Auckland Today Magazine 107

Issue107 107| |July/August July/August2014 2014 Issue

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Getting serious about LinkedIn Why it’s time to take this platform seriously

the

Left field ideas How to trigger creativity and improve decision making

edge How Greig Brebner turned a rain soaked epiphany into a global success story

Slippery slopes Warning signs your business is going bust

Pay raise alternatives Cash strapped alternatives to prevent people from leaving

Scoops of success The logistics and perils of operating in a nichĂŠ market

News | Initiatives | Interviews | Personalities | Success | Profiles | Finance | Property | Sustainability | Export | Transport | Retail | Solutions | ISSN 1173-1508

Issue 107 July/August 2014

Issue107 107| |July/August July/August2014 2014 Issue

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Getting serious about LinkedIn Why it’s time to take this platform seriously

the

Left field ideas

In this issue...

Viewpoints

Features

In business

6 The Prime Minister’s desk

12 Beating the winter blues

18 Packaging Council of New Zealand

John Key talks about getting the nation moving

Tips to boost the mood during days of grey

How to trigger creativity and improve decision making

edge How Greig Brebner turned a rain soaked epiphany into a global success story

Slippery slopes Warning signs your business is going bust

Pay raise alternatives Cash strapped alternatives to prevent people from leaving

Scoops of success The logistics and perils of operating in a niche market

6 Leadership

HRINZ chief executive Chris Till on lifting the level of leadership

News | Initiatives | Interviews | Personalities | Success | Profiles | Finance | Property | Sustainability | Export | Transport | Retail | Solutions | ISSN 1173-1508

Auckland Today

Issue 107

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7 Trends

Manuka Health CEO Kerry Paul discusses the buzz about bioactives

Martz Group boss Martz Witty tells you how to prepare for the looming tax payment changes

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Warren Wilks Steve Dando Luciana Lovrich Clive Greenwood Akash Sandhu Evelyn Gray Maree Aucamp Mogens Petersen

David Shearer on better ways to make our money work for us

8 Money

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7 Politics

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ISSN 1173-1508(Print) | ISSN 2230-6168(Online)

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8 Tactics

Gazelles business coach Leigh Paulden on how strategic thinking can separate you from the crowd

10 Sales

Whitehot Jewellery’s Sharron Le Riche talks about building a white hot sales team

10 Working life

Jane Cowan-Harris from WorkSpace IQ on the perils of workplace inactivity

11 Online

Website developer Suzanne Carter explains how AdWords can deliver real business results

11 Events diary

13 Getting serious about LinkedIn Why it’s time to take this platform seriously

34 Business Development

14 Here to help

Local groups that offer everything from guidance to finance

24 Scoops of success

66 Focus

22 Left field ideas

Carello Del Gelato owner Nathan Meyer talks about the inspiration, logistics and perils of operating in a niche market

28 The Blunt edge

Greig Brebner turned a rain soaked epiphany into a global success story

30 Slippery slopes

Masport Foundries, Dunninghams, Timbertanks, Natural Tree Products, Matrix Security, Dysart Timbers ITM and The COffee Club

78 Marine & Boating

Scott Lane Boat Builders’ hand crafted vessels and BioBrew’s fresh is best mantra

80 Goods and Services

Warning signs your business is gong bust

31 Pay raise alternatives

When you don’t have the money to talk, here’s how to prevent people from taking a walk

28

Hardy Trade Supply, Pirtek’s fluid transfer solutions, Kurtovich Products take the environmentally friendly path and Ace Tyres rolls along

86 Transport & Motoring

Driving excellence at North Harbour Ford and Mazda, Hobbs Global Logistic Solutions, Dickson’s Transport and Quarries, Southern Motor Painters and Panelbeaters, Normans Bus and Coach, Auckland Motors, William Gill and Sons specialise in Hyundai trucks and the company who can move mountains when you can’t, Crane and Cartage

108 Sustainable Business Network

- Win a bottle of Colonna lemon infused extra virgin oil on page 32

Cover image: (left to right) Josh Page, Scott Kington and Greig Brebner

38 Property and Construction

How to trigger creativity and improve decision making

Creator of the one page strategic plan, Verne Harnish is coming down under

Reader rewards in this issue…

- Win a free safety harness worth $115 from Tradextra on page 2

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare’s tools for today and how Millenium Plastics is helping shape the future

Lockwood Homes, Total Infrastructure, W Mattson marks a significant milestone, Primero Profiles, Kensington Landscaping, NZ Concrete Society’s 50th anniversary, Eye Level Construction and Lanzpec Landscaping, The House Company, PiNK Construction, USG Boral, Pro Floors, Contract Landscapes, Higgins Group and Monocrane

16 Big business thinker to share his ideas

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Viewpoints | The PM’s Desk/Leadership

Getting the nation moving

By Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister

At the end of June I spoke at the National Party conference and laid out our vision for another term should we have the privilege of governing after the 20 September election.

There’s no doubt that the economy is improving, and the country is in a more upbeat mood – certainly far more so than in 2008 when National came into office.

Back then, the economy was in tatters.

Getting it back on track has been tough.

But in June we recorded the third highest growth rate in the developed world.

Our country’s trade surplus is at a 20 year high. And next year, after all we’ve been through as a country, I’m proud to say that the Government’s books will be back in the black.

But a stronger economy isn’t an end in itself.

It’s a way of delivering the things people care most about.

My sense is that New Zealand has become a much more assured and optimistic country.

We have a plan, and that plan is working for New Zealand.

During the last year an extra 84,000 jobs were created and wages are rising every year - faster than inflation. New Zealanders have worked hard to get our country back on its feet.

The Government is ensuring that families share the dividends of that growth.

That’s why the heart of the May Budget was a $500 million package for families.

In it, we are increasing paid parental leave, boosting support for families with new-born children, and bringing in free doctors’ visits and prescriptions for children under 13.

Another part of our programme has been to boost investment on all-important infrastructure.

One of the key things we did on coming into government was designate seven Roads of National Significance in, or around, our largest population centres.

We are making rapid progress on the Waikato

Expressway, the Tauranga Eastern Link, the Kapiti Expressway and the Christchurch Southern Motorway. A lot of time was spent discussing and debating these projects in the past, but under our Government, we’re getting on and making them happen.

We have also been busy in the regions with projects like Kopu Bridge on the way to the Coromandel, and the Kurow bridges in North Otago. We’ve extended the Hawke’s Bay Expressway and Dunedin’s Southern Motorway.

At the end of June, I announced a package of 14 regional roading projects across the country. To get these projects going we are committing an extra $212 million of targeted funding from the Future Investment Fund, which was set up from the proceeds of the Government’s share offers.

We always said that the money from partial share floats would go towards buying new public assets for the good of New Zealanders and their families. Each project is important because it makes that particular road safer, helps the region be more productive or improves the way the roading network operates.

On the West Coast, for example, people know – all too well – the infamous one-lane, combined road and rail bridge between Hokitika and Greymouth.

Under our plan, we’re looking to start construction next term on a modern, two lane road bridge, with room for bikes, and a completely separate rail bridge.

Another project is the realignment of the Norman by Overbridge on State Highway 3 near Hawera.

There have been a number of serious and fatal accidents on this stretch of road, so this project will improve safety and save lives.

We are committed to funding a further six projects and – subject to the usual investigations – construction would start within three years. The other three projects will be further investigated and designed to the point of consenting – ready for construction to begin.

Taken together, these roading projects represent a significant new commitment in our regions.

DISCOVER

Raising the level of leadership

Chris Till is the chief executive of the HRINZ. Visit www.hrinz.org.nz

As evidenced by the Global Competitiveness Index from the World Economic Forum, New Zealand actually punches above its weight in areas like financial performance, operational delivery and governance.

However, there is a growing body of evidence and concern that our people leadership isn’t where it could, and should, be.

There is good evidence to support the view that New Zealand workers generally trust their bosses, but overall there’s an emerging pattern of underperformance in management and leadership.

Recent commentary from Winsborough Limited notes that global surveys of staff satisfaction and engagement report that most employees are unhappy at work.

The number one reason for this is dissatisfaction with their boss. This dissatisfaction kindles entrepreneurship and, perhaps, accounts for New Zealand’s very high rate of business start-ups. With only 30 percent of start-ups surviving for more than 10 years, and fewer than 10 percent of these growing, New Zealanders are working really hard, but not in ways that will help New Zealand climb back up the ranks of developed countries to where we belong or be more productive.

A recent OECD investigation of New Zealand’s low productivity and poor record of developing global business, points the finger squarely at poor management as a significant impediment. When compared to other countries, our people management capability unfortunately rates alongside that of Portugal, Greece and India, and lags significantly behind many of our competitors.

A 2011 report by the Ministry of Economic Development on management in the manufacturing sector stated that New Zealand managers are “average to middling by global standards” and that “people management emerges as the weakest area, where New Zealand firms trail most behind

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global best practice”. The authors suggest that “New Zealand may well be held back by a deficit in management capability”.

From my 30 plus years experience in personnel, human resources and general management, I have observed that in many cases people just don’t know what good leadership actually looks like and they often don’t know how to create it. It also seems that in many cases, well performing technical experts are being over promoted into leadership positions.

There is a lack of capital to develop leaders and we don’t seem to have a lot of genuinely transformational leadership development programmes in New Zealand.

We have a lot of management ‘tick the box’ kind of programmes, but these don’t prepare people well enough for leadership roles, so often we just throw them in at the deep end of a leadership quagmire.

Many people label people management issues as soft issues, but in fact they’re so hard that a lot of people excuse themselves away from them and prefer to focus on numbers and data - which can be more easily understood , don’t have emotions and certainly don’t shout, cry, go sick, breakdown or leave.

Leadership quality is incredibly important because good leadership underpins staff engagement. High levels of engagement lead to higher productivity, higher discretionary effort, better health and safety, better wellbeing and happiness at work, higher levels of customer service, better innovation and ultimately help organisations to attract and retain talented people.

It has always been true, that while people join organisations, those same people leave because of unpleasant environments, a lack of prospects and, frankly, poor bosses. Good leaders can fix all these challenges.

The first thing we need to do is accept that this is an area we can improve in, and that if we improve maybe we can get ourselves into the top 10 of the global competitiveness Index.

It’s not an easy problem to fix but it’s an important and urgent problem to fix - for both organisations and NZ Inc.

Viewpoints | Trends/Politics

The buzz about bioactives

Kerry Paul is the CEO of Manuka Health NZ. Visit www.manukahealth.co.nz

The growing global consumer health market is opening up opportunities for innovative products based on the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of New Zealand Manuka honey.

Growth in the health and nutrition sector is being driven by a number of compelling global trends.

Consumers in developed countries are increasingly looking for natural health products to improve their quality of life, address short term conditions and provide protection against the onset of chronic illness.

What does this mean for New Zealand’s Manuka honey industry?

Well, 25 percent growth a year is expected in the wellness range in the medium term as the antibacterial properties of Manuka honey become increasingly well known, particularly in China and South East Asia.

The North American market, which has hardly been tapped in relation to Manuka honey, is also becoming a key focus.

The industry is currently in a growth phase, but global demand will eventually outstrip New Zealand’s raw Manuka honey production.

So the future lies not in pots of honey, but in moving from commodity to valueadded products where export earnings could increase incrementally. With this in mind, here at Manuka Health we are well positioned to capitalise on these opportunities.

With 20 percent share of the global market, our company is the Manuka honey market leader in 35 countries.

Adoption of quality systems and processes ensures bioactive levels in Manuka Health’s products are maximised and allocated according to end application. We are one of the few natural health companies in New Zealand with ISO 9001, ISO 17425 and British Retail Certifications

Naturally

Boosted Manuka Honey

Partnerships with leading research institutes both in New Zealand and internationally provide the scientific evidence to back the efficacy of our products, helping us to meet stringent regulatory requirements at home and in our export markets.

The move from being commodity based to value-added product orientated requires research. Our research has enabled us to develop exciting, innovative products with patent protection.

And that’s just good business – no matter what industry you’re in.

Manuka Honey CycloPower™ is an example of this for us. Manuka Health’s Japanese research partners discovered that when Manuka honey is combined with CycloPower™ (natural fibre derived from plant material), the antibacterial potency of Manuka honey gets significantly boosted.

Inspired by the results, scientist at Manuka Health developed the two first products in the range of MGO™ 400+ and Manuka Honey with CycloPower™ - vegetable capsules for gastro-intestinal health and chewable tablets for mouth and throat.

Our wound care range, developed with a US partner and approved by the US Federal Drug Administration for sale into the North American market, is another exciting innovation.

The honey-based dressing is being used with success where traditional management methods have failed to heal conditions such as burns, surgery wounds, or diabetic ulcers.

Supply is currently managed from Manuka Health’s bee keeping operation while we pursue a range of initiatives to ramp up Manuka honey and propolis supply to meet growing market demand for innovative, natural products.

The emerging next generation of products will combine raw materials with delivery technologies to allow us to enter new markets, moving Manuka Health away from our dependence on natural health “commodities” to a largely uncontested section of the natural health care market.

Making our money work for us

David Shearer is the Labour Party spokesman for energy and foreign affairs

Here’s a question: would you prefer your money going into your retirement savings for the future, or pay higher mortgage and credit card payments?

I know what almost everyone would go for.

Of course we prefer money being put into our savings. And that’s why Labour will bring in changes to the Reserve Bank.

Right now, if the Reserve Bank wants to bring down inflation, it raises interest rates. But that means people pay higher interest rates on their mortgages, with most of that money going offshore because our main banks are foreign owned.

Higher mortgages make our houses less affordable because families can’t afford to pay the loans. It also pushes the value of our dollar up and clobbers our exporters because the price of our goods shoots up in our overseas markets.

So what David Parker, Labour’s finance spokesperson put forward, is that when inflation needs to be brought down, rather than simply putting up interest rates, we’ll let the KiwiSaver contribution rate be adjusted.

That means the money will be going into your Kiwisaver account not into bankers’ pockets.

We save more as a country and pay less in interest.

It’s also important to tackle the sources of inflation, not just the symptoms.

A big part of our problem is our overinflated housing market, especially in Christchurch and Auckland. Labour will tackle prices going up by building more affordable houses with our KiwiBuild policy.

A Capital Gains Tax will be brought in to target property speculators. And foreign speculators will be prevented from buying houses and pushing prices up beyond the reach of Kiwis.

Australia has $1.5 trillion tucked away from their compulsory version of Kiwisaver. We are already 25 years behind them and playing catch-up.

Universal KiwiSaver and the new VSR mechanism will mean everyone will be better off because we will not only have a low interest rate and fair exchange rate regime, but everyone will have their own savings nest egg as well.

So that’s Labour’s plan: we’ll deliver lower mortgage rates, a fair exchange rate, more jobs, and higher wages. We will preserve the good things about the current system, while making it fit for the 21st century.

We can’t simply operate as we have done for 25 years when it isn’t working for New Zealand.

By international standards we have higher interest rates, higher mortgage payments and an over-valued currency, which forces our exporters out of business and sees our firms undercut at home.

In turn, that will mean lower mortgage and credit card payments for families, as well as lower borrowing costs for businesses. That will This is costing Kiwis jobs, making home flow on to a lower exchange rate, which will ownership unaffordable for many, and leaving boost our exporters and create jobs. us with international debt.

Labour will make KiwiSaver universal so It doesn’t have to be this way. Labour’s got a everyone is included. smarter approach.

That’s just one idea on how to change the Labour’s vision is for our exporters to thrive, economy. There are many others, because bringing in more income into New Zealand despite what some people say, there is no and creating more jobs and higher wages for easy quick fix. all New Zealanders. This policy will help to achieve that vision.

So a Labour government will also broaden the Reserve Bank’s objectives so it’s not just Labour’s monetary policy has received about managing inflation, but also building a support from exporters and economics healthier economy. commentators across the board. While the current government is stuck in the past, we’re That’s better than a narrow focus on offering a plan for the future. inflation alone.

Power up your digestive health with CycloPower™ Manuka Honey

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Viewpoints | Money/Tactics

Big tax payment changes are afoot - are you ready?

Harness the power of strategic thinking

Martz Witty heads the Martz Group, aligning chartered accountancy with the creativity of business development. Visit www.martz.co.nz

From October 1, 2014 there’s changes that may materially affect the way you make payments to the Inland Revenue Department.

Change is an ever increasing and challenging thing in business. As business owners and managers we need to know what’s happening and then asses our systems and procedures to cope with the change. It’s relentless, but it’s a given so best we keep abreast of things and plan for it sooner rather than later.

When a due date fell on a weekend you got an extra few days advantage.

Another change from October 1, is that Westpac will no longer be able to accept counter cheque payments and drop off returns. You can still make cash and eftpos payments, though these will be treated as received by due-date. IRD’s logic in removing this service from Westpac is that IRD offices can accept cheque payments, returns and forms directly.

Recent moves have seen a desire by IRD for taxpayers to use more online technology, from filing returns through to making online From October 1 payments made to the IRD payments. It is fair to state that digital need to be received by IRD on or before due payments are more secure and faster than date to avoid payment penalties and interest. traditional payment methods. They’re also No longer will a payment posted on or before available 24 hours and seven days a week. due date be accepted. It must be received When a due date falls on a weekend from on or before due date by the Inland October 1, 2014 the return forms need to be in Revenue Department.

Inland Revenue’s hands on or before the due Cash is king in any business and managing date together with payment in full. The next cash flow is a crucially important function for trading day will become the due date and every business, no matter what line of work receipt of forms needs to be before business you choose to operate in. Paying bills on closes on that day. Payment that evening will time keeps your credit ratings in good shape, still be accepted by IRD as being received on paying IRD on time is equally important. due date.

Late payment fines, penalties and Use of It might seem a minor change, but the Money Interest all contribute to spending implications for businesses that have relied money on items you don’t want to. on keeping that payment out as long as Penalties and late filing fees aren’t even tax possible will need some managing. So too deductible; at least Use of Money Interest is will office procedures around the sending in but then why pay it if you don’t need to. of the returns if these are still going to be The days of using IRD as a bank have long since ended. That’s why they introduced Use of Money Interest all those years ago.

It was a common ploy by businesses to try and squeeze a few extra days’ time for payments by posting a cheque on the due date, then wait for the post to deliver a few days later. So long as it was postmarked with the due date or earlier everything was sweet with the Inland Revenue and you got to keep your money in your bank for another couple or three days – sometimes even longer.

Many businesses even relied on those few days as they waited eagerly for their creditors to pay them on the 20th of the month whilst their PAYE cheque (for example) was lurking in a post office bag somewhere up and down the country.

sent by post.

You can’t control the post and a post mark will no longer be argument enough that you fulfilled your obligations. Fines for late filing of returns can really mount up depending on the tax type you’re filing, be it Goods and Services Tax, P.A.Y.E., or Resident Withholding Tax to name just three.

Leigh Paulden is one of only two Gazelles International certified business coaches in New Zealand. Visit www.advancing-businesses.co.nz

You already have the tools you need to help your team succeed - your strategic thinking skills.

It is the ability to think strategically is the one leadership skill that can set your team and business above others.

Business has changed rapidly in the last 10 years, product lifecycles have shortened, outsourcing has reorganised entire sectors, real time marketing and social media are mainstream tools and the world’s trading stage is becoming increasingly easier to access.

Every company is applying innovativeness, influence, communication skills and technology to enhance their ability to get things done, but you can distinguish your business by showing you can think (and act) strategically.

Last year, Management Research Group (MRG) did a global study evaluating the leadership practices and effectiveness of 60,000 managers and executives in 140+ countries and 26 industries.

The leading observation was that a strategic approach to leadership was, on average, 10 times more important to the perception of effectiveness than other behaviours studied. It was twice as important as communication (the second most important behaviour), and almost 50 times more important than hands-on tactical performance.

The MRG study found that: • Strategic leaders take a broad, long range approach to problem solving and decision making that involves objective analysis, thinking ahead and planning.

A recent statistic from IRD informed us that they have about 70 percent of payments to them made electronically now. This hardened stand on payment due dates will bring all taxpayers into line so that they can all be treated equally.

• They are able to think in multiple time frames, identifying what needs to be accomplished over time and what has to happen now; in six months; in a year and in three years, to achieve those goals.

If you have any concern about this planned change in policy from the Inland Revenue Department we recommend you have a chat with your accountant or financial advisors.

• Strategic leadership is also about thinking systemically. Being able to identifying the impact of decisions on various segments of the business and on customers.

How to develop strategic thinking leaders The ability to think strategically is not a skill as such that can be taught - it’s more a mindset and innate ability a person has. That said, you can still create an environment that encourages and fosters strategic thinking among your leadership teams.

• Information - lots of it, shared regularly, is vital. In order for managers to evaluate their thinking beyond the day to day, they need to know what’s happening in your sector, the wider market, with your customers, competitors and what new technologies, products and services are influencing your business.

• Share internal information across all areas of the business. Cross-functional teams can work on strategic organisational issues, and the results of their thinking and efforts should be recorded and shared across the business.

• Connect managers with a strategically thinking mentors/consultants to help guide and encourage them to look beyond the square.

• Share the company’s boarder strategy, goal, mission and philosophies so individuals and teams stay focused on the big picture.

• Reward people for evidence of thinking.

Part of the strategic process is anticipating opportunities and avoiding problems. For example, reward managers for being able to quickly generate several solutions to a potential problem and then identifying the solution with the greatest long term benefits.

• Promote a strategic thinking culture.

Encourage everyone to ask probing questions.

When a course of action is suggested, ask the team to consider what underlying strategic goal it serves, and what the impact will be on the company and its customers.

Encourage everyone in the business to anticipate, challenge, interpret, decide, align and learn. These behaviours will lead to a strategic path forward.

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Viewpoints | Sales/Working life

Build a dynamic sales team

The perils of inactivity

Jane Cowan-Harris heads WorkSpace IQ, a consultancy committed to intelligent workspace design. Visit www.workspaceiq.co.nz

Sharron Le Riche is the founder and director of Whitehot Jewellery - a direct selling company that operates across New Zealand.

Visit www.whitehot.co.nz

Sales success is all about people and their performance. But, more than that, it’s about how each individual works, relates and achieves within a team, while still maintaining their own identity and personality.

Building a strong and productive culture within your business takes time, commitment and consistency from the leadership team.

An engaged sales team needs a chance to get together - talk about their progress and challenges and share their experiences.

This sharing will help others be more successful and help solve problems. It also gives people the chance to get to know each other on a personal level. It is much easier to get teams working together when they know each other and view others as team mates, not competitors.

Culture is more than a statement on display in a photo frame; it’s a way of doing business and it requires everyone in the company to be committed to the collective end goals.

In our business, many of our reps work remotely (away from their team leader and other team members), but we are still able to create productive working teams through virtual meetings – Skype, webinars, conference calls and social media pages.

At Whitehot Jewellery our culture is one of supporting each other, working with a positive, can-do attitude, creating the best customer experience possible, and providing flexibility, support and training.

We also put people in touch with others in their team or company who have expertise in different areas of the business, enabling them to share their expertise and build everyone’s skill levels.

Maintaining and growing a dynamic team culture relies heavily on the recruitment process.

Celebrate success Keeping people engaged requires recognition and rewards. Set goals with every individual and then always encourage and recognise achievements.

In my experience, attitude always outweighs skill. You must recruit people with similar attitudes (not skills) as they embrace and relate to your culture more easily.

Your training programme needs to continually expand on the company’s key attitudes and provide the necessary skills to be successful within your culture.

Value authentic communication Encourage your people to speak up, share ideas, ask questions, become involved and help each other. This provides a sense of belonging and a feeling of genuinely being involved in the success of the company.

Real communication within a team helps people to work together, rather than against each other. Within our team we communicate changes quickly and often ask for ideas before making any changes, as this helps people feel involved; as opposed to feeling they are the “last to know”.

As well as team and companywide communication platforms (online, newsletters and phone conferences) it’s essential to have regular face to face meetings.

It’s important to celebrate the success of individuals and the team as a whole.

I believe a heartfelt “well done” is worth more than the income earned from the sale.

On the flip side – address negative behaviours and attitudes when they arise, if ignored, these negatives can spread to others in the team.

Lead by example Trust is essential in a successful and dynamic team, and this means leading by example.

Show others you trust them by delegating responsibilities and letting them know you rely on them to deliver.

And when things don’t always go according to plan, encourage and help people to think of solutions to the issues, rather than dwelling on the problem or looking for someone or something to blame.

Through a planned schedule of training, support, trust and communication your team dynamics will improve, and managed consistently, this can only lead to increased success.

Are you reading this standing up?

Sitting down? Maybe you’re at your desk, browsing magazines in a reception area or perhaps waiting for a coffee.

Whatever you’re doing, I have a suggestion for you... please MOVE! Yes move... right now! If you’re sitting, ideally please stand up.

If you’re standing, please stretch out. Why? Well, because even though it’s fairly common knowledge these days that inactivity is bad for us, it’s still very easy to seize up as we focus on whatever task we have at hand.

Did you know that on average, office workers spend five hours, 41 minutes sitting down?

As a workplace wellness specialist I spend a lot of time helping people who have workrelated issues such as low back pain, neck and shoulder pain and tired eyes or headaches.

While some of these issues are caused by sports injuries or poorly positioned screens, most are caused by long periods of sitting, looking at a computer screen - an activity many of us who work in an office take for granted as being a part of our everyday life.

You may well have heard the pithy new phrase that ‘Sitting is the new smoking’!

Now, whether it’s quite that bad is debatable however, research does confirm that a sedentary lifestyle is detrimental to health long term and there is growing evidence to show that spending more of your day standing could reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

It takes more than a work-out to keep us moving. While we used to think the answer was to go to the gym for a rigorous workout after a day sitting in the office, new evidence suggests that it takes more than brief bouts of strenuous exercise to negate extended periods of sitting. Instead, the solution is to try and incorporate standing, pacing and other forms of activity into your day along with some sitting. Being able to stand at your desk for some of the time is by far the easiest way to achieve this.

Is the solution really as simple as standing up?

There’s a growing buzz around sit-stand desks at the moment and people are increasingly asking me about these when discussing their

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furniture purchases. While I would love to say buying a sit-stand desk provides a simple solution, there is a lot more to buying a desk (and chair) than meets the eye.

If sit-stand desks are to work, you must consider each situation in your workplace individually before you purchase.

For example: One height does not work for everyone.

If people share hot desks, or work in a call centre with shared workspaces, will they be able to/know how to adjust their desks to suit?

If a desk is at a fixed height, is it realistic to expect people to stand for the entire day? If not, do you have space for a standard desk which they can also sit down at? (Even if there are tall architectural chairs available, unless they are also the right height for the person sitting at them, they’ll need an additional foot stool to otherwise avoid health problems may well arise).

Standing is not an easy option for everyone, for example, anyone with hip or knee problems, severe back issues, low back problems or varicose veins simply cannot stand for long periods. Using a standard sitting height desk and incorporating some movement strategies as suggested below is a better option for them.

Overall however, if you do have the option to use a sit-stand desk, provided you have them correctly set-up, both for the role they’re to be used for and for the person who is using them, they do provide a healthier alternative to sitting all day.

So will you sit, stand or sit-stand?

Take a moment now to think about how much time you sit down during your day and consider what action you could take to improve your health in both the short and long term.

Can you incorporate regular stretches into your day, get up to fill your water bottle or have walking meetings rather than sitting around a table? And if you’re considering new office furniture, as long as you think why before you buy, maybe this could be the year of the standing desk for you?

Viewpoints | Online/Events Diary

Using AdWords to deliver real business results

EVENTS DIARY

What’s happening on the business and entertainment front MONDAY, JULY 28 Project Management

Suzanne Carter is the business development manager for website development company Limelight Online. Visit www.limelightonline.co.nz

I expect most of you have come across Google AdWords advertising by now, but are nervous about giving it a go. The aim of this column is to help you make up your mind whether it is for you or not.

What is Google AdWords?

It is an online advertising programme run

by Google and it places adverts at the top, bottom or at the side of (on the right) the results that are shown when you conduct a search on Google.

your campaign is live your adverts will start showing. This means you can start getting new leads immediately.

• Most smartphone users look for local information on their phone - they might be looking for a restaurant, a motel or a hairdresser in their area. Adverts show at the top of the search results page on smartphones thus placing your business ahead of your competitors.

• There is no ongoing commitment. You can pause or stop your campaigns at any time.

You control your budget. You can spend as little or as much you want.

• You can create a campaign around a These adverts are shown according to the particular special or promotion you relevance of the search query so, for example, are running. adverts for hairdressing services are not likely to show if someone is looking for ‘accounting • You can choose to promote your services in any geographical location you choose. services Auckland’.

Google AdWords works like an auction system. If you want your ad to be shown first, second, third etc, you place a bid and depending on the price bid by other advertisers, your advert will achieve your desired position or it will be relegated to a lower position if you are outbid.

Why should I have a Google Adwords campaign?

• It’s completely free to set up. You are only charged when someone clicks on your ad.

When you set up your campaign you can determine your daily budget and once your daily budget has been reached then your ads will stop showing.

• You can choose when you want your adverts to show. You might want to show your ads at weekends only or Monday to Friday from 9pm to 5pm if you know that is when your target market is likely to be searching for your product or service.

• Instantly get your business found. Once

• It is fully measurable. You know how important it is to measure your return on investment, so the great thing about Google AdWords is that it allows you to track exactly how your advert is doing. For example, you can see how many visitors are coming to your site via your advert, what keywords they searched on to find you, where they are in the world, which adverts work better etc.

As you can see what is working and what isn’t, you have the information to make the necessary changes to your campaign.

As you can see, there are many advantages to setting up a Google AdWords advertising campaign but as with all things, if the campaign is not set up well it can end up being costly.

As you are paying each time someone clicks on your advert, you need to make sure that your advert is targeting exactly the right market for your business. It is therefore really important to do your research first and learn as much as you can about setting up a campaign.

Learn how to run a project from start to finish and how to identify and avoid the pitfalls to make your next project a success. The one day course will give you a sound understanding of what project management involves, setting goals, managing stakeholders, preparing schedules and charts, controlling changes and tracking progress. This course is run by a certified project manager in a small interactive class. You will receive a specialised manual, personalised certificate on completion and refreshments throughout the day.

To buy tickets, visit: www.minervalearning.co.nz

TUESDAY, JULY 29

Assess Market Opportunities Are you considering developing or launching a new venture, product or service? Then it is important you test the water first and assess whether your new opportunity is viable. In this Icehouse market opportunities short course you will learn the simple ‘Ready, Aim, Fire’ system to thoroughly investigate a new venture, and assess if a market opportunity exists for your product and understand what your target market wants.

buying a business and want to make it a profitable success, and who doesn’t? Then this is the course for you. The course will cover all the skills a good entrepreneur needs to master including how to choose a business, how to build your business to profitability, how to market your business and how to keep records.

To buy tickets, visit: www.selwyncomed.school.nz

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6 Be Cash Positive Money is the life source of any business, without it you’ll go under, so learn to budget and manage cashflow effectively. With a strong focus on the fundamentals of finance, you’ll learn to budget and manage cash flow so you always have cash when you need it.

This short Be Cash Positive course will cover cash flow forecasting, cash vs profit, cash conversion cycle, working capital and more.

To buy tickets, visit: www.theicehouse.co.nz

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6 -7 Integrated Email Marketing

Learn how to maximise your email responses and online marketing with the two day Integrated Email Marketing course. Hear To buy tickets, visit: www.theicehouse.co.nz from both industry practitioners and email service providers about how to get the best design and web campaign to ensure your THURSDAY, JULY 31 – AUGUST 3 emails are both delivered and achieve your The Food Show Auckland return on investment. This marketing course The biggest food show in New Zealand returns is for people who are marketing managers, once again to Auckland over four massive communication managers, campaign days. Taste and buy the very best food, drink, managers and online marketing professionals. and kitchen equipment from hundreds of To buy tickets, visit: www.marketing.org.nz stalls based here in New Zealand and around the world. It’s like a massive delicatessen and kitchenware shop all rolled into one.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13 Entry tickets include access to dozens of free Business Shorts Networking cooking demos from celebrity.

Bring your business cards and meet other like To buy tickets, visit: www.foodshow.co.nz minded professional in relaxed networking evening. Plus listen to the wise words of MONDAY, AUGUST 4 guest speaker Dr Paul Wood as he discusses How to Make More Money and Think Like combating poor workplace performance. This an Entrepreneur presentation will be useful for anyone that has to address performance gaps with employees.

Discover the skills to become a successful Have your questions ready for Dr Wood and entrepreneur with this eight week evening enjoy networking over drinks and canapés. business course starting on Monday August 4.

If you are starting a business or considering To buy tickets, visit: www.servcorp.co.nz

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 11

News | Motivation

Beating the winter blues Discovering our

By Laura Hall

Are the short grey days, long cold nights, frosty mornings, wind, hail and rain getting to you?

The lack of sunshine can zap motivation levels and positive attitudes not only at home, but in the workplace too.

It is understandable if you and your employees are suffering from a bout of the winter blues, but if you have noticed your staff’s enthusiasm, work output and general health and wellbeing drop, then it is important you take action to bring a little sunshine into the office, not only for the company’s sake, but for your staff’s mental and physical health too.

Happy, high functioning staff equals a productive and successful business. So here are some tips to boost moods and beat the winter blues.

Walking groups Moderate exercise, such as walking, lifts your motivation and mood. The simple act of walking stimulates your body to release hormones such as endorphins, serotonin and dopamine which increases concentration and happiness.

So rug up and take the first step to a happier workplace by starting a lunchtime walking group, or why not try walking meetings - you can get work done while shaking off the cold.

Have fun Winter can make people want to hibernate at home and avoid social contact. But it is important for people to socialise, laugh and have a good time, including in the workplace.

Take proactive steps to pull you and your staff out of the winter doldrums with fun work events. It could be as simple as a monthly work shout lunch or happy hour drinks on a Friday afternoon to bring the team together.

If you want to take the fun outside of the office why not consider team bonding exercises like a pub quiz, paint ball or a round of golf.

12 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Feng Shui your office A well organised, functional and personalised work space creates a calm productive atmosphere and can lift your employees’ spirits. Encourage your staff to individualise their desks with personalised items like family photos, pot plants and posters.

Feng Shui suggests bright colours and light increase people’s wellbeing, so try introducing a bright piece of art work or a full spectrum lamp. Clean air is also great for our overall health. Items like pot plants, air diffusers or a small fountain are all great ways of purifying the air.

Acknowledge it If you are the boss and are struggling with mild winter depression, don’t be afraid to talk with your colleagues. Acknowledging it will lift you out of the slump and you may find talking about it supports staff struggling in a similar situation.

Your upfront honesty will show your softer side, helping staff relate to you more, which will ultimately build strong workplace relationships and a healthy working environment.

Be ambitious One sure fire way to keep your employees morale and spirits high is by setting personal and groups goals to challenge and excite them, maintaining enthusiasm and drive for work.

Set goals with your staff which have clear methods of career progression that help them to move up in the company, then support them with strategies to achieve their goals.

Setting goals and following through with them energises and encourages staff to work harder. With all of their energy focussed on career advancement they’ll soon be lifted from the seasonal blues.

innovative flair

Now is the time to tell your story by entering the New Zealand Innovators’ Awards, celebrating our nation’s innovation and commercialisation.

Innovation Council CEO, Louise Webster says, as a nation, we have a history of innovation “… in our communities, our personalities and in our DNA. “Our interest and passion to create new things, find new solutions and develop new products and ventures makes us a nation of great Kiwi innovators.”

The awards, now in their fourth year, aim to unearth, reward and celebrate research, innovation and commercialisation, putting great Kiwi companies on a national stage to help them grow.

“The 2013 entrants were impressive and the event is clearly having a positive impact on the innovation and business community,” says Bayer New Zealand managing director Dr Holger Detje.

“As foundation sponsor of the awards, we’re thrilled to be a part of the process and are excited to see what will be unearthed this year. At Bayer we see innovation as key to business success, investing more than three billion euro globally in research and development each year across our health care, agriculture and high-tech materials businesses.”

Other foundation sponsors include the New Zealand Innovation Council, Idealog and Ideas Accelerator, as well as category sponsors James and Wells, 3M, Alcatel Lucent, Datamine, NZ Trade and Enterprise, Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Yealands Wine Group, Tangible Media, Dominion Breweries, Radio Live and Waterfront Auckland.

Auckland, but there were also strong entries from Otago and the West Coast, as well as most major cities throughout New Zealand.

This year organisers expect to see strong entries across many sectors throughout the country.

Last year, the supreme winner was Pacific Edge for its bladder cancer diagnostic management system, and winner of the Innovation Communications Technology was computing vendor, GreenButton, which had customers including Pixar, NASA and Boeing and was bought by Microsoft this year.

“Outstanding innovation can come from anywhere, from technology to the services sector to developing new management strategies. We’re looking for a wide variety of innovation this year, from a diverse range of businesses and industries,” says Webster.

Entries for the NZ Innovators Awards opened on June, 12th and close on August 14th. Share your innovative product, services or business with the world at www.innovators.org.nz

Industry & Business Categories: • Innovation in Design & Engineering • Innovation in Sustainability & Clean-tech • Innovation in Environment & Agriculture • Innovation in Health & Science • Innovation in Hospitality, Food & Beverage • Innovation in ICT & Cloud Solutions • Innovation in Marketing & Communications • Innovation in Media, Music & Entertainment • Innovation in Financial & Professional Services.

From these categories, the evaluators will select:

In 2013, award entries came from nine industries and business disciplines including; design and engineering, information communications technology, media music and entertainment, marketing and communications, as well as hospitality food and beverage.

• Bayer Supreme New Zealand Innovator

Entries came particularly from high growth companies with fewer than 50 employees.

Overall, 56 percent of entrants were from

• The People’s Choice – Idealog Magazine online award

• Emerging New Zealand Innovator • Most Inspiring Individual • Export Innovator of the Year • Innovation Excellence in Research

• Excellence in Social Innovation.

News | Social Media

Get serious about LinkedIn

By Davina Richards

Ahh LinkedIn… it’s one of those words we drop into a conversation to make others think we mean business.

And we do. But even as an active user, can you honestly admit you know how to use LinkedIn to your best advantage?

As of early, 2014, LinkedIn has 277 million users. It’s one of the most powerful tools for making valuable business associates and building a professional network is just as important as retaining your staff, because without both, what exactly are you trying to build?

When it comes to LinkedIn, we sign up, we log in, take a look around, upload a good selfie and fill in the blank boxes - but remember this is no Facebook page.

For one thing, LinkedIn is relevant (did I say that out loud?), when it comes to business anyway. Think about what you want to get out of your profile and set it up according to what you want to achieve.

company, not what the company does itself. Be specific about your tasks and include results to support achievements.

Tell people a story of your history which they are compelled to read • Just how we like to post Facebook statuses about completing a half marathon run or successfully reaching a wedding anniversary, let people know about your achievements. Whether you’ve secured a valuable client, exceeded company goals or landed a new job, update your status by sharing good news or something you’re contacts might be interested in so other users will notice you

• There are many strangers on LinkedIn who People are going to read it and what you nosey-about looking for connections. If this write will be a reflection of yourself, so stranger is you and there’s someone you’d don’t just put your best face forward, put like to connect with, but are unsure if they’ll your best skills, expertise, experience, respond, send them a message explaining recommendations, products and your passions why you would like to connect with them forward, too. and why they might want to connect with Sell yourself and the responses you receive you. It pays well to personalise a message and it almost always results in a connection will have value and truth to it. In doing so, you will get introduced to the right people, • Try to start a short conversation when you get answers from people who are experts in accept a new connection. Take a look at their field and hit upon new business deals their profile and see if there’s any common and marketing opportunities. ground which could be a conversation Alex Pirouz, business advisor and founder of Linkfluencer.com, failed his first four businesses and lost more than half a million dollars, only making his first modest profit after four years. He recognises the challenges within LinkedIn which urged him to launch Linkfluencer.com.

Linkfluencer.com, which states 85 percent of business owners are unable to effectively use LinkedIn, teaches professionals how to master the social media platform by taking them on a programme which focusses on planning, connecting and making profit through interactive online videos, exercises and activities.

Alex has accumulated an impressive 6,800 connections in just two years and through his website wants to educate others on how to build customers, and their brand through media.

Optimise your profile so you have a compelling LinkedIn presence and get those professional invitations rolling in by following these steps.

• What’s the purpose of having a LinkedIn profile? What do you want from being a LinkedIn member? Are you seeking an employer, investor, partner or a new career path? Use key words to get the right attention • Write information which is to the point.

Inform people about what you do at a

starter. Make an effort and it could be the start of a beautiful relationship • Extend your network database further by joining groups which are relevant and interesting to you. Be active: introduce yourself, participate in conversations and ask questions. Stay up to date and you may be surprised how much you learn from other professionals and in turn inadvertently reach your goal • Share your expertise – upload relevant videos, tutorials, webinars and presentations, anything which adds value to you as a contact. This will grab attention from those you’re already connected with and also attract new contacts • Include recommendations on your profile, but make sure they’re from the right people. Ask for a recommendation request from someone you’ve worked closely with someone who’s heard you speak at a conference, or someone reputable who can vouch for your qualifications and expertise.

Ideally, they need to contribute a few sentences which make you stand out from others in your field • Don’t be lazy: Spell check, spell check, spell check. Check for typos in company names, user names and throughout your profile.

Review spelling and grammar errors • Read through your profile and check it’s 100 percent complete. This way you’ll get ‘checked out’ more often.

News | Communication

Listen to your brand do you like what you hear?

Communications expert Lynda Harris helps businesses improve their bottom line with clear, customer-centred writing. Visit www.write.co.nz

Your brand ‘talks’ to your customers all the time, but how does it sound?

Your logo, stationery and signs are only part of your brand story. Equally powerful in building a positive image of your business is the way you sound when you talk to your customers. Most businesses try hard to have positive conversations in person, but many overlook the ‘sound’ of their writing.

How much business is lost because of poor communication? A surprising amount!

So here’s how you can make a real difference to the way your brand sounds to your customers.

Jump into your customers’ shoes - and listen Check what your customers hear by doing a quick five-step audit of the documents your customers see most often.

• Jot down your brand values—what words would you want your customers to use to describe your business (for example, trustworthy, innovative, customerfocussed, responsive) • Pick at least five pieces of writing that your customers see regularly • Put yourself in your customers’ shoes and read the documents quickly • Listen to the tone of voice and make some notes • Ask yourself, ‘Does this document match our brand? Do I like the way we sound on paper?’

Make sure your documents reflect your brand Even the most common business documents can work against your brand if you’re not careful. For example: • Invoices - do they sound curt and demanding?

• Proposals - do they sound self-serving instead of customer-focused?

• Terms and conditions - do they sound cold, legalistic, and distant?

• Instructions - do they sound muddled or patronising?

• Emails - do they sound too familiar and unprofessional, or too blunt and unconcerned?

• Letters - do they sound stuffy and bureaucratic? Or like an impersonal form letter?

If you like the way you sound, congratulations! If not, it’s time to rewrite those documents in plain English, paying particular attention to tone.

Aim to match your brand values and to sound friendly, sincere, and professional.

Use these quick writing tips to connect with your customers Always use your customer’s name impersonal writing will never help your brand.

Make your purpose clear - say ‘I am writing to tell you/ ask you / follow up on’.

Use informative headings - good headings tell the story at a glance and save your customer time.

Write mostly short sentences - try for an average of 15 to 20 words. Long sentences make eyes glaze over.

Use clear familiar language - get rid of words you wouldn’t use in a real conversation.

Would you use ‘aforesaid’, ‘in accordance with’, or ‘undersigned’ in person?

Pay attention to tone - your writing should connect with your customer and reflect the best of your brand.

Proofread - spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors can kill your customers’ confidence and make your brand sound unprofessional and untrustworthy.

