News Ticker

Leadership called for

New Zealand businesses want the government to show greater leadership around carbon, waste and water issues, a University of Waikato study has found. The report’s co-authors, Associate Professor Eva Collins and Professor Juliet Roper from the University’s Waikato Management School, say the findings are important for the government as it prepares for climate change talks in Paris later this year. The report shows many businesses are reluctant to invest more in sustainability initiatives until the government steps in to provide long-term regulatory certainty and level the playing field and lack of government leadership has seen companies stop measuring their carbon footprint or put their carbon strategies on hold. The full survey results are available online at http://www.mngt.waikato.ac.nz/sustainabilityreport/2014sustainabliltyreport.pdf

New Emission Targets Achievable

New emission trading targets are a realistic goal for New Zealand business, says the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA). However, it warns that New Zealand must continue to show willing to play its part in initiatives designed to combat climate change to maintain the goodwill of its trading partners. EMA CEO Kim Campbell says climate change and green technology issues were a major focus at a recent OECD meeting he attended in Paris and climate change issues are a major focus for many of our trading partners. “Climate change and emissions are a significant concern for our trade partners and if they don’t see us taking steps on these issues they will begin to question trade links with our businesses. It is also critical that whatever steps New Zealand takes, that we also retain our business competitiveness,” says Mr Campbell. “The new target presents an achievable goal for New Zealand while remaining a challenge given the balance of our economy. Around 50% of our emissions (mainly methane) are from the agriculture sector and another 22% from the transport sector. With the majority of our electricity generation already coming from renewables the quick gains available to many developed countries, made by switching from coal to alternative renewable generation sources, aren’t available to us in New Zealand.” The new targets have been set at 30% reductions on 2005 emission levels by 2030 or an 11% reduction on 1990 levels with the previous target being just 5% reductions on 1990 emission levels. “New Zealand is leading the international research project to reduce methane emissions from farm animals and the results are proving encouraging, while electric vehicle technology is playing a faster than expected role in transport options. Focusing on green technologies is also an area where New Zealand lags when compared to many […]

New Speedglas welding helmet Series 9100XXi

Represented by AWS Pty Ltd www.awsi.com.au the new Speedglas auto-darkening welding helmet series 9100XXi from 3M is built on 30 years of expertise and sets a new benchmark in welding helmet technology. The 3M Speedglas 9100XXi series is designed for professional welders who require optimum comfort, trusted protection and ultimate performance. The new top-of-the-line series features the largest Speedglas welding lens available. The Speedglas welding lens 9100XXi when combined with the peripheral Speedglas SideWindows gives welders the largest viewing area amongst auto-darkening welding helmets currently available on the Australian & New Zealand market at the time of printing. The new “True-View” lens delivers a greater degree of definition and natural colour. Shades of blue and red as well as contours and edges are more visible due to improved welding lens optics. The new “Grab-and-Go” motion detector senses movement and instantly activates the welding lens to the welding setting that was last used. A “One-Touch” external button activates grind mode. Another quick push reactivates the auto-darkening welding settings. Just like the programmed pre-set stations on a radio, the new “Set-and-Forget” feature allows welders to pre-set their most frequently used welding helmet settings. By holding down the external button, welders can seamlessly switch between different welding applications without having to re-set the welding helmet. Each memory mode has an individual setting for dark shade, switching sensitivity and dark-to-light delay. For example, by holding down the external button, the welder can switch between low-amp TIG and high-amp MIG welding in a matter of seconds. The new 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet Series 9100XXi is available with flip-up functionality, head protection, hearing protection and with powered or supplied air respiratory protection. Featuring Speedglas’ legendary comfort and performance and the new True-View, Grab-and-Go, One-Touch and Set-and-Forget features, the Speedglas Welding Helmet Series 9100XXi is in a […]

