlait’s new Research and Development Centre at Massey’s Manawatū campus is an excellent example of industry and the university collaborating closely to achieve real, tangible outcomes,” says Professor Thomas. “Strategic partnerships like these are vital if we are to start and grow new industries, create new jobs, and to remain competitive in the global marketplace. Massey University is New Zealand’s premier provider of food research and education, and at the forefront of pioneering such partnerships with the food industry.” she says. Synlait Palmerston North is a partnership with Massey University and FoodPilot, one of the New Zealand Food Innovation Network’s four hubs. The Palmerston North team will primarily concentrate on innovative dairy liquid product development, as well as supporting processes and technology. They will also play an important role in developing innovative export-orientated cream opportunities that leverage Synlait’s upcoming $125 million advanced liquid dairy packaging facility at Synlait Dunsandel. Synlait plans to double their investment over the next two years, having committed around $7 million to research and category development in the current financial year. They will be investing around $2 million on additional equipment for the FoodPilot facility, which can be used by others. Synlait currently has around 35 staff members working within the Research and Development Team, but this will continue to grow as […]

Robotics Plus signs global deal for robotic apple packers

Jamie Lunam and Dr. Alistair Scarfe. Deal highlights demand for agricultural automation technology; follows recent investment from Yamaha Motor Co. to accelerate company’s growth Robotics Plus, a New Zealand agricultural robotics and automation company, has signed an agency and distribution agreement with GlobalPac Technologies which will see the company’s revolutionary robotic apple packers go global. The deal, which will initially target the US, Australian and New Zealand markets, is fuelling a period of accelerated growth for Robotics Plus as industry demand for its innovation grows. GlobalPac Technologies is a joint venture between United States company Van Doren Sales and New Zealand-owned Jenkins Group. Robotics Plus CEO Steve Saunders says between the two companies, Van Doren and Jenkins have a presence in almost every packhouse in New Zealand, Australia and the US. “We see enormous potential in our new relationship with GlobalPac Technologies. Naturally their global packhouse relationships offer exciting opportunities for us to expand distribution of our apple packers to markets beyond New Zealand, but more importantly, they share our vision for the future of packhouse automation. Together we aim to transform the global horticulture industry.” Jenkins General Manager, Jamie Lunam, says: “Apple packhouses already use automation extensively for sorting and grading, but the process of arranging apples in trays for export is still highly labour intensive. “Labour shortages are a major and growing concern in New Zealand and many other food producing countries. We see Robotics Plus and their packing technology as game-changing for the industry. It is a very exciting time to be involved in helping to affect this positive change.” Van Doren CEO, Brett Pittsinger says the global apple industry has been packing apples the same way for decades. “Labour shortages are now causing major headaches for packhouses in the United Sates. It’s exciting to see the […]

The Interview: FARO

Spokesperson: CHEW Beow Kwan, Product Marketing Associate Manager, Asia Pacific, FARO Technologies Please tell us what BuildIT Construction is all about? The BuildIT Construction software leverages on FARO’s cutting-edge 3D metrology capability. FARO is to first to offer this fully integrated building lifecycle Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) management tool empowering construction professionals to continuously evaluate projects with real time comparisons against CAD designs using 3D scan data. The software from FARO uniquely enables laser scanner users to perform immediate, real-time build and verify analysis throughout the entire project, and facilitates a new level of cost management and operational efficiency. BuildIT Construction can be fully integrated with 3D data collected from FARO Focus Laser Scanners, optimised for the FARO TracerM Laser Projector for placement and layout of structural components and is compatible with the FARO Laser Tracker for prefabricated modular positioning. It can also be used seamlessly with other third-party hardware. Where do you see this software being used most? Application areas that will benefit most from the BuildIT Construction software include Architecture, Civil Engineering/Surveying, Construction, Facility Management, Historical Preservation, and Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP). AEC professionals will find the software useful for: Verifying accuracy of scan data to design models Detecting incorrect placement or missing features such as walls, columns, beams, pipes, etc. Performing important measurements accurately and quickly Inspecting construction for adherence to building standards Verifying shifts and movements within structural performance over time with 4D analysis Performing real time monitoring of adjacent structures throughout the project lifecycle Is there a lot of construction underway across ASEAN? Prospects for construction in the ASEAN region is generally bright. According to the Global Construction 2030 Report[1], the ASEAN construction market is expected to exceed US$1 trillion by 2030, with growth predominantly driven by labor intensive light […]

Company Profile: MSugar finds their sweet spot

“The less human intervention the better, that’s what customers want to see,” says MSugar Managing Director Jay Spittal. MSugar relocated to premises in East Tamaki in mid-2017, and just last month commissioned a new, state-of-the-art fully-automated liquid sugar processing plant to serve customers in the food and beverage manufacturing and beekeeping industries. “Humans make errors and errors can cause contamination, so we’ve built the highest spec plant we could to eliminate that risk,” says Jay. Building a new plant was the way forward MSugar has been trading cane sugars and other food commodities since 2009. Four years ago, the company also began supplying liquid sugar to beekeepers, who use it as a food supplement for bees, and to small-to-medium size food grade customers. “We used a contract manufacturer to start with and they were very good, but after two years we’d built the business up to a point where capacity was holding us back and building a new, automated processing plant was the only way forward.” “With financial analysis and the advice of our accountant and business adviser Karen Tobeck at Monteck Carter we built a business case and took that to our bankers, and thankfully they gave us their support and the funding we needed.” The market for liquid sugar is large in volume terms – millions of litres – but it’s not a spectacular growth market. The commitment to building a new processing plant was one piece in the strategy that MSugar is pursuing to carve out a competitive position in liquid sugar and to succeed by providing exceptional service and a quality product. “With our trading background we understand that ‘sugar is sugar,’ though we’d also argue there are quality differences determined by refining sources and processes. We identified ways to serve customers better by doing things […]

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