Regional Manufacturing

Showcasing the marvels of modern manufacturing

By Catherine Lye Head of Advanced Manufacturing and Export Communities EMA Manufacturing in New Zealand is full of clever, practical people solving complex, challenging problems with ingenuity and relentless hard work, making something from nothing and then making it better. There is some really smart stuff being made and we have got to get better about telling the stories that will inspire the next generation and greater diversity into this incredible, innovative sector of the NZ economy. The future of work was on display last week at the Canvas Careers Expo in Tauranga. Secondary school students saw innovation in action including high-end titanium road bikes produced through 3D Printing machinery, and the intricate and complex designs that are not possible with traditional manufacturing methods. The EMA and seven Tauranga manufacturers collaborated in a joint effort to build awareness, shift perceptions, and raise the profile of the manufacturing sector with students, educators, parents, potential and current workers. Manufacturing offers interesting and diverse opportunities to all people. Advanced Manufacturing has been prioritised for industry transformation due to its scale and potential to significantly increase productivity, higher wage jobs and a globally competitive low emissions sector. “Advanced” manufacturing refers to the use of modern technologies and processes, rather than whether the final products are high tech or not. The vision of the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Transformation Plan is “a thriving Aotearoa NZ manufacturing sector of world-class creators, innovators, and makers, delivering quality products, sustainable solutions, and intergenerational well-being.” One of the priorities developing and attracting a diverse high-skilled and high-wage workforce and showcasing the industry at events like the Canvas Careers Expo highlight the possibilities. The EMA had the support of twenty representatives from manufacturing companies Trimax Mowing Systems, Bluelab, Powerglide Elevators, Florentines Patisserie, Bay Blinds, RAM3D and Oasis Engineering. The expertise and capability […]

Electrical apprentice challenge back for 2023

With the annual challenge to find New Zealand’s best electrical apprentice back for 2023, the winners of the 2022 challenge have some sage advice for those considering entering, and for the employers of the young sparkies about to be put to the test. Exposure to all the varied elements of the industry that the competition provides is invaluable, says Mathew Masters, who won the Industrial Award in last year’s Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge, sponsored in part by Schneider Electric. “Taking part in the challenge is a rewarding way to upskill. The team at Dalton Electrical supported me with my learning going into it, and I was given opportunities many apprentices wouldn’t get to touch. “There’s a lot I didn’t know about the expanse of the industry when I came into it; I just wanted to do something hands-on after university, and now I’ve found what I’m good at. “I come from a programming background and the challenge was a catalyst for me to learn my way up. People want homes that run off their phones, but automation is becoming applicable in so many contexts now – including industrial – and I’ve been able to see the technical side of it, which opens up a whole new space in the electrical industry for me to explore.” Mathew’s advice for young people is “not to be afraid of the trades,” a sentiment shared by Palmerston North-based Thomas Mitchell, who recently completed his apprenticeship with Hedley Electrical and was the Domestic/Commercial Award winner in the 2022 Challenge. “I left school with an Excellence in NCEA but wasn’t overly excited about any of the careers that seemed to stem from university education. I came up against a bit of stigma about the trades being held in less esteem as a viable professional path, but […]

SouthMACH 2023 – technology and manufacturing excellence

SouthMACH, the bi-annual technology trade fair returns to Christchurch Arena 24-25 May, in two weeks time. www.southmach.co.nz With on-going change in products and services for the manufacturing sector, some of it quite profound, it is important to visit trade fairs like this, to see the latest technologies available and mix and discuss business opportunities with your peers. IIvisitors Visitors include Canterbury University, progressive members of the chamber of commerce, industry leaders, engineers, technical specialists, operations managers, company decisionmakers and operatives who have a stake in the future of manufacturing in the South Island – and further afield. Students are warmly invited to visit, to view and consider potential career options for the future. Partake in… Make NZ’s ‘Listen and Learn’ manufacturing industry conference on May 24, as part of SouthMach which will focus on peer-to-peer learning opportunities for manufacturing leaders. It’s a one-day conference with presentations from well-known and exciting manufacturing leaders across three sessions,” says Aad van der Poel, exhibition sales and event manager for Xpo Exhibitions, organiser of SouthMach 2023. Sessions during Listen and Learn will include a focus on the local and global environment that New Zealand manufacturers operate in, innovation for profit – as well as products, processes and business models. Reducing waste and carbon footprint will be covered and many are looking forward to MESNZ’s James Neale with his presentation ‘If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, do your homework first’. Van der Poel says that the wide variety of key industry people with crucial information will help manufacturers meet customer expectations, become an employer of choice, and retain a social licence to operate, Industry 4.0, to name but a few. “You will walk away with plenty of new ideas for making the boat go faster in your factory, and future-proofing you manufacturing business,” […]