Leussink distributor for Faro Edge ScanArm + LLP Scanner

Leussink Engineering, appearing on Stand 112 at SouthMACH 2015, is the new Faro metrology distributor for New Zealand. Australian engineering design and refurbishment specialist Leussink Engineering has added Faro Metrology technologies equipment to their portfolio of engineering capabilities & distribution within New Zealand. The latest Faro Edge ScanArm is a portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM) that allows manufacturers easy verification of product quality by performing 3D inspections, tool certifications, CAD comparison, dimensional analysis, reverse engineering, and more. The all-new FARO Edge is the most advanced, state-of the-art Faro Arm ever produced. With the Edge ScanArm, the addition of the Faro Laser Line Probe to the Faro Arm adds unparalleled noncontact 3D scanning capabilities for detailed measurement of surface form, making the ScanArm the perfect combination of a contact and non-contact portable CMM. The Faro Laser Tracker is an extremely accurate, portable coordinate measuring machine that enables you to build products, optimise processes, and deliver solutions by measuring quickly, simply and precisely. Customers around the world trust the Faro Laser Tracker to solve their everyday measurement challenges as well as their most complex problems that simply weren’t previously possible. Companies are saving millions of dollars by completing jobs faster, reducing downtime, eliminating costly scrap, and getting accurate, consistent, and reportable measurement data. Key features of Faro Edge ScanArm and Vantage Laser Tracker include: • Accurately performs measurements within many refurbishment applications • Operates in real time • Particularly effective in measuring alignment and providing proper trending and distortions • Allows complex geometry, surfaces and feature positions to be compared to nominal data without any need to relocate the part to a fixed inspection tool • Provides full volumetric accuracy tests and verifies dimensional integrity and repeatability

NZ clean technologies exported to Asia

Two clean-tech investors, London-based ETI Dynamics and Auckland-based Greenhouse Capital, have joined forces to invest $100 million in exporting New Zealand clean technologies into India, Asia and Africa. The partnership was announced at the pair’s first bi-annual clean tech investment forum in Auckland today, which included discussions with companies seeking funding for offshore growth. Greenhouse Capital will also be a key partner for one of eight regional cleantech innovation hubs that ETI Dynamics is setting up. The partnership was a step forward for the kiwi cleantech sector and trade relationships with India, Greenhouse director Duncan Stewart said in a statement. He said ETI Dynamics had a large portfolio of projects in India and other regions could benefit from New Zealand’s technologies in this area. ETI Dynamics has released a prototype solar electric hybrid scooter in India which can travel 50 kilometres on a single charge at a top speed of 45 kilometres per hour. The company has said it’s planning to extend the concept to auto-rickshaws, buses and golf carts. In March, ETI Dynamics, whose technology and engineering hub is in India, participated in two roadshows in Auckland and Christchurch as part of a trade and investment delegation. It’s website says it signed eight memorandums of understanding on that trip with various kiwi organisations including Lincoln University and the Canterbury Development Corporation. It signed an MoU with Intelligent Green Energy NZ to develop utility-based and community oriented projects in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands in energy, drinking water, sanitation, and waste management. VR Power Dynamics, a joint venture between ETI Dynamics and VR Group, is also said to have signed an MoU with the Auckland company to provide green micro and mobile renewable energy solutions. The website also said that ETI Dynamics develops infrastructure projects through extensive use of […]

Emissions target challenging but achievable

New Zealand’s new target for emissions reduction is challenging but achievable with collective effort says BusinessNZ. The new national target of 30 percent less emissions than 2005 by 2030 will not be easy to achieve, but many businesses are already showing leadership in moving in that direction, BusinessNZ Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly said. “Business will want to engage with Government over how to deliver these reductions and more. “Our unique profile, with unusual predominance of agricultural and transport emissions, means we must be deliberate about how we achieve reductions without harming the economy. “Key to this will be a balanced outcome for all countries taking part in forthcoming negotiations in Paris, facilitating investment, technology development and access to markets in a way that provides New Zealand businesses with the confidence to invest in low-carbon solutions for emission reductions over the long term.”