Cultivate a reader-friendly brand voice as your point of difference Plenty of businesses are catching on to the idea of ‘brand voice’ and some are going as far as making reader-friendly plain English their point of difference.

ANZ is a great example of an organisation that has made its brand synonymous with clarity and reader-friendliness. In a recent press release, John Body, managing director of ANZ Wealth and Private Banking, New Zealand was quoted as saying “We wanted our refreshed ANZ KiwiSaver Scheme Investment Statement to have the highest standards for plain English and clarity”.

Bravo ANZ! Likewise other firms such Thorn Rentals (trading as DTR), Gibson Sheat lawyers and AA Life are investing in a reader-friendly brand voice that is modern, appealing, and genuine.

If you’d like to get an external check on how reader-friendly your brand voice is, contact WriteMark and ask about New Zealand’s plain English quality mark. www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 13

News | Local moves

Here to help

By Laura Hall

Running a small to medium sized business can be hard graft, especially if you are going at it alone. If this sounds like you then you may be relieved to hear there are a number of organisations in your neck of the woods who are here to help.

Take a moment to check out the organisation below that offer everything from guidance, mentoring, and financing to help ease the challenges of running an SME.

Auckland Chamber of Commerce

business coaching to move your business forward to achieve your goals.

The Auckland Chamber of Commerce’s primary role is to inspire and influence business vitality and to provide the tools to make your company successful.

Advancing Business can maximise your potential when you’re in crisis, you have growth and profit aspirations and when you are unsure of the right actions to take for the business.

The chamber offers access to a huge online library with free resources covering every aspect of business from a start-up business kit, the 90 day trial period, doing business in china and much more.

Members of the chamber receive exclusive business savings and discounts to essential services such as telecommunication, petrol stations and stationary stores.

The chamber runs hundreds of training workshops and seminars throughout the year.

The workshops cover topics from health and safety, strategies to motivate staff, project management, international trade, technology and more.

To find out more, visit: www.aucklandchamber.co.nz

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development is a council-controlled organisation, which aims to lift the Auckland region’s economic wellbeing.

TENDER

The ATEED has Business Growth Teams throughout the Auckland region, here to help your business ventures reach their full potential.

The Business Growth Teams are your one stop shop for all your business needs they offer everything from access to information, training, business coaching, R&D grants, local business events and networking, as well as helping new business start-ups.

To find out more, visit: www.businessaucklandnz.com

Business Mentors New Zealand SME business owners often need someone to listen to their problems, talk them though the solutions and give them a push in the right direction.

Which is exactly what Business Mentors New Zealand is here to do. They don’t just help you survive but thrive, grow and develop.

Waiuku

Kelland Road

Spectacular Coastal Landbank 230 hectare (570 acres) approx. 1.4km of western coastal boundary. Two Titles - Several possible building sites - Could be sold separately. Extensive views from Coromandel to Port Waikato - Stunning! Productive farm with potential to develop into recreational and tourism venture, very good farming facilities. Possibilities include Golf course, Wedding venue, Adventure tourism, tramping and much more. Commutable distance to airport and CBD. Tender View Open

Closes 30th July 2014 at 4:30pm - Harcourts House, 24 Seddon Street, Pukekohe www.harcourts.co.nz/PW140508 By appointment Kevin Seymour P 09 238 4244 M 0274 345 563 E kevin.seymour@harcourts.co.nz BCRE Ltd Licensed Agent REAA 2008

14 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

You’ll work with an internationally certified business coach who has assisted a diverse range of companies gain global market share refining systems and strategies to support sustainable growth.

To find out more, visit: www.advancing-businesses.co.nz

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (Auckland) Do you want to break into the international market but unsure how? NZTE have the tools to help your business trade overseas. The development agency aims to double the growth rate of the businesses that they work with.

NZTE identify, plan for and act on your biggest opportunities for international growth. They have an extensive network of staff that can boost your global reach and market share to help you succeed internationally.

They provide smart, ambitious, forward thinking businesses with access to services designed to improve efficiency, refine strategy, enhance leadership and access capital.

To find out more, visit: www.nzte.govt.nz

Accelerate Success Accelerate Success assists business owners, who are serious about investing in business growth.

They’ll put you in contact with a Regional Partner who will carry out a capability assessment of your business and create a clear plan to prioritise training and development needs.

Meeting with a Regional Business Partner will provide valuable feedback into how your business operates, and will give you an idea about how making changes in your current processes can improve efficiencies and ultimately business growth.

SME’s are matched with mentors who are experts at successfully running businesses in your industry and have the knowledge and understanding specific to your business needs.

To find out more, visit: www.acceleratesuccess.co.nz

The mentors, who have undergone training and formal accreditation, can guide and support you to develop specific skills and knowledge that will maximise your business potential and improve your performance.

Meetup puts you in contact with like minded community groups in the Auckland region including business groups.

To find out more, visit: www.businessmentors.org.nz

Advancing Business An athlete needs a coach to help them reach their peak and win first place, a business needs a coach in much the same way.

Advancing Business specialises in one on one

Meetup

The groups provide an opportunity to talk with fellow business owners and share your experiences and stories.

The business groups include the Small Business Owners Support Group, NZ Business Network Auckland and Inspiring and Empowering 21st Century Women in Business.

With such a diverse range you are sure to find a group that shares your common interests.

To find out more, visit: www.meetup.com

News | Ideas

Carrying on

By Davina Richards

An innovative product which targets sustainability bodes well for the future in a world drowning in waste materials.

In a country where sheep outnumber humans, who knew wool could be used for more than just clothes, textiles and insulation. It looks like another clever Kiwi has done it again.

Having grown up around the wool industry in New Zealand, UK-based Kiwi designer, Daniel McLaughlin recognised tough summers and unstable wool prices as motivation to find new value in wool – specifically waste wool.

At the outset he examined the life cycle of wool; from a sheep’s back to carpet to discarded material ending up at the landfill.

A paper he read suggested seven percent of wool used in carpet production became waste and it was when he was working on his final project during his studies at London’s Royal College of Art, that he realised the benefits of combining waste wool with bio resin derived from rapeseed oil.

The result was Biowool and became the staple of Daniel’s exciting design.

He used Biowool composite to manufacture his product, The Terracase; a strong, biodegradable hard shell luggage designed using CAD technology.

The wool-based product has been subjected to testing using finite element method analysis (FEA) to simulate drop and handling, and rigours of use. And unlike most, if not all luggage cases, which are thrown out when no longer needed, The Terracase has low impact on the environment because it is completely renewable at the end of its life.

available to those involved with innovation and design education, but he adds that “the outlook for future domestic innovation funding is promising. The government clearly sees the impact that scientific, engineering and design can have on GDP and the wider community.”

As an international student he was awarded a £5,000 (NZD $9,600) bursary from the international James Dyson Foundation to help him develop Biowool and is one step closer to commercialisation.

Biowool has increased the value of waste wool material because of its potential to be used in hundreds of applications as an engineering material.

“I have started talking with a distributor and I’m establishing relationships to determine production figures and hence develop a risk profile for the route to market.”

Daniel, who completed a two year double Masters in Innovation Design Engineering at The Royal College of Art and Imperial College London in 2013, says he’s still conducting feasibility studies for other applications and his product has generated interest from Europe and the United Kingdom.

Having worked across mining to market strategy, Daniel is a universal designer and positions himself as an innovator driven to deliver business growth. He had a lot of involvement creating the Air New Zealand’s Sky Couch, designing and developing prototypes.

“No real lifecycle testing has been conducted however, indicative FEA data would suggest it could perform similar to polypropylene based luggage. The next progressive step once a production run is underway is simulated real life testing,” Daniel says.

Stemming from this he also worked on the M2 galley, known as the business class bar.

“The programme started from a blank sheet of paper in many respects, so nailing the value proposition for a product like the Sky Couch is essential.”

He says he struggled to find the financial support in New Zealand however, he found hope in the UK where support is more

He is always interested to hear from people with ambitious plans and is contactable at dan.mclaughlin@network.rca.ac.uk

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News | Ideas

Big business thinker to share his ideas Most firms think they have a viable strategy, but don’t!

industry. Verne teaches powerful and practical strategies to executives who have no patience for anything they cant put into action right now.

Dave Sewell, the only other Gazelles coach in New Zealand works in Christchurch and has seen first hand how the power of a one page strategic plan can help move a business forward.

World renowned business strategist, Verne Harnish, CEO of Gazelles International and named one of the Top 10 Minds in Small Business by Fortune Small Business Magazine, is most famous for his One-Page Strategic Planning document.

Verne’s one page strategic plan is the most practical and actionable framework for growing companies. He helps managers and business owners create focus, alignment, better communication and a killer strategy.

In September, Verne is presenting a one day seminar in Auckland, which will be packed with actionable ideas guaranteed to help you establish a viable strategy to make your business grow in uncertain times.

Both coaches will be on hand throughout the hands-on workshop to assist and offer guidance when businesses owners begin to put together their own strategic plan.

The number of companies working with the two New Zealand Gazelles Business consultants is on the increase and both know that having Verne in the country is an opportunity that will have a profound impact on the businesses that attend.

Decisions equal success – and there are four decisions, in growing your business, that you must get right or risk leaving significant revenues, profits, and time on the table, Sewell adds.

Leigh Paulden works with clients across Auckland and says Verne will share some very simple tools, that might sound small, but when implemented will have a large and extremely positive impact on business.

At the workshop, Verne will release his latest book Scaling Up - the first major revision to the Rockefeller Habits in 12 years. The workshop will have insights from Scaling Up plus Mastering Rockefeller the Habits, which incorporates all the learnings and

«There are four critical decisions anchoring an effective strategy for dominating your

experiences over the past decade. The books contain more than 200 stories from 50 CEOs that were interviewed globally.

• Scaling Up - four key decisions to maximise profit and revenue. What you will learn: • Seven strategy decisions that will minimise competition • How to improve the FACE and PACE of the organisation, driving better accountability and results.

• Understand how technology can take the personality, politics, and position bias out of the decision-making process • How to get your team aligned and on the same page and catapult your organisation ahead of competitors • Learn about the new Growth Tools - the SWT tool, the 4D Vision Summary tool, and the ME: Living Legacy tool.

When: September 2, Pullman Auckland Learn more at: www.thegrowthfaculty.com. au/education-program/go-for-growth-14scaling-up-new-zealand The Seminar Hotline: (09) 520 0179

Verne Harnish, one of the world’s top business minds will release his new book Scaling Up at a workshop for businesses in Auckland in September.

Hefty fines for breaching new consumer law reforms Molesworth Station High Country Tours Experience the heart and soul of New Zealand Discover the history, romance, and beauty of Molesworth Station NZ’s largest cattle station, choose from a range of guided tours to suit you.

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what a great bunch. The scenery was magnificent. Our tour leader, Geoff, is extremely knowledgeable on the area’s history. He did us proud with lots of stories of the old days and early settlers. Every day, Geoff delivered something that was unexpected. Great trip. Put it on your bucket list! ”

Molesworth Multiday Heritage Tours.

Travel through Molesworth travel back in time, 2, 3 or 4 day unique package holidays to enjoy.

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Join a fun tour to any of these location, Otago Railtrail, Alps 2 Ocean, Abel Tasman Great Taste Trail, Molesworth Muster Cycle Trail.

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See more off road, BYO 4WD, hire ours or take a seat in our lead vehicle.

Phone. 03 5728025 Email. info@molesworthtours.co.nz www.molesworthtours.co.nz 16 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Companies that don’t comply with new consumer law reform changes risk substantially increased fines and penalties for any breach.

The changes, which came into effect on June 17, impact virtually all businesses dealing with consumers.

The updated legislation affects the Fair Trading Act 1986 and Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and will be followed by further changes in March next year.

Richard Smith, a commercial law partner with Duncan Cotterill, says the changes relate to claims that companies make about goods and services, including online sales, and extend to facets such as delivery time, post sale or auction. Plain English information on extended warranties is also required.

Backing up claims about goods and services

“Companies need to be able to back up claims that they make about their goods and services.

“Generally speaking, that means businesses must have reasonable grounds for believing every claim made about their products or services is true. Even if it later turns out that a claim made is true, a breach of the Fair Trading Act still occurs if proof is not obtained before the claim is made.”

Smith says the focus is on the steps taken to substantiate claims, but there is no precise test. There is an exception for claims that “a

reasonable person would not expect to be substantiated,” which is intended to cover those expressions of opinion that are so obviously exaggerated or overstated that they are unlikely to mislead anyone.

“To ensure ongoing compliance, businesses should be reviewing and updating their approach to marketing, and making sure there is a step in the process for checking reasonable grounds are held for any claims being made.”

Richard Smith suggests you:

• Don’t make any claims about your product or service unless you have reasonable grounds for believing them to be true • Seek to rely on facts, figures and credible sources of information to back up representations, not guesses and opinion • Keep documentation recording the sources you use to back up your claims and of any representations made to customers.

More changes to come

Smith says that further changes which will come into effect in mid-March 2015 relate to any ‘unfair’ wording in consumer contracts.

Terms in contracts deemed to be unfair will not be enforceable by businesses.

“In the lead up, businesses should review all their standard form consumer contracts to identify any provisions that could potentially be considered unfair.

“This review could result in substantial changes needing to be made to existing forms of contract and businesses standard terms and conditions.”

News | In Brief

Gen Y consumer secrets revealed Kiwi businesses are being urged to take note of a new piece of research into the generation that will soon become this country’s biggest consumers.

The research, released in June by Colmar Brunton, segments 15-30 year old Kiwis into what it calls Gen Y Tribes, based on their responses to questions about how they live their lives.

Research project leader and Colmar Brunton Youth Specialist, Spencer Willis says the research provides unprecedented insights and is potentially enormously valuable for businesses because of what Gen Y represents.

18+ Gen Y consumers making up 24 percent of the market within five years.

The Gen Y Tribes research sought to understand Kiwi youth by questioning them about their aspirations and goals, money, free time, media, relationships, shopping habits and consumption preferences.

The research segments Gen Y Kiwis into six distinct tribes based on their responses:

“Gen Y is a generation that will rival the size of the boomers and their decades of heaviest consumption are still ahead of them. They are already growing up, starting families, building lives and buying big ticket items as well as everyday products.

• Ladder climbers - ‘going for gold’

“They are the consumers of the future and this research gives significant insights into the things that push their buttons.”

• Spontaneous spenders – ‘live for the now’

While Gen Y spans the 15-30 age group, currently 16 percent of New Zealand’s population are classed within Gen Y and over 18 years of age. That is set to rise rapidly with

Willis says the diversity of this country’s youth and the broad range of insights the research provides become obvious when you look at a snapshot of two of the Gen Y tribes.

• Idealists – ‘I’m true to myself’ • Solitary savers – ‘staying out of the limelight’ • Family focussed – ‘home and hearth’

• Money = status – ‘what’s in it for me?’

What business people miss After family and home, Kiwi business people miss home cooking, a good cuppa and their own pillow, when away for work.

Kiwis miss our home comforts more so than the rest of the world, according to new research from Regus, who recently quizzed business travellers about the things they miss most when on the road.

New Zealand business travellers are more likely than their global counterparts to miss their family and home. When it comes to the smaller things in life Kiwis yearn for home cooking, their pillows and their own type of coffee and tea. Interestingly, only 11 percent of respondents admitted to missing their pets while away.

What workers miss most when travelling on business

Global Average

New Zealand

My family

68%

80%

My home

38%

48%

Home cooking

25%

30%

My pillow

11%

20%

Living standard

12%

15%

Own type of coffee/tea

6%

15%

My pets

12%

11%

Nothing

14%

9%

Speaking my own language

17%

4%

Television programmes

7%

4%

Weather

8%

2%

Certain types of shops

5%

2%

Types of medicines I can only get in my own country

5%

0%

“The projected growth will have significant implications for tourism related infrastructure and capacity, and provides a series of economic opportunities for other industries including food and beverage, marine and equine.

Visitor economy set to boom Auckland’s visitor economy is booming with new targets aiming to deliver 12,000 new jobs by 2021, when the industry will be generating a record $7.2 billion annually.

The targets, adjusted to better reflect the current value of the visitor economy, feature in the revised Auckland Visitor Plan being developed by ATEED, on behalf of Auckland Council.

Mayor Len Brown has announced plans to expand the visitor economy from a $4.8 billion industry in 2012 to a $7.2 billion annually in 2021 – a growth rate of 4.6 percent per annum.

“The visitor economy plays a critical role in Auckland’s economic growth and by 2021 the industry’s annual injection of $7.2 billion will help to make Auckland a better place to live and work, as well as a better place to visit,” says the Mayor.

Achieving the Auckland Visitor Plan targets would create 12,000 new jobs in Auckland, many of which will provide front-line career opportunities in retail, attractions and hospitality, as well as in the construction sector to enable the development of vital new infrastructure, such as hotels.

The increase in financial targets follows a record-breaking summer for Auckland, where visitor arrivals, guest nights and accommodation occupancy all reached unprecedented levels. Holiday arrivals to year end March were up eight percent on the previous year and accommodation occupancy peaked at 93 percent in February.

ATEED chief executive Brett O’Riley says the Auckland Visitor Plan economic growth focus is to increase demand for Auckland and enhance the visitor experience.

“Over the next decade it is estimated that Auckland’s inbound air capacity will need to grow by around 200,000 seats per year and Auckland will need up to 3,400 new hotel rooms by 2021.

“From the tourism perspective, Auckland is an exciting and vibrant destination. It’s about marketing the destination while capitalising on Auckland’s amazing natural assets and improving the visitor product offering,” O’Riley says.

To achieve the best outcomes for the Auckland Visitor Plan, ATEED is focussing its marketing resources on not only the domestic New Zealand market, Australia and China, but also USA, Indonesia, Japan and the emerging market of South America.

The new targets will be achieved by increasing international visitor receipts from $2.46 billion in 2012 to $4.23 billion in 2021, and growing domestic tourism receipts from $2.37 billion in 2012 to $3 billion in 2021.

Source: Regus www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 17

There’s more to packaging

than meets the eye The packaging which surrounds almost every consumer product is in the hands of the consumer fleetingly. But, in the moments before you discard it, take a moment to think about the journey it took to create, make and apply that packaging.

Over a four part series in Auckland Today, we will open up the packaging industry to reveal its complexities, fascinating dynamics and cutting edge technology. Join us as we reveal the life cycle of packaging - the unsung hero of the consumer age.

The retail war is happening stealthily on store shelves every minute of the day. Products are jostling for prime positions, superior aesthetic appeal and enhanced functionality - all in a bid to be the preferred merchandise that ends up in the shopper’s basket.

Of course, every manufacturer is out to please its customer, a happy consumer means sales – but when you delight the consumer, then you have real success.

But how is this delight, the preferential position as the must-have brand, achieved? Of course, the product inside the packaging is of prime importance, but how it looks, how the packaging functions and how it protects the goods leads the charge.

Creative packaging design can be as much about function as it is aesthetics, and getting clever with what a package can do goes a long way in delighting consumers, believes the Packaging Council of New Zealand’s acting executive director, Sharon Humphreys.

“Functionality is the primary consideration when designing a product – the packaging is there to do the job of protecting the product from the time of production until its use. The product needs to meet the needs of the consumer and the packaging is a major factor in that.”

Like a well planned war, the strategy and preparation that goes into what appears to be a simple package, is a strategic exercise in planning, research, science, technology, testing and expertise. There is a multitude of decisions to be made every step of the way. This is where the Packaging Council comes into its own – assisting its members every step of the way. It has developed a comprehensive Code of Practice which covers all considerations required of the industry - from design through to end of life options.

The Council also provides advocacy on matters related to packaging and sustainability through to regulatory advice relating to packaging and a growing arsenal of practical tools to help minimise the environmental impact of packaging.

The Council’s Code of Practice, a comprehensive and highly useful tool for the industry, uses four principles to evaluate when considering packaging: • • • •

packaging functionality resource efficiency low impact materials end-of-life options.

When it comes to functionality, not only are we talking about a brand’s appeal, but the entire life cycle of that packaging, and the ability to minimise its net environmental impact in a realistic, consumer friendly and cost-effective way.

18 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Who is the Packaging Council?

• It’s an organisation representing the interests of industry in public policy and debate on packaging issues, including reducing the environmental impact of packaging through cost effective solutions and product stewardship • It represents the whole packaging supply chain, including raw material suppliers, packaging manufacturers, brand owners, retailers and recycling operators • The Council represents more than 80 percent of the packaging manufacturing industry and 75 percent of New Zealand’s top 100 food and grocery brands • Packaging Council members represent approximately NZ$20 billion within the New Zealand economy.

Keeping it fresh There are always trade-offs when designing packaging, Sharon says. “For example, take a fresh cucumber that is individually wrapped. The consumer might see this as a negative and not as environmentally friendly as an unwrapped cucumber.”

The trade-off here is that the wrap stops the oxidation process, which gives the product an enhanced shelf life, reduces moisture evaporation by a half, and minimises both business and environmental waste.

“The unwrapped cucumber will be at its best for two days, while a wrapped one will stay fresh for 14 days. It’s about the consumer understanding what the role of the packaging is and making appropriate choices,” Sharon adds.

If they plan to use the cucumber the next day they can choose to purchase it unwrapped, but if they want to keep it a week, then they need to choose it wrapped.

Nothing beats a freshly made coffee, but getting this coffee into your home in a premium condition is a complex feat in engineering and technology. Have you ever stopped and taken a moment to consider the science behind that fresh coffee you are enjoying at home?

For many years, the vacuum brick pack was a favored format for fresh ground coffee. It was constructed in a three-ply foil laminated material, with the vacuum removing the oxygen, which is the cause of coffee oils going rancid and the stale taste.

However, fresh coffee gives off carbon dioxide for several days after roasting, so coffee has to be rested before packing, otherwise the vacuum is lost and the pack appears soft and perceived as a reject.

In recent years, coffee quality and freshness expectations have increased dramatically. We have learnt that coffee freshness is lost during that resting period.

Most coffee brands have now moved to the ‘soft valve pack’.

This pack allows for coffee to be packed immediately after roasting and the carbon dioxide given off, vented through a one-way valve. The coffee and bag are nitrogen flushed during filling to remove the oxygen.

www.packaging.org.nz

“

Silver Fern Farms decided to re-invent the way beef is sold to consumers in the supermarket and was the first to retail a red meat range in New Zealand to be underpinned by the science-backed Silver Fern Farms Eating Quality System. This system ensures the product meets the highest standards of taste, tenderness and juiciness and carries an Eating Quality (EQ) Master Grade on all packaging.

The five premium quality cuts in the range are aged and packed into a multilayered barrier film to give an extended shelf life. The primary packaging also ensures the cuts naturally develop in flavour and tenderness and then reach the consumer in the best possible condition. The vacuum pack ensures the cuts maintain freshness and seal in the juiciness, while providing mess-free access to the perfect portion size product inside.

Choice is the consumer trump card Choice for the consumer is a trump card in the packaging war. The very first branding decision is made based on who the consumer is - the style, design, look and function of the package will follow.

If you are chasing the premium end of the market - then your packaging development will be an intense and highly researched process. If you are targeting the bargain end, then the consideration will be less. Take supermarket home brands for example - the packaging reflects the hierarchical place the brand has in the market.

At the medium and top ends of the markets - how the packaging looks is going to be key to moving stock off the shelf. Darren McClenaghan of Sealed Air (NZ), a food packaging manufacturer, knows looks are vital, but it’s the functionality, quality and cost of the packaging that dictates final decisions.

“But shelf appeal and the ability to attract the eye make a difference.” Darren knows this better than many; Sealed Air is winning award after award for its innovation and quality in packaging.

“There are a lot of design factors that come into play when designing packaging and every single product is wrapped in a way that is specific to that item and manufacturer,” he says.

Darren reinforces the notion that there is a massive back-story behind every package - what looks like a simple plastic bag holding your favourite food, could in fact be a technological and engineering masterpiece.

New barrier coating improves performance We know that the core function of any distribution chain is to ensure the product reaches the consumer in the best possible shape. This is a particular challenge for packaging in the chilled goods supply chain, where it’s exposed to fluctuating humidity, causing the corrugated paperboard to absorb moisture and eventually fail. This results in costly product losses.

Scion, a Crown Research Institute which undertakes research, science and technology development for the forestry, wood products and biomaterial sectors, has recently developed a barrier coating technology that improves the

“

Packaging that looks almost good enough to eat certainly helps product sell. In the recent Pride in Print Awards, Sealed Air won top honours in the packaging category for Fishers Beef Sirloin Wrap. The judges commented that there was such great colour that pictorially, the food is almost life-like.

functionality of corrugated paperboard packaging in humid conditions without affecting the recyclability of the packaging.

The new coating protects the paperboard by creating a high moisture barrier around the packaging. This increases the lifetime of the packaging in humid conditions. Being applied over the ink, the coating also provides a high level of gloss that protects package branding, as well as offering good scuff resistance, maintaining the visual impact of a product right through to the end user says Research Leader for Packaging, Lou Sherman.

“Package failure in the chilled goods supply chain is a big issue,” Lou says. “The sheer size of the distribution network makes it difficult to measure exactly what percentage of product is lost due to package failure, but it is significant enough for moisture barrier performance to be on most exporters’ wish list of packaging requirements.”

Key to the technology’s success is that the coating is applied using the industrystandard flexo printing process. This enables packaging convertors to apply the coating in-house rather than having to hold pre-coated material in stock. In addition, the application method can be used to apply multiple thin layers of coating that both reduces the total volume of coating required and the costs incurred.

“This technology will help lightweight packaging,” says Lou. “Less paper will need to be used because the packaging will be more moisture resistant, and therefore less waste is generated. And, the packaging is still fully recyclable.

Our barrier coating technology could potentially save costs throughout each step of the chilled supply chain.”

Packaging performance It’s the paradox of modern packaging that you need scissors to open the packaging of your new scissors. Or have you ever wondered why that memory card you just purchased comes in such a large and difficult to access piece of wrap?

Anti-theft is the answer, and while consumer frustration at the perceived waste of plastic that goes into it is high - the alternative makes the product very easy to pluck out of its protection and steal.

“Unfortunately the amount of packaging we see is a reflection on our society,” Sharon explains. If you have a sophisticated, small and desirable product - then you are going to protect it; ensuring it reaches the cash register and not the bottom of a large pocket.

She points out that this is another trade-off. “The packaging ends up proportionately bigger than it needs to be - but like all decisions in this sector, there is always a reason for it.”

Other concessions might be to incorporate tamper proof functions, childproof mechanisms, hygienic measures, shelf-ready ability, safety or special needs aspects to the packaging.

Nestlé, the world’s largest food manufacturer, is taking special needs very seriously. Called Inclusive Design, it is producing packaging that is easily accessible to more people - regardless of age, disability or physical condition.

www.packaging.org.nz

“

“

A premium range of beef from Silver Fern Farms uses science to ensure the product meets the highest standards of taste, tenderness and juiciness when it reaches the consumer.

“

“

A one-way, soft valve pack allows the carbon dioxide given off by freshly roasted beans to escape, keeping the coffee in top condition.

“

“

Retail-ready packaging solutions offer increased efficiency and improved product visibility to manufacturers.

“

The lightweight wine bottle - a major breakthrough in packaging for export that could save thousands of tonnes of waste from entering landfills.

“

“

Frustration free containers from Nestlé.

The introduction of Inclusive Design across all their packaging has seen the roll out of easy to hold and open jars, making life much simpler for those with limited hand movement due to arthritis, disability or ageing.

“

Nestlé was the first global food manufacturer to alter packaging to enable easy access to products for all people - especially those with arthritis. The shape of many containers was altered to create new easy-to-hold jars, ‘click and lock’ screw caps and easy-peelable foil membranes.

The Packaging Council advocates improvements and efficiency across the entire supply chain. Internationally and right here in New Zealand, CHEP, a leading provider of pallet, container and crate pooling services, is bringing technological advances to the fore, offering a range of managed, returnable and reusable packaging solutions. Be it the moving of raw materials, meat, fresh food, bulk liquids, car parts or consumer goods, it applies technology and thinking to make goods movement leaner, greener and safer.

Sharon says a great example of closed loop packaging is provided by CHEP. Fresh fruit or vegetables are picked direct from the farm, packed into a display-ready crate or pallet system, which goes direct to the supermarket. No middleman or other packaging involved.

CHEP is continuing to launch new innovations, including a range of retailready packaging solutions that offer increased efficiency and improved product visibility, and the introduction of tailored packaging solutions that meet customers’ needs and enhance the New Zealand supply chain, says NZ manager, Mike O’Brien.

Packaging Council of New Zealand 77 Greenmount Drive East Tamaki, Auckland Phone: (09) 271 4044

www.packaging.org.nz

“It is products and systems like these that are testament to the industry’s commitment to providing solutions for greater efficiency and value” adds Sharon.

Functionality and sustainability Another innovation enhancing New Zealand’s supply chain is the lightweight wine bottle range from O-I New Zealand (O-I). Designed to meet customers export market requirements in regard to bottle weight, it had to be achieved using existing plant and machinery, and to meet O-I sustainability goals.

Launched in 2013, the range was developed to provide bottles at a reduced weight while still retaining the functionality of the existing standard wine bottle range. The bottles are available in both the traditional Burgundy and Bordeaux shapes and provide significant sustainability benefits: • 7.3 percent savings in raw materials used, when compared to the current standard bottle • 45 percent average post-consumer recycled glass content • 7.3 percent reduction in water use, compared to 450g bottle • 7.3 percent reduction in CO2 emissions, compared to 450g bottle.

In its development, it was essential to keep O-I’s sustainability goals at the forefront, a challenge in the design was to reduce product weight, but have the ability to increase the recycled glass content, while retaining the integrity of the glass. No easy feat.

Glass is a unique packaging material as it is 100 percent infinitely recyclable.

O-I makes significant efforts to maximise and continuously increase the

20 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

amount of recycled glass used in its production process. There are a number of environmental benefits: • It reduces the amount of raw materials that must be extracted, transported and used in production • It reduces energy use and CO2 emissions. For every 10 percent of recycled glass used in production, carbon emissions are cut by about five percent and energy use reduced by approximately three percent.

In the past year, approximately 170 million bottles of wine were exported from New Zealand, if just half of those were reduced in weight from the current standard 450g bottle to the lightweight 417g bottle, we would save 2,805 tonnes of packaging material.

So, the humble packaging... its more than meets the eye. It’s a space where design meets science and technology.

It’s about functionality and jostling for prime position on the shop shelf, but most of all - it’s about delivering the consumer the product in pristine condition.

So next time you enjoy the spoils of your shopping - spare a thought to the exceptional story behind the packaging you cast aside, it’s potentially the biggest element to your enjoyment of that product.

Join us in the next issue of Auckland Today for Part Two of our four part series on the packaging industry. We will explore resource efficiency within the industry and look at who’s leading the way and why it matters.

www.packaging.org.nz

TM

The future of lighting

Power savings Lighting up a home or business is often an expensive business; from the power bill to constantly replacing the bulbs.

Not to mention the impact it has on the environment.

According to Consumer NZ approximately 20 percent of the world’s energy consumption is in artificial lighting.

But there is a lighter option for the environment – light emitting diodes (LED).

This more energy efficient form of light can replace up to 70 percent of the more traditional light sources.

Despite being around since the 1960s LED lights were not always seen as the better option; but their continuous development has made them better, brighter and cheaper.

Liberio Riosa, founder of LED lighting specialist LZ New Zealand, points out that 95 percent of the energy consumed in running an LED is transformed into light, as opposed to the 10 percent of energy that the standard incandescent lamp uses to make light – the remaining 90 percent produces heat.

In addition Liberio points out LZ New Zealand has a replacement LED light that only uses nine watts to produce the same amount of light as a standard 50 watt halogen light bulb; that’s a huge 82 percent savings in your energy bill.

Creating Light Liberio founded his company on this premise of saving energy and the environment. “I had a strong interest in energy savings and the environment. After working in the corporate world I wanted a change.” And so LZ New Zealand was born.

Today it holds pride in its place as a leading New Zealand manufacturer and supplier

of LED lighting solutions for residential, commercial and industrial markets. “We believe in providing a quality product that we can guarantee.”

While the company is New Zealand-based, in the years since its conception, it has expanded and now caters for New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Philippines and for countries around the Pacific.

Light bonus The reasons for going LED are numerous; it’s environmentally friendly, robust and longer-lived, dimmable and cost effective.

Environmentally friendly LEDs reduce the impact on the environment even once they have stopped working, thanks to the luminaire which is made from 85 percent recyclable materials.

Robust LEDs are physically robust; where incandescent bulbs contain a fragile filament and a compact fluorescent lamp has easily broken glass-tubes, LEDs are made from semi-conductor material often encapsulated in clear plastic.

Longer lived The lifespan of an LED light is 50,000 hours (20 – 30 years) versus, the 2,000 – 6,000 hours of a typical incandescent light bulb.

An LED’s long life makes it a practical option for areas where it is difficult to

LZ New Zealand service at a glance

replace bulbs – such as stairways or in houses with high ceilings.

Dimmable There is no need to be blinded by the light, LED lights can, with a compatible dimmer fitting, be turned up or down as much as you please.

Instant on LEDs provide full light instantly, without the warm-up time other forms of lighting need.

Cost effective LEDs are cost-effective because of their low running costs and long life.

A 7W LED bulb costs $35 and uses $40 worth of power in its 25,000 hour life – a total cost of $75. The running costs for the equivalent 40W incandescent bulbs are much higher; you will need 25 incandescent bulbs at a dollar each, which in turn will consume $230 of power over 25,000 hours – a total of $255.

Flick the switch Doing a changeover to LED lighting can be easy with LZ New Zealand, who provide a range of products for anyone wanting to save the planet and their wallet from feeling the pinch.

LZ New Zealand - Dynamic Energy Solutions 4 Winston Place, Henderson, Auckland 0610 PO Box 104-107, Lincoln North, Auckland 0654 Phone (09) 950 6371 Fax (09) 950 6372, Email info@lzled.co.nz

LED Fittings / Strip Lighting Module lighting Strip lighting Round recessed down lights Square recessed down lights LED Flood Lights 10 watt – 100 watt 120 watt – 320 watt Highbay Lighting LED Retrofit Options: T8 Linear Tubes GU10/MR16/G24 Par30/Par38 Edison Screw / Bayonet Other Energy Saving T8/T5 Adapters Fluoresave New Products Arriving Solar PV Systems - On Grid & Off Grid configurations LED Ceiling Lights

News | Lateral thinking

Left field ideas

By Davina Richards

You just can’t turn a three minute timer upside down and expect to immediately churn out original ideas stamped with a 10 year guarantee. Creativity doesn’t work like that.

It also works in different ways for different people, but there are solutions to help us trigger our brains into making connections it doesn’t normally make during your standard daily pattern.

• Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer?

So here’s a list of suggestions which could incite great thinking, create creativity, as well as improve decision making by throwing out the odd strange interview questions.

In another direction, you could also consider introducing a potential candidate to play a game which tests physical and mental skill.

Employers will get an insight as to whether a candidate works well with others, if they’re competitive, leaders, problem-solvers or thinkers.

Interview questions So, what’s your favourite swear word?

If you were a punctuation mark what would you be?

We’ve followed the same set of interview questions such as “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” for so long now that some of them should be made redundant, because going by a dozen candidates’ responses you just heard this morning, you probably can’t determine one from another contender. So why not mix things up a bit?

If a candidate expects the expected in an interview what do we really know about their skill set or character before we allow them into our business domain? It’s up to the employer to ask the right questions, even if they are a little absurd.

Glassdoor.com is a job site which has come up with ‘Top 25 Oddball Interview Questions for 2014’, based on feedback from thousands of UK job candidates.

Here is a selection of the questions asked; they may seem completely irrelevant, but actually, are good indications of a candidate’s skill, value, performance and cultural fit.

It’s not about right or wrong answers, but about reactions which can say more about a person compared to what is written on their CV. • What makes you happy about work on a Friday evening?

• How do you fit a giraffe in a fridge?

• Would you rather fight a horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?

• A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?

Stress relief Sometimes holding a stress ball in your hand just doesn’t cut it. Stress can make you feel like screaming at the top of your lungs – and actually, this isn’t a bad idea. But if this isn’t your thing, how about one of those laughing workshops?

Take a look at ‘25 Weird Breaks for Stress Relief’ at www.workhappynow.com to read suggestions, including: • Curl your toes – tighten your toes for 15 seconds, then relax. Do this with all muscle groups working your way up through your body. Finish by wrinkling up your face • Call a friend who you haven’t talked to in more than a year • Admit a weird thing you did as a kid to a co-worker • Ask a co-worker if they could talk to someone about their stress, living or dead, who would it be?

Motivation I think it’s safe to say that not everyone comes into work bouncing off the walls with enthusiasm. Individuals find motivation in different things, so introduce events or activities to fuel their passion.

• Allow your employees to take their pets to work for a day/week – it’s amazing how having a furry friend around can change the whole dynamics of a room

• Organise a flash mob dance in the office • Hold a Sumo wrestling match (in Sumo suits, of course) • Instead of recognising employees for making the most sales, reward those who stand out in other, silly ways. www.sillycertificates. com offer funny printable award certificate templates. Some awards may be presented to individuals for ‘coming in under budget and on time’, or ‘for just showing up to work – and you all should be thankful’

• Define a problem and take a random word from the dictionary – now, make a connection between the two.

Team building Some may disagree, but there’s real value in team building exercises, as long as you ensure they are applicable and occur on a regular basis to make them effective.

No one ever completed a marathon by running for 20 minutes once a week; practise makes perfect.

• Hold development seminars or workshops – find out what your staff are interested in and It’s a great way of helping employees get use this information to help you determine to know each other, address challenges and the right tutorial. perhaps connect over a shared sense of humour. Even in uncomfortable situations Create creativity it can reveal how they work together and “Creativity involves breaking out of highlights where skills, such as leadership, established patterns in order to look at creative thinking and problem solving, lies things in a different way” said British with individuals. physician, author, inventor and consultant Edward de Bono. Don’t let your mind go stale, • Get the team to play a game of Jenga or the Human Knot approach issues with unexpected angles to solve problems.

• Try a cooking game – buy, plan, prepare • Combine – come up with new combinations: a meal. Set them against the clock and images, thoughts, products, places other teams and skills. Throw in your most bizarre • Send them on an Outward Bound course combinations to come up with an original concept or approach • Go to www.corpchallenge.co.nz for team • Think in opposites – check out www.7ideas. net which talks about reverse thinking and how to use it as a tool to find innovation

building exercises including, flat pack frenzy, minute to win it, the big give and much more.

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Manuka Health New Zealand Manuka Health New Zealand is a true-blue Kiwi story about a switched on entrepreneur, Kerry Paul, inventing groundbreaking health care products made from raw New Zealand Manuka Honey and Propolis.

The range of health care products and dietary supplements derived from Manuka Honey, have been a massive hit on the untapped local and international markets, growing exponentially year on year.

Just like any New Zealand success story it all began with one man, Manuka Health founder and director, Kerry, starting the business from his lounge determined to achieve something no one else had.

In 2006 he, with a small team, manufactured the first Manuka Health products.

A year later he formed a partnership with Professor Thomas Henle’s group from the Technical University of Dresden who had discovered that naturally occurring Methylglyoxal is the compound in Manuka Honey responsible for its unique beneficial properties. The team created the MGO™ Manuka Honey standard, a scientific measure of the active Methylglyoxal in the honey. And in 2008 the MGO™ Manuka Honey rating was successfully launched in about 35 countries.

The health benefits of high grade Manuka Honey had been common knowledge for quite some time. However there was no

scientific proof of why Manuka Honey had unique antibacterial activity not found in other honeys. Until the discovery of Methylglyoxal, it was hard to convince medical professionals and sceptics that Manuka Honey had novel properties.

Manuka Health was the pioneer in introducing and promoting the science behind Manuka Honey to the world. Manuka Health led the way to set up a robust scientific MGO™ Manuka Honey rating system, which is well understood by the consumer.

The discovery of the MGO™ Manuka Honey standard is a game-changer for the industry.

The MGO™ Manuka Honey standard has opened the door to a massive industry of Manuka Honey by-products, health care and beauty products and the pioneers of this new, untapped industry is Manuka Health New Zealand.

CycloPower breakthrough Eight years on and the company has made yet another scientific breakthrough with CycloPower. Many people take dietary supplements to boost their health, but the bioactive material is not always absorbed into the body due to low absorption rates.

CycloPower uses plant molecules as a delivery mechanism to ensure bioactive material in supplements are absorbed into our bodies to increase bio-availability and absorption.

When dietary supplements are delivered with Manuka Honey with CycloPower they

have 10 times more potency against certain bacteria, it is a scientifically proven method of supplement delivery. CycloPower also has a pre-biotic effect on the lower gut to help balance good and bad bacteria and has a low glycaemia index.

CycloPower products The CycloPower range was launched in January with two products making waves in the health supplement industry.

MGO 400+ Manuka Honey with CycloPower for Mouth and Throat is a chewable tablet that fights infections and supports healthy gums, tongue and throat.

MGO 400+ Manuka Honey with CycloPower for Digestive Health is taken in a convenient capsule and designed to stimulate good bacteria in the stomach and small intestine for a healthy digestive system.

While these products have only been on the market for a short time people are already reporting major health benefits through the Natural Health Consumer.

Another exciting new CycloPower product will soon hit the market; Propolis with CycloPower, which will stimulate the immune system fighting off colds and infections with greater efficiency.

Manuka Health New Zealand Limited 1 Carlton St, Te Awamutu 3800 T (07) 870 6555 www.manukahealth.co.nz

News | Q&A

Scoops of success

By Laura Hall

Gelato - it’s like ice cream only better, according to Carello Del Gelato owner Nathan Meyer.

And he should know with scores of awards, an exclusive invitation the world’s most important gelato exhibition in Italy and more than 100 flavours to boast about, Nathan is a leader in the developing niche market.

A small team of five manufacture roughly 2,000 litres of Gelato and Sorbetto each week and distribute it around the country to all Hell Pizza outlets, restaurants and independent suppliers.

The retail range has seven core flavours including the good old favourite’s chocolate, vanilla and wildberry. But it’s the one-off flavours especially created on request for restaurants that Nathan is most proud of.

“I lose count of the number of flavours we’ve created, but at last count it is more than 100,” he says. The off the wall recipes push the boundaries with flavours like Avocado and Chocolate, Earl Grey Tea and Black Sesame.

Auckland Today talks to Nathan about his inspiration and the logistics behind his creative success and the perils of operating in a niche market.

How would you describe gelato to someone who has never tired it before?

Like ice cream but better. The main difference is its lower in fat and it has less air through it compared to ice cream this helps to make the flavour more intense. Ice cream can have 50 percent air through it but gelato has just 15 percent so its a lot denser and more flavour.

What inspired you to open a Gelato business?

Madness! A trip to Italy in 2002 sparked the idea. I saw it over there and absolutely loved it and I guess it was something we needed to bring back to New Zealand. I spent several years thinking about it and working on it and in 2004 opened Carrello.

I’ve worked in the food industry for many years as a chef and I’ve owned my own restaurants New Zealanders are typically entrenched ice cream fans how are you winning them over?

More people know what gelato is now.

Its one of those things that has slowly become a little bit more mainstream. It’s an evolution as people travel overseas and see it and as us making it more widely available.

We do a lot of taste tastings and the product speaks for itself, if they put it in there mouth then they’ll put it in their trolley.

Gelato is a relatively new product to the New Zealand market how has the public responded to your business?

When we started 10 years ago people would ask us what gelato is, but now people are much more aware of it - they may not know the exact differences, but they are aware.

What are the risks associated with creating a business with a niche market?

You’re breaking the mould of what people are familiar with, so you have to educate the market and your new customers about what your product is and its benefits, which can very intensive and consuming. The other risk, like anything else, is the investment, time and money you put into it, and the risk you don’t see a return on it.

What are the benefits of running a niche business?