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 […]

Southland to be an industrial powerhouse

The Southland Engineering & Manufacturing Cluster, a newly established group, is on a mission to turn Southland into a collaborative industrial powerhouse for the engineering sector. The initiative is driven by the knowledge that the South is rich in talent, with engineers and manufacturers capable of excelling in diverse projects across a multitude of industries and fields. The primary objective is to ensure the sustainability of engineering in the Southland region by fostering a thriving environment for industry players to work together. The Southland Engineering & Manufacturing Cluster is committed to facilitating growth and the equitable sharing of opportunities. Over the next few months, they will be making contact and introducing the concept and advantages of collaborative pitches and projects. Dean Addie, Chair of the Engineering & Manufacturing Cluster, underscores the importance of building a collaborative industry, to showcase the incredible capabilities of the region. He explains, “This will effectively demonstrate to potential clients what we can achieve and the vast breadth of knowledge and skill we bring to the table. By working collaboratively, we will empower our regions to bid for large engineering contracts with confidence.” The vision is to enable international and national contracts to be fulfilled in the South, leading to the growth of industries, more job opportunities, robust regional economies, and the creation of additional skilled positions. Southland’s people are not only highly skilled but also remarkably adaptable, with world-leading technology and projects emerging from the region. Brendan Gray, the Southland Engineering & Manufacturing Cluster Manager, stated, “I am thrilled to be on the ground, getting to understand the needs and desires of the engineering community, to fully support their transition and growth into a new era of business opportunities.” By becoming a part of the Southland Engineering & Manufacturing Cluster, there is a team working […]

Southland businesses benefiting from investment in technology

Businesses from Southland to as far afield as Canterbury are benefiting from a new computer numerical control (CNC) laser cutter investment from Southland firm MPE Limited, the first of its kind in the region. MPE Managing Director, Chris Hughes, said offering this technological capability had been highly sought after given the current pressures on labour and the continued focus on increased productivity currently experienced by southern manufacturing industries. “We’re helping our customers where we can, by taking the manual work out of specific jobs that can sometimes take days or weeks to complete. The automated function of the laser saves time and money, leaving the staff to utilise their time and skills more efficiently to add real value elsewhere in our clients’ businesses,” he said. Not only is the new machinery the single largest investment MPE has seen in decades, it is also an investment for the general industry in the lower to mid-South Island, offering customers a new, intelligent automated option for their steel processing and engineering needs. Chris said there were several machines that cut flat plate and used similar technology, but no machines in Southland that could do this to various profiles of sections other than plate. The design software converts 3D files into a code format for the machine and then the computer’s numerical control process takes over and produces high precision parts at speed which are more efficient than traditional methods, thus saving time and resources. Not only does it cut steel sections, but it was also designed and manufactured to be able to cut through a range of different profile sections in various steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass and other material types. Chris said that MPE had further integrated into their clients’ supply chain by performing this type of work which has allowed their […]

Richard Rookes, CEO, MHM Automation

How do you view the current market for automation? There is no better time than now to look at introducing technology to automate manufacturing processes. The international marketplace demands our customers be world leading in their operations and offerings, while also tackling the challenge of accessing labour. Covid has only exacerbated the labour shortage – and automation is an excellent solution to overcome this. What is your take on the industry in New Zealand at present? Is it an exciting space to be working in? New Zealand has always been a global leader in innovation, particularly as it relates to the food industry. However, the sector is fragmented with many small to mid-sized companies that do not have the scale or access to capital to take their technology to the world. MHM Automation has been consolidating a number of these businesses with a focus on building scale and diversification. We see it as an exciting place to be in – the drivers of automation in the food sector are many, from food safety, worker health and safety, food quality and keeping costs low. We see the drivers of automation improving and are excited about helping our customers future-proof their businesses. Briefly introduce me to MHM Automation MHM Automation is a leader in the design and supply of automated solutions to the food sector globally. We are headquartered out of Christchurch (NZ), and also have facilities in Hastings, Auckland, Brisbane and Green Bay, Wisconsin. MHM’s core business is working with the leading meat and dairy processors in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Our client base spans most of the major producers in these markets. MHM has three key product offerings: Chilling and freezing: Our Milmeq product range is a world leader in the chilling and freezing of meat and […]