Innovators need more encouragement and collaboration

New Zealand innovation desperately needs more encouragement and collaboration, says the New Zealand Innovation Council CEO, Louise Webster. Speaking in defence of Rocket Lab founder, and 2014 Innovators Award-winner Peter Beck and his proposal to locate a launch site for his rocket business in remote Canterbury, Ms Webster says Kiwis’ need to get behind Peter’s efforts and support local companies. “What Peter is doing is exciting and game changing for our country – and the world. Organisations like Peters, and entrepreneurs like him, put New Zealand on the map and help us all to be more ambitious, more driven, and to have more hope for the future and for our future generations. We are creating new technologies and serving them up to the world in style. Ms Webster says while we are a nation of idea generators, we need to get better at making these ideas a reality. “It’s people like Peter who show us that anything is possible.” The New Zealand Innovators Awards 2015 are open for entries and looking for the next wave of innovators, innovations and organisations that have invested in developing new products, services and ventures, as well as improving the performance of their people and teams. “Our awards are a breeding ground for ingenious individuals and their ideas,” says Ms Webster. “Regardless of size or stage of growth, the New Zealand Innovation Awards wants to hear about all contributions to Kiwi innovation. We can help you put yourself on a national stage, profile your business success and get connected to networks to help you develop and grow. “Collaboration across industries and sectors is key to growth and development for our country. We need both local and international partnerships and investors to help us test and develop global technologies – that is key to helping the […]

Manufacturing sales make a turn in May

The latest New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NZMEA) Survey of Business Conditions completed during June 2015, shows total sales in May 2015 decreased 9.13% (year on year export sales decreased by 7.59% with domestic sales decreasing 11.20%) on May 2014. The NZMEA survey sample this month covered NZ$397m in annualised sales, with an export content of 58%. Net confidence fell to -13, down from 17 in April. The current performance index (a combination of profitability and cash flow) is at 96.3, down from 100.3 last month, the change index (capacity utilisation, staff levels, orders and inventories) was at 100, up from 98 in the last survey, and the forecast index (investment, sales, profitability and staff) is at 102.5, down on the last result of 105.67. Anything over 100 indicates expansion. Constraints reported were 81% markets, 13% production capacity and 6% skilled staff. Net 13% of firms reported a modest rise in productivity in May. Staff numbers for May increased 1.20% year on year. Tradespersons, supervisors, managers, professional/scientists and operators/labourers all reported a moderate shortage. “May’s results showed a turn around in the recent positive trend for domestic sales, moving into year on year reductions in turnover after five months of year on year expansion. Export sales also fell into the negative after two months of good year on year increases. We hope this month’s results are just a temporary blip, rather than a negative trend, however the results are relatively in line with other recent business surveys.” says NZMEA Chief Executive Dieter Adam. “This month’s survey saw confidence moving back into the negative, after breaking into the positive last month. The performance index fell into contraction territory (below 100), and the forecast index, despite falling on last month, stayed in expansion. Staff numbers increased year on year, but more […]

The State of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in New Zealand – report

On the release of the report – The State of CSR in Australia and New Zealand Annual Review 2015 – Sustainable Business Council Executive Director Penny Nelson said: “We have seen a significant shift for New Zealand businesses over the past year. Increasingly, leaders are bringing sustainability into the heart of their organisation’s strategies. “A growing number of businesses are looking beyond sustainability as compliance or risk management and are seeing growing opportunities from embedding good business practice. The State of CSR report suggests that business innovators are tackling social and environmental issues because it creates both financial and non-financial value for them. “According to the report, innovators are more likely to prioritise addressing issues like poverty, inequality, human rights and the environment. They understand the close connection between their own long-term success and having healthy communities and ongoing access to natural resources. You can’t have one without the other. “It was interesting to see that overall, New Zealand businesses are more focused on environmental goals than Australian companies, yet less concerned with social issues. I think there’s growing awareness among New Zealand businesses of the important role they have to play in areas like youth unemployment and poverty. This will be an area to watch.”

Science and Engineering Open Days to offer insights into tertiary study

More than 200 secondary school students from throughout the North Island will have the opportunity next week to experience a day in the life of a science or engineering student at the University of Waikato. The University’s Faculty of Science & Engineering is geared up to host the annual Science Open Day (Wednesday, July 8) and Engineering Open Day (Thursday, July 9). Both events offer Year 11-13 students and adult learners the chance to spend the day on campus, attending hands-on workshops. Science Open Day will cover the subjects of physics, chemistry, computer sciences, Earth sciences and biological sciences. Engineering Open Day will cover the programmes of chemical and biological, mechanical, software, materials and process and electronic engineering. A full programme for each event is available on request. Contact: Deanna Tipene, 07 838 4628, or dmtipene@waikato.ac.nz

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