We didn’t have a lot of competition when we started in 2004. We started in a smaller capacity and eased into it, but in hindsight we should have started a lot bigger when we weren’t opposed by other ice cream or gelato companies. In the last year there seems to have been an explosion of upmarket gelato or ice cream companies

- almost to the point that we have market saturation.

Who is your biggest customer?

Hell Pizza is definitely one of our biggest customers. We supply all 66 of their stores which is a fairly large chunk as a single customer. But we also supply a large number of restaurants and stores throughout the country.

We made the decision to be purely a manufacturer supplying others. We do have a cart which we take to festivals and events, but that’s more about promoting the brand than sales.

You are constantly creating new flavours – is this simply about keeping your product fresh and new?

We’ve got four new flavours being made, as we speak, for various restaurants. They are Bourdon and Smoke, Avocado and Chocolate, Satay which is savoury, and the last one we are making today is Burnt Butter.

Creating new recipes is about being a leader in the market and trying to be the first to create new flavours and new products, and as a result we really are seen as a market leader rather than a follower.

We pride ourselves on our different flavours.

The yearly Ice Cream Awards have an open creative section and we’re always trying to push the boundaries to come up with new and interesting flavours and we always win an award that section.

Our winning flavours have been Black Sesame, Earl Grey Tea and Burnt Chocolate.

We’re really good at coming up with new ideas and actually making them work.

You were invited to the Sigep exhibition in Rimini, Italy earlier his year. What was the

24 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

significance of going and what did you learn?

It was the first time Sigep had ever invited anyone from New Zealand so that was huge to be the first New Zealand gelato company to ever go. The exhibition covered more than eight rugby fields so seeing the size and scale of the industry was a great experience.

It was also useful to measure our gelato against the Italians who hold the benchmark for gelato around the world and seeing our products stacked up as good as, if not better than theirs. The show gave us inspiration, it helped to recharge our batteries and fill us with confidence that we are on the right track.

Does seasonality affect your sales?

We are hugely affected by seasonality; 70 percent of our business is in summer. We are careful not to put all our eggs in one basket, which is why we sell to a variety of markets: retail stores, restaurants and per scope. This means we aren’t too vulnerable if one area has a bad season.

What awards have you received?

Last year we won seven medals at the Iw ce Cream Awards. Ever year we win more and more and the awards show the efforts and improvements we are trying to make are actually paying off.

What are the future business goals and ambitious?

We are looking at exporting to Asia in the next few years. We sent a custom made sample to Singapore last year and we are currently in discussions with a fairly large supermarket chain. Getting the go ahead to export can take a fairly long time, so meanwhile we are still focusing on growing our brand here in New Zealand.

News | Exporting

Crossing the ditch When doing business in Australia, does being close neighbours make it easier or harder?

I think last year’s America’s Cup campaign in San Francisco acts as a useful metaphor.

Oracle might have branded its crew as Team USA, but we all recognised Jimmy Spithill’s accent in the press conferences - abrasive, cocky, full of swagger… Australian.

Walking down the average street in Australia you would bump into a Kiwi once for every 40 people, and in south-east Queensland, the rate is higher.

While Dean Barker spoke softly and calmly of the strong self belief within the team that Emirates Team New Zealand could win that elusive final race, Jimmy Spithill defied logic saying that he believed that his team could win the series from 8-1 down.

While Robert Muldoon found humour in the situation, we all know the compelling reasons why young, qualified Kiwis are crossing the ditch.

We all know the result – Oracle changed tactics and sailed away victors. The drive to win is ingrained in Aussies from an early age, which is why Aussies are such bad losers.

Historically Australia has been economically prosperous, offering employment in most, if not all, sectors, not to mention the endless space and amazing beaches. No wonder Russell, the Finn brothers and Phar Lap all skipped town.

That’s the market you are operating in.

For those of us that call New Zealand home however, it is likely that the earth, sea and sky, full of grounded, self reliant, proudly antipodean family and friends offers a greater draw card.

But New Zealand is small, and for Kiwi businesses looking for greater challenges and growth, tapping into the Australian market seems a natural fit – perhaps more so than China.

In 2013 Australia was knocked off as New Zealand’s number one export destination

by China, but Australia remains of prime importance to many New Zealand non-dairy exporters.

But Australia is not New Zealand (collective sigh), and it is important to make yourself aware of both the differences as well as the similarities between the two cultures before dipping your toe in the West Island’s market.

In that respect, while Australia is very important to Kiwi exporters, in 2012-2013 New Zealand ranked ninth on the list of merchandise importers to that country. In other words Aussie is more important to New Zealand than New Zealand is to Aussie.

Now for the disclaimer: I grew up in Australia… but if you are still reading this piece then let me assure you that I call New Zealand home now and am able to provide some perspective on both cultures.

By Andrew Scott

In recent years, the Australian dollar has remained buoyant due to the growth of the mining sector and the insatiable Chinese economy, but most people will recognise that this growth has now slowed.

Nonetheless the Australian consumer has become accustomed to strong buying-power, competitive pricing and value-for-money.

This scenario is often coupled with high operating costs - Woolworths can attract a 40 percent margin on groceries in its stores and typically expects the goods provider to pay for regular promotions and discounting.

However, on weight of numbers, the Australian consumer continues to represent a prime target for the savvy businessperson, especially if you accept that the average Aussie household has a disposable income approximately 32 percent higher than the average Kiwi household.

Furthermore, New Zealand has a reputation in Australia for producing high quality products and services, often worth paying a premium for.

So what tactics can you employ to make sure you extend your New Zealand success to Australia? Here are a few tips.

1. Know your target market – sounds like a good opportunity for a trip to Aussie! Just make sure you don’t spend all your time on the beach. Get a feel for how the consumer thinks, how business is done and what legal requirements must be met.

2. Get physical! Depending on the size of your business and your level of experience,

this may involve engaging an Australian agent or distributor, or establishing a physical presence in Australia. It can be difficult directing traffic from this side of the Tasman, so having someone on the ground might help avoid costly mistakes and may also streamline your marketing.

3. Protect your brand - and your goods and/or services; do you know what your intellectual property is worth? IP is often thought to represent as much as 80 percent of the value of a company’s assets. Do you know how to establish ownership of your IP and control it? Remember we are playing to win here. Relying on the courtesy of your fellow Kiwi doesn’t wash in Australia. Unless you are well-positioned, adaptable, and ruthlessly aggressive (and even then) you could easily be out-manoeuvred by a more capable competitor.

Kiwis are exceptionally innovative – it’s the number 8 wire mentality. But unfortunately that attitude doesn’t always produce sustainable business growth.

In some industries being first-to-market might be the best strategy, but in many industries

blindly rushing to make your first dollar severely hampers your ability to make Your millionth.

A well thought-out intellectual property strategy allows you to deter would-be competitors, increase value through licensing and define boundaries for joint ventures.

Registered trade marks and granted patents are business tools that allow you and your business partners to operate in markets such as Australia with some degree of surety that you will not be ripped-off by the sharp business practice of a competitor.

As with all aspects of intellectual property, seeking professional advice at an early stage will help you avoid making the same mistakes as those before you.

Andrew Scott is an associate at James & Wells. He is a registered patent attorney in both Australia and New Zealand specialising in chemical, biological, agri and foodtechnologies. For more information and expert IP advice contact Andrew at andrews@jaws.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 25

been seen

Images taken and supplied

by Annie Scott Williams If you have an event that you’d like covered, email Annie (Auckland’s been seen representative) on: annie@academy.net.nz

The people, their faces and all the right places - Auckland

Graduation celebrated at Sales St Restaurant 1. Cameron and Alana 2. Cam and Alana 3. Cam 4. Alana 5. Georgia,Alana and Stuart 1

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Businesses stand up to solve youth social issues As New Zealand’s youth organisations face an unprecedented funding crisis, businesses nationwide are standing up with new social brand Y for YOUTH to solve our serious youth social issues.

New Zealand has the highest youth suicide rate in the developed world, yet there are more than 6,000 charities dedicated to assisting our youth throughout the country.

Y for YOUTH co-founder Alex Greig says “There are hundreds of very successful programmes out there already in the community. The problem is that they are competing with each other for a diminishing pool of government grants, public donations and gaming trust money, which is limiting their ability to scale and expand capacity and in some instances threatening their very survival.”

Find Your Field of Dreams Foundation CEO, Craig Pollock says he and his organisation are fully aware of the impending youth sector funding crisis.

“Even as one of the larger youth organisations, it is a major challenge finding alternative revenue streams just to fund our current programmes. I suspect a lot of smaller youth organisations may simply not survive the next few years.”

Yet as traditional funding sources for the charity sector continue to decline, New Zealand’s alarming youth social statistics, such as bullying and suicide, continue to increase. Just last year there was a 40 percent increase in youth suicide for 15 – 19 year olds.

What can we do about our youth social issues and the youth sector funding crisis?

Y for Youth FP

“New Zealand’s youth social problems are not going to be solved with sausage sizzles and the old method of rattling the bucket outside shopping centres. Our serious social problems require serious resources and funding,” Greig says.

Y for YOUTH is a turnkey corporate social responsibility platform that enables businesses to contribute to the youth sector in such a way that they benefit from positive publicity and increased sales.

Businesses and brands contribute a percentage of their profits to the Y for YOUTH support network.

In return companies display the Y for YOUTH trademark on their products and advertising, similar to Fairtrade or the Heart Foundation Tick branding models. Consumers are then encouraged to purchase from these companies.

Consumers want to buy from companies that support our communities Greig says that today more than ever, consumers want to buy from companies that contribute to our communities. “We have developed a system that makes it easy for companies to donate to the youth sector, but in such a way that they

benefit from increased sales, positive publicity and an improved brand image. It’s a win-win.”

Through the creation of a sustained funding platform for New Zealand’s youth sector, youth organisations’ fundraising burdens can be alleviated so they can focus on expanding their programmes and impacting as many youth as possible throughout New Zealand.

Y for YOUTH co-founder Lara Jane says “We’re talking about transformation and positive social change for all of New Zealand. The more youth that are positively impacted, the more youth that grow up to be happy, healthy, contributing members in our communities.”

100 Founding Angels As Y for YOUTH works towards becoming financially sustainable, it has created an opportunity for 100 forward thinking businesses and community focused individuals who wish to be involved in a movement to reduce New Zealand’s youth social statistics, to become Founding Angels.

Founding Angels support the development of Y for YOUTH by making an initial $5,000 donation (or $500 per month x 10 months), then $100 per month for three years.

Well known entrepreneur Michael Mayell, founder of Cookie Time, was one of the first to step up and claims that becoming a Founding Angel is a good way of practising corporate social responsibility. “This is just a great opportunity to give back, and it makes it very easy for businesses to do it.”

Twenty eight companies and individuals have already come on board as Founding Angels to support the development and growth of Y for YOUTH including Blacksmith Ltd, Navman Wireless, Academy Publishing, Coca–Cola, Tiki Taane, Kim and Mona Dotcom and Sales Star.

For further information and to get involved visit www.yforyouth.org

News | Cover story

The Blunt edge

The Blunt creative crew (left to right), Josh Page, Scott Kington and Greig Brebner

By Davina Richards

The Malaysian royals have one, celebrities have been sighted carrying them and it’s been raved about in the Wall Street Journal.

It had a stint on National Geographic TV and there’s even talk about them featuring in upcoming Hollywood blockbusters.

Greig Brebner, the inventor and founder of Blunt umbrellas, doesn’t leave his home without one, and it looks like no else does either.

Basically, an umbrella’s an umbrella, even if it is a flash one, but what Greig’s achieved is the use of complexity to maintain functional simplicity.

The basic umbrella design has been buried in the history books, covered in dust and unchanged since 1928. But this all changed on a rainy London day in 1999.

Greig, working as a design engineer, was caught in a downpour on a busy street. As the crowd of silent assassins unfurled their umbrellas, spikes were attacking him at every angle. And then it happened – his epiphany – one which could change the lives of everyday people who fear the inevitable 28 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

poking of the eye in some of the most demanding weather conditions.

He may not have reinvented the wheel, but he took a narrow, wooden spoked wobbly wonker and turned it into a wide-rimmed low profile performer more suited to today’s life, style and consumer expectations.

Shaping up

to the point where we were self-sustainable was a good moment. With respect to the market in New Zealand it does feel like things have taken off however, with a focus on supplying the world market we have huge ambitions and a lot of work ahead of us to be recognised globally to the level where we will be satisfied,” Greig says.

Some people insist that some things in life are more complicated than they should be.

While a run of the mill umbrella collapses in what seems like the lightest of winds, Greig, a towering 1.9 metre tall Kiwi from Auckland, has turned the simplest of products on its head.

“We have a product that is very refreshing in a stale market where there has been little to no genuine advancement in recent times. At Blunt we have a purpose that really strikes a chord with people who appreciate good design that ultimately leads to products that perform beyond expectations and have a reduced impact on the world around us.”

The Blunt umbrella holds its own in winds of more than 100km/h due to its taut and strong canopy. But you need to look beyond Blunt’s outward appearance of filed down edges and its sleek and classy exterior to see that its success is anchored by its internal technology.

He explains that designing umbrellas is an extremely restrictive process and any changes he makes can affect something else, generally in a negative way, and is one of the reasons why innovation in the industry has been stunted.

Blunt technology incorporates a radial tensioning system (RTS) into its canopy which distributes the opening force of tension upwards into its double struts and redirects into its floating ribs and down to the canopy edge or Blunt tip, creating a tighter and flatter canopy. What you get is a strong, aerodynamic, fully performing and controllable umbrella without the sharp edges and weak points.

“Overcoming the challenge purely came down to persistence and some design ability.

I refused to believe there wasn’t a better way to make an umbrella. It took a good few years and many failed prototypes to come up with a design that even half resembled what we have today so it took a lot of selfbelief and focus.”

Showdown

The company sells Blunt umbrellas in more than 1,200 stores in 27 countries. With a record of 100,000 sold here and abroad this year, the world is taking notice, much to Greig’s delight. “Turning the corner financially

Blunt is no one-man brand. The business is composed of two other Kiwis responsible for its ongoing success: co-founder and managing director Scott Kington and global brand manager Josh Page.

“

We have a product that is very refreshing in a stale market where there has been little to no genuine advancement in recent times.

– Founder, Greig Brebner

”

Ten years ago, Greig was back in New Zealand working with Scott on another product while employed at his father’s business Proline Plastics in Otahuhu. During this time the umbrella prototype Greig was working on was still trying to figure out what it wanted to be when it grew up, but when he revealed it to Scott he immediately took an interest in his design featuring rounded edges and a high tension frame.

Armed with an innovative concept and support from Scott to start a company and sell the product to the world, their mission to supply a sturdy and fashionable umbrella – which is far from being a throwaway commodity – was beginning to take form. Initially, the pair named the company Pointless Umbrellas, before changing to a more apt name, Blunt. They founded the company Madeblunt in January, 2006.

News | Cover story

“With Scott’s background in business development, he was exactly what I needed, as at the time I was quite lost on how to take the project forward and commercialise. Since then it has been a long, but very fun journey together, working out all the intricacies of building a business, a brand, global distribution network and refining a product to a level that is being celebrated globally. Scott is very much the driving force in making sure our products are getting out there into shops (and hands) around the world,” Greig says.

Global brand manager Josh Page, a former design consultant for celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, joined the company in 2010, at a time when brand identity was a bit of a struggle.

“Josh’s background in brand and marketing at a global level was exactly who we needed and he has been instrumental in defining who we are as a brand and how we communicate this through our presentation.”

Quite simply, Blunt wouldn’t be where it is now without each other’s experience, expertise and just as importantly, belief. “We have some very patient investors who have been in this for the long haul, been very supportive and 100 percent believe in what we are doing and the potential of it.

“In finding a suitable factory we met a Kiwi living in China who helped us through a very sensitive stage to find the correct manufacturing partner. Had we not met David Haythornthwaite and been guided like we were, things may have turned out very differently for us. It was crucial we got with a manufacturer that could and would complement our design with a quality built product.”

Keep on moving It should have been a smooth and profitable ride into the British market, but ironically, gaining momentum in the UK has proved difficult for Blunt.

Greig tells me the issue lies in their inability to find a suitable distribution partner which can perform all the necessary tasks to reflect their story. However, changes are in place to try and turn their luck around by exploring a number of options including using export consulting company, Katabolt, “which have strong ties with this part of the world and

“

From celebrities and royalty purchasing Blunts, to securing new retailers, to featuring on National Geographic, we’re extremely proud of the way the world is embracing Blunt umbrellas the way we do.

Blunt awards • Best Design Awards: Silver Product Design Award 2010 • NZ Export Awards: Emerging Exporter of the Year 2012 • On an international level Blunt won the prestigious iF Product Design Award 2014 in Germany and the Red Dot Design Awards 2014 in the Netherlands for its golf umbrella.

”

– managing director, Scott Kington

very effective strategies for identifying and opening up new markets around the globe.

requirements of the Asian market, including a focus on UV protection.

“Being situated on the opposite side of the world does not help. In other markets we have had a degree of luck in finding the right people - and it is about to happen in the UK also. Knowing that you can’t beat face to face contact with potentials we have a number of trips planned over the next few months that will also include attending relevant trade shows.”

“Generally speaking this market requires a lighter product and has a very large discerning top end – especially where golfing is concerned. As a result we are developing a product that is using more exotic materials that will enable us to retain the solid performance of Blunt with the reduced weight.”

This year the business will undergo some challenges in managing the growth of its distributors effectively, while Scott is thinking along the lines of custom designs for corporate companies.

“We know from our experience in the New Zealand market that a number of our key international markets are about to mature to a point where there will be some major growth that will come with a new set of challenges for our partners. It is important that we support their businesses through these challenges and have solutions at hand should they need them.”

And there are no intentions of applying the brakes. Blunt is already designing a new golf umbrella being developed to meet the

The eco-friendly, award winning Blunt umbrella, which won the prestigious iF Product Design Award 2014, is available here and abroad including Europe, UK, Japan, Canada and the USA. More recently, Blunt is trialling stores in Bloomingdales and REI (Recreational Equipment Inc) in America and has signed on new distributors in the Ukraine, Poland and Russia.

Scott couldn’t be happier to have the Blunt recognised with national and internationally coveted awards. “The brand has been going from strength to strength and we’re delighted with this latest achievement.

“From celebrities and royalty purchasing Blunts, to securing new retailers, to featuring on National Geographic, we’re extremely proud of the way the world is embracing

Rave reviews • Wall Street Journal: “Structurally, the Blunt falls somewhere between suspension bridge and NASA space probe”.

• Wired wrote: “Its architectural integrity is as unbroken as the dome of St. Peter’s.”

Blunt umbrellas the way we do. To see our design acknowledged by the best in the industry is certainly a dream come true.”

Down to business Kiwis are great at thinking outside the square and have a very positive attitude to boot, but the challenge for New Zealand, Greig says, is being able to perform at a level that is scalable and of an international standard, so it can sell itself to the world and not just to each other.

“The key to any success is having the focus to do one thing extremely well. As a whole, New Zealand would be a lot better off if we had a focussed theme for innovation that the country was renowned for and could be marketed as a whole, technology to Silicon Valley, movies to Hollywood.

“We are not big enough to be doing lots of random, small cool things and expecting big things to come of them – except umbrellas, of course.”

For young investors, he says they should target ideas towards sustainability. “We are at the start of a period where awareness of how badly we are treating this planet will be heightened more and more, and innovative sustainable products and other ideas will be well rewarded.

“An exciting time to be in business for the right reasons that are healthy, not only for your pocket, but also for the people and world around us. Social media is making it harder and harder for companies to hide or disguise marginal activities and they will need to change or be superseded.”

To finish the interview I ask him which Blunt umbrella he never leaves the house without, “My latest prototype! Always testing and every new model is the new favourite”.

Are you forced to battle with an inanimate object out on the street? Avoid showing yourself up in public. The revolutionary Blunt umbrella has you covered. www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 29

News | Tactics

Warning signs your business is going bust

By Laura Hall

It may be a relief to know that a businesses death is seldom a sudden occurrence.

No, they are often long drawn out affairs over months or even years. Which may make you wonder, if they take so long to go under, why doesn’t the owner do anything to save it?

The fact of the matter is SME business owners can often be so caught up in the daily grind of running their business, they don’t take the time to step back and take stock of their assets, finances and debts.

When they do finely evaluate the situation it can often be too late to save the business.

Once you start getting into debt it can be near impossible to pull yourself back out again.

Many ventures end up going broke across the country every year; the terminal prognosis to blame is cash flow deprivation and incurable unprofitability.

Almost every, if not all, businesses go through hard financial times, particularly in the first two years of business, it’s normal. But the trick is having the awareness to recognise the alarm bells when you are in trouble and the knowledge on how to solve them.

So be proactive and wise up to your company’s warnings signs before it’s too late and you’re pushing up daisies.

Repeat customers Warning sign Repeat customers are extremely valuable because they spread good word of mouth recommendations and are a reliable source of income even when times are tough. SME’s often find repeat customers can account for up to 80 percent of their sales. If repeat customers only make up a small percentage 30 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

of your sales, or even none at all, it’s a strong signal you have a problem in your sales department.

Solution Investigate what’s causing the problem by going to the source directly. Ask your customers for feedback, this can be extremely helpful to indentify problems that you may be blind to. Ask ‘what are we doing right and wrong’? ‘Would you buy from us again, why or why not’?

owners. The courses aim to give basic knowledge on income and provisional tax, expenses, deprecation and registering for GST. The New Zealand Institute of Charted Accountants also offer courses throughout the year on small business accounting specifically designed for SME business owners and sole traders.

Sale, sale, sale!

Warning sign

Warning sign You don’t have to be a trained accountant to keep track of your business finances, but it’s important to have a basic understanding of your books.

Many businesses believe they need to hold sales to make a sale, but if you are constantly slashing prices you are also slashing valuable profit margin.

You need to know which aspects of your business makes money and which aspects cost money.

Do you know how much money you currently have in the bank, how much is owed to you and how much you owe others?

Money makes the world and your business go round, so if you can’t answer these basic questions there is a high possibility your business is on a down hill slope.

Solution Hiring an accountant to sort out your books is one sure-fire solution however, it’s important you have an understanding of your business too. So get your head out of the sand, wise up and take charge of the office books.

You don’t need to become a qualified accountant but you do need to know what all the numbers mean. You can easily turn your businesses fortunes around by up skilling yourself.

Inland Revenue run regular free workshop around the country designed at SME business

Once you start borrowing money you have already passed the point of no return, as it only becomes increasingly harder to pay back the money and become self-sufficient and profitable again.

Solution

Are you constantly discounting your prices to compete with the deals your competition is putting out?

Dodgy accounting

inventory this is a bad sign and can likely mean the business is about to perish.

Stop borrowing money instantly and focus on reducing debt. Make your main priority to collect outstanding debt owed to you, consider renegotiating debt and sell redundant inventory.

Mass exodus Warning sign

Does it feel like your staff are on a revolving Discounting your prices may help you to make door? If you are losing staff almost as quickly a sale, but at the end of the day all you are as you hire them, then you are losing valuable doing is eroding valuable profit and eventually intellectual capital and money. no profit means no business.

It is normal for staff to come and go, but if you are constantly hiring employees then Solution you need to pay attention because you have a problem. It costs you valuable time and Shift your focus from making bargain sales money to train a new staff member every to creating valuable sales that maximise profit margin. A small amount of quality sales time someone leaves, wasting you time and money. is more valuable than a large amount of discount sales.

Losing an employee can also mean losing customers in service industries such as Stop competing on price with your rivals and instead beat them with added value, excellent mechanics and hairdressing. service and superior products. These added benefits will soon appease your customers Solution queries about the price rise.

You can fix this problem but it will take some considered time and effort.

Deep in debt Warning sign The warning sign is obvious here. If your business isn’t generating enough profit to meet its bills and it has an over dependency on borrowing money to pay everyday business costs such as wages, leases and

Start by having an honest discussion with your staff about workplace culture. Ask your staff if they are happy in their job. Why or why not?

If employees aren’t happy and are considering leaving ask what can be done to change the work environment and how can you create a culture in which people want to stay.

News | Tactics

Pay raise alternatives

By Laura Hall

When money refuses to talk, people walk – this is a well known fact of life.

Attending business workshops is not normally something an employee would sign themselves up for, because they can be costly and they often run during work hours.

Business courses are a smart investment for the employer too because the company will reap the benefits of the employees new enhanced skills.

But not every business, especially SME business owners, can afford to give their staff annual pay rises and even if they can afford to give out pay rises, the increase may not meet The investment you make paying for the training course and giving the staff member your employee’s expectations. time off work will quickly pay itself off.

So if you can’t squeeze your tight budget even tighter to find the extra funds for those Flexi hours pay increases, then it is vitally important to The typical eight to five, Monday to Friday show your employees you value them using work week doesn’t suit everybody’s lifestyle other methods. and schedules, particularly if they face a long Your staff members are key assets in your company so it’s important you treat them like one.

commute or have young children.

Asking your employee what hours best suit them and offering a flexible schedule can If morale is low among staff then work output work wonders at improving their attitude towards the job. will be low too. A happy team member is a hard working team member, so show them Starting work an hour later can be a huge you care and appreciate the work they put benefit to many staff, giving them time to in by implementing some of the pay rise sleep in, calmly get their children to school or alternatives below. miss the traffic jams on the motorway.

Upskilling Sending staff to relevant training and development courses is a win, win for all.

Staff view upskilling as positive progress in their career because it boosts their confidence and puts them in good stead for promotions down the line.

They will arrive at work less stressed and ready to work. So be accommodating and flexible to their personal needs and in return get a happier employee.

treat themselves and their family to a nice meal or special outings.

So why not reward your employee for all their hard work with a bit of R&R and luxury time that they wouldn’t otherwise get.

day in day out, leading to equally horrendous petrol bills. So why not ease the burden with a fuel subsidy card or if you’re feeling extra generous a work car would certainly go a long way to making an employee feel valued.

Rewards could include a restaurant voucher, shopping mall voucher, and concert or sports game tickets.

Take a break

The unique aspect of this alternative is that you can tailor the perk to your employee’s hobbies, personality and likes showing that you do really know them and care.

Many businesses now have just enough staff to get the job done and as a result staff are as busy as they’ve ever been and/or have to rack up overtime to get their core duties done.

Bill breaks Bills are a part of everyday life, but wouldn’t it be nice if someone lightened the load and paid one for you?

I’m sure you think so and no doubt your employees would agree. So why no pick up the tab for one of their work related bills.

If your office is in the city then it’s likely your staff have to pay for parking, which is a necessary evil. So consider subsidising, or paying for their parking bill or better yet, give them a company car park.

Are your employees working their fingers to the bone?

While having just enough staff to get the job done may be an efficient way to run a business on paper, it can take a toll on its employees.

If this sounds like your business, then your staff are probably in need of a well deserved break. So insist they take a day off and give them an extra day’s holiday; a long weekend to relax can work wonders. Yes this will be an inconvenience as you’ve only just got the manpower required to get by in the first place, but your employees will appreciate the gesture, and the time off, more than you think and come back rejuvenated, energised and ready to get stuck back in.

Entertainment perks

Companies often have great mobile phone plans with a massive amount of minutes that you can never use up, so why not share them?

Pay for your staffs phone bills or give them a work mobile phone.

Staff on low and even medium level wages can often struggle to pay the bills, let alone

Commuting to and from work can be a ghastly task particularly if you face horrendous traffic If the idea is realistic, then implement it.

Get creative Ask your employee what sort of bonus they would like. Let them think about it and come up with something that really gets them excited.

Give praise and increase profits

By Steven Lynch

Pavlov was onto something with his dogs.

Praise and recognition is the bell that drives human behaviour.

Saying “thank you” is a universal concept with an underlying definition that means “please repeat that specific behaviour again”.

A survey of more than 200,000 managers and employees during a 10 year period showed that purpose-based recognition is a proven way to engage your employees, reduce staff turnover, boost productivity, and increase customer satisfaction.

What’s more, the study shows that companies who effectively praise and recognise its staff are much more profitable. Organisations that scored in the lowest 25percent for recognition had an average return on equity of just 2.4 percent, whereas those that scored in the top 25 percent had an average return on equity more than three times higher.

To create the best results, praise and recognition will be most effective when it meets the following criteria.

Make it positive Remembering a person’s past negative behaviours and speaking about how much better they have become is not recommended (e.g. “You used to be a real pain in the ass to work with, but you’ve been a lot nicer to be around lately”).

Giving praise and recognition is not the time to bring up past errors. For your praise to have maximum effect, just point out their positive behaviour. (e.g. “I really appreciate the effort you made to engage with the team at the meeting today. It was nice to see you smiling and taking an interest in people”).

Do it now The sooner you give the praise and recognition to when the actual performance occurs, the better. Don’t wait until their next performance review.

In terms of frequency, research suggests that you look for opportunities to praise each of

your team members for doing something right at least once per week if you want to increase employee engagement and motivation.

Catch people doing things right and let them know straight away.

Focus on observed behaviour - not the person’s character Don’t make statements about the person such as “You are really smart” or “You are a hard worker”. It is better to focus on their observed actions and commend the specific behaviour you want to see reinforced (e.g. “I was impressed with the research you did on this project, and the long hours you put in to get the report done on time”).

Interestingly, research shows that this exact same approach is the best way to praise and coach your children as well.

Link it to your strategic plan Recognise the specific behaviours that reinforce your company’s core values, or comment on specific results that were achieved, such as a task being completed,

progress on a strategic report or a key performance indicator goal being exceeded.

Share it around Recognition and praise is best delivered in the environment where the actual performance occurred, ideally among the person’s peers.

Alternatively, if you are in a virtual team you can send the team a notification of your praise being delivered. Let the whole team know when someone is doing a good job.

We usually think of recognition as coming from the manager, but interestingly, it is recognition from our peers that often means the most to people.

In summary If you want to increase employee engagement, look for opportunities to publicly praise your team members for doing something right at least once every week.

Who are you going to praise right now?

Stephen Lynch is the chief customer officer at RESULTS.com. Information kindly provided by RESULTS.com: www.results.com

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 31

News | Lifestyles

Lifestyles

By Davina Richards

1.

1.

Digital stick

Wooden USB I imagine one day there will be a flash drive the size of my finger nail which can hold a terabyte of data, but until then I’ll leave it up to product designers to objectify the hell out of USB sticks and turn the common mundane object into something stylish and interesting. Exhibit A celebrates the art form of nature and technology. No trees were harmed in the making of this product – the wood is taken from the forest floor.

RRP: 2GB $45, 4GB $49, 8Gb $54 and 16Gb $62 Available from: www.oooms.nl

2.

I’ll be there for you

Central Park rug I won’t abrupt into a one woman band of flash mob singers breaking out the Friends theme tune, but I guarantee this Central Park rug will make you want to lie on the floor, play an episode of the 90s favourite comedy hit show and roll around until you’re a human pancake.

Hand woven with felted merino wool, there won't even be a square metre to share with anyone else.

2.

RRP: $468 +GST per square metre Available from: www.artisanflooring.co.nz

3.

3.

Memorable scents

ECOYA candle Many people melt at the smell of freshly baked bread, cut grass or damp earth after a downpour; we try to forget a bad smell as quickly as possible, but the pleasant ones stick around. Don’t let the cold weather desensitise you this winter and fill your home with the sweet smell of French pear. Place it in your bathroom while you relax in the bath, in the hallway or living room. A sweet scent is the remaining element to seal in the cosiness of your home.

RRP: $49.95 Available from: www.ecoya.com

4.

Fancy flavours

4.

Colonna lemon infused extra virgin olive oil The story behind Colonna’s Granverde begins in Molise, Italy. Made from handpicked olives and spray-free lemons carefully selected from Marina Colonna’s Bosco Pontini Estate, the sweet olive oil is just too good not to share.

RRP: 250ml $29.90 or 500ml $39.90 Available from: www.sabato.co.nz

32 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Be in to win: Sabato is kindly giving away one bottle of 250mI Colonna lemon infused extra virgin olive oil. To be in to win simply email your name and address to promotions@sabato.co.nz, with ‘Colonna Giveaway – Canterbury Today’ in the subject line, by Friday, August 8.

News | Lifestyles

Lifestyles 5.

Attractive heating

Cocoon fires

5.

At some time or another we’ve found ourselves staring into a fire, hypnotised by its dancing flames. The Cocoon fire catches your gaze twofold due to its sleek, sexy design. It runs on bio fuel, doesn’t require a flu and as such, is rather environmentally friendly. Hang it from the ceiling or convert into a freestanding “Terra”. You can move it from room to room making it a great stylish addition to interior and exterior spaces. We might not love the cold, but we do love that warm fuzzy feeling.

RRP: $4,267 plus GST Available from: www.cocoonfires.co.nz

6.

6.

Top drops

Amisfield Pinot Noir 2011 Hello wine lovers. We know how much you love to get together to enjoy a rant with friends over a glass of wine and laugh it up by the fire - so why not cosy up to one of Amisfield’s finest wines. Fermented naturally and allowed to mature quietly in French oak barriques it’s the perfect drop for winter with its distinct aromatic red cherries, baking spices and fine oak tasting notes. Go on, you big flirt. It’s the best thing you’ve tasted since the last sip you took!

7.

RRP: $45 Available from: www.amisfield.co.nz

7.

Mash it

Electric potato and vegetable masher Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food and as a nation we’re big fans. So this electric vegetable and potato masher is a great kitchen tool likely to make a difference at dinner time. Experiment by whipping up some guacamole, dips, baby food and cake batters.

RRP: $69.99 Available from: www.mitre10.co.nz

8.

8.

Threading it

Glück pendant Knitted furniture is underestimated and quite the in item just now. This hand crochet pendant light brings warmth and texture, and possesses a charm which can lack in many hard furniture pieces. Knitting expert Naomi Paul is just one of the creative’s out there who appreciates sustainability and indulges in the beauty of pulling yarn through loops using materials from the fashion industry.

Her unique range of cushions and lighting is worth checking out if you ask me.

RRP: From $2,404 Available from: www.naomipaul.co.uk

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 33

Business Development | Fisher & Paykel Healthcare

Tools for today’s healthcare Millions of people across the globe are breathing easier thanks to the ingenuity and tenacity of Kiwi research and development.

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare has long set an example of what we can achieve here at the bottom of the world. With international profits growing and the company aiming to double its constant currency revenue in the next five to six years, forecasts are strong and optimism is high.

It recently announced a 26 percent increase in full-year profits, posting net profit of $97.1 million in the year ended 31 March. Investor relations and corporate affairs manager, Marcus Driller says it’s an upwards trend Fisher & Paykel Healthcare has enjoyed.

“In the last 15 years we have seen an average growth rate of about 12 percent per year.” Much of that is thanks to its revolutionary work in respiratory and acute care.

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare is a leader in the supply of unique respiratory humidifier systems for use in critical care. The company has been able to capture more than 70 percent of the global market by being the first to develop effective humidification, which warms the oxygen being given to patients in intensive care situations.

Rigid plastic trays and clamshells for medical, food and general packaging 0800 436 768

www.aztec.co.nz

This was back in the 1970s and the initial prototype humidifier for hospital ventilators was made from a glass Agee jar. During the years it has become a technology which is now industry standard.

Ventilators deliver cold, dry gas, which expose patients to a range of complications.

By heating and humidifying the air these symptoms could be avoided.

In the early days, the medical device division was a part of the parent company, Fisher & Paykel Industries - well-known for its dominant role in the whiteware industry.

The R&D and manufacture of the medical humidifier continued under this banner until 1977 when the Medical Division was formally developed. In 2001, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare was separated from the appliances division to become a standalone business.

In the year following separation, it achieved revenue of $215 million.

Benefits of Optiflow with optimal humidity Patient

Clinician

• Comfortable oxygen delivery, reducing the likelihood of treatment failure

• Less attendance time assisting uncomfortable patients

• Can continue to eat, drink, talk and sleep

• No need to change between multiple oxygen delivery devices and interfaces

Its work has since been focussed in two main areas, developing a broad range of products and systems for use in respiratory and acute care, and in the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

• A broad range of flows and oxygen concentrations can be delivered, providing both versatility and continuity of care as patients wean or their condition becomes more acute

The future will see further investment into research and development, which has already increased by 18 percent this year to $54.1 million. It will focus on new products and improvements in the respiratory and OSA areas, as well as expanding further into surgical opportunities.

• May displace the need for noninvasive or invasive ventilation through better patient tolerance

• Increased confidence in the actual fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) being delivered to the patient • Easier oral care, maintaining the moisture in the oral mucosa • May be used to wean patients off noninvasive or invasive ventilation.

• Improved respiratory efficiency • Better secretion clearance, reducing the risk of respiratory infection.

The prototype Agee jar respiratory humidifier, developed in New Zealand for use with patients needing ventilation in hospital intensive care situations.

Web: www.millenniumplastics.co.nz

Phone: +64 7 958 4500

Millennium Plastics would like to congratulate Fisher & Paykel Healthcare on their continued growth and success.

We are proud to be both a key supplier of injection moulded components and a continued provider of product development services to this thriving company.

34 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Business Development | Fisher & Paykel Healthcare

Optiflow Clinical data now demonstrates that Optiflow is more effective than traditional oxygen delivery devices. Optiflow results in: • Improved patient comfort and tolerance • Greater therapy success than with face masks • Improved lung volumes • Improved respiratory rates • Improved oxygenation with fewer desaturations • Optimised mucociliary clearance.

• Which may lead to: • More effective treatment and reduced escalation of care • Increased patient and caregiver satisfaction • Reduced length of stay in ICU • Reduced cost of care.

Optiflow Junior In neonatal situations, Optiflow Junior is providing a simple and effective delivery of oxygen therapy to infants in respiratory distress and may reduce the requirement for CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) ventilation and intubation.

Optiflow Junior has been shown to be as effective as more invasive therapies while being gentler on the baby. “The babies can be held by their parents and care givers - which is extremely important for their developmental care,” Payton adds.

Optiflow Junior was first released to market in March 2012 following years of engineering and development, which included significant in-hospital customer research.

Payton says it’s a high performance product that responds to requirements from parents, nurses and doctors - with the oxygen flow delivered through soft anatomical prongs.

It’s easy to use with a patented Wigglepad system which enables easy re-application, adjustment and maintenance, and longer circuits and a clothing clip that enables improved mother child bonding and feeding.

Babies also have very delicate skin in the nose area. Optimal humidity together with Optiflow has been shown to be a comfortable, effective and well tolerated treatment option. It has also won several prestigious international awards. It earned a prestigious Red Dot Award at the International Forum Design Awards putting Fisher & Paykel Healthcare alongside other winners like BMW and Apple.

Benefits of Optiflow for infants Infant

Clinician

• More comfortable and tolerable than other respiratory therapies

• May reduce the requirement for CPAP

• Receives a more accurate level of oxygen • Reduces the work of breathing • Can enjoy greater interaction with parents and clinicians (assisting development care) • More likely to receive an uninterrupted oxygen flow • Less risk of upper airway trauma

PAKURANGA ENGINEERING LTD

• May reduce the need for intubation • Easy to set up and maintain • More control and flexibility with delivery of a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) • Easier holding of the infant • Sedation may be reduced due to a more comfortable infant • May reduce length of stay.

• Easier feeding.

Pakuranga Engineering is proud to support industry leaders Fisher & Paykel Healthcare by providing quality machined parts.

Our long association with F&P Healthcare relies on the quality and accuracy of our processes - we deliver the components they need, on time and to specification.

Accord Precision is proud to be a strategic partner to Fisher & Paykel supplying most divisions with precision machined solutions.

Certifications include ISO 9001, 14001, 13485 and FDA registration.

Accord provides end to end solutions from CNC machined components to FDA approved medical devices fully assembled, QA inspected, packaged and labelled for Fisher & Paykel to distribute around the world.

71 Ben Lomond Crescent, Pakuranga, Manukau 2010. New Zealand PO Box 51395, Pakuranga, Manukau 2140. New Zealand Phone 09 577 0004 Mobile 021 995 512 www.accord.co.nz

Our well equipped machine shop and skilled team ensures our clients’ requirements can be analysed carefully, the best processes chosen, the deadlines agreed and quality control applied using the latest measuring equipment and procedures.

We can cope with large production runs, JIT manufacture, prototyping and component re-design and re-manufacturing.

ISO certified, with QA processes second to none, we deliver.

To find out more, visit our website www.techniturn.com or call Darren or Darryl on 09 273 8001, email sales@techniturn.com

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 35

Business Development | Fisher & Paykel Healthcare

Breathing easy While R&D is fundamental to what Fisher & Paykel Healthcare does, it’s all about improving care and outcomes for people and the efficiency and effectiveness of their care.

“Our challenge is to help the world by producing products that can help transition patients to lower intensity care settings or their home,” Driller says.

The international release of Optiflow is doing this; not only is it allowing patients to breathe easier, it’s relieving some of the pressure on critical and intensive care. Patients can be treated in the wards and increasingly at home - with Optiflow having shown good results in reducing hospital stays for patients.

It has proven to be more effective than traditional oxygen delivery therapies. It’s less invasive, more comfortable and by keeping patients off ventilators they can be treated while conscious. In the neonatal field - this is a huge leap forward.

In France, a recent study of the feasibility and acceptability of Optiflow in a hospital emergency department has confirmed positive outcomes. This study showed that there was an improvement in gas exchange, and oxygen saturation, but also in breathing rate and comfort.

As such Optiflow has potential as a firstline therapy for respiratory failure in the emergency department.

“Optiflow is a revolutionary oxygen therapy solution, and one of the most exciting developments in respiratory medicine since the introduction of non-invasive ventilation over 20 years ago,” says Matthew Payton, general manager of the company’s respiratory and acute care product group.

“Optiflow has undergone many clinical studies and trials, here in New Zealand and around the world. With 30 studies currently underway, the therapy is gaining real momentum with clinicians,” Payton adds.

It offers the comfortable delivery of a broad range of oxygen concentrations and flows, and the new level of flexibility means it can replace traditional oxygen therapy devices and in addition advance the therapeutic capabilities of oxygen delivery. “This is redefining the boundaries of oxygen therapy.”

Internationally an ageing population, along with increased spending in the healthcare sector has helped boost the company’s success during the years.

A traditional nasal cannula can deliver two to five litres of oxygen a minute Optiflow delivers up to 60 litres per minute.

Optiflow emulates the natural balance of temperature and humidity that occurs in healthy adult lungs (37 °C, 44 mg/L), promotes greater patient comfort and improves tolerance to therapy.

Growing demand

Currently more than nine million people per year are treated with the company’s products.

Marcus Driller estimates there are 100 million who could benefit annually from its therapies.

Last financial year, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare posted a 12 percent gain in operating revenue from its respiratory humidification products to $336.9 million, and a 15 percent increase in obstructive sleep apnoea products to $270 million.

Proud to be a Partner in manufacturing excellence for

CWE Manufacturing 3D Vision measuring 40 to 860 ton clamp injection moulding Dedicated team with a winning attitude A support network second to none TS16949 Quality management system in place since 2004 ISO 14001 Environmental management system since 2004 Tier 1 Automotive Supplier

“There is a large number of patients we can help out there, and this number is growing every year because of the ageing demographic. Medical advancement keeps us alive longer, thus increasing the demand on the technologies and healthcare services required.

“Healthcare spending is also increasing every year. Last year China announced that they were going to triple their spending on healthcare between 2013 and 2020,” Driller says.

At the same time, the cost of keeping a patient in hospital rises. Studies show that to keep someone in intensive care costs around $5,000 per day.

WWW.AXIAM.CO.NZ

“If we can provide a therapy that will help people move from intensive care to the wards faster - this is a big saving, and it’s better for the patient.”

In some cases, the use of Optiflow in the home is preventing people entering the hospital system; “again a potentially enormous saving for global healthcare systems,” Payton says The use of Optiflow is improving health and fiscal outcomes globally, and with the product still being in its infancy, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare expect to see it go from strength to strength.