How Tidy International helps float Kingfisher’s boats

When the Mason family bought into a Tauranga-based manufacturer of catamaran-hulled boats, the business management software being used included TidyEnterprise and Xero, critical to the co-ordination and control of their production and supply. After steadily maturing the workflows over the course of the year that followed the Mason family involvement, Kingfisher Boats today enjoys a software system that provides accurate stock and Work-in-Progress reports, with further developments in the works to accelerate overall business efficiency, optimise production processes and deliver company-wide data visibility. Kingfisher Boats is both designer and builder of the Kingfisher range of quality aluminium vessels with catamaran hulls sold through an approved marine distributor network. This growing New Zealand business, with its workshop facilities based in the city of Tauranga, happens to be located in the same city as Tidy’s international headquarters. Kingfisher has built up a solid range of marine-craft products for over 19 years, including commercial and recreational vessels ranging from 3m to 18m in length. Laura Mason, General Manager of the company, comments “what sets Kingfisher Boats apart is our focus on alloy catamarans. We’re unique in producing metal cats under 6 metres with a single engine – delivering a more stable platform in a compact package.” Situation Upon joining the business, Mason soon recognised opportunities for enhancing the manufacturing processes. Applying experience she gained in the automotive industry, with its long history of process standardisation and optimisation; from the production-line efficiency made famous by Henry Ford to Toyota’s Kaizen methodology of continuous improvement, Mason sought to advance the somewhat unstructured approach characteristic of smaller businesses towards a defined and repeatable model. Mason emphasises, “this does need to be differentiated depending on the boat we’re manufacturing. When we’re doing a multimillion dollar 18-metre vessel, there’s a lot of customisation so repeatability isn’t important. But […]

The sky’s the limit for growing Hutt Valley manufacturer

A high-tech design and manufacturing company based in the Hutt Valley is taking on the world while nurturing the region’s young talent. Times-7 designs and manufactures radio frequency identification antennas, otherwise known as RAIN (UHF) RFID. Founded in 2006,the company has established itself as a leading company in the global RFID market, exporting its products worldwide. Jos Kunnen, CEO and Managing Director, is committed to sustainable manufacturing in the Hutt Valley, saying, “this is the perfect place to be with other businesses around us that can support our growth and ambitions.” As uncertain as the future seemed when Covid-19 emerged, Jos says demand has skyrocketed due to an expanding market for RFID products. “We export almost everything we make, so we rely heavily on what happens in the rest of the world, especially North America and Europe.” When the first wave of covid-19 hit the US and Europe, projects stopped because no one could install products in retail stores, factories, or warehouses. Orders slowed, and supply chains became stressed and unpredictable. “Many companies suddenly realised they were not accurately tracking their inventory. They had to figure out how much stock they had but couldn’t get into their warehouses to check due to lockdown. They needed automation, so the demand for RFID products soared.” Last year, Times-7 celebrated its 15th year in business and is well-positioned for growth. Before Covid-19, companies were already piloting or deploying RFID; however, they realised they needed to speed up the implementation process. “This has driven demand. We are a part of a global RAIN Alliance group, and there are reports of others in our industry also experiencing significant growth. For context, the annual number of UHF RFID tagged items has risen from 21 billion to 28 billion over the last year. “All these tags need […]

Getting back on track

It is very good news that the country is now in Orange and flexibility around people gathering allows business to breathe a sigh of relief. We can only go up from here! As a nation – as a business nation – we have been wrapped up in Covid cotton wool for so long that many businesses closed and others will not get back to previous levels of performance. And of course, we don’t have enough skilled people for the work at hand at present and the continual threat of OE and crossing the ditch for better financial reward means it will be years before New Zealand can get back on a firm financial footing. Into the black…if at all. Keeping all the balls in the air is a challenge for this small economy, with so much demand on government finances to maintain existing systems. Closing down the country during Covid may have worked for health and safety but certainly not for business. One could argue that an amount of money needs to be spent on skilled workers, both internal and from overseas, (some will come back) to help realign the economy. Decent rates of pay so that effort is rewarded and a real incentive for improving productivity and efficiency. Keeping in mind, of course, that supply chain issues affect movement of goods, affect productivity, just as it does the current demand for New Zealand products. Changing markets, changing times. This government is going to have to live with their decision to halt the good work of so many businesses for the rest of their lives. It will haunt them to know that those who had, suddenly, had not. To arbitrarily decide who trades and who doesn’t – not based on their own personal business experience – was always going to […]

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Regional Manufacturing