“It really does provide a different and better experience for patients and their families - and this is what it’s all about for us improving people’s care.”

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare T (09) 574 0100 E info@fphcare.co.nz www.fphcare.com — Advertising Feature

Expect the unexpected At Nexus we’re passionate about designing new products to solve real issues for customers like Fisher and Paykel Healthcare And our inquisitive design team likes nothing more than trying out new combinations of materials and techniques to see what really works.

This is how we got our reputation for developing new soft material components that outperform anything else available

W W W .NEXUSFOAMS.COM Nexus Foams can build just about anything you need in composite soft materials.

Find out more 09 274 9133 | info@nexusfoams.com 36 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Business Development | Millennium Plastics

The future of plastics takes shape For any product development, big or small, planning is the key to success. It’s where most of the hard work is done – once a solid plan is in place, the manufacture runs more smoothly. And that’s where Hamilton’s Millennium Plastics excels.

Start-up entrepreneur with a dream, or multinational with regulations to follow, Millennium Plastics’ clients can expect care and attention through the entire product development process.

Its injection moulded components can be found in a vast range of markets, including medical devices, animal health, agriculture and food, and its client-focussed approach to product development has earned it a strong reputation in many other sectors.

“A product can often be the end point of years of planning and dreaming on the client’s part,” says CEO Tony Rutz.

“So we listen to our clients’ needs and wants, and work closely with them to develop a plan to achieve the desired outcome. When the planning stage is done thoroughly, it helps to ensure that their project comes in on time and in budget - without any unwelcome surprises.”

Before steel is cut for the tools, Millennium Plastics’ product development team focusses

on proving out concepts. With that come formal product and tool design reviews, avoiding expensive reworking and costly delays.

With the team’s years of experience in the plastics industry, they’ve built up a long contact list of international experts, whose services they draw on when necessary.

“It’s this painstaking attention to detail that means clients usually get the result they’re looking for early on in testing,” Rutz says.

From the analysis of the test samples, the process and tooling can be fine tuned to achieve the desired outcomes.

The manufacturing happens in a temperature controlled environment with positive air pressure to ensure a high level of cleanliness, stable conditions for the manufacturing processes, and a comfortable working environment for staff.

With a high proportion of components being supplied into companies with regulatory body requirements, such as FDA and Pharmacopeia,

Millennium Plastics purpose built facility is conveniently located in Hamilton’s rapidly developing northern industrial estate

a well developed and proven quality structure and team is paramount. Millennium Plastics operates to international ISO standards and cGMP protocols, which means clients can rely on their components being manufactured to the agreed specification every time.

With customer service and top quality production such a focus for Millennium Plastics, Rutz doesn’t overlook the role staff training and development plays. In recent years numerous staff have benefited from training in leadership, advanced technical skills, health and safety, and competitive manufacturing.

“The advanced technical training, which is internationally recognised, ensures our team has the knowledge and tools to solve the technical challenges they are presented with.”

With an active lean manufacturing programme in place, Millennium Plastics has seen improvements in productivity and waste reduction.

It’s this, along with having well developed systems and a structured approach to doing business that will see the company continue to offer unbeatable service to its clients well into the future.

Millennium Plastics 1 Udy Place Te Rapa Hamilton T (07) 958 4500 www.millenniumplastics.co.nz — Advertising Feature

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 37

Property & Construction | Lockwood Homes

Quality that’s locked in It’s the most trusted name in the New Zealand building industry and Lockwood Homes has the Readers Digest Most Trusted Brands award to prove it.

The introduction of the Most Trusted Home Building Brand last year saw Lockwood Homes receive the top honour; an accolade that reflects the longevity, integrity and innovation of this New Zealand company.

For 63 years it has been designing preengineered solid timber houses with interlocking components, which are assembled quickly and efficiently.

While revolutionary within the building industry in 1950s New Zealand, the company has stayed at the forefront of innovation and technology within the timber industry.

Lockwood marketing manager, Vicki Jessop says the team’s commitment to the quality of its designs and building standards has never wavered.

“As a result we enjoy an enviable reputation; outstanding performance in very high wind, earthquakes and extreme temperatures.

But we continually challenge ourselves to demonstrate that what we say we are, translates into reality.”

The strength of a Lockwood is in the walls being locked together, not just nailed. In this unique and exclusive system, solid laminated timber walls and patented aluminum x-profiles are locked, rather than nailed, together to created a strong, versatile structure.

Timber walls, posts and beams are machined and predrilled to take services and joinery, and allowances are made to incorporate the Lockwood vertical tie rod system, which makes your home structurally strong and resistant to damage from earthquakes and cyclones.

“This patented system has proved itself resistant to earthquakes and cyclones all over the world,” Jessop says.

And nowhere was this better tested than in Christchurch. “Not a single Lockwood home failed through the earthquakes.”

Testing has shown that walls could withstand more than 12 tonnes of sideways pressure from wind or seismic activity.

“

This patented system has proved itself resistant to earthquakes and cyclones all over the world. Not a single Lockwood home failed through the earthquakes.

- LOCKWOOD MARKETING MANAGER, VICKI JESSOP

During controlled tests conducted over six weeks, a Lockwood home was subjected to 22 simulated quakes up to seven on the Richter scale - the home survived this unscathed with all windows and doors opening freely and all glass remaining intact.

The homes are strong and highly sustainable. “Trees literally eat carbon while they are growing.”

Jessop shares the analogy of a pine tree bending and swaying in the wind - it’s strong and ductile - as are Lockwood homes. All timber used comes from a sustainable forest resource which promotes the protection and conservation of natural forests.

Gone are the preconceived ideas of the 1970s home that lingered over the company for decades - Lockwood build precision engineered, modern and contemporary homes that are in high demand across the world.

In fact there are very few continents where Lockwood does not have a home - be it a shelter from tropical heat, to the depth of a Russian winter; these engineered timber homes have proven themselves time and time again.

The Lockwood way Lockwood embraces innovation and change with a constant programme of technological additions, introducing more insulation, tougher exteriors and modern design elements.

It has homes that appeal to all generations of owners. Add in the speed and precision of the building process and it’s easy to see why they remain so popular.

The Readers Digest Most Trusted Brand is only one of the plethora of awards and 38 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

”

recognitions Lockwood enjoys. Lockwood has also received CodeMark certification for its complete wall system.

This recent CodeMark certification is a tool that is enshrined in legislation and gives certainty of compliance with the NZ Building Code. “In order to obtain a CodeMark certificate, we had to provide robust evidence to show that our system complied with stringent NZ building code.

“We also needed to demonstrate that the quality of manufacture of our product that is engineered in our factory is produced to the exacting standard necessary to continually maintain that compliance.”

In other words, from design right through to the final build process, it’s always done ‘the Lockwood Way’.

Jessop adds that in addition to demonstrating quality and compliance, it assists in a smoother building consenting process, since under the Building Act, Councils are required to accept CodeMark product certification, as evidence of compliance.”

With more than 50,000 homes behind them, the various Lockwood franchise owners are all dedicated to exceeding their client’s expectations.

The newest franchisee is Davrin and Mandy Collocott who have taken over the West Auckland and Rodney area - this includes a stunning show home, the Kaipara, in Shamrock Drive in Kumeu that brings to life the synergy between stone and wood.

Blonded wood, gibbed, painted and wallpapered feature walls give a modern take on the classic Lockwood look. The couple are excited to be at the helm of Lockwood in this area that is showing tremendous growth.

Property & Construction | Lockwood Homes

A home is where you grow up, where you create your family, your memories and your future. It’s a reward for hard work, a reflection of your personality, a refuge from the world.

floor plans to choose from. There is very little that can’t be altered in their house plans, so they can easily be customised to suit a client’s needs.

Across the country, Lockwood has show homes that open up a world of possibilities.

This includes a wide range of interior choices, with a selection of modern textures and colours to suit all personalities and styles.

Alternatively, Lockwood often brings their client’s new home ideas together with a custom design and build option.

In Auckland, one of these is a stunning modern show home in Oteha Valley Road, Albany. It is about open plan family living, clean, contemporary spaces and showcasing the vibrant combinations of wood and colour.

It was named one of Trends Top 30 New Zealand New Homes in 2013.

In the south of Auckland on Great South Road in Takanini, Bob Ward and Richard Waldron are enjoying the newly opened Skagen show home.

The Skagen is a split level, mono-pitched roof house that gives this three bedroom family home a contemporary flavour.

Clerestory windows along the high side ensure the interior of the house enjoys plenty of natural light.

“Our designs have come along leaps and bounds in both their look and feel,” Jessop says.

All the show homes across New Zealand are testimony to this. Lockwood has one of the widest selections of unique home styles and

“There’s very little you can’t change about an existing Lockwood house plan however, if you wish to go one step further and create a unique plan just for you, we can help you design a house with our design and build option.”

Whether you wish to use one of Lockwood’s plans as a point of departure, or you know exactly what you want, Jessop says the Lockwood design team will make your dream home a reality.

There are a wide range of interior options, with a selection of modern textures and colours to suit all personalities and individual tastes. Incorporating stone and glass with the traditional timber brings another level of sophistication to the look and feel of a modern Lockwood.

Add to this the continual technological innovation, enhanced flexibility and cost-

efficiency, the range and appeal of the homes is continuously increasing. The homes are well insulated, energy efficient, built to last, require little maintenance and have a charm that can only be achieved through natural timber.

Energy efficient Solid wood has a significant thermal mass which means your finished home requires little energy to heat, cool and ventilate it.

Wood acts as a passive dehumidifier in bedrooms at night and as a humidifier in living areas during the daytime – improving your comfort and health. It absorbs toxic vapours and sound, Jessop adds.

“A Lockwood home is dry, healthy and leak free - one of the most desirable aspects of a Lockwood homes.”

In fact, Jessop says Lockwood has never had a leaky home issue, quite an achievement when you have such a large share of the building market.

In conventional homes, there is unequal pressure between inside and outside, and moisture is sucked in through jointing, cracks and paintwork when rain hits exterior surfaces.

With the Lockwood system of equal pressure between the inside and outside environment, moisture from rain drains away via its aluminium jointing system and the corner profiles of the exterior walls, preventing problems of rotting timber or damp and mouldy interiors.

Not only does the wood perform sustainably and economically in its finished format, but during its production, it also consumes less energy.

Solid wood requires little fossil fuel to manufacture, has the lowest energy consumption and lowest CO2 emissions of any commonly used building material and as wood is produced by nature using sunshine, very little energy is required.

In recognition of its commitment to sustainability, Rainforest Alliance has recently certified the Lockwood Group to Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody certification standards.

This certification provides a credible link between responsible production and consumption of forest products, enabling consumers and businesses to make purchasing decisions that benefit people and the environment, as well as providing ongoing business value.

®

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Designed with style and performance in mind...

•High ribs provides for superior weather performance.

•Innovative clip system is fixed directly onto the purlins, eliminating the need for often expensive substrate.

espan® can be laid to a minimum pitch of 3 degrees and used as a wall cladding when laid vertically. For more information contact your nearest Metalcraft Roofing branch.

Tel: 0800 341 341 www.metalcraftfencing.co.nz www.metalcraftroofing.co.nz

PROUD NATIONWIDE SUPPLIERS TO LOCKWOOD www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 39

Property & Construction | Lockwood Homes

a more casual look, but you can make it up market with a few trimmings - it was more The recently launched www. our style. Working with Lockwood, we have lockwoodexperience.co.nz takes people into been able to change a lot on our site so we the heart of the Lockwood experience through have maximised the views and the sun with the eyes of recent home builders Bill and Janet our design. from Nelson.

“The building process was also so simple Bill and Janet were impressed with the options really - no dramas financially over variations. and wealth of knowledge within Lockwood.

It’s a really upfront way of building,” adds Bill.

They toured New Zealand visiting the various show homes, getting a comprehensive look at Experience Lockwood also provides an online space for people to plan and design their own the many options open to them. home. It’s a site full of inspiration, existing Both were experienced home builders, having plans and interactive photos. built homes in the past; both were captivated “The microsite was created to allow clients with the Lockwood way. to access the galleries and videos, plans “We absolutely love the wood and the big and client video testimonials, as well as the beams that are a feature in the ceilings. It’s ‘mylockwood’ creative idea space, in one

Why a Lockwood?

easy to access and navigate portal. It really is a little patch of Lockwood heaven that invites client’s to experience Lockwood for themselves and get in contact with us,” Jessop says.

Love what you live in “Lovers of Lockwood’s say they enjoy living in the natural timber home, and that they feel more relaxed, as though they are on holiday all year round.”

Jessop adds that some say they “feel healthier” and that their home is warmer and drier.

“We have one of the widest selections of unique home styles and floor plans for you to choose from. With Lockwood, you truly get to design a house to your own specifications,” Jessop says.

The low maintenance qualities of Lockwood houses, the appealing designs and the ease and speed with which they can be built, makes Lockwood a perfect choice.

It all started in 1951 when Jo La Grouw Senior pioneered a unique engineering innovation that revolutionised the New Zealand building industry.

Lockwood has continually worked to refine and improve its ability to deliver a product that stands above the rest. The result has been custom timber homes that stand the test of time and has captured the trust and the hearts of thousands of people the world over.

40 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Lockwood fast facts • With their unique building system of interlocking, sustainably sourced solid wood walls, Lockwood homes has a renowned reputation for building strong, safe and environmentally friendly homes • The patented pre-engineered Lockwood system means houses can be assembled quickly and efficiently • Old Lockwood homes were renowned for their noise as timber moved.

Modern Lockwoods however, are much quieter as a result of a noise reduction tape system • Personalising with full colour ranges, feature walls, wallpapers and blonding treatments means today’s Lockwoods are light, airy and visually appealing spaces • The incorporation of large windows, modern lines, mono-pitched ceilings, stone and the latest design trends make Lockwood homes modern and contemporary.

Lockwood Homes T 0508 lockwood www.lockwood.co.nz www.experiencelockwood.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Property & Construction | Total Infrastructure Limited

Infrastructure solutions Total Infrastructure Limited’s broad range of civil construction capabilities are now being utilised in a wide range of contracts and projects throughout Auckland.

TIL has undertaken a vast range of projects in the civil construction industry since it was formed 14 years ago. Its skills have been nurtured and further refined through the careful guidance of its team of engineers and managers.

• Maintain a high level of health and safety compliance on all jobs • Maintain sound environmental management practise on sites • Constantly strive to improve its operations to better its own standards • Commit at all levels of the company, ranging from directors to labourers, to ensuring it achieves nothing but the best • Develop long-standing relationships with existing clients.

What Total Infrastructure can do for you: • Footpath upgrades

Total Infrastructure is primarily involved in the upgrading and modernisation of local environments for the bettering of Auckland communities.

• Kerb and channel – upgrades and renewals • Utilities – ultrafast broadband and underground services

The successful completion of projects cover a diverse list of attributes ranging from roading and footpaths to bridges, walkways, boardwalks and retaining structures.

• Concrete works – car parks, driveways, paths, specialised surfaces

TIL’s main focus is to maintain the client’s assets and structures to the highest standard, ensuring a cost-effective beneficial life cycle is achieved for all.

• Asphalt works – car parks, driveways, carriageways etc

Total Infrastructure Limited PO Box 16092 Sandringham Auckland T (09) 629 5467 E info@tilavd.co.nz www.totalinfrastructure.co.nz — Advertising Feature

• Minor safety works • Civil excavation works • Structures - paths, bridges, boardwalks

TIL adds long term value to all its projects through attention to detail and versatility.

• Drainage works – investigation, construction, upgrades, cesspits, manholes

With high competency levels, the team provides a 24/7 responsive maintenance service, and will carry out urgent or nonurgent maintenance repairs after careful risk analysis and evaluation of the situation.

• Safety barriers – guardrails, security fencing, handrails, specialised fencing • Retaining walls – timber, rock walls, keystones, crib walls

TIL’s success is due to a number of factors, including its ability to:

• Bridge maintenance – expansion joints, strengthening, specialised concrete repairs

• Deliver a quality product and service to the highest standard

• Cyclic inspections and maintenance reporting.

Polyurethane Tactiles Tactile Pavers Stainless Steel Tactiles PVC Mat Tactiles Wheel Stops Stair Nosings Anti Slip Solutions

www.totaltactilez.co.nz

Free Phone: 0800 TACTILE (822 845) Free Fax: 0508 TACTILE (822 845) Phone: 09 636 8410 Mobile: + 64 21 625 766 Email: info@totaltactilez.co.nz 31 Carbine Road, Mt Wellington, Auckland 6a Wither Road, Blenheim 7240

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 41

Property & Construction | W Mattson Ltd

Mattson marks a significant milestone W Mattson Ltd is celebrating 100 years in the plumbing industry, an achievement the Mattson family is enormously proud of.

How it all began Herman Mattson was born in Sweden in 1845 and immigrated to New Zealand in 1871 by working his passage. He married Harriet Wilkins in Saint Mathews Auckland in 1876. Their oldest son Wilbert Alfred Mattson was born in Auckland in 1889 and was the founder of the plumbing business.

Wilbert, also known as Bill, established the business properly in 1914 at 14 Ranier Street on the corner of Eaglehurst Road, which is where W Mattson Ltd still operates today, more than 100 years later.

Wilbert married Edith Henderson in 1911 and the couple had three sons and a daughter.

Two of their sons, Alfred and Douglas, joined their father in the business after completing their schooling. They soon became qualified and licensed and the business expanded.

Both Alf and Doug developed a love for motorbikes and cars. Not being content with what was available at the time, they began building their own racing bikes and cars.

This was in the days before oxygen and acetylene welding equipment had been developed, so in the plumbing workshop they would bronze weld the frames in an open coke furnace with a hand-driven air fan.

The war years then intervened and Doug served at various bases throughout New

Alf’s love was with speedway bikes; he rode and raced them at both quarter mile and street circuits and local tracks including Waiheke Island, Mangere Mountain, Muriwai Beach and Western Springs. Alf was NZ champ in the early ‘30s and represented New Zealand at the Isle Of Man. Some of the bikes he rode included Rugby, Brough Superior, Manx Norton, Rudge, Velocette and Douglas.

Expanding W Mattson Ltd Suitable trucks were not readily available in New Zealand at the time, so the Mattsons converted cars into plumbing trucks by building their own truck bodies onto what were very strong and substantial car chassis, such as Fords, Chevrolet, Dodge and Essex.

Wilbert, Alf and Doug soon expanded W Mattson Ltd beyond plumbing and into mechanical services, where they specialised in the design and installation of hydronic central heating for both the residential and commercial market.

They also ventured into and became very respected in the field of steam boiler and steam plant design and installations, with Alf obtaining his steam ticket, which legally qualifying him to attend steam boilers producing more than 4,000 pounds per hour.

Quality Products.

Quality Service.

Quality Partnership.

Wilbert Mattson, second from left, with friends in April 1914

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Wilbert began working by himself in Ellerslie and initially used a bicycle as transport, later adding a motorcycle and outfit (sidecar).

Zealand in the air force as an engineer and mechanic, during which time his love for mechanics, motorbikes and cars grew even stronger.

Alf became the company manager until his retirement and Doug remained on the tools until his retirement. Alf’s son Len completed a full apprenticeship at H W Coyle’s plumbing business. Wilbert Mattson’s sister Albertine married into the Coyle family and her son Wilbert founded the business of H W Coyle.

Len then transferred to the Mattson business and was later followed by Doug’s sons’ Brett and Scott.

A wide range of services W Mattson Ltd offers a range of specialised plumbing, gasfitting, heating and roofing services for residential, commercial and industrial customers, including: • Gas appliances • Gas and diesel central heating

Two of Len’s sons joined the business, Gavin and Steven. Gavin still works on the tools today and is a certifying plumber and gasfitter. Gavin is the company’s chief trouble shooter, with extensive and specialised mechanical services skills. Gavin and Brett currently own the company.

• Ducted warm air, boilers and radiators

Brett’s son Tony joined the company in 2011, bringing his experience of mechanical and electronic engineering. Tony’s knowledge of IT is also a valuable asset and an essential part of any modern businesses.

• Steam and hot water boiler maintenance and annual surveys

With four generations of the Mattson family involved in the company since its formation, it is doubtful Wilbert Mattson could have predicted the small business he started would still be thriving after 100 years.

• Compressed air

• IQP for backflow prevention and fire hose reels • Roof and gutter preventative maintenance programme • Solar and heat pump hot water

• Washing machines and dryers, installation and maintenance.

• Heat exchangers • Sheet metal fabrication • Pumps.

Congratulations to Mattson’s on a successful tenure and wishing them every success for the next 100 years.

We are proud to have a working relationship with Mattson’s that stretches past 30 years of electrical installation and servicing.

Empire Electrical Services Ltd is a contracting, servicing company based in Penrose and covers the Auckland area. We offer a complete installation and repair service encompassing all facets of the electrical trade. We are members of the Master Electricians Association and back our work with the Master Electricians $10,000.00 Guarantee.

Phone: 09 526 1977 or 09 625 4896 | Email: empelect@xtra.co.nz 42 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Property & Construction | W Mattson Ltd

Big changes in the plumbing industry Plumbing materials and practices have improved substantially in the 100 years since W Mattson Ltd was formed.

Co-owner Brett Mattson says materials such as cast iron pipes, baths and basins, along with lead pipe used for waste pipes and toilet soil pipes, have been superseded by the use of modern plastics and composites.

Where the company founders would have used lead pipes to connect water services to a wash hand basin, these days staff use a specially designed proprietary piping system called AUSPEX.

“When I joined the company in 1969 I would witness one of the plumbers walking into work with his Gladstone bag and Herald in hand after catching the bus from Mt Eden; his attire was long dress pants, buttoned shirt, tie, waist coat and hat,” Brett says.

“He would change into overalls for the day, retain the hat, then as regular as clock work,

“There was no lunch room when I first started and we all would sit on one of the workshop benches at meal breaks. It was the apprentice’s job to make the tea in an aluminium teapot using an enamelled electric jug to boil water filled from the hose tap.

One of the men would reach for the bottle of soldering spirits, which was hydrochloric acid, and put a teaspoon of it in his tea; he said it helped to clear his sinuses.

“I quickly learnt to respect all the men and will forever be grateful for the skills I acquired from each of them. They had their own unique method of carrying out a task, as was the case when making a galvanised spouting angle, and it was necessary to make it their way and only their way when working with each of them. I was treated no differently being the boss’s son and didn’t expect any special privileges,” Mattson says.

W Mattson Ltd was formed 100 years ago

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The crimp system comprises PE-X pipe, DR brass fittings, copper crimp rings and a specially engineered jointing tool, ensuring jobs are quick, cost-effective and of the highest quality.

roll his own cigarette. He would then reverse the process before catching the evening bus.

He never learnt to drive and to overcome his non-driving, would always be placed on jobs where at least two men were required. If you had seen him on the bus, his profession like that of most others would be unknown.

“One evening at night school, I learnt from an apprentice from another company that he was being paid 50 cents more than me a week, so

<

W Mattson Ltd offers all modern plumbing, gas fitting, heating and roofing services required today

I approached my uncle Alf the next morning outside in the yard and inquired as to what my chances were of a raise.

“He simply pointed over my shoulder to the road and said if you don’t like what you are being paid you know where you can go. Needless to say I never broached the subject again.”

<

The early Mattson team, from left, Wilbert Mattson, Bill Allen, Jack Earmson, Doug Mattson and Alf Mattson, with a colleague

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Before W Mattson Ltd owned a vehicle, the tram would be used to convey both men and materials to the work site, with the apprentice having to sit towards the rear of the tram while the tradesman sat further forward.

Strict pecking order for apprentices

“After disembarking from the tram, the apprentice would be required to carry a toilet pan in each hand, with two toilet seats around his neck while maintaining at least three steps behind the tradesman who would be carrying the tool box,” Mattson says.

Brett Mattson says a very structured and strictly observed protocol of respect and order of seniority was in effect in the earlier days in the plumbing industry.

“Failure to observe this behaviour or other unwritten rules would result when you least expected it in the proverbial No 9 boot up to the third lace hole.”

Masterlink congratulates W. Mattson Ltd on their centenary and wishes them every success for the next 100 years.

Masterlink removes the risk of taking on an apprentice.

We have high quality candidates ready and waiting to sign up to apprenticeships in plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying and roofing.

Hire a Masterlink apprentice today. $2,000 Government grants available.

Freephone

0800 502 102 Visit. www.masterlink.co.nz

Email. manager@masterlink.co.nz

W. MATTSON LTD PLUMBING Family owned and operated since 1914 GUARANTEED WORKMANSHIP

Phone:

579 5607

GASFITTING HEATING ROOFING

WWW.MATTSONPLUMBERS.CO.NZ DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SERVICES

EMAIL: ADMIN@MATTSONPLUMBERS.CO.NZ | 14 RANIER STREET, ELLERSLIE, AUCKLAND www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 43

Property & Construction | W Mattson Ltd

At a glance | Primero Profiles

Making the cut

Metal cutting service

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Children Bruce Mattson and Len Mattson outside the family business

W Mattson Ltd wishes to thank its many local suppliers and loyal customers for their support during the last 100 years, including Reece NZ.

Delivering the best service in the industry One hundred years after its formation, W Mattson Ltd is still focussed on providing high quality plumbing and mechanical services to its customers.

The company offers all modern plumbing, gas fitting, heating and roofing services required today, and is still based in its original building in Ranier Street (previously Onslow Avenue).

Brett Mattson says his fantastic team offers a 24/7 emergency callout service covering its four main areas; plumbing, gas fitting heating and roofing. W Mattson Ltd’s large comprehensively stocked workshop means the company continues to provide a high quality service to customers.

Solving plumbing problems Unlike some plumbing companies, W Mattson Ltd is not focussed exclusively on servicing the new housing market, but is renowned for its ability to trouble shoot difficult problems and perform ongoing maintenance work.

“We pick up the jobs that others don’t want or would rather pass over because they’re too difficult,” Brett Mattson says.

“It takes a lot to become a good maintenance plumber, but that’s what W Mattson Ltd is”.

W Mattson Ltd PO Box 11034 Ellerslie Auckland “We’ve been in one place for so long and T (09) 579 5607 have customers who have gone through themselves for two, three or four generations. E admin@mattsonplumbers.co.nz We give old-fashioned service and people find www.mattsonplumbers.co.nz — Advertising Feature they can rely on us,” Mattson says

At only three years young, the fledgling steel plate processing company specialising in quick turnaround steel plate cutting was a small player in a big pond. But now this business, start-up company Primero Profiles, is entering an exciting phase – expansion.

1998 Limited

• Profile cutting • Metal folding • Laser cutting • Plasma cutting • CAD drawings • Metal guillotining – up to 6mm thick and up to 3,000mm in length

The company is expanding its premises to allow for greater delivery service and efficiency.

• Hot dipped galvanising – for cut products if required

Established in Auckland in 2011, the company initially had two staff, including managing director Vaughn Clark himself, but now stands at more than 20.

• Product delivery – Primero has its own fleet of small trucks (plus a large custom built trailer) for deliveries if required.

The team has secured and grown a list of key relationships with loyal customers and suppliers who have allowed the company to succeed. This kind of growth couldn’t have been achieved and can’t be sustained without the knowledgeable advice, coupled with fast turn-around and quality service, which is paramount to Primero Profiles.

Previously the business operated from two premises in Penrose, but the relocation to an industry-suited warehouse in Mt. Wellington means its single premises has overhead cranes to give improved layout efficiencies and larger cutting machines to enable exploration of new opportunities.

The company targets SME engineering operators and a key service includes plate cutting steel from 2-200mm thick and press brake folding.

Panmure Garage

Primero Profiles offers you a complete range of metal cutting services which are consistently precise, high quality and have high-speed turnarounds. They’ve got your metal cutting project covered from start to finish.

What is evident is the company’s shared vision and team effort to strive to deliver consistent quality service and provide innovative solutions. Staff members are industry experienced and it doesn’t take long

• Metal Drilling – up to 32mm diameter

for word of mouth to get out and help to create new relationships within the business.

Primero Profiles works hard to maintain strong connections with clients and are very fortunate to have a loyal workforce who is driven to keep the business moving forward.

Not only that, but senior members have created a friendly environment where staff feel valued and inspired.

Vaughn says that the key issues within the industry are the “competitive environment coupled with the diverse requirements of servicing different sectors within engineering while maintaining standards of new technology”.

Primero Profiles 17 Fisher Crescent Mt Wellington Auckland 1060 T (09) 573 3044 E info@primero.co.nz www.primeroprofiles.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Panmure Garage 1998 Ltd congratulates Mattson Plumbing on 100 years in business.

Contact Panmure Garage for all your mechanical repairs, servicing, WOFs and tyres.

Experienced and friendly staff - just ask Mattson Plumbing.

We regas stays and make new gas stays to any specifications.

Are pleased to be chosen to supply

Primero Profiles We congratulate them on their milestone and thank them for their support

Ph: 525 3875 | Fax: 535 6145 Email: panmuregarage@hotmail.com www.panmuregarage.co.nz 44 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

R.C. MACDONALD LTD 20 Walmsley Road, Otahuhu, Auckland 1062 David Bartlett, Ph 09 276 0748, 021476495

Property & Construction | Kensington Landscaping

Backyard magic It’s a name reminiscent of the famous royal Kensington Gardens in London. That’s deliberate because Kensington Landscaping’s founder and owner, Rob Figgins, was for two years the manager of the picturesque Kensington Gardens as part of 11 years living and gardening in the UK.

Kensington Landscaping’s services: • Garden makeovers • New gardens • Swimming pool enhancements • Water features • Retaining walls • Fences • Decks • Pergolas • Paving • Garden designs • Lawns • Irrigation. extremely grand and elegant staircase of Allan blocks leading up to the front of the house.

With such a complex project it was crucial for Rob to ensure that his clients knew from the outset what to expect and when various elements of the work were going to be carried out. “Clear and concise communication is key.”.

Standards at Kensington are extremely high and it was through his own fastidious attention to detail and his immense dedication that Rob, the boy from Rotorua, worked his way up to such a prestigious position.

There is indeed no limit to Rob’s ability to visualise and then to create the perfect landscape. He produces many of the designs for his work himself, but he also has a very productive collaboration with landscape architect Kath Anderson.

It is those same high standards and quality of workmanship that Rob brings to the business he set up in 2003 in East Auckland on returning to New Zealand.

Since that time Rob and his experienced team have transformed countless gardens into stunning outdoor spaces for people to enjoy.

“What gives me the greatest buzz about this work is seeing the looks of delight on our clients’ faces when a project is completed,” Rob says. “Invariably they will say that the outcome is so much better than they had ever envisaged.”

Whether it’s a quick and affordable job, or a large scale project, Kensington Landscaping go the extra mile. This is clearly evidenced by the word of mouth referrals they get from happy and satisfied clients.

With full trade certification in horticulture and gardening Rob didn’t just stumble into

They are both passionate about what they do and have been able to create some wonderful gardens for a wide range of budgets.

Call Rob for a free no-obligation quote and expert advice. landscaping. He has more than 25 years’ of industry experience and there is no limit to what he and his team can undertake in both hard and soft landscaping.

A recent project in Howick is testament to this. “This was a 900sq metre section. We basically did a complete garden makeover and it was wonderful to see the area transform and grow into something truly amazing and much more modern and sharp.”

THE

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Property & Construction | NZ Concrete Society 50th Anniversary

NZ Concrete Society - preparing to celebrate 50 years Concrete - is there any material that carries such contradictory associations - stigmatised on the one hand, celebrated on the other.

Love it or not, concrete is one of our most important building materials - its potential is almost inexhaustible and continual innovations in how it is applied, integrated and used in building mean its versatility continues to expand.

From the early days of the ancient Romans to the most modern architectural and engineered structures of today, this seemingly simple mix of water, sand, stone and cement has applications far beyond what the naked eye can see.

Across the world, it’s used more than any other man made material and is one of the most durable building material around - fire resistant and gaining strength over time.

The accolades for concrete could flow hard and fast, and no doubt many tales will be exchanged soon as the New Zealand Concrete Society (NZCS) prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

A range of communication activities and events are planned in 2014 which will celebrate the Society’s achievements, its distinguished members, as well as a number of the enduring concrete structures that grace the New Zealand landscape.

Celebrations will culminate with the 2014 New Zealand Concrete Industry Conference being held in the Society’s spiritual home of Wairakei, in October, the venue of the first conference - 50 years ago.

At the core of the Society’s purpose is the sharing of knowledge and understanding of all aspects of structural and architectural concrete and to support their development and use where appropriate.

It sits in a unique position to provide a forum for the sharing of knowledge and experience

between members and to disseminate this information for the benefit of the concrete and construction industry in general.

The early days In the early 1960s, economic conditions meant that the importing of construction materials, particularly structural steel into New Zealand, was virtually cost prohibitive.

Prestressed concrete, with its efficient use of steel, offered a competitive edge.

The Society was established in 1963 as the New Zealand Prestressed Concrete Institute (NZPCI), under the guidance of founding President Sandy Cormack, to promote prestressing across a range construction professionals and their clients.

Financial incentives combined with the wave of prestressing advances coming out of Europe made this new technique extremely attractive to the New Zealand construction industry.

During the ensuing decades, the NZPCI maintained its focus on encouraging greater knowledge and understanding of all aspects of concrete technology and concrete construction in order to support their development and use where appropriate.

However, in 1980 the Institute made the decision to change its name to the NZ Concrete Society to better reflect the wider range of matters it was involved with.

Sufficient progress had been made in the areas of prestressing and seismic engineering to allow the NZPCI to broaden its focus to include durability issues and new construction techniques - this combined range of objectives continue to direct the Society’s activities today.

The rock solid players Throughout its existence, the Society has benefitted from, and helped foster, the vision, intellect, wisdom and sheer determination of a group of individuals worthy of the title – trailblazers.

These individuals have made a significant contribution to the concrete industry and wider building and construction sector, as well as to the infrastructure of a New Zealand

emerging as a modern and forward thinking nation during the second half of the 20th century.

Outlined below is a small selection of these rock solid trailblazers, who along

with Bob Norman, Nigel Priestley, Bob Irwin, Lyall Holmes and several others will be acknowledged in a commemorative publication detailing the history, accomplishments and influence of the Society.

Congratulates the NEW ZEALAND CONCRETE SOCIETY on its 50th Anniversary 46 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Property & Construction | NZ Concrete Society 50th Anniversary

Cormack was the person who introduced and developed ready mixed concrete to this part of the world, and was also deeply committed to pioneering advances in precast/ prestressed concrete.

He also involved himself in numerous research projects and the formation of the various industry associations that still operate today.

He had a principle role in setting up the NZ Portland Cement Association (NZPCA) in 1948, and served on the board until 1978. Through his work in introducing quality control to concrete production he also served on many standards committees.

Cormack was instrumental in establishing the NZ Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NZRMCA), and its plant classification scheme.

Sandy McCormack Perhaps no other individual is more synonymous with the concrete industry in New Zealand than Sandy Cormack.

Wellington born, Cormack was an engineer who became chief executive of Certified Concrete Ltd from its establishment in 1938 until retiring in 1971. He moved to Auckland in 1940 where he remained based until he passed away on June 7, 1985, aged 79.

He was involved with the establishment of the NZ Prestressed Concrete Institute (later to become the Concrete Society), and was its first president. When the NZ Concrete Research Association was founded in 1972, he was chairman of its technical advisory committee and served on its board until 1985.

However, many believe Cormack‘s greatest achievement was his influence almost 75 years ago in the creation of the first ready mixed concrete plant in Australasia at Grant Road, Wellington. It was that project which launched New Zealand into high-tech concrete, and it was from there that the formidable drive and talents of Cormack were to provide huge leadership and service.

Image courtesy Fletcher Archive Trust.

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Professor Robert (Bob) Park Renowned in New Zealand and internationally, Professor Bob Park was key in the creation of the seismic design method called capacity design, an important innovation with regard to reinforced concrete structures and a notable development in the history of earthquake strengthening.

Born in Fiji, Park came to New Zealand in 1951 and studied civil engineering at Canterbury University, where in 1956 he joined the academic staff. Then after six years overseas, during which time he completed his PhD at the University of Bristol, Professor Park returned to the University in 1965 where he spent the next 35 years.

During the course of his career Park won multiple awards for technical papers, contributed to numerous technical committees, and received honours from an array of professional bodies.

President of the NZ Concrete Society from 1975-76, Professor Park spent 28 years on Council. In 1995 he was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Highly respected as one of the most knowledgeable people within the field of concrete and earthquake strengthening research, as well as an inspirational teacher, Professor Park passed away in November 2004.

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Property & Construction | NZ Concrete Society 50th Anniversary

Len McSaveney Concrete all owe a debt to McSaveney’s willingness to embrace change.

Outstanding concrete examples During the past 50 years many outstanding concrete structures have been realised across New Zealand, with most, if not all, benefiting from the technical and collegial support offered by the Society.

In some shape or form, members of the Society played a role in the original Newmarket Viaduct (first in-situ cantilever bridge), the South Rangitikei Viaduct (first base isolated bridge), the Ngauranga Interchange in Wellington (first push bridge) and the Sky Tower (tallest structure).

In more recent years the Wellington Inner City Bypass and Victoria University’s Alan MacDiarmid building (first multi-storey PRESSS building) have been realised in part through the expertise fostered by the Society.

NZ Concrete Society president from 1988-89, active within fib, and a staunch supporter of student research, the term “Innovator” is often used to describe Len McSaveney.

In fact, a March 2002 issue of Concrete used the parlance of the day - “Change Insurgent” – to describe Len’s role as a promoter of new ideas and technology.

Graduating from Canterbury University in 1964 McSaveney went to work for what is now Holmes Consulting Group. After a time travelling he moved back to New Zealand in 1974 to work for R.T. Scott Limited, a company later bought by Stresscrete, and in turn by the Fletcher organisation.

McSaveney’s long association with Fletchers included roles at Firth Industries and Golden Bay Cement.

Lightweight aggregate in Wellington’s Westpac Stadium, the thousands of concrete power poles across the middle of the North Island, and the uptake of Self-Compacting

David Barnard Trained in the United Kingdom, David Barnard moved to New Zealand in 1975. Described as a “single-minded advocate for concrete” Barnard spent close to 25 years at CCANZ, including in its previous guises of the NZ Portland Cement Association and the Concrete Research Association. He was the NZ Concrete Society president from 1987-88.

Concrete – a foundation for Auckland The Sky Tower is the one structure that dominates the Auckland skyline more than any other.

This 328 metre high observation and telecommunications tower, the tallest free standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, is constructed primarily from high performance reinforced concrete.

Refer to any technical publication or Standard on concrete or concrete masonry produced since the mid-1970s and chances are Barnard either wrote it or was a significant contributor.

There are however, many other important structures, buildings and facilities across Auckland that utilise the strength, durability and design flexibility of the world’s most widely used construction material.

Tireless in his efforts to implement relevant research and deliver practical training, he prides himself on developing strong relationships across the construction sector and imparting independent advice.

The following examples of concrete construction may not be as immediately apparent as the Sky Tower, but each plays a vital role in ensuring the city functions efficiently, considers its environmental impact and offers residents pleasant common areas.

Although Barnard retired from his role at CCANZ in 1999, he remains very much in demand, and extremely busy, within the industry as a consultant.

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Property & Construction | NZ Concrete Society 50th Anniversary

Newmarket Viaduct Replacement

Project Principles • Peddle Thorp & Aitken Ltd • Murray Jacobs Ltd • Norman Disney & Young • Fletcher Construction Company Ltd.

Zurich House, 21 Queen St, Auckland As one of the most complex and visible construction projects recently undertaken in New Zealand, the Newmarket Viaduct replacement involved an intricate deconstruction and reconstruction exercise on a critical section of motorway above a very busy commercial and retail precinct.

There were significant deconstruction challenges to ensure the original 1960s posttensioned concrete viaduct being removed could support itself and be made safe; not only for the workers, but also for the general public, who continued to use this important transport route.

The concrete volumes involved in replacing the viaduct were significant - 8,500 truckloads as well as grout and shotcrete. The mix designs required to overcome issues in precasting the structure’s segments and stitching them together, were complex.

Concrete plays a significant role due to its long term durability, seismic resistance and ability to produce a sleek, yet visually strong and functional structure.

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To have completed this project in a busy, tightly constrained and highly visible site is a great achievement. All activities involved significant and advantageous use of concrete – delivering some world-firsts on the way and restoring this vital backbone of the Auckland motorway network.

Project principles (NGA Newmarket Alliance) • NZ Transport Agency • Fulton Hogan • Leighton Contractors • VSL NZ • BECA • URS • Tonkin & Taylor • Boffa Miskell.

The transformation of this 1970s multi-storey office building at 21 Queen Street into a contemporary downtown landmark earned many plaudits upon its completion.

Central to the project’s significance was preserving the building’s concrete frame and core.

The ‘reuse – reduce’ strategies adopted by the project principles enabled the building’s life cycle to be significantly increased, the embodied energy of its concrete elements to be saved, and the emissions associated with alternative demolition and new build scenarios prevented.

environment around Queen Elizabeth Square.

This is an example of adaptive reuse that will quickly become the New Zealand benchmark for what can be achieved in terms of optimum resource management, (embodied) energy efficiency and design potential, through the imaginative redevelopment of existing concrete structures.

It is estimated that the 21 Queen Street project has made an embodied energy saving of around 29 percent by preserving the concrete structural frame. In operational terms, the energy saved when compared to an equivalent new build project would be enough to power the building for 14 years.

Stripping the site’s 14 level concrete frame of its cladding and fit-out, to form the heart of a refurbished and modern building, now teaming with in excess of 300 office workers, also underpinned the project’s commercial viability, as well as revitalising the urban

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Property & Construction | NZ Concrete Society 50th Anniversary

Takapuna’s Hurstmere Green

The subtle use of concrete was pivotal to the successful redevelopment of Takapuna’s Hurstmere Green into a contemporary and vibrant public space. The rejuvenation of what had become an overgrown and under utilised park into an attractive and accessible community facility has helped breathe new life into the surrounding Takapuna shopping area.

The quality of the bespoke precast concrete elements, which provide the hard landscaping frame and retaining capability for Hurstmere Green, as well as a range of superbly finished concrete surfaces, is outstanding.

This project demonstrates a high degree of expertise across all areas. Modern, yet sensitive urban landscape design has been brought to life by astute material selection and outstanding skill during construction.

The elegant hard concrete landscaping and the organic shapes of the green areas combine to reinvigorate a community facility that proudly embodies the qualities concrete construction.

Precast, pre-finished elements allowed for rapid and efficient assembly onsite, while the enhanced durability offered through concrete will ensure longevity and low maintenance throughout an extended service life for this much loved community space.

Project Principles • Sills Van Bohemen Architects • Kalmar Construction • Nauhria Precast.

Images. Simon Devitt

Shaping today’s world

Case study: Grafton Bridge enduring concrete

The use of concrete has shaped civilisations from as far back as Ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire, but was revolutionised in the early 1800s when Englishman Joseph Aspdin filed a patent for Portland Cement.

Opened in 1910 after three years of construction, Auckland’s Grafton Bridge is an early and outstanding example of reinforced concrete construction.

The development of the composite material referred to a “reinforced concrete” 50 years or so later has seen its use continually grow ever since.

At its most basic, concrete is a mixture of water, cement and aggregates (fine and coarse). Together these simple ingredients form a solid grey mass that has become indispensable in the development of infrastructure, industry and housing.

Without concrete, Auckland’s built environment would fail to accommodate our modern and demanding lifestyles.

Spanning 97.6 metres, the bridge rises 25.6 metres above the abutments to a height of around 43 metres over Grafton Gully. At the time of its completion, it was believed to have had the largest arch span of its type in the world.

Designed by engineers R. F. Moore and Karl Rosegger Agster for the Ferro-Concrete Company of Australasia, the bridge was revolutionary in both design and its reinforced concrete, to such an extent that when opened two steam rollers were driven across its length.

Retrofitted between 2008-09 the bridge’s significance to Auckland and New Zealand’s construction history has been recognised by its “A” New Zealand Historic Places Trust classification and presence on the IPENZ Engineering Heritage Register.

Images courtesy of Fletcher Archive Trust

Case study: Certified concrete’s Madeira Place plant In 1938 the first ready mixed concrete plant in Australasia was opened as a joint venture between the Fletcher Construction Company and Winstone Limited at a site on Grant Road in Wellington.

Encouraged by the success of this new enterprise a second plant became operational in 1939 at Madeira Place, Grafton in Auckland.

Under the company name of Certified Concrete Limited and managed by Sandy Cormack for more than 30 years, these two

plants were to become the template for the supply of ready mixed concrete across New Zealand for decades to come.

Image courtesy of Fletcher Archive Trust New Zealand Concrete Society Incorporated PO Box 12 Beachlands Auckland T (09) 536 5410 www.concretesociety.org.nz — Advertising Feature

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Property & Construction | Lanzpec & Eye Level Construction

The complete build and landscape package

AFTER

Dealing with different companies for your building and landscaping requirements can cause big headaches.

Thanks to sister companies Eye Level Construction and Lanzpec Landscaping, a dedicated and experienced team of professionals now provide you a complete solution, while offering all the benefits of a single supplier relationship for customers.

“It’s important to note we are not builders trying to be landscapers, or landscapers trying to be builders,” says joint owner Bruce Robinson.

“We have some people who can cross over into both areas, but we have specialised building and landscaping teams.”

Building elegant structures with Eye Level Construction For more than 10 years now Eye Level Construction – a licensed building practitioner – has been developing residential properties and renovating classic villas throughout greater Auckland.

With an extensive knowledge of re-piling and the complications involved with stabilising older foundations, Josh Robinson, Eye Level’s operational manager, is able to provide a wealth of hands-on experience.

Along with the restoration and renovation of many of Auckland’s notable character homes and villas, Eye Level Construction builds an array of bespoke new homes and townhouses.

Renovating older style villas takes real expertise and is a passion for the team at Eye Level.

“We have a large overall knowledge of how older homes go together,” Bruce says.

“Not everybody can renovate old homes successfully; you have to understand what makes them work.”

Creating stunning landscapes with Lanzpec

Lanzpec creates beautiful landscapes for any type of home, whether it’s a small city courtyard or large country estate.

Making the design and construction process as easy as possible for their customers is key, as they endeavor to be flexible and friendly.

Overall the final product is delivered seamlessly and in a professional manner.

At completion of a project, customers are given the option of an ongoing garden maintenance programme to suit their individual needs.

With dedicated teams for construction, landscaping and garden maintenance, Lanzpec also offers the long-standing experience of its individual associates.

Specialist fields range from interior design, architecture and engineering, to pool building, electrics, plumbing, irrigation and lighting.

Having received numerous awards over the years, Lanzpec’s gardens feature in a range of leading garden and design magazines.

“We have an in-depth knowledge of plants including propagation, which gives us the advantage over other landscapers,” says Marg Robinson.

“We don’t plant by numbers.”

Choosing the correct plant for each landscaping scenario is a skill honed from years spent grooming plant nurseries and

BEFORE

extensive operational experience. For the sister companies, customer comfort and satisfaction are essential.

Complete building and landscaping services:

“We’re very open about what’s happening,” says Bruce. “We’re also very aware that when you’re working for people, in both landscaping and building, you’re stepping on their territory, you have to tread carefully but use your knowledge to steer them in the right direction.”

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It’s this unobtrusive, but open and friendly approach that makes Eye Level and Lanzpec so enjoyable to work with.

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“People recommend our partnership to their friends because our companies are renowned for making the building and landscaping process as hassle-free as possible. We’re constantly trying to look after the client; that’s the most important thing. If you have a happy client, you have them for life, and they tell all their friends.”

• Renovations and additions

• Landscape construction • Lawns and gardens • Garden maintenance • Villa gardens • Pools and water features • Foundations and stabilisation • Basement re-development • Villa restorations • New builds.

In the end it’s the family dynamic at the core of Eye Level and Lanzpec, along with the range of individual expertise, and award winning results that have driven their success.

As much as the clients are the focus, they also place a big emphasis on taking care of its 11 staff. At the heart of the sister companies are the Robinsons, who view their additional team members as part of an extended family.

Lanzpec and Eye Level Construction T (09) 480 9935 E info@lanzpec.co.nz www.lanzpec.co.nz www.eyelevel.co.nz

With their sons Josh and Shem at the helm, along with younger relatives keen to learn the trade, Bruce is proud to say “We have a very good team. Some of them are like family”.

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E. mandb@lanzpec.co.nz / mandb@eyelevel.co.nz Lanzpec Limited ~ Eye Level Construction PO Box 36 ~ 374, Northcote, Auckland 0748 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 51

Property & Construction | The House Company

A reputation built on 25 years of outstanding results Some might say a house is four walls and a roof erected by someone qualified to ensure it withstands what life throws our way - and in essence it is. But what truly makes a home are the ideas, dreams and concepts of a family, combine it with a passion, wealth of expertise and the experience of a Master Builder to create a home which reflects the dreams and lifestyle of those who will call it their haven.

The House Company recognise their number one priority when designing every unique home is to listen and understand. It’s this listening, discussing of ideas and ability to bring them to reality that ensures the homes they build are not great, but exceptional.

Whilst immediately you might say it’s all about the skill and ability of the builders to construct a superior home and while this is a vital element, effective communication will most often be the biggest distinction.

As builders of quality, personalised homes – be it architecturally designed or from one of its plans, the House Company, lead by Hamish McArthur has worked hard to establish a reputation second to none. This reputation has been built on passion for the trade, attention to detail, superior business practises and clear, concise communication with everyone

involved in the building process. And it’s a reputation that has gained in strength over the 25 years The House Company has been trading. That’s 25 years of delivering quality, craftsmanship and design that realises the dreams of its customers.

Based in Silverdale and working predominately in the northern parts of the city and up the northern tip of the Island, the company is exceeding all expectations - out in the field with rave reviews from happy clients, The House Company continue to win awards and cudos for their designs and building finesse.

Marketing manager, Ceri Smith says they do not see it slowing down anytime soon.

“The work on the books and the enquiries just keep coming. We have expanded the

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Property & Construction | The House Company

team and we expect to exceed budgeted expectations again this financial year.”

While the buoyant property market contributes to the company’s increased workloads, it’s the dedication to details, the retention of expert trades people (many who have contracted to The House Company for more than a decade), the breadth of experience in design and building that set this company above the rest.

“We had a count up around the boardroom table recently, and had over 180 years of

The House Company process Step 1 - your wish list - you dream it, we build it.

Step 2 - site visit - get the right home for your site, zoning, soil type, etc.

Step 3 - the right design - for your family, budget and site. Totally yours, or customised from one of our plans.

Step 4 - building agreement - with a fixed price contract - NO surprises.

Step 5 - contract signing - know what you are getting with compete plans and specifications.

Step 6 - during construction - we stay in touch each step of the way.

building experience sitting there. This means we can take all these years of learning and improving and apply them to every job we do.”

Smith adds that they are not a building company that has a “safe zone”. We do not pigeon hole the types of work we do, she adds. Be it a hillside, a complex site or highly detailed architectural build, The House Company will not shy away from something complex. There is little they have not seen or done in their time on the tools.

They remain a strong contender as the builder of choice for their attention to detail. “We always offer the client a fixed price and we put a lot of time into this. When we present

their contract, we have been thorough and priced absolutely everything we can,” Ceri says. This leaves little to no unknowns. “We try to eliminate every PC sum possible, this way the client knows exactly what they are investing as well as what to expect in their

honoured time and time again in local and national building awards. Year after year they scoop top awards at the Master Builders’ House of the Year awards. This year they have two homes entered with high expectations for another gold.

new home.”

High expectations are mentioned many times

by Smith - the team lives by them, as do their clients. “Before a finished home is handed over, we go through it and check the level of detail is exceptionally high.

The devil is in the detail The core driver of the business, which is proud of its 25 years history, says Smith, is all in the detail. There isn’t any which is too small and the team work closely throughout the process to ensure each and every detail is well communicated and executed.

It is this very practice, built into every process, which has seen the company

“If something is not right, it has to be fixed before we hand it over to the client.”

She adds that the skill and conscientious nature of their team of trades people mean there is little that is not as close to perfection as possible.

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www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 53

Property & Construction | The House Company

The House Company Showhomes Millwater An impressive 253 sqm home that epitomises the ultimate in modern lifestyle living.

Warkworth Showhome At little more than 124 sqm, this showhome epitomises the ultimate in beachstyle living, but it’s not your “normal” beach house.

A simplistic, yet sophisticated, four bedroom, three bathroom design that brings all the elements of a truly classic home to life.

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This beauty raises beachfront living to a new level - from the cedar weatherboard and coloursteel exterior right through to the European Oak timber flooring and deep plush fibre carpet interior.

Sited for all day sun, this is a stylish combination of all elements and radiates superior quality throughout.

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House and land packages To meet the current market demands and convenience of a luxury, brand new quality home, without the time and hassle of constructing a customised build, The House Company has a selection of house and land packages in Millwater, Silverdale and Rodney North “With the property market being so buoyant, many people cannot find what they are after when they sell, so choose to take the option of a pre-built designer home. Some just want to move straight in, while others will get a home that is not yet complete and have some input into its finished features.

“If you are starting from scratch, many people are choosing to use one of our designs as a base to get ideas from, then they make a whole raft of changes that personalise it and create a space just perfect for their lifestyle.”

And of course there are those that start from scratch, working with a designer to produce a completely customised home.

Karyn and Stan’s story Disillusioned with their visits to numerous building companies and their indifference to their plans and dreams, Karyn and Stan found their way to The House Company’s showhome in Millwater. Here they found the passion, expertise and listening ear they were looking for.

“Armed with our notes, rough sketches and scrap book, with all the favourite things we liked in a home, we went around a few building companies,” they say. “Many just wanted to build with their own plans and didn’t even want to consider the landscape, or the land it was going to be built on.

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“Others wouldn’t even look at our ideas and assured us they could build the house of our

dreams but they wouldn’t even hint at how it would look,” says the couple.

The story changes the moment they entered the Millwater showhome, the new home consultant listened to what we wanted and looked over our ideas. He even did some rough sketches for us to get an idea that we were on the same wave length. It was great.

“When he came out to the section, he was enthusiastic and offered some great advice, which was exactly what we needed.

“Our journey had finally begun. I’d heard so many horror stories, but I think we were very lucky as nothing seemed too hard for ‘The House Company’ team and it all went very smoothly.

“The final design is very close to what we originally had in mind. Our original design was way too expensive with too many corners and levels, but with the help of the team we arrived at what is the house of our dreams.

“The house went together very smoothly with a great team of trade’s people. The end result looks stunning and the workmanship is fantastic.

“The house has great presence and looks solid and well built. We are extremely happy with our new home, a big thank you to everyone that helped us achieve our goal.”

The House Company Head Office 2nd Floor 59-63 Forge Road Silverdale T 0800 600 620 E sales.rodney@thehouseco.co.nz www.thehouseco.co.nz — Advertising Feature

PROUD TO SUPPORT

THE HOUSE COMPANY PO Box 152,

Westpark Village, Auckland 0661 e: cwe@cwe-ltd.co.nz T: (09) 4164467 Mobiles: (021)&(0274) 951449

Property & Construction | PiNK Construction

Live your dream

“

If you want to live your dream, you’re going to need the dream team to help you reach it.

Unlimited vision combined with experts in the field means the magic is just beginning when you choose PiNK Construction.

Testimonials “We had deadlines to meet and there were several site issues that could have prevented this but these guys were two steps ahead. What I liked most about PiNK was the communication and forward thinking.”

– Paul Davys, ChoiceKids Childcare director

“These guys are clever. Talked me into turning a wasted space into an onsite and add 100k-150k to the value of the property.”

The professional and experienced team at PiNK create internal spaces which not only look good, but feel warm and welcoming, and complement this with low maintenance exterior areas.

Whether you’re an individual, couple or family, you deserve to live in a comfortable home which lasts a lifetime and suits your specific needs. This means you should make PiNK Construction your first point of call.

The Auckland-based company completes all jobs from designer homes, holiday homes, family homes and renovation projects to roofing, plumbing, plastering, painting, electrical work and repairs. PiNK has built several childcare centres for repeat customers through understanding the ECE sector and regulations. With experience in residential and commercial work and a stellar portfolio in tow, what more could you ask for?

toxic, non-slip, durable, and have acoustic properties to absorb noise creating a quieter and safer play area that is hard wearing and looks fantastic.

PiNK Construction understand childcare: • Internal play space measurements and regulations • Water temperature control and regulations • Centre design regulations EG: cleaners sink etc • All other MoE and council regulations • External play space measurements and regulations • Fire alarm systems and regulations • Car parking and staff ratio regulations.

Want that stylish kitchen you’ve always dreamed of? How about that impeccable ensuite? PiNK tick all the boxes to deliver exactly what you want, when you want.

Designing, building, renovating, repairing or enhancing your home has never been so easy. With the right advice and the right team your home will beam with unique features, flare and creativity as well as meeting your budget.

The workforce at PiNK has a reputation for not only delivering high quality workmanship, but they deliver on time, as promised; because first impressions last. Choose PiNK and your home will set you up for a lifetime of fulfilment, joy and experience.

“Your building will last a lifetime with quality workmanship. Get it wrong and you could have all sorts of problems.

“PiNK has a policy to work with our clients by understanding their budget and we see it as our job to provide the best quality within the budget allocated,” says general manager, Brad Albrecht.

Not only does PiNK make informed decisions based on what you need and what you want, but it also factors in how your home or project will benefit you in the future; essentially, the long term benefits is at the forefront of each project.

PiNK supply and install a range of high quality rubber surfaces suitable for indoor and outdoor use. All of its surfaces are non-

Renovating can be exciting, but is sometimes stressful. “Our experienced team will talk you through each step of the construction process with organised timelines so you can plan accordingly.

“I am actively involved in setting the timelines for each job so I can assure you we will make this process as exciting and stress free as possible,” site manager Ben McCallum says.

PINK Construction 21/18 Lambie Drive Manukau City Auckland T 0800 439 439 E info@pinkconstruction.co.nz www.pinkconstruction.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

Quality that lasts a lifetime

Let the design and build experts advise you on the best key elements to enhance your home no matter how big or small the job. They’ll keep you informed at every step of the process from start to finish and guarantee exceptional standards which exceed expectations.

Whether that’s bringing new life to an old roof, installing a stunning kitchen, bedroom or bathroom which will make you feel you are at your favourite resort, it will increase the value of your property and/or increase your rental returns.

”

– Robin Glacier, client

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If you are looking for a Construction Company that can deliver what you want and on time then you've got to build with PiNK – we won't disappoint.

Brad Albrecht - Director & General Manager

Ph: 0800 439 439 E: info@pinkconstruction.co.nz W: www.pinkconstruction.co.nz A: 21/18 Lambie Drive, Manukau City, Auckland www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 55

Property & Construction | Pro-Floors

The right people for serious projects When Wayne Valder started Pro-Floors in July 1997 with a smattering of equipment which included two diggers, two four wheeler trucks, a bobcat and three staff, little did he know that this little ugly duckling would have blossomed into a thing of beauty a mere 17 years later.

Today Wayne is still very much the handson managing director of Pro-Floors Limited, which can now boast 30 professional, full time employees, who collectively run a whole stable of vehicles.

The fleet now numbers in excess of 40 separate pieces of plant and machinery which takes a fair bit of maintenance and care to keep in prime condition. Nowadays the fledgling company has really come of age, retaining a busy order book and remaining productive throughout the year.

Good news for Wayne represents great news for regular customers as it means the record profits are re-invested back into the Pro-Floors business to help fund the purchase of new equipment and vehicles.

The modern fleet now includes six wheelers, articulated lorries, truck and trailer units, as well as up to 40 specialised ‘bits of gear’ including diggers, bobcats, crushers, loaders, rollers, paving machine, bulldozers and even a rock breaker.

The company’s scope of work and versatility has changed too during the past 17 years, with the company now able to offer hotmixing, drain laying, concreting and kerbing, as well as bulk excavations in addition to metal supply, truck hire, building site cuts and preparation services previously offered.

The fact that 99 percent of the company’s order book is filled with a work load that comes from a highly satisfied existing client base is ringing endorsement to Pro-Floors’ professional work ethic.

“Customer satisfaction is high and we work hard at this aspect, ensuring that we have excellent Health and Safety standards in place.”

The company’s employees operate in and contribute to a drug free operation. The NZ Drug Detection Agency (NZDDA) and Hazard Co Ltd assist Pro-Floors in managing and maintaining this programme.

The quality of workmanship, strong safety record and reliability help to deliver good work on time and on budget. “We aim to be totally reliable and trustworthy and I firmly believe this has been the key to our success to date and the reason why we win so much repeat business,” explains Wayne proudly.

In fact some of Pro-Floors’ clients have been dealing with Wayne since day one and the close knit, cosy, family style of business engendered in the company is clearly a big positive, that together with keen and competitive pricing, serves to keep the company well ahead of the competition.

Works of significance In the past 12 months Pro-Floors can boast the completion of several large projects including the ABC Tissues production building in Manakau, Puhinui School development and work on the Beachlands subdivision for prestigious builder GJ Gardener Homes.

But probably the largest contract for the company right now is the Ryman Healthcare Retirement Village in Howick, which has the potential to keep the firm busy for up to three years.

In fact work will soon begin on another Ryman Healthcare Village project within the next six months and Pro-Floors is in the box seat to add this contract to its ever expanding portfolio.

“

We aim to be totally reliable and trustworthy and I firmly believe this has been the key to our success to date and the reason why we win so much repeat business.

- MANAGING DIRECTOR, WAYNE VALDER

”

Property & Construction | Pro-Floors

Pro-Floors services

The buoyant New Zealand construction sector, particularly in Auckland, is keeping everyone busy and very much on their toes.

As Wayne never tires of telling his staff, “If we are to continue to be hired by the best commercial construction companies, then we know we must keep the quality of our work high, our equipment in tip top condition and keep delivering our jobs on time.

“Reputation is everything and as the saying goes ‘you are only as good as your last job!’

This is why we are constantly updating, upgrading or replacing our working plant and equipment on a very regular basis.

“The expenditure and maintenance on this equipment is high but when one considers that we may be doing as many as 15 hotmix jobs in a month, three or four residential site cuts and working on a major build project in the same period, it is not difficult to see why some of our equipment is in near constant use.”

“

When you have a machine running well - smoothly and efficiently - there is no real need to tamper or do too many adjustments.

- MANAGING DIRECTOR, WAYNE VALDER

”

in the civil construction industry, so Wayne is extremely pleased and gratified that they have not only survived, but prospered, “by doing plenty that is good and honest in the way we trade. ”The first priority will always be to fulfil current client requirements on time and on budget, and the firm know that if they do this to the high standards they have already set themselves, then more work will be forthcoming from those same clients.”

•

Truck hire / machinery hire

•

Residential / commercial civil works

•

Asphalt / hotmix supplies

•

Metal supply and delivery

•

Drainlaying

•

Kerbing

•

Concreting

•

Line marking.

Pro-Floors Limited 35 Rangi Road PO Box 9 Takanini Auckland E alana@profloors.co.nz www.profloors.co.nz

The current operation and structure is sound and smooth running and it is noticeable that staff come to work each day with a smile on their faces and a positive ‘can do’ attitude.

The happy, friendly, safe and drug free environment clearly contributes to the quality of the work.

— Advertising Feature

WHITE BINS

At Pro-Floors one gets the impression that Wayne and his team will foster this happy, settled environment for a very long time to come.

Local and reliable

Future moves As for the future, Wayne and his team are working hard and long to maintain their excellent reputation and leading market position.

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“When you have a machine running well smoothly and efficiently - there is no real need to tamper or do too many adjustments,” Wayne says.

Call Heath Gallocher 0800 720 710

In an eventful 17 year existence, Pro-Floors has defied and survived two economic recessions which claimed many small firms

SCARBOROUGH BROS. LTD are proud to support Pro-Floors Limited We have a whole range of equipment operated by skilled and experienced operators. Our experience enables us to make the job cost effective and on time.

Excavators › Wheel Loaders › Rock Breakers › Trucks › Transporters Traxcavators › Rollers › Bobcats › Graders › Drilling 5-7 Hannigan Drive, St Johns, Auckland Phone 09 579 2173. Fax 09 579 0540

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www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 57

Property & Construction | USG Boral

Improving the way the world lives

The news announced in October last year that US giant USG Corporation, together with Australian owned Boral Limited, were establishing a 50/50 joint venture company USG Boral Building Products, became a reality at the beginning of March this year.

The news is highly significant as this new joint venture will leverage the two companies’ huge production outputs and iconic building brands.

The impact will be felt not only here in New Zealand, but also in Australia, throughout Asia, India and the Middle East. A total of 12 countries will be impacted by the move.

The New Zealand operation of USG has been manufacturing here for more than 44 years and is well known for its suspended ceilings, steel stud wall systems and Sheetrock brand plasterboard compounds and accessories.

58 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

and well positioned manufacturing and distribution channels. And USG International for ceilings, partition walls, gypsum fibre board, cement board, lightweight plasterboard and joint compound building product technology; combined they have an enviable expanding product portfolio.

USG Boral’s corporate philosophy

USG Boral, Marketing and Technical Support manager for New Zealand, John Keen is very excited at the prospect. “We now have a much broader range of products to take to market, giving us much greater scope and better customer offerings for the future,” he says.

-DESIGN: To design and manufacture high performance interior and exterior lightweight building products and systems for residential and commercial environments.

“Better still our end customers know that with the backing, tradition and reputation of both the USG Corporation and Boral brands, superb product quality and reliability is guaranteed.”

There is much strategic rationale behind the joint venture as it will give the new USG Boral immediate access to industry leading and game changing technology, as well as securing and strengthening long term leadership and growth potential of previous Boral gypsum business.

“Accessing the world’s best technology and research and development facilities at USG’s American facility will be a huge bonus. I believe we can expect some great future innovations and further extension of our joint venture group’s existing 25 plasterboard lines,” explains Keen with justified confidence.

They have been strong supporters of using local suppliers and operations wherever possible, including supply of steel and distribution channels.

So while the future product presence for USG Boral in Kiwi offices and homes throughout the country is ever growing, it is probably a company name that will also continue to become better known.

Boral was well known primarily for its industry-leading quality plasterboard products and systems from its Gypsum division,

What is good and positive market news is that the New Zealand building industry will benefit from the USG Boral joint venture.

- IMPROVE: We improve the way the world lives by changing the way buildings are designed, built and occupied.

-TECHNOLOGY: We create and deploy world leading technology in our operations, products and systems -UNDERSTAND: By understanding and influencing construction trends by engaging with and listening to clients, customers and market influencers.

- SAFETY: USG Boral team members work in environments which are the safest in the industry and among the safest in the world.

USG Boral New Zealand P O Box 11-155 Ellerslie 1542 Auckland T (09) 270 2595 T 0800 USGBORAL E info.nz@usgboral.com www.usgboral.com

— Advertising Feature

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www.treacyadvertising.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 59

Property & Construction | Contract Landscapes

Sorting out the lay of the land There’s something special about tales of commercial triumph, the ones which start from humble beginnings and grow to something significant.

And, let’s face it, we love a good ol’ Kiwi success story.

Contract Landscapes Limited (CLL) is one such story. It begins 30 years ago when managing director Terry Donnelly started doing fencing with one employee, a Falcon station wagon and a trailer.

Progressing to concrete and general landscape work, he then designed and built a pile driver based on fencing technology, but much larger, which enabled him to move into larger piling work.

CLL has grown into a significant company with 150 employees and 30 or more regular subcontractors and more than $7 million worth of plant and equipment.

The business now covers a wide array of work including various types of piling, soil mixing, bottom feed stone columns, permeation grouting, compensation grouting, general foundations and concrete structures, slip stabilisation, retaining walls, civil structures, concrete structures, drainage, rope access, in particular for stabilistion of steep ground, soil nails, soil anchors, rock anchors, all types of ground improvement, temporary works for deep excavations, directional drilling, excavations and remediation of contaminated sites.

The company has developed four major lines of work, consisting of insurance work, infrastructure work, commercial work and residential work.

Based in Kumeu, CLL has branches in Tauranga, Christchurch and Napier, and takes on work throughout the country.

High profile projects About 18 years ago, after Terry “dreamt up” the idea one night, CLL designed and built an excavator-mounted 2.1 tonne hydraulic drop hammer. Along with this, the company started buying larger excavators and drilling equipment which enabled it to expand into the larger scale piling market.

In the last few years CLL has bought in several items of sophisticated grouting and drilling plant and equipment from Northern Italy.

Today CLL has the experience and expertise to carry out a number of high profile projects throughout New Zealand, including a number of related high risk rail network projects carried out under difficult conditions and limited time spans.

Mt Eden track lowering The Mt Eden track lowering project involved lowering existing rail tracks under the road bridges on Mt Eden Road and Sandringham Road, to make room for rail electrification cables.

Ground conditions on the site varied and included weathered clays and fractured basalt rock. Underpinning of existing retaining systems was required for some sections and there were extensive existing drainage and services to work around.

The solution included a combination of timber pole, steel UC, reinforced concrete, shotcrete and gabion walls.

CLL also strengthened the Mt Eden Rd bridge by installing additional tie backs anchored to deadman piles in Mt Eden Rd. Because this complex project ran to a very tight programme during rail shutdowns, CLL applied its substantial resources, including a crew of 30 men, five drilling rigs and various other specialised plant and machinery, completing the work to a high standard five days before the targeted finish date.

Kingsland Station Underpass construction The construction of the Kingsland Station Underpass was completed in April 2010 in time to streamline rugby fans from Kingsland Station into Eden Park for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. A complex project, the underpass construction required platform extensions and installation of a precast underpass including excavation, drainage, shotcrete walls, stairs, manholes and a services diversion. The steep site located above an existing railway track, with a building above complicated project works.

“The Kingsland pedestrian underpass had to be completed in just 13 days,” Terry says. “It involved approximately $1.5 million worth of work, consisting of piling excavation and concrete works through the rail and underneath the rail lines.”

Parnell track lowering The Parnell track lowering project involved lowering and re-aligning the tracks for a new railway station at the foot of the Domain off Cheshire St where the Mainline Steam Depot is.

The $19.2 million project was technically demanding, but again CLL rose to the challenge, Terry says.

“The Parnell track lowering project was similar in nature to the preceding railway

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60 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

roles, consisting of high value, technically demanding work carried out during a short time frame, often involving double shifts and significant forward planning to ensure the required materials and equipment were available and accessible during the holiday period.”

Wellesley Street Grafton Cycleway Tunnel The Wellesley Street underpass was completed during Easter 2014. Threaded between traffic lanes through Spaghetti Junction, the cycleway will provide riders and pedestrians with a 1.9km path from Upper Queen St to the bottom of Grafton Gully.

The New Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA) and Hawkins Infrastructure have expressed their gratitude to CLL for the company’s handling of their part to play in the $11 million cycleway project, particularly for the way in which the job was completed in the time-frame allowed.

“These projects were complex, both in design and programme requirements,” Terry explains.

“They all required early contractor involvement to ensure the design was appropriate. There were site access constraints and the projects all involved rail shutdowns or road closures during short holiday periods at Christmas and Easter, with dire consequences if the projects were not completed on time.”

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Property & Construction | Contract Landscapes

CLL services at a glance • Piling • Retaining walls • Landscaping • Slip stabilisation • Horizontal soil mixed beams/ ground stabilisation • Ground anchors

The project specialists Contract Landscapes (CLL) has been a subcontractor to Hawkins Infrastructure for a number of high profile projects.

The company recently completed 3,000 reinforced piles for the Auckland Rail Network for the Auckland rail network. Carried out at night, the project took two and a half years to complete.

“This was a very technically demanding project with high levels of compliance, health and safety procedures required,” CLL managing director Terry Donnelly says.

Other key CLL projects around Auckland include the piling for the new Mansons Property Developers building in Victoria street, the piling for the Sugar Tree apartments development in Union Street, the piling for the new AUT University building and 442 room Elam Halls of Residence buildings, the piling for the ASB Tennis Centre in Parnell, and for the new Customs Street Tepid Baths.

CLL has very recently carried out a million dollars worth of piling for the Urba Apartments in Howe Street for Lawton Construction and additionally the piling for a new apartment complex by Arrow International in Newton.

CLL recently competed piling for the new maternity wing for Whangarei Maternity Hospital. The piles for the Whangarei Hospital was extremely demanding in that we had to drill through strong river boulders at 9 – 12m deep and socket into strong rock at up to 25m deep.

The piles required double casing to advance past the boulders as there was a soft layer beneath them. The piles had to be tremied and the casings withdrawn. The CLL team constructed the piles in time and within all tolerances.

A couple of years ago CLL completed the piling for a new $80 million unit at Waikato Hospital.

These piles were up to 38m deep driven steel.

CLL is currently carrying out extensive ground works on the latest Ryman Healthcare retirement villages and is involved with significant ground improvement works in Christchurch for the Earthquake Commission (EQC).

The CLL team in Christchurch came up with a never before conceived technique for preventing liquefaction in sands underneath existing dwellings.

Presently the technique is being refined and stands to save the EQC huge time and cost.

The alternatives to this technique invariably involve relocating the house until the works are completed.

The horizontal Soil Mixed Beams may be done without affecting the existing structure. CLL cobbled together a collection of its equipment to trial this invention and has since made multiple modifications and refinements to the plant and the process.

The next step in this process is the manufacture of a dedicated purpose-built rig which will speed up the process and which will provide real time QA data to all stakeholders.

Overcoming various obstacles Terry has a longstanding interest in land stabilisation and limited access work and, as a result, CLL has specialised in developing limited access drilling, piling, anchoring and soil nailing methodologies.

• Foundation.

pollutants overseas for incineration, stabilising the substance in situ or transporting the contamination to a licensed disposal facility. We can also handle all necessary environmental consents.”

CLL also has staff trained and qualified for removing asbestos.

“Our key point of difference is the ability of our senior management team to assist with the design and cost of effective solutions for our specialist skills very early on in the process.”

Foundations for the future During the past two to three years, Terry has made connections with Italian mechanical engineers, which has enabled his involvement with the design and development of two piling rigs which he has imported into the country, along with associated grouting and stone column equipment.

Capable of drilling holes up to 40 metres deep and 2.5m diameter, along with a vibrohammer, soil mixing and CFA equipment, the rigs are designed to be lightweight with a small footprint, making use of the latest mechanical and hydraulic engineering techniques.

Set on modified excavator bases, the rigs generate up to 130 tonnes of torque and The team now has four rope access crews with are equipped with the latest computer all the necessary certification and associated mechanical process management systems. equipment necessary to install rock anchors, soil nails, soil anchors and erosion protection. “They are configured so data from their activities is recorded and transmitted to Another significant line of work is in stakeholders automatically,” Terry says. contaminated site investigations and He has also visited ground engineering clean-ups. specialists and begun importing high-spec CLL specialises in the remediation of dioxin contamination, heavy metals and other persistent pollutants, Terry says.

grout mixing pumping units, which CLL uses to construct anchors ground improvement grouting systems and soil mixing.

CLL has also begun importing the Durvinal system for ground improvement; a unique technique developed in Milan and which was used to prevent settlement in the Louvre recently.

The Durvinal system involves injecting low pressure grout through tubes with non return valves in them, which are inserted into the ground under a building to produce improved ground without damaging adjacent structures.

CLL Contract Landscapes Limited 14 Wookey Lane Kumeu Auckland T (09) 412 7048 E info@cll.net.nz www.cll.net.nz — Advertising Feature

“We can remediate contaminated sites in a number of ways including shipping

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Property & Construction | Higgins Group Holdings

Road and infrastructure specialists Across Auckland, Higgins is working hard to keep our city moving through a comprehensive range of roading and infrastructure services.

In business since 1958, and now with operations throughout New Zealand, Higgins offers a fully integrated complement of civil construction services and infrastructure products, and a team committed to the highest level of technical expertise, project management capability and quality assurance.

Today Higgins has the resources and expertise to deliver a comprehensive range of services from the design and construction of major infrastructure; to asset management of roading networks; to the creation of regional infrastructure and the manufacture of construction products.

The company designs and builds major infrastructure projects including wind farms, airport runways and port hardstand container infrastructure. Higgins also happens to be the lead contractor on the current Meridian Mill

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Creek Windfarm north of Wellington and is also an experienced partner in major road alliance projects.

In Auckland and across the country, Higgins constructs a diverse range of community infrastructure, including commercial and residential developments, local body infrastructure, carparks and sports infrastructure.

With a comprehensive fleet and a team of more than 1,200 staff, Higgins has the skill and resources to complete all aspects of a contract, from pavement stabilisation, surfacing, siteworks, road profiling, traffic management and road marking.

The maintenance of roads and asset management of roading networks is another key part of Higgins business.

Its teams are focussed on promoting safe and efficient road networks through close attention to programming, forward works planning, strong relationships and communication.

As a vertically integrated company, Higgins is also a leading supplier of bulk bitumen and other specialist bitumen products. It operates

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Higgins’ range of specialist civil and infrastructure services includes: • Road maintenance • Design, construct and deliver • Pavement stabilisation • Surfacing • Siteworks and drainage • Road profiling • Traffic management • Laboratory and testing • Technical design • Road marking • Construction projects.

nine permanent and one mobile asphalt production plant and has several aggregate quarries and concrete operations across New Zealand.

Major project portfolio Higgins is currently working on the Waterview Connection, which is the largest roading project ever undertaken in New Zealand.

The project involves construction of 4.8km of six lane motorway to form Auckland’s Western Ring Route. Half of this new motorway will be underground in Australasia’s largest road tunnel.

Higgins regional manager Harry Alderson says Higgins has been building pavement for the southern approach to the tunnel for the past two years for the Well Connected Alliance.

Higgins Contractors is also currently building pavement for the Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) Panmure project with Fletcher Construction.

The $180 million Ameti project is designed to help traffic congestion problems in the eastern suburbs.

“In Auckland we’re also involved in a four year joint venture partnership with HEB Construction to maintain the roads in the Central East corridor,” Alderson says. “The joint venture team is called “Liveable Streets.”

Higgins works closely with other civil contractors and suppliers, including Tebo Services Limited.

Property & Construction | Higgins Group Holdings

All operations and staff at Higgins work within a core set of family values, which include: • Act with care • Move heaven and earth • Respect each other • Work as a team • Be lean and agile.

The Higgins values Higgins is a family owned business with strong culture based on its Higgins values.

The company employs 120 staff in Auckland, with a total of 1,200 employed across the Higgins Group.

Higgins’ broad range of quality services are delivered by a close-knit team, who are bound together by family-based values.

“The values of our business are important to us; they set us apart a little bit from our competitors,” regional manager Harry Alderson says.

“We’re completely family owned and the family work in the business. They help to set and maintain those values. The Higgins values are the foundation of its approach to work and the way staff interact with people they work with.”

The quiet respect Higgins people bring to their relationships is fundamental to the success of all relationships and they aim to act with care in everything they do.

Higgins also strives to be lean and agile to achieve efficiency and value for money for all clients.

“We use these values every day in having team work and going the extra mile for our clients,” Alderson says.

“What we say we do; we pretty much do.

That reputation allows us to repeat business in a lot of areas. We have a lot of long term relationships. We’re also well-resourced and we have very good gear. Our investment in technology, plant and equipment is right up there.”

Safety and the environment Keeping people safe is the number one priority for Higgins, which has achieved success in safety through the integrity of its safety systems and strength of its safety culture.

“

We’re completely family owned and the family work in the business.

They help to set and maintain those values.

The Higgins values are the foundation of its approach to work and the way staff interact with people they work with.

No man stands alone

”

Higgins Group Holdings would like to thank Tebo Services, a leading civil infrastructure business with operations covering the entire greater Auckland region, for their ongoing support.

“We strive for the highest standards in safety and we have an uncompromising approach to it,” Alderson says.

Higgins is certified to the international environmental management system ISO14001:2004 and is committed to the care and protection of New Zealand’s natural environment.

Its teams continually work to understand and reduce the impact of their operation on the environment and ensure robust project planning systems, implementation and management review programs.

A history of excellence Irish immigrant Dan Higgins began doing drainage and road repairs in the Manawatu in the mid-1950s, pioneering a company that has grown into one of New Zealand’s major civil companies.

When Dan Higgins’ eldest son Pat joined him in 1958 the company grew.

Dan’s other sons Michael and Bernard joined the business during the ‘60s and ‘70s, when the company enjoyed a period of rapid expansion, growing in civil construction and the supply of aggregates, concrete and bitumen.

Higgins Group Holdings Limited 420 Church Street Palmerston North T (06) 357 1025 E higginsgroup@higgins.co.nz www.higgins.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO HELP YOU GET THE JOB DONE TEBO SERVICES LTD delivering solutions that help drive productivity, profitability and growth.

• • • • •

Roading and Footpath Contractors Concrete amd Asphalt Contractors Traffic Management Services Cartage and Earthmoving Excavation, Milling and Sweeping

Partnering with HIGGINS Contractors Ltd since 2006 Ready To Talk?

Just give us a call on (09) 299 6622 & we’ll be happy to answer any WWW.TEBO.CO.NZ questions you have. www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 63

Crane & Hoist | Monocrane 2010

Giving industry a lift Throughout history there’s mention of humans shifting weights more substantial than was physically possible using just human muscle power.

The crane and its predecessor the pulley were significant human inventions, allowing us the ability to lift heavier and higher than ever before and, with modern evolution of the technology, now you can have specialised overhead lifting equipment, designed to fit your needs.

Based in Auckland’s Silverdale, Monocrane is a one stop crane and hoist solutions shop, with the ability to design, manufacture, install and service the full range of standard and specialised customer specific lifting solutions.

The company was purchased by entrepreneur Philip Bayly in 2010 and rebranded Monocrane 2010 Ltd, explains general manager Tim Lynch.

“The business had been operating for 14 years,” Tim says.

“Philip recognised the strong reputation the company had developed for high quality equipment and could see where he could take the company moving forward.”

In 2010 Monocrane began successfully building a significant number of quarter tonne to 20 tonne cranes, with a competitive nationwide service which will come to you regardless of your location. Today the company also offers crane servicing, with fully qualified service technicians offering a 24 hour availability and carrying a large range of parts.

Monocrane is currently building two 50 tonne goliath cranes for the MacKays to Peka Peka Alliance, part of the Wellington Northern Corridor development and, with a number of other high profile projects on the cards, I guess you could say the sky is the limit for this innovative local manufacturer.

Lifting your loads From its Silverdale location, Monocrane produces a wide range of overhead materials handling equipment including: • Overhead travelling cranes • Monorail hoisting systems • Jib cranes • Full and semi portal cranes • High density warehousing systems • Hoists between floors • Explosion proof cranes • Man safe access systems • Automatic systems - PLC controlled • Radio controllers.

Standing out in a crowded market Like any industry, the overhead lifting equipment one is competitive. However, as the only company with a sole focus on crane building, Monocrane is in a strong position going forward.

The company has invested in key people and additional staff in preparation for the growth phase Monocrane is currently experiencing.

“We’ve really focused on strengthening the business with key people,” Tim says.

“We’ve brought on extra service technicians and additional staff for the workshop with strong key skills.”

Service is a key aspect for the design and build market and Monocrane is certainly strong in that field. “We have positioned

Mackenzie Transport specialises in crane hire, over-width & over-dimensional loads, pick up & delivery & much more.

Our team of trained professionals have offered solutions for the trickiest of situations & pride ourselves in our high standard of safety.

Mackenzie Transport’s skills in transportation & crane operation come from over 12 years of hands on experience in the industry.

If it weighs tonnes & you want it moved call us today! We have multiple configurations of hiab/truck & trailer units available.

Our truck hire service is available all over Auckland, 24/7 and we can guarantee that our expertise will be beneficial for your job – no matter how big or small.

64 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

“

Philip recognised the strong reputation the company had developed for high quality equipment and could see where he could take the company moving forward.

”

ourselves as a one stop shop, covering the full design, manufacture, installation and service across the full range of standard and specialised lifting solutions.

“Because of this, we get to know your business and your needs and can design, build, install and service your new crane from start to finish, as well as organising all the compliance testing and design verification.”

Specialising in fully automated cranes and remote controlled systems, Monocranes has an agency with REM Remotes. “We’ve painstakingly selected REM throughout years of association with industry,” Tim says.

“The Italian made products are really robust, easy to configure to whatever you want it to do and we’ve proven them to be almost indestructible, with competitive pricing.

Dispatch: 027 5133 303 or 027 2909 675 Email for enquiries: mactran@xtra.co.nz

Crane & Hoist | Monocrane 2010 “People are no longer using roving pendants on their cranes, but going for remote control.”

The company also has an agency with STAHL Crane Systems in Germany, allowing them to bring chain hoists and manual hoists into the New Zealand market. “We’re really targeting the explosion proofing industry, areas such as mines and dust filled enclosures which are at risk of sparks which could ignite. STAHL is a world leader in the explosion proof area.”

The New Zealand owned company has also partnered with Australian lifting products manufacturer JDN, which franchises Monocrane to make cranes in New Zealand.

Long term the company is looking to expand into larger premises. “This will enable us to be even more efficient in our production. We currently have 12 staff, so we will be looking to expand to about 20 which will enable staff members to specialise in particular areas,” Tim says.

“We’re aiming to be New Zealand’s number one service provider for gantry crane solutions.”

Parts and service Monocrane not only designs and manufactures cranes and lifting equipment, but a full parts and service facility is available 24 hours.

Parts • Minimise downtime with fast, efficient parts and services • Whether it be spare parts or standalone components for cranes or other applications • Fast national or international delivery by air, road or sea • Parts list e-book is available at www.monocrane.co.nz.

Service • Crane parts • 24 hour availability • Regular services • Breakdown repairs • Crane upgrades • Preventative maintenance programmes.

“

competitive rates, which really helps us in the marketplace.”

They’re a great bunch of guys and with their modern fleet of trucks they have hiab cranes on them, enabling them to lift the cranes into the buildings.

No man stands alone

”

Due to the collaborative nature of teamwork, success is seldom a sole effort. During the years Monocrane has developed strong relationships with a wide range of suppliers and general manager Tim Lynch says the company simply wouldn’t be where it is today without them.

“We’ve developed strong relationships with our steel suppliers,” Tim says.

“Kiwi Steel is our local supplier. The company is great to work with and they offer extremely

Kiwi Steel is a leading supplier of steel products for both the New Zealand and AsiaPacific markets, operating as an international steel merchant and trader, handling a wide range of steel products and services.

W.D Mackenzie Transport is another local company which works closely with Monocrane and has played a key role in the company’s success. Specialising in hiab and cartage services in the Auckland and greater surrounding areas, the company’s focus is mainly on over dimensional and fragile freight, with more than 12 years of hands on experience in transportation and crane operation.

“For the cranes we build onsite in Silverdale we really rely on Mackenzie Transport delivering throughout the North Island for us.

They’re a great bunch of guys and with their modern fleet of trucks they have hiab cranes on them, enabling them to lift the cranes into the buildings.”

Monocrane 2010 Ltd 16 Tavern Road Silverdale Auckland T (09) 426 7636 E info@monocrane.co.nz www.monocrane.co.nz — Advertising Feature

KIWI STEEL NZ LTD

New Zealand wide Stocklists and Suppliers of: • HR Plate • Galvanised Coil and Sheet • Electro Galvanised and Aluminised Sheet • Kiwi Colour Pre Painted Coils

Kiwi Steel is proud to support Monocrane Services provided: • Laser, Plasma and Oxy Cutting • Brake Pressing • Drilling • Bevelling • Part Etching • Slitting • Sheeting and Guillotining

www.kiwisteel.co.nz

MONOCRANE OVERHEAD CRANE MANUFACTURERS

Specialists in stock and supply and Indent Services Auckland 09 277 2700 | Christchurch 03 343 6528

Manufactures of Overhead Gantry cranes: Design │ Build │ Install │ Service WWW.MONOCRANE.CO.NZ 16 Tavern Road, Silverdale PO Box 245, Silverdale 0944 Auckland, New Zealand

Phone : +64 9 426 7636 Fax : +64 9 426 9888 Email : info@monocrane.co.nz

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 65

Focus | Masport Foundries

A century in the making Punctuated by our geographic isolation, New Zealand has developed quite the reputation for high quality manufacturing. As our largest economic sector, contributing 14.6 percent to the country’s GDP in 2012, it is one which is vital to our economy.

Yet it’s a small market facing increasingly stiff offshore competition and today it’s even tougher than ever to compete. Kiwi companies are up against countries with bigger populations and deeper pockets – and that’s not even taking into consideration depressed markets and margin destroying currency fluctuations.

But it’s not all bad news. There are pockets of activity and in those pockets are innovative companies making big waves off the coast of New Zealand’s industrial shores. Against the odds, local manufacturers are adapting, evolving, building market share in global niches and developing exciting new business opportunities.

For more than 100 years, Masport Foundries Ltd has been producing high integrity iron castings from right here in Auckland. It’s a long and proud history and, like many of our local success stories, the Masport one has innovation at its heart.

Because, let’s face it, you don’t survive 100 years without changing with the times.

A foundry is a factory that produces metal castings. Steel scrap and ferro alloys are melted in an induction furnace and the resultant liquid is poured into a mould.

After solidification the castings are removed and the remaining mould materials recycled to make more castings.

The most common metals processed are cast iron (alloys), with Masport making ductile iron, grey cast and Hichrome iron castings.

Historically a large number of household goods were made in a foundry.

Today lightweight vehicle and machinery parts make up a significant portion of Masport Foundries’ workload. “Today there’s a trend toward thinner castings. With better alloys in the product, we can create thinner castings while maintaining strength,” Wolf says.

In fact, the entire operation has changed almost beyond recognition since the company’s early days. With facilities including CAD design and simulation software, and a modern analytical laboratory with the company holding current accreditation to ISO 9001 and 14001, Masport Foundries can provide everything from concept through to completion, meaning just about anything is possible.

“The foundry was established in 1911,” general manager Wolf Schmahl explains.

“Although we still largely make iron castings, the technology and product design have come “We get involved with such a diverse range of projects,” Wolf explains. a long way.”

“

We don’t just cast, we machine our products, ensuring the finished product is the highest quality.

” Proudly servicing New Zealand industry since 1919

SAECOWilson congratulates Masport Foundries on their successful growth in exporting www.saecowilson.co.nz Ph 0800 338 833 Branches throughout New Zealand

66 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

“Right now we’re tooling up to make seafloor anchors for marine farms where they grow everything from oysters to mussels to king fish, enabling them to retain whatever is floating up to the surface, something which wouldn’t have been thought about even as little as 30 years ago.”

In the last 10 years Masport has upgraded to the best CNC machining equipment available.

Spray painting and specialist coatings to make products corrosion resistant are also available. “We don’t just cast, we machine our products, ensuring the finished product is the highest quality,” Wolf says.

FOSECO NZ Proud to be associated with MASPORT FOUNDRIES LTD. Foseco New Zealand Auckland Tel: 09 267 7568 Fax: 09 267 1185

www.vesuvius.com

Focus | Masport Foundries

“We make our products do what the customer wants them to do.”

The increased technological capability also flows through to information technology and customers can find out at any point, where their product is at in terms of development or production.

Another significant change during the years has been the accreditation processes.

Accredited with quality management

Masport Foundries has a diverse range of capabilities.

1. Monocrane not only designs and manufactures cranes and lifting equipment, but a full parts and service facility is available 24 hours.

2. Cast metals for mining applications include NiHard, Hi Chrome, Ni Chrome, White Iron and special composite tungsten carbide in ductile iron products for premium wear applications. Typical applications are for parts requiring abrasion and impact resistance and would include crusher wear liners, slurry pump casings and grinder plates.

3. Ductile iron castings for heavy duty engineering applications, including vacuum and water pumps, slurry pumps and impellers, crankshafts, hubs and couplings.

4. Premium grey iron castings for applications including V8, V6 and diesel cylinder heads, brake rotors and brake drums.

“

We make our products do what the customer wants them to do.

” 5. A flaskless horizontal DisaForma moulding system, fed by multiple electric, coreless induction melting furnaces enables high production rates for castings up to 80 kg, suited to both high volume production, but also short run specialty production in customer spec material grades.

6. Metal analysis in-house via state of the art metal analyser – ARL spectrograph.

7. Larger castings up to several hundred kg can also be made using chem-set sand and on-demand mixers.

8. Integrated capabilities, and as the company is a small operational unit, enable short lead times and rapid response to customer design and metal spec changes.

accreditation ISO9001 guarantees the company’s ability to consistently provide product that meets customer and applicable regulatory requirements.

But even more surprising is the ISO140001 accreditation, which is related to environmental management, ensuring the company is actively working to minimise how their operations negatively affect the environment.

“We’ve had environmental accreditation since last century,” Wolf explains… with just a hint of tongue in cheek (first accredited 1994, #16 in New Zealand).

In-house tool making • Complete tooling and tool making facilities • Wood – plastic – fully machined metal.

In-house heat treatment • Stress relieving • Annealing • Air quenching • Hardening and tempering • Austempering.

In-house metallurgical service • Spectrographic alloy analysis • Metallographic analysis • Mould sand and core sand testing.

“So we get on well with our neighbours because we are clean and green. People don’t traditionally associate that with a foundry, but we are essentially a big recycler”.

Masport Foundries services at a glance

Masport Foundries offers in-house technical support services, from initial concept to production casting: In-house design assistance • CAD – Solid works • 3D Design – Solid modelling • Magmasoft solidification simulation • Material selection assistance.

In-house pattern making • Complete pattern and Corebox making • Wood – plastic – fully machined metal.

In-house prototyping • Wood - plastic – polystyrene.

We are specialists in High tensile fasteners and supply nationwide, check out our website or give our sales team a call today.

Proud to support Masport Foundries The Boltholder Ltd 9 Farmers Road, Matamata, Waikato

P: 07-881 9180 E: sales@theboltholder.co.nz www.theboltholder.co.nz

9. The foundry’s location in New Zealand’s largest city and close to the country’s main port enable Masport to ship at short lead times and in both LCL and FCL modes.

Orica New Zealand P O Box 900, Auckland 1140 123 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket 1023

“Orica is pleased to be a valued supporter of Masport Foundries”

Customer Service: 0800 22 22 77 Orders: chemnet.nz.orders@orica.com

www.orica.com

PROUD TO SUPPORT MASPORT'S ON-GOING SUCCESS SUPPLIERS OF • SPECIFIED FOUNDRY ALLOYS • SCRAP METAL SOLUTIONS • BINS TO SUIT YOUR BUSINESS 100% NZ FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

WWW.COMMERCIALMETALS.CO.NZ

09 634 5450 F 09 634 5008 E INFO@COMMERCIALMETALS.CO.NZ

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 67

Focus | Masport Foundries

Global player Masport Foundries Ltd is New Zealand’s largest metal casting production plant.

Founded in 1911, the company has continued to stay at the forefront of the industry, resisting overseas opposition with high quality locally made product.

Employing around 100 people at its Auckland plant, the foundry manufactures high integrity iron castings, each requiring close monitoring to ensure dimensional accuracy and adherence to the metal’s tight metallurgical properties.

Masport’s long serving professional staff have extensive and varied experience in making quality ferrous castings. With a history spanning automotive, mining, structural and agricultural castings, a key current focus is on castings and spares used in mining and quarrying applications.

Some 80 percent of the products manufactured are exported to customers in Australia, India, China, the UK, USA and Middle East.

The foundry uses a high speed DISAFORMA green sand moulding system, high efficiency electric furnaces, and both shell and cold-box core making; in-house tooling manufacture and heat treatment furnaces, as well as the latest spectrographic alloy analyser, round out the foundry equipment. Recent new technology includes ‘Magmasoft’ solidification simulation software.

Main plant and equipment:

focussed on using proven, flexible, high technology based plant and processes to maintain the highest quality standards.

The key to Masport Foundries’ ongoing success, Wolf says, has been flexibility.

The company also has machining capability and specialises in finish-machined brake drums and rotors for caravans, boat trailers as well as semi-trailers and trucks.

“New Zealand and Australia are small markets compared to world production of iron castings.

We have always focussed on installing and running efficient equipment which ensures the end products are of an extremely high quality.

With close to a century of metal casting experience, Masport Foundries has always

“It’s also important for us to work with our customers to see how we can make them

“

It’s also important for us to work with our customers to see how we can make them more successful with their product offerings.

If we can understand what they’re trying to achieve, we can work with them to arrive at a simpler, more cost effective product.

”

more successful with their product offerings.

If we can understand what they’re trying to achieve, we can work with them to arrive at a simpler, more cost-effective product, specifically catered to their needs.”

Purchasing the best equipment has ensured the company can produce the highest quality product and by focussing specifically on cast iron ensures the company is at the top of its industrial game.

“We’ve been around for 100 years,” Wolf says.

“We’re still here in an industry which has seen something like 20 sizeable organisations closing forever. We’re still here today and we’ll still be here tomorrow.”

• Mining Wear Parts High Performance/Integrity HiChrome and NiHard Castings • Automotive Castings High Performance/Integrity Castings for the Automotive & Transport Industries

MASPORT FOUNDRIES LIMITED Phone (09) 571 5867 | Fax (09) 571 5865 www.masportfoundries.co.nz

68 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

• Construction Component Castings High Performance Grey Iron Castings and SG Iron/Ductile Iron Castings • In-House Foundry Services In-house Technical Support Services

Pattern shop: CAD and CAM capable, usual pattern shop machines including wood and plastics making, also VICTOR VC A 130 vertical machining centre.

Core shop: Cold box and shell core machines, semi and fully automatic.

Moulding: Green sand, boxlessDisaForma 3030 system, 760 x 520 moulds, up to 150 mph.

Limited hard sand moulding capacity; prototype and short run only.

Melting: 2 x 3 tonne coreless induction furnaces, medium frequency, 2 MW power supply per furnace. Capable of approx. 3 tonnes p/hr each.

Shot blasting: fettling and heat treatment capability for in-house production.

Machine shop: 9 x CNC machining centres, five axis and four axis capability inc. Okuma, Mazak x 2 , Doosan x 2 , Hartford and Haas machines.

Finishing: Wet spray paint lines (2) and dipping tank, powder (fluidised bed) coating, currently nylon – rilsan type – approved for water potable fittings.

Masport Foundries Ltd 1-37 Mt Wellington Highway Auckland T (09) 571 5867 International sales: Wolf Schmahl 021 611 955 www.masportfoundries.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Mole Hills “ Making out of Mountains ”

Focus | DM Dunningham

A butcher’s best friend Celebrating business success as the key butchers’ supplies company in New Zealand since 1921, Dunninghams stands for quality, innovation and dedication.

Current director, David Dunningham, joined the butcher supplies company with his father Jack in 1964, but it was David’s grandfather, David Morton (DM) Dunningham, who established the company in 1921.

DM Dunningham Ltd is a privately owned New Zealand business that specialises in being a one stop shop for the butchery industry, supplying top quality ingredients, tools and equipment, and is something of a legend in the New Zealand meat industry.

In an industry where changes are necessary to stay on top of the game, due to competition from larger overseas-owned suppliers, Dunninghams is a company in control of overseeing any trends and modifying its products to advance the business.

This is facilitated by a small and highly experienced management team who are quick to respond to opportunities. And not to mention Dunninghams notable personalised service and business-partner style support for butchers.

“The key to the company’s success to date has been quality products, reliability, competitive prices and high levels of customer service especially from our dedicated sales team,” David says.

There is a comprehensive collection of butchery supplies available including sausage casings, packaging, cleaning equipment, The majority of food ingredients are blended machinery and ancillary equipment onsite in Penrose, Auckland including sausage such as knives. This is complemented by Dunninghams approach to educate retailers in the industry on using its products in a variety of ways and by adding further ingredients, such as vegetables and herbs, to improve interest and flavour.

There’s no denying that today’s consumers are seeking out great tasting meals which are quick to prepare. With an increase of popular TV cooking shows, many people are inspired, but simply don’t have the luxury of time to make quality meals after a hard day’s work or juggling work and family life.

Dunninghams relieves the pressure by helping butchers meet this need with products such as marinades and glazes, adding sought after flavour and variety to meat.

<

Old Dunninghams building No. 2 Hobson St, Auckland City

Dunninghams has accumulated a mountain of loyal supporters throughout its existence and this is even evident behind the scenes of the business. There are approximately 50

Lamb shoulder stuffed with Dunninghams Old English Stuffing

Chicken drumsticks with Dunninghams Chinese Honey Marinade

<

Dunninghams has a long and proud history firmly rooted in local Kiwi heritage, and continues to produce some of the finest food ingredients in the country.

While popular traditional foods such as Dunninghams’ award winning sausage meals are still at the heart of the business, the company continues to respond to the market by introducing value-added products including new flavours, smaller pack sizes and gluten and dairy free products.

<

It is these qualities that stand the company in good stead as Dunninghams is enjoying another big year in 2014.

meals, cures, glazes and seasonings which mean clients receive only the best locally manufactured products and tailored solutions to suit.

employees between offices and warehouses in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and nearly half of the employees have worked for the company for more than 10 years.

These quality products are also available to the public via counter sales at the company’s Penrose branch.

Many members of the sales team are well known in the industry such as Christchurch based sales representative, Corey Winder, who is the captain of the NZ butchery team “The Pure South Sharp Blacks”.

Many workers at Dunninghams have been loyal customers for years prior to working for the company. “Dunninghams continue to take a partnership approach with their customers, as well as fulfilling the role of market leader and innovator within the butchery supplies segment,” says Geraldine Schnauer, Dunninghams commercial development manager.

The company has a tight rein on quality control and responds quickly to local market needs, which reinforce its reputation as a trusted company that excels in quality products and exceptional high standards.

Dunninghams has celebrated success for not only being in business since 1921, but has amassed a number of gold and supreme awards in recognition of a New Zealand tradition that continues to assist butchers grow their businesses through support and new product development.

Its sausage meals, glazes and cures continue to lead the market while expanded ranges of packaging and ancillary equipment provide a one stop shop solution for butchers.

Dunninghams - right at home.

DM Dunningham Ltd 655 Great South Road Penrose Auckland T (09) 525 8188 0800 363 1921 E sales@dunninghams.co.nz www.dunninghams.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Weston Milling is a premier flour milling group, producing quality wheat flour to the New Zealand, Australasian, South Asian and other regional export flour markets.

With some of the most modern facilities in the southern hemisphere, we have used advanced milling techniques to produce and customise products to meet our customer needs.

Weston Milling is proud to supply flour and other baking ingredients to Dunninghams.

Phone. 09 262 2523

www.devro.com

T: (09) 582 0250 F: (09) 525 0030 www.imcd.co.nz

73-105 Great South Rd, Otahuhu, Auckland 0800 937 866 | www.westonmilling.co.nz | westonmilling.orders@gwf.com.au

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 69

Focus | Timbertank Enterprises

Sorting your water storage We’re a clever lot down here in our little corner of the South Pacific. Always tinkering around in our tool sheds creating new and innovative ways of doing things.

Occasionally in the pursuit of a solution for our own dilemma we in fact discover the solution to many.

When architect Morton Jordan needed to provide adequate water storage for a beach house dependant on rain water collection for water supply, and where restricted access meant it was not possible to bring in a precast tank, he devised a solution.

Thinking back to his childhood in the King Country, the elevated wooden tanks to the steam locomotives came to mind. The solution was a timber tank made of treated pine with a plastic liner and, while it sounds simple enough, fact is nobody else had thought of it.

“The property was blocked by a gully, which meant no access for a traditional water tank.

Dad was able to carry timber planks through the house to build the tank at the back of the property,” Morton’s son Justin explains.

“My father devised a tank which was essentially a wooden stave barrel bound by steel cables to support and protect the liner which contained the water and was roofed to protect the water from contamination and light.”

The unique design earned considerable interest from other property owners and from civil engineering colleagues who, like Morton, realised the potential of this simple structure.

Thirty years after developing the first design, the family went to visit the site and, although the present homeowners hadn’t known what the unique timber tank on the back of their property was for, it was still going strong!

So, while the original 50,000 litre tank is still in operation, a continuous programme of research and development has seen the Timbertank design evolve into large and sophisticated storage tanks with capacities of three million litres for community supply.

More than 40 years later, Timbertank Enterprises Ltd continues to operate as a family company, although Morton, who was managing director since the company’s inception, has recently handed over the reins to his two sons, Justin and Giles, ensuring continuity of expert and experienced service.

The company’s tanks are dotted throughout the Pacific, with a large percentage in the French speaking islands of the Pacific such as New Caledonia and the design has travelled as far as Italy.

Timbertank applications trees absorb and store huge amounts of carbon dioxide,” Justin says.

But that’s not the only sustainability measure in place at Timbertanks. Timber suppliers are centrally located to minimise energy consumption in transport from forest to mill and mill to construction site.

At the mills, barrel staves are machined and cut to length before CCA treatment, ensuring the most effective protective treatment and no treated off-cuts as waste. Cables are cut to length at the factory and any steel waste It’s a unique and innovative New Zealand is recycled. Pre-liner fabric is cut to length made product, Justin says, but the true beauty of a Timbertank is that it presents only so there is zero waste and any off-cuts from minimal environmental effects throughout its the company’s Tri-PE containment liners are lifecycle compared to other tanks. “The timber returned to the manufacturer where they are recycled. we use is a renewable resource and growing “We are also proud to be able to say that we are able to buy back our tanks and on-sell them to new clients, or dismantle them and rebuild them larger. Timber infrastructure is very easy to reuse and it’s 40 percent cheaper to upsize and renew rather than to build new.”

The company is heavily investing in research into dynamic seismic design and is working on farming digesters to collect the methane gas given off from dairy effluent, another important climate change focus point.

“As a local company it’s important for us to look into new areas, rather than just bringing in someone else’s products from offshore,” Justin says.

• Potable water storage tanks • General water storage tanks • Rainwater collection tanks • Irrigation tanks • Fire protection tanks • Tower tanks • Cisterns • Agricultural tanks • Process tanks • Wastewater treatment tanks • Aerator tanks • Water cooling tanks • Fish hatchery tanks • Stormwater treatment • Stormwater detention tanks • Sand filters • Clarifiers • Bulk storage tanks • Septic tanks • Graywatertanks • Railroad water towers.

Simpson Mar Limited

STEELMASTERS SM

Maurice M Mar

Fastener Manufacturers and Distributors

Chartered Accountant Principal

Proud to support Timber Tanks • Bolts, Nuts, Screws & Washers in all materials • New Zealand’s widest stock range of Fasteners • Specials & one off made to order - quickly!!!

Branches in: Whangarei, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Napier And in Australia: Brisbane, Melbourne, Townsville, Cairns, We Rockhampton and Emerald

Visit our Website: www.steelmasters.co.nz

meet our deadlines, so you can meet yours!!!

79 - 81 O’Rorke Road, Penrose, Auckland Phone 09 579 8196 │ Fax 09 579 1392 │ Email sales@steelmasters.co.nz

70 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Timbertanks can be used for a wide range of residential, commercial and municipal applications:

P.O. Box 99739 Auckland 1149 Level 3 Tel: (09) 529 0333 142 Broadway (09) 529 4072 Newmarket Fax: (09) 524 2375 AUCKLAND Email: maurice.mar@simpsonmar.co.nz

Professional Services for your business - Accounting - Taxation - Trusts - Purchase & sale of businesses - Business advice

Proud supporter of Timbertank Enterprises Limited

Focus | Timbertank Enterprises

An environmentally friendly answer Down in our little corner of the South Pacific, we’re considered clean and green. For more than 40 years we have had access to a water storage system which is strong, safe and sustainable.

So why don’t more of us invest in economical rainwater harvesting systems for our homes and businesses?

“The public and industry want to harvest rain water as being good for the environment and to save money and industrial concerns are also keen to reduce waste water consents and costs,” Justin Jordan explains.

However, councils have two problems; rain water tanks need to be large enough to ride through the dry periods, otherwise planning city water use is difficult. Secondly councils fear tank users may get sick and blame the council!

Timbertank experience leads the logical conclusion that it would be beneficial to recommend that city homes use rain water in toilets, the laundry and in the garden.

Gardens can use huge amounts of water.

City homes should drink and wash in the city water. A home of four should have a 20,000 litre tank or greater.

Most councils do not see why the public should harvest rain water when town supply

is so cheap. The public needs more guidance from councils as to the volume of storage they are happy with, so responding to public keenness to harvest rain water.

“It’s a disgrace that over 50 percent of potable water in our homes is flushed down the loo,” he says.

It’s a slippery path we simply can’t afford to stay on, he says. “Currently councils feel the burden on water stocks when we have a dry spell – small tanks run out and people switch to town supply, when town supply is running short too. It’s a double whammy. So we need to slow this water cycle down.

“In dry summers, people are calling out for rain, then, when it comes, they don’t conserve it.”

The solution is as small as 20m3, he says, that is a 20m3 tank. “All it would take is a 20m3 tank at home or a decent installation - say 100m3 - at their industrial site, to get a huge saving of a precious resource.”

The company can develop a system unique to your needs and the proof is all across Auckland. “We have developed a system using downpipe surge collection to divert rainwater from different shaped roofs into holding tanks, which are then piped to be used for flushing lavatories etc.

“We have done two major installations in Auckland - one at the Auckland Prison in Mt Eden, with two x 100m3 holding tanks, the other at Auckland Domestic Airport, with a 70m3 tank.

“More rain falls than you could ever use, so the key to the success and the payback is to install the biggest tank you can afford,” Justin says.

“I believe that flushing your loo with premium drinking water is almost criminal! Why not save the environment and money at the same time?”

The Timbertank system has the ability to reduce water bills by at least 40 percent and even up to 60 percent in some cases, making payback generally just five to seven years.

“It is particularly cost-effective for industrial situations. And for industrials we would expect their use to grow, so Timbertank systems are planned to allow tanks to be rebuilt to a larger size, for a small cost.”

Advantages of wooden tanks A comparison of Timbertank wooden tanks and reservoirs against other construction methods, such as painted steel or steel reinforced concrete construction, illustrates the inherent advantages of TimberTank design.

• The initial construction cost of a wood storage tank is significantly less • Timbertanks have very low maintenance requirements compared with the cost of painting steel tanks every five to 10 years or the leakage problems of reinforced concrete tanks • On site construction time. Timbertank wood tank construction - one to two weeks • Welded steel tank - four to five months. Reinforced concrete tank six to seven months • The life expectancy of Timbertanks exceeds other methods due to the durability of the materials used • Deliberate and inherent design features have been incorporated to give very high earthquake resistance to Timbertanks. This has been proved in practice during a number of severe earthquakes in New Zealand • All timber components have total protection from termite attack • Timbertank reservoirs can be built in remote and difficult locations using local labour (under supervision) and with hand tools • Reservoirs can be readily dismantled and transported for re-erection in another locality if required • Reservoirs constructed of timber have a pleasing aesthetic appearance and will enhance a community’s appearance such as golf courses or other rural tourist locations.

Timbertank Enterprises Ltd 77 Morrin Road Saint Johns T (09) 574 6572 www.timbertanks.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 71

Focus | Natural Tree Products

Greening your scene Being in business successfully for 35 years is a significant achievement. Natural Tree Products, regarded as the country’s premier supplier of indoor plants for hire, is rightfully proud of its longevity and its reputation.

“The company was started in 1979 by my parents Phil and Sue Walker”, says manager Cameron Walker. “Now it’s my responsibility to tend the company and see it prosper and grow over the next 35 years”.

Cameron explains that there are a number of reasons why Natural Tree Products has succeeded in a competitive market.

Fundamental to its success is the service it provides to the more than 500 businesses whose working environments benefit from the company’s high quality living plants, trees and palms.

parents began the company in the late 70s by importing artificial indoor plants as a subsidiary to their floristry accessories’ importing business.

“By the 1990s artificial plants were no longer in vogue and the company took a chance for the future and made the move to living plants. After all these both look great and make environments healthier too”.

“We are known for our personal service and for our horticultural knowledge. With such a wide range of different species hired out to professional firms, government departments, Natural Tree Products continues to innovate hotels, bars and restaurants it is crucial that we have the expertise to maintain the plants and change by adding new products to its range. Living walls are the hot new fashion in optimum condition. for homes and especially for restaurants.

“Each of our clients is assigned one of our Natural Tree Products has Woolly Pockets - an staff as their dedicated service person. They American invention for growing plants on therefore know who to contact if there are walls in a felted bag. any maintenance issues or if they wish More than 30 Auckland restaurants and bars to change any elements of the interior are now growing lush vertical gardens indoors landscape design of their premises.” and out and experiencing the magical fun of Natural Tree Products is dedicated to the plants. Natural Tree Products install planted integration of nature into everyday living. walls of all sizes, set them up with irrigation, They live by the philosophy that the and can provide individual and multiple presence of living plants at work Woolly Pockets by mail order. and in public places improves life and benefits society.

A well established nursery supplying top quality landscape grade plants to retail outlets, landscape trade and nurseries nationwide...

• Groundcover • Trees and shrubs in small and large containers • Landscape /Advanced • Re-vegetation • Natives • Shelter & Hedging • Grasses • Palms and cycads 60 Stanners Rd, RD2, Kerikeri Phone: 027 473 4379 Email: bakerboyssales@paradise.net.nz www.bakerboysnursery.co.nz

The range of plants able to be supplied by Natural Tree Products to achieve this aim is undoubtedly the largest in New Zealand.

“We have MAF-accredited glasshouses at our nursery in Otahuhu where we grow exotic and sub-tropical plants, but we also source from overseas. We have many exceptional specimen plants, but by far the most popular ones we supply are Kentia palms, Ficus trees and various types of Dracaena plants.”

An ability to adapt has also served Natural Tree Products well over the years. “My

P: 09 276 5900 M: 027 4768 318

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Health benefits of plants: • Plant foliage absorbs carbon dioxide through photosynthesis • Foliage produces oxygen enhancing indoor air quality • Indoor plants absorb many other pollutants common in commercial buildings • Greenery presents its own natural visual appeal, creating positive moods.

Natural Tree Products 166 Avenue Road East Otahuhu Auckland T (09) 276 2471 E sales@planthire.co.nz www.planthire.co.nz www.verticalgarden.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Natural Tree Products is proud to be the largest New Zealand owned & operated Plant Hire Company.

Excellence in interior plant design and live plant hire.

Contact us to transform your office or special event.

166 Avenue Road East, Otahuhu, Auckland Phone 09 276 2471 | Mobile 0274 393 033 www.planthire.co.nz

Focus | The Coffee Club

Coffee, food and atmosphere “I’m passionate about The Coffee Club brand and its philosophy of good food, great service and excellent coffee,” says The Coffee Club Bethlehem franchisee, Ivy Joe. Ivy’s passion, her people skills in caring about both her customers and her staff, and her business acumen resulted in her being named the Westpac New Zealand Supreme Franchisee of The Year for the past two years, as well as winning the award’s Best Food and Beverage Franchisee for the same period.

Not only that, but her exemplary work was recognised outside of the company when she won Tauranga’s Small Business Award last year.

“Developing the business was demanding and challenging to start with, but I’m very persistent and dedicated. The marketing, communications, training and systems support from The Coffee Club’s support office were also of immense assistance.

It was very comforting to know that there were people behind me wanting me to achieve my goals. Now the business is going from strength to strength.”

“There are a number of key benefits in being a franchisee with our organisation,” says New Zealand’s The Coffee Club director, Brad Jacobs. “The Coffee Club has an established business model with proven documented systems and buying power.

“Being part of a family also reduces an individual’s risks and increases their revenue Ivy Jones (centre left) amd The Coffee Club team receive their Westpac New Zealand Supreme Franchise of the year award

<

“I had nine years experience in the food industry with a Chinese restaurant and takeaway in New Plymouth before the opportunity of The Coffee Club franchise in Tauranga came along.

celebrated 24 years in Australia and eight years in New Zealand. The brand now has 52 stores in this country.

No man stands alone The team at The Coffee Club recognise and thank the following companies for their support in the New Zealand market:

potential and we provide all the training necessary at start-up and for ongoing personal development.”

• The Service Company

Ivy believes The Coffee Club is a great fit for the New Zealand way of life and with Kiwi culture, especially in regional areas. “The food and coffee prices are very good value and the café design itself is casual and welcoming, yet sophisticated and stylish.

• DE Coffee and Tea • Henergy Cage Free Eggs • Mega Foods.

Ivy’s success echoes that of The Coffee Club brand itself. Last year The Coffee Club

“We work as a team here at The Coffee Club Bethlehem, constantly striving to improve our service and to achieve operational excellence.

Everything we do revolves around ensuring our customers have positive and productive contact with us”.

Ivy has already trained new franchisees in her café and looks forward to helping in this way as The Coffee Club continues to expand in New Zealand. She also supports the local community in any way she can and this too is very much part of The Coffee Club’s ethos.

The Coffee Club Cafe, Bar and Restaurant Bethlehem Shop H2 – Bethlehem Town Centre Bethlehem Road Tauranga T (07) 579 3668 E ivy.joe@xtra.co.nz www.thecoffeeclub.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Phone: 0800 753 753 Suppliers of Hospitality Chemicals Serviettes, Napkins, Toilet Paper And Janitorial Products Ensuring the ultimate in cleaning standards for The Coffee Club

orders@theservice.co.nz where professional service is a way of life

Proud to stupport

Henergy Cage-Free Ltd are proud to have been egg suppliers to The Coffee Club stores for over two years. We celebrate the success of The Coffee Club Bethlehem Town Centre.

All eggs supplied by Henergy Cage-Free Ltd to The Coffee Club are produced on our farm according to SPCA Blue Tick standards.

Henergy Cage-Free Ltd, 318 Te Ore Ore Settlement Road, Masterton Ph. 06 378-8385 Email. cagefree@eggs.co.nz www.henergy.co.nz

BETHLEHEM TOWN CENTRE

SPECIALISTS ON CHILLED AND FROZEN FOOD 15-23 CROOKS ROAD, EAST TAMAKI, AUCKLAND

WWW.MEGAFOOD.CO.NZ T 09 273 8889, 273 8868, 0800 100 198

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 73

Focus | Matrix Security

Playing it safe Matrix Security are old hands when it comes to security; a full service agency, offering comprehensive commercial and domestic security.

Services range from the assessment of a site, through to recommending the right security solution and its subsequent implementation.

After 21 years in the industry they’ve learnt that the key to providing a high quality service is adopting new technology, along with the employment and ongoing training of quality staff.

however, it’s training, experience and specialist skills that separates the average security company from one that can actually add value to a business’s security needs.

This combination ensures more options, increased efficiency and improved services are available for all clients.

“In security, the advancement of technology is the exciting, cutting edge aspect of the business,” explains Matrix Security chief executive, Scott Carter. “But it’s still our people that are the backbone of our service.

No matter how good your technology is, when a breach happens – it’s how well security officers respond that makes the difference.

“If we can’t respond quickly then we can’t do our job,” he says. “Yes, technology helps, but without the human intervention it’s a bit like a dog with no teeth. With an average response time to critical events of around seven minutes, our proven track record for fast effective response really counts.

“It’s the early adoption of new technology and good old-fashioned professionalism which has enabled Matrix Security to embrace change and provide our clients with an increasing suite of security services,” Scott adds.

Security is an interesting industry. Essentially, there are relatively low barriers to entry

“

In security, the advancement of technology is the exciting, cutting edge aspect of the business, but it’s still our people that are the backbone of our service.

No matter how good your technology is, when a breach happens – it’s how well security officers respond that makes the difference.

- Matrix Security, chief executive, Scott Carter

”

Matrix Security’s key services for commercial clients: • Security system design • Integrated security services • Installations and servicing of technology solutions • Alarm monitoring 24 hours a day • Fast effective response • Static (onsite) guarding • Private function security • Commercial security management • Security patrols, inspections and bed downs of premises • Drive by patrols • Staff escorts to vehicles or transport • Professional reporting of any activity through automated communications ensure that they provide acceptable levels of service for their clients.

• Immediate dispatch upon alarm activation (with an average response time of seven minutes)

Adhere to compliance

• Service checks of technological security systems.

As an absolute minimum, a good security company will have, or do, the following:

Have professional accreditation Companies should be audited and accredited by the New Zealand Security Association (NZSA), the governing body for the industry.

They provide recommendations and regulations and annually audit members to

Every individual who works for a security company, be it providing security services or giving security advice MUST have a Certificate of Approval (COA). This is a license issued by the Ministry of Justice and MUST be visible while on duty.

It ensures the person is a qualified and registered security officer. Part of obtaining this COA is a background check by the Ministry of Justice to ensure the individual doesn’t have a criminal history. It will be revoked immediately if the individual is ever convicted of a criminal offence.

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Penrose Automotive is a member of the MTA so you have peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is being professionally serviced.

Penrose Automotive, 40 O’Rorke Road, Penrose 74 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

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Focus | Matrix Security

What do you look for if you want to engage a security company?

commitment to the industry. It has been winner of the ETITO Workplace of the Year in 2012 and they received recognition as a Gold Status Training Workplace in 2012.

“At face value it’s often hard to differentiate between puffery and quality. The difference however becomes evident when you have to respond appropriately under pressure.

The short answer is, it all comes down to the quality and investment the company puts into their employees,” Matrix Security Training and Safety Officer, Jim Peke explains.

“A security officer is not just a security officer.

Matrix Security takes the job seriously and therefore engages in ongoing training, ensuring their officers, communications staff and technicians’ qualifications are all above the minimum requirements for the industry.”

Construction of operational requirements in advance of events ensures every officer is aware of the risk profile of each site they patrol and there are clear protocols in place to manage the different situations that could occur. “This ensures everyone understands what is going to happen if an event occurs, and furthermore officers intrinsically know what their role is,” Peke says.

To ensure fast response times and a visible presence, Matrix Security has divided the greater Auckland region into a series of patrol grids. These grids are constantly being proactively patrolled by officers.

An example of how training and preparation is beneficial could be a volatile crowd situation. The reaction and actions of the officers can have a strong influence on how the group reacts and responds to authority and instruction.

These structured patrol grids not only ensure a visible presence in an area, they also form the backbone for alarm response services. By having patrols in a local area when an alarm activates officers are dispatched and are usually onsite within minutes.

“The industry itself has very little compulsory training, but it’s an area where Matrix Security goes above and beyond what is required.

To ensure this we maintain a close working relationship with The Skills Organisation which is an independent training provider,” Jim adds.

Attention to health and safety is another point to question, this forms a large part of services provided by Matrix Security. A good security firm should have ACC accreditation and everyone in the company should be able to identify and mitigate risks on site.

Furthermore, when starting with Matrix Security, officers undergo a minimum four week training programme with further inductions for specific sites. After initial training has been completed, opportunities to gain ongoing NZQA qualifications as well as advanced in-house training are made available.

Prevention is always better than a cure and integration of security services (be it in the form of monitoring smoke alarms, or a patrol officer identifying something onsite), will only help commercial clients meet their health and safety obligations.

Officers at Matrix Security are encouraged to further their knowledge and experience, which provides a better service for its clients.

The training helps officers fully understand the risk profile of each site. They get to know how the client operates and what it requires from its security service provider.

Matrix Security has been repeatedly recognised for its superior training and

Understanding risk “The key thing when you are looking at security is to engage a company with broad experience, that way they can provide a complete risk assessment of your site for you,“ explains technology solutions manager, Andrew Thorburn.

By assessing all the risk, you can then explore your options and select those security solutions that best suit your needs

New/Used Cars

-

and budget. From basic perimeter security, through to specific monitoring of temperature or CO2 levels and smoke alarms - the degree of your security integration can be customised to suit your needs.

“Our security consultants offer this advice based on industry experience, technical competence and in-house support. We work with you using internationally benchmarked assessment tools to identify solutions reflective of your specific risk profile, immediate and longer term security needs, and the level of technology that is appropriate,” Thorburn explains.

This is the same for the hundreds of businesses that use Matrix Security to manually patrol their assets - companies like Birkenhead Transport and the Remuera Golf Club; for them it’s all about having the best people with the highest levels of training available to react and respond when needed.

“Remember risk is not just the external threat most people perceive. For example, Matrix Security monitor businesses which have cool stores or server rooms where keeping these areas at a precise temperature is essential.”

Installation of the correct alarm system enables the Matrix Security communications

Finance & Insurance

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Service

center the ability to monitor the temperature and other variables, meaning any fluctuations are known about immediately. Again – it’s technology that drives all these systems, but it’s the actions of people that have the impact.

-

“At Matrix Security nothing is left to chance, we recognise our own risks, be it from looking after our people, through to keeping the vehicles in top condition.”

Penrose Auto ensures that every one of the 24 patrol vehicles based around Auckland is operational, thus guaranteeing top performance.

Parts

Matrix Security Group depend on:

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Two convenient locations 101 Great North Road, Grey Lynn. Ph: 378 9919 | 7 Forge Way, Mt Wellington. Ph: 360 6726

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Considering a career in security?

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The Skills Organisation 0508 SKILLS (0508 754 557) skills.org.nz

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 75

Focus | Matrix Security

Matrix Security would like to thank the following companies for their ongoing support: • Remuera Golf Club • Penrose Automotive • Auckland City Transport • The Skills Organisation.

Making the most of technology While landline alarm monitoring is a proven, reliable and cost-effective way of monitoring your system, it is becoming increasingly common for homes and businesses to no longer have a traditional phone line, and instead simply have an Internet connection for both calls and data.

This is usually attributed to faster Internet connections and advancements in mobile technology.

Furthermore, we are getting used to information at our fingertips. With IP (Internet protocol) alarm monitoring you can now take a more proactive role in the security of your home or business.

IP monitoring is when the alarm sends signals via your Internet connection. Many alarm systems can also be accessed via your mobile devices. This means you can access your security systems from anywhere in the world, this includes checking the status of your

premises and even arming/disarming your system remotely.

Real time reporting can also enable you to view when your children come home from school, when tradespeople, cleaners or staff enter and leave, and in addition the alarm can be linked to Matrix Security’s monitoring centre.

As mobile services increase and networks stabilise - so to do the options to utilise the 3G and 4G wireless services on remote sites. Wireless systems are gaining quickly in popularity as they provide the ability to communicate via a more secure network that is not as easy to compromise. Solar power can provide more options in remote areas.

Video surveillance systems are another security tool that has seen a leap in popularity recently.

As the cost of technology falls and the quality of the systems continues to increase, video surveillance and the subsequent monitoring

“

If we can’t respond quickly then we can’t do our job. Yes, technology helps, but without the human intervention it’s a bit like a dog with no teeth.

- Matrix Security, chief executive, Scott Carter

”

has seen a substantial rise in popularity. As with any purchase, quality doesn’t cost much more, and there has been an increase in low cost providers in the market, but often what is promised is not what occurs.

To manage these requests and growing demand Matrix Security has a dedicated technology solutions department which can assist with any such requests. They can even support your transition from archaic analogue systems to new digital surveillance systems.

Technology provides the following benefits at your fingertips: • Arm/disarm your security system through your smart device • Instant remote access – access your security system anywhere, anytime • Convenience and control • Transparency - log reports of your alarm activations • Affordable • Faster and more reliable reporting of events • Future proofing your home and/or business.

“Technology is exciting no matter what industry it’s used in. These days we can achieve things, go places and harness automation like never before, but at the end of the day all that technology is about people - helping us, healing us, keeping us safe and making our lives better,” Thorburn adds.

76 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Matrix Security UGL House, 8 Rockridge Avenue Level 3 Penrose Auckland T (09) 579 1567 0800 111 361 E service@matrixsecurity.co.nz www.matrixsecurity.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Focus | Dysart Timbers ITM

Strength through association The Auckland building boom is good news for the economy. While it is good news for the building industry and the region as a whole, the surrounding infrastructure to the industry must also be prepared for the influx of work and demand for materials; step forward Dysart ITM. Local tradies will recognise Dysart ITM as one of the longest standing trade outlets in Auckland. Established in 1976, the company began importing cedar, distributing timber and even dabbled in the construction industry during the 80s.

In 2006 Dysart Timbers joined the forcible might of the ITM Group to further the company’s recognition. The group’s buying power is one of the reasons Dysart saw fit to join forces, passing savings from combined buying to their valued customers.

Dysart Timbers is proud of the fact it is a New Zealand owned family company. Barry Sapwell had a partnership with Mr Dysart in 1983 and took over in 1984. Now his son David Sapwell, daughter Carly Saunders, and son in law Adrian Saunders have taken over the family business, with Adrian heading the company.

ITM – recognised and respected

a sole trader a company could never afford such campaigns, but ITM have the profile to gain recognition for its group members”.

Building on knowledge The building industry relies on quality materials and in turn the knowledge of certain materials can be invaluable to tradespeople. Dysart ITM has more than 40 staff, many of whom have been with the company for more than 10 years, including hardware manager Patta, with some 20 years under his belt.

This knowledge base helps the tradespeople who may require advice on certain materials to make informed decisions and save money by purchasing the right products for the right job.

Saunders says Dysart ITM clients are split ’80-20’ with the 80 percent of custom being trade and the 20 percent being retail.

In previous years the company would experience seasonal workload peaks and troughs, but this year it seems the workload has risen and the team are riding the economic wave generated by the building boom.

“Usually, we’d be entering our winter period where insulation sales would increase but this year seems to have continued without the seasonal change, which is a positive sign for the industry and of course, for us.”

Trade focussed, staff focussed The building companies already using Dysart ITM have a strong relationship with the outlet and also with the staff, many of whom have been ever present over the past decade.

The comfort of recognition and the ability to converse with experts is one of the main reasons the outlet has a high level of retention – of both customers and staff.

Dysart products: • Decking • Fencing • Trellis • Mouldings • Plasterboard • Prenails and trusses • Framing timber • Obligation free quotes • Free loan trainers • Some hire equipment • Prompt delivery in the greater Auckland area and beyond • Priority cards for ongoing trade discounts • Knowledgeable staff.

Dysart Timbers ITM 88 Merton Rd Glen Innes Auckland T (09) 521 3609 E sales@dysart.co.nz www.dysart.co.nz

The ITM Cup, the ITM Fishing show and the ITM 500 - it’s pretty clear that ITM know what us Kiwi’s like and by sponsoring a range of sports and recreation favourites, the company remains in the eye-line of the New Zealand public.

This is certainly one of the perks for joining the group; it allows companies such as Dysart to associate with national sporting events and large scale marketing campaigns to improve their business recognition.

— Advertising Feature

www.makita.co.nz

Carly Saunders of Dysart ITM says “It’s great to know that we are part of a group that lends its name to such iconic events and sports, as

WINSTONE WALLBOARDS IS PROUD TO SUPPORT DYSART TIMBERS ITM AND WE CONGRATULATE THEM ON THEIR NEW BRANDING GIB® plasterboard systems have been lining kiwi homes since 1927. With support from our proven logistics partners like Dysart Timbers ITM, we can get customers’ products to their chosen merchant or direct to site (in Auckland, Christchurch and Hamilton) within 24 hours.

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www.gib.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 77

Marine & Boating | Scott Lane Boat Builders

Handcrafted for your leisure Scott Lane Boat Builders, based in Clevedon, has earned a well deserved reputation in the boating community for producing quality, handcrafted boats, custom fitted with the trademark quality the company is renowned for.

Take a healthy serving of passion, throw in a large dose of perfectionism and combine that with a family’s love for the ocean, and you have the successful formula Scott Lane has used during the past 15 years to become a leading New Zealand boat builder.

From solo beginnings, the company has grown to a solid team of apprentices and boat builders who make the boats from the design specifications directly from the client (via professional designer Bill Upfold at Elite Marine).

Often described as a master craftsman, Scott is lucky enough to call his hobby his job, something very much reflected in the quality of his final product. Letitia Lane, company director and wife of the boat builder, knows the importance of adding love to your work.

Humdinger Elite mid pilothouse, 15.5metre Humdinger (which really is a great name for a great vessel) is one of the more recent launches from the Scott Lane stable and has actually become quite an adventure boat as it journeys towards Tonga.

“Scott enjoys every aspect of boatbuilding even the sanding! Simply put - it’s what we do and it’s all Scott ever wanted to do. We want to continue to produce beautiful, high quality, custom boats. We’ve built a reputation over the last 15 years and are looking forward to the next 15.”

“Humdinger left Auckland two weeks ago bound for Tonga. She is presently at Minerva Reef. I think that it’s great that one of our boats is en-route to Tonga!”

Very much the captain of his own ship, Scott has steered his dream from a young age, building his first ski boat at the age of only 16. After finishing his apprenticeship and returning from his ‘OE’ he returned to found the company bearing his name in 1999.

Humdinger was crafted from mixed composite, plywood, balsa, fiberglass, foam and timber. The boat has a 3,200 litre fuel capacity powered by two Caterpillar C7 engines (450hp each). <

Humdinger cockpit at night

Chatfield

As a luxury product, the boats are designed with purpose in mind. Some boats may require large accommodation areas or some may require larger cockpit area for fishing, diving or entertaining, but the exciting part about the build is each boat is unique and purpose built.

Engineering (2013) Limited

Proud suppliers of DECK HARDWARE, DRIVELINE & GAME FISHING GEAR to Scott Lane Boat Builders

Not only are the boats we build functional, perform superbly at sea and look good, they are also living systems on the water. Through our experience building them we know what works well and how to build them as efficiently as possible.”

“Clients after a custom designed boat usually have a clear idea of what they want out of their boat and the ways they intend to use it. Every client is different therefore every boat reflects each client’s requirements, specifications and taste.”

The Lane workshop actually becomes the client’s workshop as their vision is turned into a reality. As purveyors of luxury and quality, Scott Lane’s name has become synonymous with high-end marine work which is a direct result of the finished product and the uncanny attention to detail.

Ph. 09 444 9031 sales@chatfieldmarine.co.nz www.chatfieldmarine.co.nz

Humdinger saloon

<

“The boats really speak for themselves in terms of their finish and attention to detail.

09 579 4027 enquiries@fieldsigns.co.nz

PROUD TO HAVE OUR FINISHING TOUCH ON SCOTT LANE’S BOATS 78 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

With a max speed of 26 knots and a cruising speed of 20 knots, Humdinger is ideal for serious, big game fishing.

The owners had a vision in mind for their boat and Scott Lane Boat Builders used their exceptional craftsmanship to produce a final product that is not only perfect for fishing, but also for adventures to exotic locations.

Marine & Boating | Scott Lane Boat Builders

Sustainable Business Network | BioBrew

Fresh is best Producers of BioBrew, New Zealand’s only fresh microbial products for the New Zealand agricultural sector, are stepping up once again with plans to release its second product EquiBrew in October.

Elite sedan, 13 metre Scott Lane also built a boat for his own family, Odysseia, which recently graced the cover of the Boating New Zealand Magazine (January 2014) – a true accolade that encapsulates the professionalism practiced by Scott and his team.

Odysseia was designed to accommodate the Lane family’s love of fishing and water sports. The open plan layout includes a cockpit with built-in ice bin, rod locker, live bait tank, removable game chair and clever fold down step to allow swimmers easy access from the water.

The future The marine industry has weathered the storm of the global financial crisis and the damning loss of the Americas Cup, but it has left the good operations still afloat.

Scott Lane runs a tight ship and it looks like full steam ahead as his business looks set to ride on the crest of the next wave, buoyed by their reputation for quality, lovingly hand-crafted boats.

Scott Lane would like to thank the following companies for their ongoing support: • Chains Ropes and Anchors • Marine Direct

The classy interior complements the stunning exterior and with functionality at the heart of the vessel, it will become a hub for family bonding for many years.

Total Supply Solutions...

• Anchoring • Hardware • Hatches • Lighting • Electrical and wipers • Steering • Engine Controls • Gauges and senders • BBQ’s, seats and tables • Pumps and plumbing • Fuel Lines, lters and accerssories • Fishing accessories • Trim tabs and bow thrusters

Proud supplier to Scott Lane Boat Builders.

• Field Signs

www.marinedirect.co.nz Ph 0800 2739180

• Chatfield Marine.

Scott Lane Boat Builders 101 Twilight Road Clevedon RD2 Papakura T (09) 292 8177 M 0274 765 443 E info@slboats.co.nz www.scottlaneboatbuilders.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Their mission was to prove that BioBrew’s novel probiotic microbial products were something they could sell in a highly competitive market; primarily the dairy industry, although BioBrew also sells to goat, deer, sheep and beef farms too.

“We bootstrapped BioBrew into existence from day one solely through sales revenue,” Andre says. “We have developed the company, including the research and development, and quality assurance programme at Lincoln University, with zero debt and have taken on board only a very small amount of capital from loyal customers.”

BioBrew is a cost-effective, non-toxic, independently trialled and tested probiotic used for animal nutrition, making it a valuable tool in the successful running of a farm.

Complementing this is EquiBrew - the exciting and independently tested probiotic targeting the equine market.

“We are about to launch EquiBrew for the horse market and an as-yet-unnamed product that will revolutionise the human health probiotic market. We intend to take our approach to all of these market sectors overseas and are in the process of raising capital to do so.”

But the BioBrew take over doesn’t stop here. The company is working with Lincoln University in the development phase of its human health product, which aims to help people with digestive disorders along the IBS/ IBD spectrum. They hope to bring the product into early commercial product in late 2014 or early 2015.

Dr. Malik Hussain (who supervises the QA and R&D work at Lincoln University) and Andre Prassinos looking at a plate of lactobacilli taken from our microbial isolate development program.

<

Odysseia

Andre Prassinos and co-founder and business partner, Don Pearson, established BioBrew Ltd in 2009. It was to be a year marking the beginning of a very steep learning curve for Andre, as he entered into the primary production sphere for the first time. Add Don, who has a degree in horticultural science and experience as a consultant in the microbial industry and in organic farming – and the recipe for success was established.

A small company on the rise with intentions to take their approach overseas, Andre says inferior freeze dried products currently dominate the market and it’s vital the public are re-educated about the merits of BioBrew’s fresh, active product that redefine the probiotic sector.

“In 2012 we participated in the largestscale trial ever conducted in New Zealand to observe the effects of probiotics in dairy calves. This project was funded by the Sustainable Farming Fund and organised by the Clutha AgBoard.”

The promising results of the trial were independently obtained and reported in full, including the raw data. This is very unusual in a trial involving a commercial product, but it is emblematic of the transparent and honest way in which we present our products to the market.

“This does however create challenges as we attempt to put the merits of our products in front of farmers, when the norm is often for confusing or poorly justified commercial claims of efficacy. We overcome this by simply providing samples of our product so farmers can see the results for themselves”.

Customers know exactly what they are buying with BioBrew: affordable and effective products that make the world a better place.

BioBrew Ltd 19 Rimu Street Kaka Point 9271 T 0508 2462 739 E info@biobrew.net.nz — Advertising Feature

OUTDOOR SHADES & AWNINGS INTERIOR / EXTERIOR BLINDS MARQUEE MANUFACTURING MARQUEE & EVENT HIRE MOTOR TRIMMING BOAT COVERS CUSTOM MADE COVERS CARAVAN AWNINGS

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Specialising in: • Ropes • Chains • Anchors • Winches • Splicing and rope work And how to do pretty much anything to all of those.

7/10 Colway Place, Glenfield, North Shore City | Ph 09 444 812 www. chainsropesandanchors.co.nz

86 HIGH STREET, LEESTON 7632

03 324 3707 WWW.CLAUSENS.CO.NZ

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 79

Goods & Services | Hardy Trade Supply

Complete hospitality industry service There’s not a lot of grey areas when it comes to a business startup; a good idea is a good idea and you’ve either got it or you don’t. And if, say, 25 years later that idea is still growing and evolving, chances are, you’re onto a winner.

At least the Hardy family certainly are.

In 1989, after 10 years in sales and marketing with the leading hospitality supplier at the time, Mark Hardy recognised a gap in the industry for quality equipment at competitive prices, backed by strong service.

service, unlike other companies which offer finance through offshore companies with the client unsure who to contact if maintenance problems occur. Clients feel safe dealing with just the one person and a ‘one stop shop’.

Now moving into the Auckland market, Mark and his wife Sharon took the opportunity there’s no doubting Hardy Trade Supply was a good idea… in fact, it was three. “We created to establish their own company, Hardy Trade a real one stop shop, from coffee equipment Supply and, after seeing an opportunity in long term rentals in water coolers, started the and cutlery right through to gas appliances subsidiary Hardy Rentals to fill this gap. and refrigeration. The market is pretty unsatisfied up there from what we have The couple were the first in the country to rent seen,” Mark says. water coolers, before selling this part of the company to Just Water and continuing to focus “We already have a number of customers in on the hospitality sector. the Auckland market, but we are looking to expand this further.”

Hardy Rentals was changed to Hospitality Rentals, reflecting the type of business it The area was previously serviced by the was targeting, offering long term rentals Wellington team and now has the services of to the hospitality sector with low deposits local residential representative Brian Bint. “We and affordable weekly rentals under full will be adding to our Auckland sales force this maintenance contracts. year and currently looking for local premises By listening to clients’ needs, the company to work from.” realised not all clients wished to rent In an industry dominated by cheap imports, equipment and Hospitality Finance was it could have been a difficult job establishing established to finance catering equipment a strong name, but then it would be hard to to the industry, with fast approvals and only beat the quality and service which are the taking security on the equipment supplied at mainstay of Hardy Trade. competitive interest rates.

With these three companies under one umbrella clients are assured of full after sales

“The industry is highly competitive and traditionally operates on low margins. Our

Spunglo WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE BEEN PART OF YOUR GROWTH THROUGHOUT THE YEARS FROM THE BEGINNING, TO THE SUCESSFUL BUSINESS YOU HAVE TODAY SPUNGLO NEW ZEALAND LIMITED - IMPORTERS AND DISTRIBUTERS OF TABLEKRAFT CUTLERY, ROYAL PORCELAIN DINERWARE AND A WIDE RANGE OF TABLETOP KITCHEN AND BARWARE

80 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

aim has always been to find the absolute best product we can for the price,” Mark says.

“In New Zealand it is open slather with product coming in from overseas. It’s cheap and cheerful and people love that initially, but not so much in six months when they have to replace it.

“We ensure customers get the best price and the best product, but more importantly, we maintain that level of service. We ensure we’re giving them the right product for the job and that it is designed to be used commercially. You can only do that with service from a highly experienced local team.”

Mark and Sharon have since been accompanied by daughter Andrea, who looks after the rental side, son Culham in sales and marketing, sister in law Melanie also in marketing and web design, and son in law Brett who looks after all the purchasing.

But it must be said the remaining sales and administration staff are just like family, having worked in the company for many years.

“We are proud of our low staff turnover maintaining an experienced and committed team,” Mark says.

It’s a small and loyal team able to give professional advice in sales and service. It has both field and showroom sales consultants nationwide, in-house ordering and an easy

to operate website which changes regularly by listening to their customers’ comments for continual improvement. The company also has an experienced and long term accounts team member to assist with all accounts issues in a friendly professional manner, an experienced long term store and purchasing team to ensure the most competitive pricing and fast efficient delivery service.

The large store and showroom based in Petone carries a vast range of new catering equipment, a full complement of crockery, glasses and kitchenware ranges, as well as the largest locally used catering showroom in New Zealand, selling pre-owned equipment that has been fully cleaned and serviced with specified warranties.

Hardy Trade is fully licensed to purchase and sell pre-owned equipment, giving the customer 100 percent confidence in purchasing equipment that is free of any security issues and is sold under the strict laws and regulations pertaining to the selling of pre-owned equipment.

“Where customers want a bargain we have a successful Trade Me account under the name ‘catertrade’ offering cheap equipment, ex rentals, repossessed equipment, stock overruns and factory specials sold under Trade Me rules, with over 1,000 positive feed backs the service and products speak for themselves.”

Proud to support Hardy Trade Supply Lethaby’s are specialist in Sunnex catering equipment. A wide range of table top items from plates, airpots chafers etc. We can help.

Free Phone 0800 737 900 │ Email sales@lethaby.co.nz

www.lethaby.co.nz

Goods & Services | Hardy Trade Supply

Wide range of products Hardy Trade Supply offers the largest used catering showroom in the country, with a diverse range of pre-owned and rental equipment.

•

Barware

•

Buffet

•

Candles

•

Chemicals

•

Coffee machines and grinders

•

Crockery

•

Cutlery

•

Dishwasher systems

•

Display cabinets

•

Disposables

•

Electric appliances

•

Food preparation

•

Gas appliances

•

Glassware

•

Kitchenware

•

Plastic ware

•

Refrigeration

•

Smokers

•

Used equipment

•

Wobbly wedges.

Three tiers of success The three tiered approach is the feather in Hardy Trade Supply’s commercial hat.

“Not many companies our size provide both the new and pre-used equipment,” Mark explains.

“They focus on either new or used. So it’s another string to our bow, enabling us to offer trade-ins or buy backs and with a full service department, we can ensure all equipment is completely up to scratch before it goes back out again.”

The service department is an important factor.

Hardy Trade Supply is fully licensed under the New Zealand Licensed Traders’ Association, meaning all its products adhere to the very strict licensing which is required of preowned equipment.

Hospitality Rentals, with the website www.hospitalityrentals.co.nz.

“We believe we are the only hospitality organisation which is fully licensed.”

Unlike other hospitality distributors, Hardy Trade is committed to marketing New Zealand manufactured products where ever possible, to ensure not only full service and spare parts back up, but also keeping fellow New Zealand workers employed.

Brands include Moffat New Zealand for electric and gas appliances, Skope refrigeration for a full range of kitchen refrigeration, Festive NZ for all display cabinets both hot and cold, Washtech for commercial dishwasher and glass washer systems, Novalok for a complete range of both cool room and storage shelving, fully MAF approved.

To ensure continuity of product supply Hardy Trade has partnered with major international importers of glassware, cutlery and kitchenware, such as McPherson’s Consumer Products, Spunglo, Dunedin Stainless and Cintesi, to name a few.

On the service side Hardy Trade has partnered with professional gas and electrical technicians specialising in servicing the food service industry, ensuring installations are fully authorised, as are any repairs.

Although operating with the same team from the same building, the rental side of the business operates under the banner

Supporting Growth in the

Hospitality Industry

Congratulations to HTS

on your growth into Auckland

FREECALL

0800 723 265

The only 100 percent family owned and operated long term commercial rental business, Hospitality Rentals allows customers to set up business or replace old and tired equipment with new updated equipment for little initial capital costs and low 100 percent tax deductable weekly payments.

The company’s landlord was an insurance broker and after getting more and more enquiries from customers requesting finance, Hardy Trade Supply added the third string to its bow in 1995, namely Hospitality Finance Ltd, utilising the broker’s vast finance knowledge to incorporate a simple but effect finance package.

“What makes our finance department stand out is that we’re not asking too much for security. We only take security over the chattels, so we’re not asking you to put your house up against your equipment. And we keep it simple,” Mark says.

“The finance company is 100 percent owned by us, not some big corporate at the other end of the country. So if anyone deals with any of these companies, they’re dealing with one person.”

Hospitality Finance is also the only company to offer medium term finance, ideal to finance equipment on only chattel security with flexible terms with fast and efficient approval.

“

We believe we are the only hospitality organisation which is fully licensed.

”

Why buy when you can rent?

•

No ongoing maintenance costs

•

No depreciation on your books

•

100 percent tax deductible

•

Huge tax incentives

•

Low capital outlay.

Sara - beautiful, Italian, strong.

Knows where to draw the line.

Plimsoll line glassware • Two options - Line150 ml pour, Wine glass150 ml or 250 ml pour • Fully-toughened - 4 times stronger than regular glass • Drawn stem for increased strength.

• Established Foodservice line.

WEBSITE www.safconz.com

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 81

Goods & Services | Hardy Trade Supply

Goods & Services | Pirtek North Harbour

What the clients have to say....

Fluid transfer solutions

“We try to make our New York Deli franchises financially accessible, so we keep the cost of entry down by using Hospitality Rentals.

“All of our franchises are sold as the base fit-out plus rental agreements for high value appliances. Renting high value and hardworking appliances makes sense, it means that our franchisees are getting access to the best gear during the term of their franchise and they have peace of mind knowing that if anything needs repairing, the service guys are there in no time at all.

“One of our franchisees had an oven stop working on a Sunday morning just before a busy lunch rush, he was able to call the service agent and get the oven working again before he ran out of cooked food.

Our franchises are busy and we have got to keep the wheels turning seven days a week, renting appliances means one less thing to worry about.”

- New York Deli

“We are a specialty coffee roaster specialising in supplying high quality coffee to cafés. We are a small business growing insanely fast so naturally we are at the mercy of our cash flow.

“Hospitality Rentals has changed the way we do business! They provide us with great rental deals which work in our favour – it enables us to keep riding our wave of growth. They are an extremely friendly and reliable bunch who has been an absolute pleasure to deal with.”

- Flight Coffee, director Nick Clark

“The crew at Hardy Trade, aka Hospitality Rentails, were instrumental in setting up our new business. Because they are so customer focussed, we were able to effectively cost our start up and operational budgets well before we opened for business. Most of the kitchen and front of house equipment was sourced by Scott and if it wasn’t in stock then he would find it for us.

“The benefit of renting equipment meant that our initial capital outlay was lower than it could have been without compromising quality. Utilising top of the line plant equipment means that we don’t have to worry about maintenance or things breaking

down and can concentrate on the important things like building our business.

“Both the staff and customers experience the benefits of this and the end result equals higher productivity and product sales.

“Hardy Trade are definitely our ‘go to’ guys for all our hospo gear and their experience and expertise is evident in their high level of customer service and satisfaction. They have our highest recommendation.”

- Encore, proprietor, Jacinta Saeki

When someone has been learning and working in one particular industry for 50 years you can be confident they are the expert at what they do, so why would you go to anyone else?

Peter runs the Pirtek North Harbour franchise, he has owned the company for seven years but his experience in the engineering industry started as a five year old.

“My Dad taught me about engineering as a kid and I grew up around it, I’ve been in this game for a long time, over 50 years.”

“

Because they are so customer focussed, we were able to effectively cost our start up and operational budgets well

Pirtek North Harbour’s core business is hydraulic hoses, water blasting hoses, automotive hoses and earth moving machinery big or small.

The business is not the only hydraulic hose and fitting business on the North Shore but they sure are the best.

“I supply unrivalled service throughout the North Shore from the bridge to Te Hana north of Wellsford. I have lots of competitors on the North Shore but none of the businesses offer the same service, quality and wide range of products that I can.”

Hardy Trade Supply 50-54 Waione Street Petone Wellington T 0800 288 537 www.hardytrade.co.nz

High quality products

•

Rapid response time

•

24 hours a day, 7 days a week service

•

Hose management in the customer workplace

•

Tagging system identified New Zealand-wide

•

On-site breakdown service

•

Diverse range of products.

Thanks to Peter’s unbeatable service he has some of the biggest customers on the North Shore including the Redvale Landfill who he services with all of their fluid transfer needs.

He is one of the few people in the industry that can offer this unique, one of a kind service truly putting Pirtek North Harbour into a league of its own.

Reliance Worldwide Ltd produces a wide variety of industrial brass fittings as its standard range.

Proud to be associated with Pirtek — Advertising Feature

www.moffat.co.nz 0800 MOFFAT (663328)

•

Peter is a fitter turner by trade, which means if he hasn’t got a particular part then he can expertly make it from scratch, “whatever people need I can supply or make myself.”

before we opened for business.

”

Pirtek North Harbour can provide you with:

Phone: 09-634-2894 Fax: 09-634-0030 Reliance Worldwide Ltd 305 Neilson St, Onehunga, Auckland www.relianceworldwide.co.nz

The area which Peter and his worker, Nick, services is massive and sometimes he finds it difficult to cover the large territory. To combat this issue Peter would like to find an engineering shop in the Wellsford area that is keen to stock some products so when his customers need something and he is not on hand to supply it they can easily and quickly get the items they are after.

Pirtek North Harbour PO Box 49 Silverdale T 021 644563 E peter@pirteknh.co.nz www.pirtek.co.nz

Hardy Trade Supply, authorised Moffat distributor.

At Moffat we pride ourselves on providing the very best in commercial kitchen technology. Be it food preparation, meal distribution, cooking, chilling, handling, baking or serving, we deliver unique, adaptive solutions to our clients worldwide.

We do this with a commitment to innovation that is industry-renowned. From our development processes through to our production capability to our supply partnerships and our ongoing support network, nothing is left to chance.

And we back it with 100% commitment to on-site training and 24/7 servicing assistance.

82 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

The Dependable Oil Company is a privately owned and operated New Zealand company.

We can cater for all your lubricant needs from Automotive, Commercial and Industrial.

Quality Product and service at the right price. Full Private label capabilities

Peter Edwards

Phone: 027 6149994 or 09 630 0369 | Email: peter@dependableoil.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

Goods & Services | Ace Tyres

The company to keep you rolling Ace Tyres has been in business for more than two decades and by combining industry knowledge and impeccable service the team continues to go from strength to strength. They’re not reinventing the wheel; they just take good care of it.

Ace Tyres know tyres. Steve Rack has been involved with the family-run, Onehunga based company for some 20 years now and with his experience and business acumen, the six strong team keep the wheels of business in motion.

“We’ve been here for around 24 years and we have a good base of loyal customers who keep returning, which I believe is mainly in part to our customer service,” Steve says.

“We offer a friendly, honest service at a fair price. It’s a simple formula that has served us well over the years.”

Combining an age old, tried and tested formula with modern technology has helped not only keep Ace Tyres’ customers happy, but also the staff.

“We always invest in new technology to keep on top of the game. We’ve just purchased machinery for changing commercial grade tyres which lightens the physical load for our staff – we like to look after the driving force behind our company as well as our customers.”

Ace Tyres service includes: • Four wheel drive requirements • Car tyres • Van tyres • Fork hoist tyres • ATV tyres • Tractors tyres.

Commercial vehicles New Zealand has a large requirement for commercial trucking, partly due to our mountainous landscape which doesn’t lend itself well to rail and air freight is often too costly. This means we have to rely heavily on the commercial trucking to transport goods etc.

With such an active road industry, tyres often require regular TLC to ensure peak performance and improved efficiency. That’s where Ace Tyres come in – they stock a huge range of new and used tyres as well as offering puncture repairs and wheel balancing.

With a trusted team of qualified and friendly technicians, plus plenty of parking, the Neilson Street premises is the go-to place to have tyres transformed and you don’t have to be a truck.

The customer service aspect of Ace Tyres operates as a well oiled machine. ‘Treat them well, do a good job and they will return’ is a mantra that explains the sheer number of repeat customers and word of mouth recommendations the company is proud to boast about.

“

We always invest in new technology to keep on top of the game. We’ve just purchased machinery for changing commercial grade tyres which lightens the physical load for our staff – we like to look after the driving force behind our company as well as our customers.

- STEVE RACK

”

Or maybe it’s the welcoming waiting room which features a recharge station where customers can make themselves a nice hot beverage.

Talk to the experts at Ace Tyres to see what they can do to keep your wheels turning and remember - if its round and rubber, Ace Tyres have it covered.

Ace Tyres Ltd 344 Neilson Street Penrose Auckland T (09) 634 5958 www.acetyres.co.nz — Advertising Feature

ACE TYRES LTD

FOR TYRES AND WHEELS, WHATEVER THE APPLICATION

Proudly supplying Falken and Hankook Brand tyres to Ace Tyres for over 25 years.

New Zealand’s largest Agricultural & Industrial tyre and wheel distributor, TRS Tyre & Wheel, are proud suppliers to Steve, Maria & the team at

Phone 0800 600 687 for your nearest dealer.

Ace Tyres Ltd.

For Expert Advice

www.trstyreandwheel.co.nz or see your local reseller 11463

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 83

Goods & Services | Kurtovich Products

Taking the environmentally friendly path Losing 50 percent of your market overnight would be the start of the end for many small New Zealand businesses.

The loss of half of their business came about when Whitcoulls/Borders went into liquidation some years ago, as exporting to their retail stores was a significant part of the business.

But Kurtovich Products, an Auckland manufacturer of stationery, promotional, point of sale, presentation and packaging solutions survived this, the GFC, the stock market crash of 1987 and everything else that has been thrown its way in the last 30 years.

The latest change sees the company upgrading much of its plant to enable it to offer small runs of exclusive stationery to the corporate market.

Kevin Kurtovich, who leads the business, with wife Clare, says while every challenge has been unique, it’s always been their agility to make decisions and act on them fast that has seen their business go from strength to strength.

“It’s all part of business, you just have to adapt to the environment, make some changes and try and stay ahead of the game,” Kevin says.

“The ability to offer full colour imagery on stationery and packaging products will open a lot of doors. It means companies wanting 50 personalised calendars, or designer journals can get them designed and printed right here in New Zealand – and fast.”

Take the Wotta Jotta for example – it’s a product the company designed 25 years ago and no doubt most of us have had one on our desk at one point or another. The new printing abilities at Kurtovich Products now means this can be produced with full colour images or logos on it – previously it was a one colour product.

Understanding the market and leading the way is simply what this husband and wife owned company do in business. Thirty years ago when they were running a fledgling company, they decided that sustainability was going to be a major part of their ethos and operational process.

“Environmental concerns have always been the backbone of the company mission,” he says.

While all those years ago when they made the decision to use polypropylene sheet rather than the more commonly used PVC, the reception was lukewarm.

Consumers really didn’t care that much about environmentally friendly product choices.

The couple stuck to their guns and now are capitalising on the use of fully recyclable products.

PETTY DIES & LASER CUTTING LTD

Petty Dies & Laser Cutting Ltd, a long term supplier to K. Kurtovich, wishes to congratulate Kevin and his team on their 30 years of service to the printing industry.

PDLC - MANUFACTURERS OF QUALITY DIES TO THE PRINTING AND PACKAGING INDUSTRY 8 Newsome Street, Onehunga, Auckland Ph: 64 9 634 5454 www.diemakers.co.nz

84 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

“What our products are made of, how it is recycled and manufactured makes up a big part of the buying decision of corporates these days.”

The polypropylene used at Kurtovich Products is environmentally responsible, strong and durable, easy to clean, nontoxic and 100 percent recyclable. “We also have a range made exclusively for us from polyethelyne that would have in the past gone to landfill,” he adds.

“The base products we are using to create our packaging, point of sale advertising and brochure stands and can be certified 100 percent recycled, 100 percent carbon neutral polypropylene.”

Customised stationery As our offices become less and less dependent on paper, many of the traditionally popular items produced by Kurtovich Products are lessening in demand.

Goods & Services | Kurtovich Products

Data storage – ring binders, file boxes and the likes are not required in the same volumes.

However, what they are seeing is an increase in the demand for designer stationery – cutting edge design for journals and diaries.

Point of sale, promotional and packaging items remain strong.

“Rather than run of the mill, plain retail stationery, people want funky designer items around them… items that have some personality and reflect some fun and attitude.”

And, they want stationery that is environmentally responsible - the fact it is

made right here in New Zealand is adding to the popularity of their designer ranges.

And that’s exactly what Kurtovich Products is focussing on – designing items specific to its corporate clients. With exceptional in-house design ability and now the machinery to print full colour onto polypropelene, the sky is the limit.

“A lot of companies traditionally get customised items printed in China, but you can’t do short runs and there is always quite a time lag. Now companies can come to us for immediate service, the wealth of our experience and run sizes to suit.”

Environmentally friendly stationery

No man stands alone

The recycled and recyclable polypropylene product used by Kurtovich Products has the same excellent printability and durability as virgin product. It’s strong, lightweight and versatile.

Success in business is dependent on the support of quality suppliers and Kurtovich Products would like to thank the following for their contribution to their business:

Using state of the art technology, the production plant transforms post-industrial scrap and products into a pelletised form whose properties closely match those of virgin material and which allows reuse of the product with a high density of print on the surface.

• Plastech International • Petty Dies Laser Cutting • Ryders Customs and Forwarding.

All of this makes it possible to formulate high quality products from 100 percent recycled material in an energy efficient way, which would have otherwise been disposed of in landfill.

During production of the raw product, the aim is to maximise the amount of material that is recycled, which benefits the environment by: • Extending the life of a raw material resource • No landfill • Recycling in an energy efficient way

Happy 30th Anniversary Proud to be there from the start…

• No pollutants in the water or environment.

Providers to K Kurtovich of: » Customs Brokerage » International Freight Forwarding » Sea & Air Freight

Kurtovich Products 119H Captain Springs Road Onehunga, T (09) 634 2370 E reception@kkprod.co.nz www.kurtovich.com

Value long term associations then call Tel: (09) 2755229 Email: ryders@ryders.co.nz Web: www.ryders.co.nz

• Reduction of greenhouse gases produced

— Advertising Feature

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 85

Transport & Motoring | North Harbour Ford & Mazda

Driving excellence Located in the heart of the North Shore for more than 25 years North Harbour Ford and Mazda offer two of New Zealand’s most popular vehicle brands.

The team at North Harbour are 100 percent focussed on customer satisfaction and pride themselves on delivering an exceptional purchase experience.

Dealer principal Mike Critchley explains that with the large variety of products in today’s market, customers must be earned and can’t be guaranteed just because of price – it comes down to delivering the whole package; right vehicle, right deal, right dealership and the right after sales service.

Today’s buyers have high expectations of what they want and deserve from an

“

automotive professional - understandably selling methods and service of past years just won’t be accepted by today’s consumer, he says.

“My team work extremely hard to take our visitors through a consultancy type process to establish their vehicle requirements in a professional but relaxed environment – buying a new car should be a fun experience.”

In their words “Buying cars for the AA fleet can be complex and time consuming due to the amount of fit-out required that is done by several different contactors; e.g. wiring for our emergency lamps, canopies and signage etc.

North Harbour Ford and Mazda provide its customers with a huge range of new Ford and new Mazda vehicles, as well as a selection in

“When buying our Mazda 6 station wagons from North Harbour Mazda, Keith and Dina make my life so easy.

All I have to do is advise the number of vehicles required, when and where I want them and Keith and Dina make it happen whilst keeping me informed of progress.

“North Harbour Mazda certainly understand and deliver great customer service... I can’t recommend them highly enough.”

”

- Stella Stocks, general manager Automotive, New Zealand Automobile Association Inc.

Proud to Support North Harbour Ford & Mazda To find out how New Zealand’s leading finance company can help you, contact Nick Procter on 027 4393 060 UDC - Investing in New Zealand’s future for over 75 years.

86 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

excess of 140 used cars and demonstrators.

At www.northharbour.co.nz buyers can view the entire and comprehensive selection in the convenience of their own home before choosing to visit the dealership. Mike states that his customer service executives will even bring the desired car to you.

“We sell quality products and the service doesn’t just finish when you drive away - we like to support our customer throughout the life time of ownership to ensure their vehicle stays in great working order.”

All of North Harbour’s technicians are MTA approved and factory trained in new technologies, such as Mazda Skyactive and Ford Ecoboost, along with specialising in diesel, turbo and high performance V8s.

Fleet specialists Just by quickly browsing the North Harbour Ford and Mazda website it’s plain to see the quality and pedigree of satisfied fleet customers, including the AA, The Warehouse, Sony, Cannon and Air NZ.

Hard working vehicles for hard working Kiwis A major bonus point for any tradies looking to use the fleet service is the competitive financing packages North Harbour Ford and Mazda offers, which also includes payment holidays.

The Ford Ranger is the new vehicle of choice for many tradies who recognise its versatility.

Luckily the finance packages that accompany the sturdy ute are as versatile as the Ranger itself.

So stop by the friendly team today and see what packages they can work out for you and your company.

Transport & Motoring | North Harbour Ford & Mazda

North Harbour Ford and Mazda offer:

“

Testimonial – Sony New Zealand

• Friendly, professional staff who are 100 percent customer focussed

“Sony New Zealand has been working with North Harbour Ford and Mazda for over five years now.

• Security of a recognised franchise dealership

“Initially we sourced a small number of fleet vehicles from them then, as a result of their exceptional customer service, we made the decision to switch our entire fleet across.

• Dedicated fleet team and account management • Finance and leasing solutions to suit your lifestyle or business: Fast, easy and competitive

“Our account manager, Darin Morris, is extremely knowledgeable and professional – he is responsive to our requests and always willing to go the extra mile to deliver great service.

• Master technicians • Greater performing vehicles with better fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions

“Indeed we receive the same exceptional level of customer service from all the contacts we deal with at NHFM.

• Two convenient service centres: 190 Target Rd Glenfield and 10 Keith Hay Court, Silverdale

“We have absolutely no hesitation in recommending NHFM to prospective customers.”

• MTA approved • AA appraised used cars

”

• Extended warranty packages

- Stephanie Field, human resources manager, Sony New Zealand

• 24 Hour roadside assistance • All trades welcome.

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Freephone: 0800 353385 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 87

Transport & Motoring | North Harbour Ford & Mazda

Design From the very first glance at the front, the all new Mazda BT-50 looks more like a car than a truck with its contoured, sporty fascia and stylised headlamps.

From the side, the BT-50’s profile is longer and more angled, creating a dynamic wedge shape that serves the double benefit of catching the eye, as well as offering a better sense of balance for the size of the vehicle and position of its cab and cargo area.

Mazda BT 50 The all new Mazda BT-50 is here - and there has never been anything quite like it before.

More power and torque from an all new five cylinder, 3.2L turbo diesel engine.

Longer, wider and taller than before for greater creature comfort and load capacities.

The work/lifestyle pickup that looks and drives like an SUV. Redeveloped from the ground up as an entirely new type of pick-up, the all new BT-50 is a powerful ‘Active Lifestyle Vehicle’ that drives - and looks - like a passenger car, yet still satisfies the practical application demanded of utility vehicles.

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Taller, wider and longer than ever before, the extra space created by a class leading wheelbase of 3,220mm offers unparalleled levels of both comfort and load capacity.

engine design combines with a super efficient six speed manual or automatic transmission to bring double digit fuel savings as well as a significant reduction in emissions.

Plus, the dynamic fenders and sculpted silhouette represent the same attention to distinctive design expression and strength of clean surfaces which can be seen across all Mazda models.

An assured dynamic exterior design breaks new ground in the utility market, while the sporty interior refinements have created comfort levels normally associated with passenger vehicles.

All the latest in safety technologies are present across the range, including new developments in hill braking and trailer control.

On the inside, the BT-50 offers levels of interior refinement and comfort never before seen on a utility.

A brand new five cylinder 3.2L diesel engine delivers a massive boost to both power and torque, while the lighter, more compact

There is even Fixed Price Servicing - a brand new addition to the Mazda commercial-care cover where you only pay $200 (incl. GST) per service, no matter what needs doing.

Smooth flowing lines connect the central portion of the instrument panel with the floor panel creating a wraparound cockpit for the driver and passenger more reminiscent of a passenger vehicle than a truck cabin.

Transport & Motoring | North Harbour Ford & Mazda

“

Testimonial – Air New Zealand “I’ve been managing Air New Zealand’s requirement for motor vehicles for just over 12 months.

“During this time period, we have undergone some major internal cost saving programmes to maximise our shareholders expectations.

“In working with our vehicle fleet suppler, North Harbour Ford, we have been able to achieve cost savings and to minimise Air New Zealand’s impact on the environment, by specifying the latest Ford products.

“North Harbours Fleet and Business manager, Darin Morris has been instrumental to assist us to achieve our goals.

“Due to the nature of the airline business, vehicle maintenance is of high priority, and the servicing support provided by NHF has been exemplary.

“I would have no hesitation to recommended NHF, as a vehicle supplier and service centre of excellence.”

- Bob Hessey, GSE Operations, group supply chain manager, Air New Zealand

”

The Ford Ranger The Ford Ranger is fast becoming the commercial vehicle of choice due to its large load capacity and ease of drive.

The towing and carrying aspect of the Ranger is delivered via the robust under-body that acts as a solid foundation for the precisely engineered upper body, which meets Ford’s rigorous functional requirements and usual distinct style.

Style and versatility The Ford Ranger was designed to shift from workday vehicle to weekend vehicle. An easy to drive vehicle, it easily makes the transition with style.

The leisure and pleasure aspect of the vehicle is not in any way compromised by its grunt as a working vehicle.

With iPod integration, Bluetooth integration and voice control, the interior is equipped with the latest in technology.

The Ranger is a new generation of ute and with dual zone climate control and rain sensing wipers, it certainly is as clever as it is strong.

Euro NCAP and ANCAP safe The Ranger is the first New Zealand ute to receive the 5 star Euro NCAP and ANCAP safety ratings.

A number of contributing factors including the Dynamic Stability Control System, Load Adaptive Control and Roll Over Mitigation, the driver can feel more assured that the vehicle has been designed with safety as a prominent feature.

The Ranger Wildtrak The Ranger Wildtrak is a sporty high seated vehicle with a powerful 3.2l TDCi engine that gives you a braked towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonne and a payload capacity of 976kg.

“

My team work extremely hard to take our visitors through a consultancy type process to establish their vehicle requirements in a professional but relaxed environment – buying a new car should be a fun experience.

”

Parking this sporty vehicle is made easier with an impressive rear view camera (which display the video in the rear view mirror) and rear parking sensors.

Accompanied by the XL Ranger, the Wildtrak gives those added extras that take the vehicle from being another ute, to another breed of ute.

North Harbour Ford has staff members awash with information on this sought after vehicle, stop by and take a first hand look and get a feel for the future of utes.

Get the service you deserve – call the friendly team at North Harbour Ford and Mazda today.

North Harbour Ford and Mazda www.northharbour.co.nz Glenfield Branch Cnr Target and Wairau Roads Glenfield T (09) 443 5000 E info@northharbour.co.nz Silverdale Branch 10 Keith Hay Court Silverdale T (09) 426 0380 E nick.brotherson@northharbour.co.nz — Advertising Feature

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 89

Logistics | Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions

Getting your goods from A to B

Turning a one man customs brokerage into a global supply chain management company, complete with a brand new purpose-built integrated logistics facility, is no easy feat, but this is exactly what Keith Hobbs has done with Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions.

The roots of this Kiwi success story date back to the early 80s when Keith took a leap of faith and went out on his own, operating from a small shared office in Avondale and the “airport office” – being an old car and clipboard.

Thirty years later with its head office based in modern, spacious offices in Albany on Auckland’s North Shore, their “airport office” has just moved into a new 3PL warehousing and distribution facility at Verissimo Drive, ensuring Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions is in an even stronger position to take care of your global supply chain requirements.

“

By using extensive global contacts, Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions soon had a worldwide agency network and the company is still using agents now they used back then.

There were no computers, everything was done manually, but it represented a challenge and was one Keith jumped at. By the mid-80s he had built up a strong client base and had five people working with him Background of a broker when they started moving into international freight forwarding. “It was the age of the 747 “It was a pretty nerve wracking experience,” Keith says of his first foray into the industry on aircraft,” he says. his own.

“Suddenly there was ability to bring product into the country quickly and cost-effectively.

The airport became an important part of the New Zealand economy.”

In line with the ease and accessibility of air freight came the development of an international freight forwarding service. By using extensive global contacts, Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions soon had a worldwide agency network and the company is still using agents now they used back then.

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“We secured a small warehouse at Auckland Airport and began offering a third party logistics service, even though we didn’t actually know what that was back then,” Keith laughs.

At its most basic level third party logistics providers (3PLs) receive your stock, put it

”

away, store it and, when orders come in, they pick, pack and dispatch on your behalf.

“Freight forwarding became an integral part of our operations,” Keith explains.

“We had been operating from our airport warehouse for 25 years, but with limited capacity. With 3PL now a major growth area in New Zealand, we needed a warehouse suitable to handle the scale of business we are looking to secure.”

Keith started looking for a suitable premises at Auckland Airport when the opportunity arose for a brand new purpose built 3,500 sqm integrated logistics facility at Verissimo Drive.

The new premises includes the latest warehouse design techniques and a 1,000+ sqm illuminated Breezeway, allowing for allweather container devanning. “We were able to be involved right from the start in terms of design and build input, so it was meant to be,” Keith says.

“It was the next step in our evolution.”

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Phone: 09 828 3259 Email: moveit@reliance.co.nz www.reliance.co.nz 90 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Logistics | Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions

Until recently, 3PL has traditionally been the exclusive realm of large corporates with the industry’s storage space and infrastructure requirements.

“More and more companies are looking to outsource their warehousing and distribution,” Keith says.

“So logistics is very much a growth industry in New Zealand. There are consistently more companies who have their own premises, but are running out of room and the question becomes ‘do we purchase larger premises or outsource our warehousing to a professional and experienced logistics company’.”

So in a competitive marketplace, how does Hobbs Global Logistics compete?

“In a highly competitive industry it can’t come down to price, everyone has to be competitively priced. So systems and people become very important,” Keith says.

“We have invested heavily into a robust warehouse management system which gives customers total access to orders and true visibility of what they have in-store.”

While the management system has to be secure, that simply won’t happen without the right personnel in place, he explains. “We have people working here who have been with us for many years, all with wide client knowledge, all now with a full understanding of warehousing. We’re not a start-up company, we haven’t just popped up out of the woodwork.

Hobbs Global Logistics services at a glance:

Customs brokerage • Tariff classification and consultancy

• Contract warehousing

• Valuation and origin preference advice

• 3PL Warehousing with 24hour OnLine Inventory Management • B2B/B2C Order Fulfilment

• Landed costing service

• Pick and pack operation

• Compliance audit advice

• KPI reporting

• Duty drawback applications

• Value added services e.g. kitting returns etc.

• Duty refund applications

• National transport management

• Tariff industry assistance applications.

• Track and trace solutions • KPI reporting

• Logistics and supply chain

• Cross docking

• Global agency network

• E-services.

• Network optimisation • Real-time visibility

International freight

• Warehouse management system

• Weekly consolidation services to and from most major cities around the world

• Client customised portal for accessing data

• Advanced order tracking system – ON TRAC

• Data transfer electronically with customers via standardised interface.

• Tailored door to door services • Multiple supplier assembly services

Product sourcing

• Project and perishable cargo expertise

Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions can offer an independent third party procurement service, or a more active role managing vendors, providing quality assurance and dealing with all the logistics.

• Dangerous goods handling • International courier services worldwide • Client customised rate calculator.

“Hobbs Global has developed a very strong reputation in the marketplace for customs brokerage, we’re a wholly owned New Zealand company, we’ve been around a long time and that really speaks for itself.”

“

We have invested heavily into a robust warehouse management system which gives customers total access to orders and true visibility of what they have in-store.

- HOBBS GLOBAL LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS, MANAGING DIRECTOR, KEITH HOBBS

”

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Logistics | Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions No man stands alone Success is a path seldom travelled alone. In the 33 year history of Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions, the company has worked with a wide array of clients.

Hobbs Global Logistics currently work with a number of companies, one being Ingredion Inc., a US Fortune 500 company, handling their warehousing and national distribution.

“We work with Ingredion on a global basis and we’re very pleased and honoured to have them as our cornerstone client for our warehouse,” Keith says.

“We also very much appreciate and value the support of Dilmah Tea, Altura Coffee, CS Brokers Ltd, Steelmasters NZ Ltd, Rainbows End Theme Park and many more.”

Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions has been associated with theme park Rainbows End for many years, organising the international transport and importation formalities for many of their major attractions.

“We have been bringing in their major rides from overseas since the beginning, such as the Fearfall, which is an 80 metre high tower and the Stratosfear, which has been their latest project this year,” Keith explains.

“Many of these rides are brought in from Italy, so we provide the shipping, logistics and loading of these rides. They are a huge success.”

“We have contracted and worked with Hobbs Global over a number of years to take care of our shipping requirements, in particularly

92 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

a number rides and attractions that have originated from overseas, primarily Europe,” Rainbows End CEO Chris Deere says.

“Timely shipping schedules are paramount for ride installations to ensure that pre-set deadlines for marketing and ride launches are met. Without exception I have always found the team at Hobbs Global to be thoroughly professional, accommodating and easy to work with.”

Hobbs Global Logistics has also been supported by one of Auckland’s leading transport companies, Reliance Transport, for many years. The high capacity, modern, reliable fleet, manned by top professionals, arranges delivery of many of Hobbs’ import and export containers.

Patel Pike and Associates Ltd accountant and financial advisor for Hobbs Global Logistics has been a valued partner since the start. “They have been involved since day one in 1981.

“Their advice and goal setting strategies has played a very important role in getting to where we are today,” Keith says.

“Racking is also a very important part of a third party warehouse and that’s why we went with storepro.”

Profreight International has also played a significant role in the company’s history, whilst sharing their office with the company for the past seven years. “This enabled us to concentrate on the business and learn everything we could about 3PL, so it’s thanks to Gary Sayles and his team that we are in the position we are in today.”

Exceptional e-services Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions provide access to systems that allow customers to have control and visibility of their supply chain at all times. Products can be tracked and ordered online using ON TRAC, the company’s flagship webbased management suite.

A customised portal is provided to clients allowing them to have complete access to view shipments within

the information driven supply chain management system, providing visibility and control of their stock inventory within the warehouse.

Inventory balances, inventory ordering and order status are online as standardised and customised reports – reports which can be opened in excel format. All pick orders and service requests can be made online. Entry of this system requires the use of log-in details and password.

Logistics | Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions

Helping companies get ahead If you have outgrown your current warehouse and are looking to expand, 3PL might just be what you’re looking for. During the past 30 years, Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions Ltd has developed the full range of services required of a global supply chain management company.

Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions Ltd is an independent New Zealand owned and operated supply chain management company with operational facilities on Auckland’s North Shore and Auckland International Airport.

The company was founded in 1981 by its present owner and managing director Keith Hobbs and has grown and diversified over these 30 years in business. Today the business can boast as being a fully integrated logistics provider, including a contract warehousing facility at Auckland International Airport.

A quality based operation, staffed by skilled and industry respected people, Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions can provide customised solutions for all your supply chain management requirements.

A global network of overseas agents and a competitive web based freight management suite ON TRAC means the company is well positioned to provide its customers with total visibility, control and planning of their shipments. Using such modern systems improves service, reduces costs and sustains client relationships.

Along with an integrated logistics centre in Auckland, Hobbs Global Logistics has established operational centres in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Sydney, in order to provide further benefits to the global supply chain.

This network, which includes independently owned, like minded companies, where in most cases the majority shareholders are involved in the day to day running of the business, means decisions can be made and implemented faster than many of the company’s multi-national competitors.

Hobbs operates on a total quality policy, committed to providing each customer with quality services, tailored to meet individual requirements.

“

Today the business can boast as being a fully integrated logistics provider, including a contract warehousing facility at Auckland International Airport.

”

Through the right complement of people, systems and organisations, designed to produce consistent, professional and communicative services, Hobbs Global Logistics can meet all individual customer requirements. The ability to have benchmarking metrics and dashboards providing real-time global supply chain information, ensures nothing falls between the gaps.

Strong relationships with customers and service providers is critical in all global regions

Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions fast facts:

•

Has established purpose built facility at Auckland Airport

•

Established in 1981

•

Has an extensive 30 year history

•

Started from humble beginnings with Keith Hobbs working as a customs broker

•

Has a strong team of highly experienced staff

•

Has grown into a 3PL provider with a nationwide presence

•

Has an extensive global agency network

•

Operates a head office in North Shore

•

Is backed up by robust IT solutions

•

Has operated from Auckland Airport for 25 years

•

Is the solution to your 3PL needs.

where Hobbs Global Logistics operates for maximum success, as local global market wisdom is necessary throughout the supply chain.

Providing first class, professional service can only be achieved with the right mix of experienced staff, an extensive global agency network and robust IT solutions.

Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions 30 Verissimo Drive The District Auckland International Airport T (09) 275 3199 E info@hobbsglobal.co.nz www.hobbsglobal.co.nz — Advertising Feature

With all the necessary components, Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions Ltd is the logical partner to develop your long term international supply chain infrastructure.

We’ll create the best solution around your cost and time expectations.

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www.hobbsglobal.co.nz Building G, 4 Orbit Drive, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand │ Tel: +64 9 275 3199 │ Fax: +64 9 275 3054 │ Email: info@hobbsglobal.co.nz

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 93

Transport & Motoring | Dickson Transport and Quarries

Soil, toil and good service Dickson’s Transport and Quarries Limited is part of the landscape in Northland. The company was formed more than 50 years ago by John Dickson, who started selling metal from the Glenbervie Quarry in 1963.

A history of great service John served his apprentice as a coach builder and panel beater then adventured into hay baling, servicing the local farming community from his parent’s farm.

Dickson’s Transport and Quarries offers a range of services and machinery, including: • D6C scoop and rippers • Driveway work

Dickson’s Quarry was opened on November 3, 1963, situated off Harris Road. A new road was formed into the Quarry, which is today called Dickson Road.

• Transport machinery

A portable crushing plant made in the Dickson’s Quarry

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As this was only seasonal work, Dickson decided to open up the quarry on his parents’ runoff, knowing that rock was there in the area.

• Farm development “The products we produce today consist of a number of aggregates, including screened dirt for earth houses, to base course and concrete aggregates, and one of the best brown rocks in town for the local farmers’ stock races,” John Dickson says.

• Supply of aggregates

• Bulk fertiliser and palm kernel transport

The opening of the quarry coincided with the local farming community changing from cream to whole milk and the formation of new farm roads and races.

From there the local county council started to use maintenance metal from this site for its local unsealed roads.

Dickson’s then moving on to supplying aggregate for local contract work on road formation that was ready for sealing.

Fifty years later, Dickson’s Transport and Quarries Ltd is still owned and operated

by John Dickson and his wife Jessie, who worked alongside him doing the paperwork for many years, with their son Johnny following in his father’s footsteps and daughter Joanne also working in the family business.

• Machinery for hire: Diggers, trucks, trailers, bulldozer, grader, sheepsfoot and flat roller.

Dickson’s Transport and Quarries today Dickson’s is still a family owned and operated business which has continued to grow and now supplies all grades of aggregate, as well as sand and doby mix.

Dickson’s made its own portable crushing plant in its workshop, which enables the company to be more competitive in the market by crushing aggregate in satellite quarries for local council work.

Helping to build Northland

suppliers in the Whangarei district, Virgin Concrete,” he says.

“We also supply aggregate to local contractors for subdivisions roading and subfloor base course for new housing, with an increase of subdivisions within close proximity of the quarry.

Dickson’s Transport and Quarries has supplied “Dickson’s covers most of the East Coast aggregate for many major projects throughout within the district and provided the original foundation rocks for the Tutukaka breakwater Northland during the years. and then for the extensions in the 1990s.

John Dickson says it has provided aggregate We even supplied the aggregate for the new for many of the region’s roads and has Tutukaka Sewage Treatment Plant.” contracts to supply all the major roading companies for the Whangarei District Council.

The company sells aggregate to farmers, the backbone of the local community, for “With the introduction of a new crusher stock races and feed pads as well as for farm we now produce a full range of concrete aggregates to supply one of the main concrete development and upkeep.

More roads in Northland are now being tar sealed, with Dickson’s focussed on supplying the local demand from its main quarry.

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A Dickson’s Hino truck at work

<

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Transport & Motoring | Dickson Transport and Quarries

Dickson’s Transport and Quarries’ site in Glenbervie

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A full complement of machinery

We have our own earthmoving equipment for the use of moving overburden from the quarry to a consented tip site here within the boundary of the quarry.

<

A Dickson’s Commer truck bought new in 1973

Dickson’s Transport and Quarries operates a large fleet of trucks and equipment that allows it to best service its customers.

The company’s first large truck was a new 1973 Commer, with two more purchased in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.

From there Dickson’s bought D Series Fords and KT Dodge trucks, followed by N Series Fords. The company continued upgrading its fleet and today operates late model Hino trucks, which allow it to keep up with the demand for products delivered with a focus on good service.

“We are continually upgrading our skills and machinery to keep up with our customers’ demands,” Dickson says.

“We have our own earthmoving equipment for the use of moving overburden from the quarry to a consented tip site here within the boundary of the quarry.

“This equipment has allowed us to do outside work; anything from house sites, stock tracks and general roading, to working other quarries. It is like having a one stop shop; no job too big or too small.”

“

Bulk transport service Three years ago Dickson’s Transport and Quarries began carting bulk fertiliser and palm kernel around Northland.

John Dickson says the company’s truck-and-trailer units have allowed it to diversify and offer transport services independent of its quarry operations.

”

“Farmers who aren’t on contract have trouble getting it sometimes, so we have to cart it further afield, but it mainly goes up to Kaitaia and Dargaville.”

“With the introduction of our Tally Clerk load scanner, it has made it possible for us to keep an accurate measure of aggregate leaving the quarry, meaning customers are getting charged for what they are receiving,” Johnny Dickson says.

“We also have our own CL Mack truck and transporter to move our equipment around to various sites.”

Dickson’s owns a full complement of loaders, bulldozers, diggers and scoops.

It also has a grader and a transporter, as well as portable crushing plants, screen plants and truck-and-trailer units.

Dickson’s Quarry in operation

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In addition, the company has trucks and machinery for hire with experienced drivers.

New Zealand’s Number One Independent Supplier of Explosive Products • Northland owned • Specialising in palm kernel, fertiliser and metal cartage • 30 tonne units available, 6 wheelers for on site, building and subdivision work • Competitive rates • 35 years in the transport industry

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Your Northern Sales Rep is Martyn Knight, Mobile: 027 493 2800 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 95

At a glance | Southern Motor Painters and Panelbeaters

Transport & Motoring | Dickson Transport and Quarries

Straightening things out In the male dominated industry of cars, one woman has proven she can run her own paint and panel beating workshop.

<

New crushers in full operation at Dickson’s Quarry

New hard fill dump site Dickson’s Transport and Quarries is in the process of developing a new hard fill dump site to expand its service to its Northland customers.

John Dickson says the opportunity came about with the lack of consented hard fill dump site in the area and the closure of Pohe Island, the local council rubbish dump.

“We were able to acquire the lease of an old coal mine site in the local Whangarei District that needed to be rehabilitated. Consent was sorted and acquired, adding another string to our bow.”

The new hard fill dump site will be open by summer and will allow customers to get

rid of waste concrete and clean fill from excavation sites.

Customers can deliver hard fill to the site themselves, or arrange for Dickson’s’ trucks to cart away their old concrete, bricks, clays, subsoil, top soil and gravel.

Dickson’s Transport and Quarries Limited Harris Road Glenbervie Whangarei T (09) 437 5903 M 021 932 129 E Dickson’stql@xtra.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Robyn Legge is the owner of Southern Motor Painters and Panelbeaters and gets her hands dirty on a daily basis… in the garage fixing the local cars, trucks, motor homes and even fridges in Drury.

Her husband Dick opened the business in 1975 and ran it successfully for many years, but sadly he passed away in 2010.

Confronted with the life changing event and two children to support, Robyn made the bold move to take on the business, but the decision didn’t come without its challenges.

She says she often gets men asking her where the boss is, “I just say yeah that’s me, and I get a few surprised looks”.

“Running a business isn’t easy. I had a few naysayers who didn’t think I was going to

Proud to be associated with Dicksons Transport and Quarries

With a 24/7 call out team All Truck Repairs is a one stop truck repair shop.

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make it and of course I had the people who supported me and knew I was going to do it, and they really helped,” Robyn says.

But while running a business in tough circumstances was a new challenge, working in the paint and panel industry is second nature to Robyn.

“When I left school at 15 I trained to be a spray painter and panel beater. In 1982 I started working at Southern Motor Painters and Panelbeaters and I’ve been here ever since. I’m a woman but I’ve been in the industry so long I think and work like a man.”

From Monday to Saturday you’ll find Robyn and Sarwan, her main man, in the garage “banging out dents, welding, fixing failed warrants, removing rust, plastic welding and doing fibre glass repairs we can fix anything here.”

The garage is always busy even though they don’t do any advertising, which shows just how good their workmanship is.

“My husband established this business extremely well and we have a good reputation with the locals so we don’t need to advertise. All of our work is through word of mouth and we get plenty of jobs to keep us busy.”

Thanks to Robyn’s sheer determination and strong will she has successfully run Southern Motors Painters and Panelbeaters for seven years.

Proving a woman can run a ‘man’s’ business just as well… if not better.

for all your laundry, kitchen and fridge needs Gary Crane, owner of All Truck Repairs bought a “project”and with the help of the skilled staff at All Truck Repairs has restored this 1961 TS3 Commer to its original glory.

He thought it would be a great idea to keep the restoration as accurate as possible to retain its authenticity.

So in recognition of Dickson’s valued and continuing support of his truck

13 Norrie Road, Drury, Auckland

Ph: (09) 294 7714

repair workshop, and as an acknowledgement of Dickson’s 50 year’s contribution to the development of Northland, it was painted in Dickson’s fleet colours.

The Commer will be on display at Whangarei’s heritage museum for the enjoyment of all visitors and available for Dickson’s use for promotional purposes.

Service, Parts & Engineering Ph: 09 430 0803 E: admin@alltruck.co.nz www.atstrucks.co.nz Address: 28 South End Avenue, PO Box 1726, Whangarei 0140 96 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Southern Motor Painters and Panelbeaters 16 Norrie Road Drury Auckland T (09) 294 8480 021 045 3455

— Advertising Feature

Transport & Motoring | Normans Bus and Coach

Let the experts get you there Normans Bus and Coach in Whangarei can get you and your friends to that special occasion anywhere in New Zealand, while enjoying a luxury trip along the way.

Fourth generation family business Normans Bus and Coach’s history dates back to Hikurangi in 1927, when Joe Norman began transporting Whangarei workers to and from the mines in seven-seater cars. The business soon changed its name to J Norman and Sons, and later Norman Motors, before becoming Normans Bus and Coach in 2011 when fourth generation Pete Norman and his wife Nikki took over the business.

The company operates a large number of school bus routes and focusses on offering a quality reliable service to families throughout the region.

Fit for any kind of trip Normans Bus and Coach can help you create your next event or personalised tour. It offers charter trips for a range of occasions, including: Vineyards: Personalise your wine tour through Northland’s vast and varied vineyards, from the Matakana Wine Trails throughout Kerikeri to the Far North Carrington Estate.

Field days and corporate trips: Both locally and further afield.

Race days: Great fun for all types of groups, from a girls’ day out to work social outings.

Sports trips: Including team outings, away games or even a supporters’ bus.

Concerts, shows and theatres: These can be catered for in any destination.

Special event charters

Stag or hen functions: Create the perfect themed trip to enjoy with your friends.

Normans Bus and Coach is a proud Northland company that strives to offer the best possible service to its Northland customers.

Weddings: Have your guests driven to your wedding ceremony and reception in a luxury coach.

It can create trips or tours to meet your unique itinerary and budget. It also does coach trips to concerts, shows and special events such as weddings and reunions.

School excursions: Including camps, sports trips and youth clubs.

Pete Norman says the business is working hard to grow its charter bus trips and tours market and is doing an increasing number of specialised tours, particularly wine tours to local vineyards.

“My parents concentrated on the school bus and charter runs, but we’re trying to diversify into special event charters.

“We can take people anywhere they want to go, even the South Island. My wife Nikki concentrates on the wine tours and special events market. She has developed good relationships with a lot of venues and can help people create a tour that meets all their needs.”

Normans Bus and Coach traditionally focussed on transporting Northland children to and from school

Craft Tours: Visit Northland’s many craft trails and destinations.

Historical trips: Northland has many historical destinations on offer, including local destinations, such as Ruapekapeka Pa, Puhipuhi Mercury Mines, WaroLimestome Reserve and Hikurangi Museum and Pub. Beach trips: Make the most of Northland’s great weather at one of its beautiful beaches.

Work functions, team building and corporate events: Ideal to get the team out, about and bonding.

Normans Bus and Coach can take care of all your charter transport requirements on its fleet of luxury coaches

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Based in Kamo, Normans Bus and Coach operates a fleet of 22 buses, ranging from 21 to 53 seaters. All coaches are modern and fully air conditioned. There are even ipod docks and DVD facilities with flat-screen TVs.

Taking Northland children to and from school each day continues to be Normans Bus and Coach’s core work.

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The 87 year old company has traditionally focussed on transporting Northland children to and from school, but is currently developing a reputation for charter trips covering special events and occasions.

School bus routes

Supporting the Northland community Normans Bus and Coach is focussed on servicing the local community.

Owner Pete Norman is a born and bred Northlander who believes in supporting local businesses first.

“That’s what we’re trying to encourage our customers to do too. Why shop out of the district for your transport needs? Why not support the local guys?

“We pride ourselves on offering good service and keeping the customers’ needs at the forefront of everything.”

Normans Bus and Coach 18 Springs Flat Road Kamo Whangarei T (09) 435 4532 M 021 504 575 E admin@normansbuses.co.nz www.normansbuses.co.nz

Specialists in Commercial and Industrial Insurance Proud to be associated with Normans Bus & Coach Mike Lowe David Schollum Jason Robottom Phone: 07 849 6884 Facsimile: 07 849 7121 Email: admin@lsj.co.nz Web: www.lsj.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

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Transport & Motoring | Auckland Motors

Auckland’s home of Mitsubishi and Hyundai Auckland Motors is an institution in our city.

The company has been servicing the greater Auckland region since 1908 and more than a century on, one of the city’s longest serving dealership is still going strong.

The company may have changed hands and changed direction a few times during the past 100 plus years, but if it hadn’t we’d still be driving around in the Model T! Today the company is a dealership for two respected, forward-thinking manufacturers: Mitsubishi and Hyundai.

Auckland Motors has been a dealer and service outlet for Mitsubishi since the brand began in New Zealand and the Hyundai diversification came only six years ago, in 2008, which just happened to be exactly 100 years since the company opened for trading.

Conveniently enough for Auckland residents, the two dealerships can now be found at one ‘super-site’ based in Manukau at 686 Great South Road. The two, in conjunction, account for a large hive of vehicle activity with approximately 200 happy customers driving away in their new vehicle per month and some 60 vehicles serviced every day.

“ with all the latest manufacturer diagnostics and fully trained technicians on staff.

The two directors, Mark Barton and Shaun Moses, both actively watch over the thriving Manukau super site, which itself is a mammoth task.

“The Manukau super site with both our manufacturers in one area is fantastic for the client who would like to take their pick Being a dealership for two upwardly mobile between two established, well respected companies such as Mitsubishi and Hyundai motor vehicle brands, Shaun says. “We ensures Auckland Motors also stays on its toes merged three locations into one and after

The Manukau super site with both our manufacturers in one area is fantastic for the client who would like to take their pick between two established, well respected motor vehicle brands.

Combining the forces of Hyundai and Mitsubishi gives Auckland Motors the opportunity to supply more variety to the city’s automotive market. Both Asian based manufacturers have a solid reputation and continue to be regarded as innovators in the technology field. The winning marriage of a longstanding automotive name in Auckland with two impressive manufacturers can only mean a good outcome for their customer base.

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Transport & Motoring | Auckland Motors

Mitsubishi models available at Auckland Motors:

Auckland Motors - Mitsubishi

the most awarded dealership in the history of Mitsubishi NZ.

Auckland Motors Mitsubishi offers a wide range of new Mitsubishi vehicles, as well as a This award is for outstanding customer service genuine parts and accessories and aftermarket and sales practice. As for the Mitsubishi brand they distribute, they have been at the products for other makes and models. forefront of Japanese engineering for many The new super site at 686 Great South Road years and continue to produce some of the offers competitively priced servicing in a fully many favourites on offer at Auckland Motors. equipped service department with the latest in automotive technology.

Fleet Whether you’re a one man band or a large All vehicles are cleaned before they are returned to their rightful owner and a courtesy corporation needing a reliable, top performing fleet of vehicles to call your own, then car service is available to get the customer Auckland Motors have the ability to supply. back to work or home – they even pick-up The impressive Triton is a popular choice when the service is complete. among trades-people and with a phone call or The Manukau branch also offers a large range a visit to the dealership - it could be the next work chariot. of used Mitsubishi vehicles at the trademark reasonable prices (the website contains full list of available vehicles).

Finance The service on offer from Auckland Motors is one of the many reasons the company is still regarded as one of the top dealerships in the city and has been awarded the Mitsubishi Motors NZ “Diamond Dealer Award” an impressive 11 times, making Auckland Motors

The team at Auckland Motors have your finance issues under control with attractive packages for both personal and business needs. The process is quick and easy and the company website (www.aucklandmotors. co.nz) even has a calculator for the approximate finance rates.

Good news too, being a home owner is not a prerequisite. Potential customers applying via the company website can expect to get approval within an hour of application – 7 days a week.

Service Factory trained staff and a fully equipped service department help ensure the customer’s vehicle remains at Mitsubishi’s high standard of operation. The latest diagnostics and machinery is used to ensure all vehicles sold or serviced by Auckland Motors, are serviced and repaired to Auckland Motors’ best capabilities.

•

Mirage LS

•

Lancer Sedan

•

Lancer Hatch

•

ASX XLS

•

ASX VRX

•

Outlander 2WD

•

Outlander 4WD

•

Outlander PHEV

•

Challenger

•

Pajero GLS

•

Pajero Exceed

•

Triton 2WD

•

Triton 4WD

•

L300 4Dr

•

L300 5Dr.

Although the range may appear extensive, there is always a model available to test drive from the Mitsubishi Range as listed.

Accompanied by the expert advice and guidance of the fully equipped staff, Auckland Motors surely is the place to visit if a Mitsubishi is on this year’s wanted list.

The fully trained team is dedicated to providing the customer with an optimum level of service at a competitive price and this doesn’t just extend to the specialities in Mitsubishi, the team also service other makes and models. The courtesy coach and courtesy clean is also on the menu for those choosing the Auckland Motors service and repair experience.

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Transport & Motoring | Auckland Motors

Manukau Hyundai Founded in 1967 in South Korea, the Seoul based manufacturer has made giant strides in the western market, hence the 2008 opening of Manukau Hyundai.

The dealership offers a wealth of new and used cars, finance packages, fleet options and all come with the Auckland Motors brand of quality service and expertise.

The site was refurbished in October 2012 to meet the impeccable standards of Hyundai’s expanding international brand. The range of vehicles is impressive for those who want the sensation of test driving or just gawking at some of the Hyundai offerings, including the new Santa Fe diesel SUV - New Zealand’s number one selling diesel passenger vehicle.

Shaun Moses, director of Auckland Motors Hyundai, is confident the expansive range has something for all tastes and the quality

customer service comes as part of the package. “We have the ability to offer current and future customers optimum choice and a premium service and we believe our Hyundai range caters for every customer.”

Service The Hyundai service department contains all the necessary diagnostic tools to keep a Hyundai running at its peak level. The team offer a range of service from Warrant of Fitness to full transmission services and everything in between – and in the meantime the customer has a comfortable waiting room in which to relax and unwind while their car is taken care of, or alternatively, a pick up and delivery service and loan cars are available (these may need to be booked in advance due to demand). Customers can rest assured that their vehicle is in safe, fully trained, Hyundai hands.

Parts With a well stocked parts and accessories department, Manukau Hyundai has fast become the go-to outlet for original parts for Hyundai. Even if the part required isn’t stocked or on-shelf, the team will strive to locate and order it for the customer – it all comes as part of the exemplary service.

Finance Hyundais can be within fiscal reach with a little assistance from the finance department at the Manukau super site. These flexible plans apply for personal and business use, and can be tailored to suit your requirements.

“

We have the ability to offer current and future customers optimum choice and a premium service and we believe our Hyundai range caters for every customer.

”

Continued care The after sale packages on offer from Auckland Motors are extremely comforting for anyone looking to purchase a Hyundai.

Perks include the My Hyundai Programme, which provides the customer with ongoing support, including roadside assistance for the life of the vehicle (conditions apply) and the comprehensive warranty to further put the mind at rest.

Hyundai Santa Fe The all new Hyundai Santa Fe has been the subject of rave reviews the world over and with Hyundai Manukau’s extremely generous financing packages, the option to drive away and pay nothing until 2015 (terms and conditions apply) exists. There will undoubtedly be a few more Santa Fe’s on the road in the next few years!

Images provided courtesy of Hyundai and Mitsubishi. Visit www.hyundai. co.nz and www.mmnz.co.nz

Auckland Motors 686 Great South Road Manukau Auckland T (09) 262 9020 www.aucklandmotors.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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With the latest in repair procedure technology and I-Car trained technicians from the smallest of scratches to the largest collision damage our experienced team will get it right the first time.

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Manukau City Panelbeathers 54 Grayson Ave Manukau City Email: manpb2@ihug.co.nz Phone: 09 279 7135

Transport & Motoring | William Gill and Sons

The home of Hyundai William Gill and Sons Limited (Gills) is eagerly awaiting the first of its big new Hyundai trucks due in New Zealand later this year, and can’t wait to give its customers another quality economical transport option.

Commercial Hyundai dealer Gills was the first Hyundai commercial dealership in New Zealand and has been selling Hyundai vans and small trucks for the past three years.

With branches in Manukau and Huntly, Gills is a fourth generation family owned business with more than 60 years’ experience in the transport industry.

General manager Peter Gill says the switch from being a Mitsubishi dealer to Hyundai three years ago was a big change for the business, which currently offers new Hyundai trucks and vans from 6 to 8.2 tonnes.

These vehicles include the Hyundai HD series of light duty trucks and the Hyundai iLoad van, which is ideal for trade, shifting cargo or ferrying people.

“We were keen to go to Hyundai because in the past they used a lot of Mitsubishi technology, including their engines, axles and chassis. Hyundai trucks were older model Mitsubishi, which is what we have always worked on,” Gill says.

“By the time 2010-11 came along, Hyundai was using a lot of their own technology but there is still some Mitsubishi product in their models, so there’s a reasonably close tie between the two.”

Big Hyundai truck market Gills will begin selling large Hyundai trucks (up to 65 tonne GCM) later this year.

“We were very lucky to pick up the first Hyundai commercial dealership in New Zealand, which at the moment is for small trucks,” Gill says.

“But we’re really looking forward to getting our first big trucks. We’re having a demonstration unit within a couple of months

and then around the end of the year, the new range will be arriving.”

The new Hyundai trucks will be the latest model and are brand new out of the factory.

The delay to the New Zealand market has been due to Korea and most of its markets being left hand drive; the right hand drive market is smaller and has taken longer to develop.

“

We’ve been very lucky that our parts and service departments have been good, and we’ve been blessed with a lot of loyal customers.

”

Hyundai is currently working on its mid-sized range at the moment and is developing right hand trucks within that range. Gill hopes they will be available in New Zealand within a couple of years.

Hyundai features European quality Peter Gill says the new Hyundai Xcient trucks are designed in Europe, by the Europeans, for the demanding European market.

While the trucks are still made in Korea, they are built to European quality standards.

“They’re better quality, have better engines and more power,” he says. “It’s a European ‘specked’ vehicle with a lot of European components. They’re full-on European trucks but will have a price advantage over our competitors.”

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Transport & Motoring | William Gill and Sons

CONGRATULATIONS,

FROM ONE KIWI BUSINESS TO ANOTHER

“

Client testimonial “We are second generation clients of William Gill and Sons Ltd and have used their services for some 38 years. As one family owned company to another, we have always appreciated their dedication and commitment to service.”

- Tony and Chris Carroll, Carrolls Cartage Ltd

Focus on service The foundation of Gills has always been superior service and a commitment to ensuring customers’ vehicles are on the road whenever they need them.

Gills offer a comprehensive service and parts department, specialising in Mitsubishi and Hyundai trucks, operating a full dealership in Manukau, with a parts and service division located in Huntly.

This means the company covers both the Auckland and Waikato regions through its two branches.

Its skilled team of service technicians are trained in all aspects of routine maintenance through to major engine rebuilds, with no job too big or too small.

Gills services everything from small passenger cars and vans to buses, and small to heavy duty commercial vehicles.

The company uses genuine Hyundai parts, which are built and tested for Hyundai vehicles, and are covered by a one year/20,000km warranty.

It also carries a full range of after market and genuine parts for most light-medium and heavy Mitsubishi vehicles. If the part is not in stock, it will do their best to source it and have it available on the same day or overnight at the latest.

Peter Gill says the experienced service and parts departments have kept Gills going through recent difficult years

when it changed from a Mitsubishi to a Hyundai dealership.

“We’ve been very lucky that our parts and service departments have been good, and we’ve been blessed with a lot of loyal customers,” he says.

“Mitsubishi trucks have been our bread and butter for servicing but we service all makes and models. We have a large modern workshop and a big range of diagnostic and other specialised equipment.”

Long family history Gills’ origins date back 90 years, with the Gill family demonstrating a solid commitment to the transport industry ever since.

William Gill established William Gill Limited in Auckland in 1924, changing its name to William Gill and Sons Limited in 1955 when Brian and Roger joined following the establishment of the Huntly branch.

The company originally sold Commer and Dodge trucks, and soon developed a reputation for standing behind all its products. Its service department grew quickly as a result.

”

WILLIAM GILL AND WAITOMO ARE A COUPLE OF GOOD OLD KIWI BUSINESSES THAT HAVE GROWN UP TOGETHER, DISPLAYING THE SAME PASSION FOR OLD SCHOOL INTEGRITY AND NEW SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION.

Gills enjoyed being one of New Zealand’s top Mitsubishi dealerships until 2009, when Mitsubishi decided to rationalise its truck dealerships throughout the country.

This led to an opportunity with Hyundai New Zealand to become the country’s first commercial Hyundai dealership.

Waitomo would like to congratulate William Gill on an outstanding 60 years in business and for being a great example of a kiwi business developing strong, loyal partnerships with other kiwi businesses.

Peter Gill has been involved in the business all his life and brings a wealth of experience to the business. “William Gill and Sons was built up by my father, Brian Gill. It’s there for us to nurture and we’re looking forward to the future,” he says.

“Hyundai New Zealand is a New Zealand owned company and is very focussed on New Zealand. It is not owned and run from overseas like most vehicle distributors.

We feel very fortunate to be part of a very innovative company, with exciting product to offer.”

We pride ourselves on taking the same approach, and look forward to continuing our partnership with William Gill for a further 60 years and beyond.

William Gill and Sons Limited Freephone 0800 329 331 72 Grayson Avenue, Papatoetoe, Auckland T (09) 277 9961.

E ceo@williamgill.co.nz Park Avenue Huntly T (07) 828 9336 E huntly@williamgill.co.nz www.williamgill.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Gills’ expertise in truck sales and service were recognised by Todd Motors in 1972, when it appointed the company a Mitsubishi dealer.

The Manukau branch was opened in 1978 to service an already large customer base in Auckland.

Congratulations to William Gill & Sons Ltd for 60 years in business.

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Transport & Motoring | Crane & Cartage

The lift and carry specialists There is an old saying ‘keep it in the family’ and with Crane and Cartage the family ethos has never rung truer.

General manager Mike Dowdall, wife Joy and two of their elder children now run the business which is celebrating 30 years of success in 2014. The new generation of Dowdalls will ensure management continuity in the day to day running of the company and future proof its success!

Mike is right to be proud of their achievements, for when it comes to lifting and transportation of large or unusually sized and complicated cargoes, there is simply no one better or more specialised than Crane and Cartage.

A varied fleet of 16 vehicles gives a lifting capacity of 10 tonnes and a reaching span of 20 metres. “It is the loads that other companies refuse to attempt that set us apart,” explains Mike.

“My experienced team relishes in the opportunity to push our equipment to its maximum capacity, as there is nothing more satisfying than looking back at the achievement of a challenging job well done.”

The company has a range of fully equipped truck mounted cranes and forklifts, which have lifted objects as diverse as a 50,000 litre

fuel tank, portacabin buildings, steelwork, containers, neon signs, yacht booms, AC units and even large trees.

During the years Mike and his team have built a solid reputation for on time reliability and for getting the tricky specialised jobs done right, first time.

“Safety too is paramount for both clients, and the Crane and Cartage crew, and we insist that all of our lifting gear and our crane operators are fully certified,” comments Mike.

Crane and Cartage ensure the use of the right vehicle and crane for the right job and often will work at times outside of peak public traffic times to avoid traffic congestion. Clearly it is no exaggeration to claim a 24 hour, seven day a week service.

Timing is often critical to the success of any job and it is not unknown for us to do a turn key job of moving an entire factory including equipment, machinery stores and office within a weekend. “We try and be as flexible as possible to suit our clients and they reward us with repeat business,” explains Mike.

As the company expanded, it moved the 24 hour/7 days a week operation to a new premises in Papatoetoe, and in 1997, Mike and Joy bought out Neville’s share of the business.

When the company initially set up Mike and his brother Neville had one truck each and they initially worked with Amalgamated Carriers, which was effectively a call centre for As Mike’s previous background was in a number of different trucking companies. agricultural contracting in the Waikato 13 “We were the only company with specialised years prior, that love of tractors had never truck mounted cranes, so from the beginning, gone away, so slowly but surely, odd pieces we were referred this work and have of agricultural equipment and tractors began specialised in mobile crane work since,” to appear onsite, working alongside the Mike says.

trucks, until it grew to a point that there was adequate gear and work to register another business and Multimow Enviro Services Ltd, a sister company was born.

By 2004 the company had outgrown the Papatoetoe premises, so both businesses moved to the current large premises in Wiri. During these formative years Crane and Cartage enjoyed steady expansion and invested in additional rigid trucks which were fitted with Palfinger Cranes.

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Transport & Motoring | Crane & cartage

Further investment followed in the purchase of tractor units with various trailers – low loaders and a trombone trailer to accommodate the longer loads up to 20 metres.

Curtainsider trucks were purchased to answer the increasing demand for palletised goods collection and deliveries, and in addition the company branched out into fork hoist hire which was an added bonus.

This comprehensive range of equipment allows the company to perform complete jobs from start to finish, to minimise work disruption for the clients.

Highlights of the company’s work during the last year have included diversifying into a completely new area of work for the delivery of frozen and fresh foods to supermarkets - a service now offered seven days a week.

This necessitated purchasing and custom rigging three refrigerated trailer units, as

well as hiring and training a team of reliable drivers. This new food delivery segment now represents one of the largest customer sectors for Crane and Cartage, but the core business remains the hire of specialised lifting equipment such as truck mounted cranes ranging from six wheelers to large semitrailers, all with varying reaches, lifting loads and carrying capacities.

The large customer base has varying needs, some on a daily basis others on a more specialised needs basis depending on their industry work load.

Thanks to our suppliers and supporters: - Vehicle Testing NZ Limited - Palfinger/Gough Group - Walthall Ward Limited - Universial Diesel Services - Drury Tyres.

Looking forward In terms of future focus for 2014/15, there will be a need to recruit more quality drivers for the expanding truck fleet. Presently 12 full time employees and several casual drivers barely meet demand for the seven day a week service.

“We regularly update our fleet vehicles and replaced one tractor unit last month. Presently we have a new six wheel rigid Hiab truck being custom built and we will receive this shortly. We always have to plan ahead.”

The future looks bright for Crane and Cartage as it moves its strong family owned and operated business into its fourth decade. “We will keep on doing what we know we are good at and with our two children continuing the passion we first showed, we think the business is in very secure hands moving forward,” comments Mike and Joy with understandable pride.

“

We will keep on doing what we know we are good at and with our two children continuing the passion we first showed, we think the business is in very secure hands moving forward.

Vehicle inventory - 1 x 4 wheel curtain sider

Fast facts: Crane and Cartage

- 1 x 6 wheel curtain sider

- 30 years of successful operation

- 2 x 6 wheel rigid Hiab truck

- 12 full time employees and four part timers

- 1 x 8 wheel rigid Hiab truck

- 7 day a week delivery operation.

- 1 x 10 wheel rigid Hiab Truck - 3 tractor units

Crane and Cartage Ltd 12K Dalgety Drive Manakau City T (09) 269 6669 E accounts@craneandcartage.co.nz www.craneandcartage.co.nz

”

— Advertising Feature

- 1 B train trailer - 1 x 8 wheel/Hiab mounted behind cab - 3 tractor units with refrigerated trailers - 1 Volvo transporter

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Walthall Ward Limited supporting businesses in Auckland for 30 years

Congratulations to Crane & Cartage Limited View another success story at www.walthallward.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 107

Initiatives | Sustainable Business Network

Creating sustainable success Profile stories and connect • Attend exclusive member networking events • Feature on the Sustainable Business Directory • Enter the National Awards programme • Receive discounted stands at showcase events.

Access practical support • Learn from the bank of sustainability resources • Access practical tools such as Get Sust Online • Take the Get Sustainable Challenge • Receive member rates to Carbon4Good • Calculate carbon emissions via the ACE Carbon Calculator • Ask an expert via our Adviceline service • Direct contact with an SBN staff member to tailor support.

True sustainability

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Sustainable Business Network team

The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) is leading the way to create a more sustainable commerce sector in New Zealand.

Why should businesses join the network?

Chief executive officer, Rachel Brown founded the SBN 12 years ago with the aim to provide advice and support to businesses who want to successfully become more sustainable socially and environmentally.

The SBN is always happy to welcome new members to its ever expanding network.

There are many benefits to becoming a member of the Sustainable Business Network, they include:

When you become a member you will be guided through your own personal journey to becoming a more sustainable business, benefiting the community and environment around you.

Collaboration and learning

The national communications manager, Fiona Stephenson says businesses should join SBN to collaborate, learn,

The organisation has been a success and has grown to be the largest organisation dedicated to sustainable business in New Zealand with almost 500 members.

In the early days their focus was on helping businesses integrate sustainability into its operations, as well as providing practical tools, advice, events and networking opportunities.

Rachel says they still provide these ‘heartbeat’ activities, but have diversified with the launch of their transformation strategy last year.

“We now structure our work around four key transformation areas that we’ve identified as being crucial to New Zealand’s business future: Renewables, Mega efficiency, Community and Restorative.

“All of our projects and activities are aligned with one or more of these transformation areas so our members can see and act on their role in building a better business future for New Zealand.”

2013 Sustainable City Showcase

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www.resourceful.co.nz

108 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

connect with other like-minded businesses and access practical support.

• Participate in business transformation projects • Access ‘breakthrough’ learning events • Receive the latest news in their e-newsletter • Gain discounted access to the National Conference.

“No business is perfect and our members are all at different stages of their sustainability journey; we work with them to improve their sustainability,” Fiona says.

She says there are things businesses can look at right across its supply chain to help it become more sustainable, which includes looking at their energy use, waste, purchasing policies, transport and workplace practises.

“In addition to everyday working practises it’s important to look at integrating sustainability into business models and to look at the bigger picture - for example, how does a business contribute to a more sustainable New Zealand?”

Initiatives | Sustainable Business Network

bring about a big change in the way we do business for a more sustainable future.

It’s already used by global brands such as Nike, Unilever and Marks & Spencer and this is the first time it will be used in New Zealand.

They will be launching it at their national conference, Project NZ: #theBIGshift at AUT Business School, Auckland on September 17-18.

Strength in numbers All of the networks members, sponsors and partners are considered important to the organisation, contributing in their own unique ways.

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2013 NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards evening at Auckland Museum

Awards The NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards, which has been running for 11 years, are the pre-eminent and longest standing sustainability awards in New Zealand.

They recognise and celebrate the efforts of businesses, NGOs, government agencies, social enterprises and individuals that have demonstrated progress in sustainability and are reshaping their business models for a more sustainable future.

The awards recognise achievement across four transformation areas: renewables, mega efficiency, community and restorative. There are also awards for a sustainability champion and for communicating sustainability.

The big shift The Sustainable Business Network has an exciting project on the horizon.

Kiwibank, along with the Nga Tangata Microfinance Trust, won the overall award for ‘Greatest Contribution to a Sustainable New Zealand’ last year by addressing a critical issue about breaking the poverty cycle.

In collaboration with their UK partner Forum for the Future (one of the world’s leading sustainability organisations), they are getting ready to launch a global business innovation campaign in New Zealand.

The 2014 awards open to entrants in July and the awards night will be held in November.

The campaign is called The Big Shift and it aims to identify simple, practical steps to

Kiwibank helping to create a sustainable New Zealand Kiwibank was thrilled to be recognised for its ongoing efforts to create a sustainable New Zealand at last year’s NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards.

Together with Nga Tangata Microfinance Trust, it won the Community Innovation Award and it also won the overall award for ‘Greatest Contribution to a Sustainable New Zealand’ by addressing a critical issue about breaking the poverty cycle.

General Manager, Corporate Responsibility, Murray Wu says it was an honour to receive “recognition that we’ve done something that others consider to be important and significant”.

The scheme aims to provide a safe alternative to fringe lenders in low income areas and provide finance for essential needs and services that families otherwise couldn’t afford. Kiwibank provides Nga Tangata Microfinance Trust with the capital to make small, safe and fair no-interest loans of $2,000 to $3,000 to households in South Auckland and the Waikato. Kiwibank and Nga Tangata have partnered with Good Shepherd Microfinance (Australia), who has accredited Nga Tangata to deliver the No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS).

During the last two years the partnership has provided more than 40 loans to

families in need for education, essential home goods, vehicle repairs, to secure accommodation and to pay off high interest loans.

“We know that the effect of the loans goes well beyond the simple financial impact, it extends to the whole of the recipient’s life and has a huge impact,” Murray says.

Giving back to the community is ingrained in Kiwibank’s business philosophy, since the beginning of Kiwibank in 2002 they have set out to do good.

“In order to be a good business then the society around us must function well, so we need to actively contribute to a healthy New Zealand society and environment. If we do this successfully, more Kiwis will have the freedom to make choices. It’s a mutual interest.”

It began to play a significant role in creating a healthy New Zealand society when it became a member of the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) seven years ago.

“SBN was instrumental in helping us to understand what it means to be sustainable. They have continued to provide support and ideas to help us identify what we need to be doing in regards to sustainability.”

Kiwibank is proud to be playing a role to eradicate poverty in New Zealand, but

The key foundation sponsor is NZI and the many other sponsors and partners include Auckland Council, Watercare, ATEED, Waterfront Auckland, Auckland Transport, Inzide Commercial, Hubbards, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Ricoh, AUT Business School, The University of Waikato Management School and PE International.

Murray says there still isn’t enough being done to break the poverty cycle.

“There is a growing awareness through the media and government that poverty is a real problem in New Zealand, but there is room for more to be done in a number of different ways. Microfinance is simply one solution but there is more opportunity for communities and government to tackle poverty.”

Kiwibank will continue to support microfinance with an emphasis on seeing it grow and expand to other regions across the country.

Already it has had the opportunity to do that by providing the loan capital to enable Aviva, the new name and face of Christchurch Women’s Refuge, to establish a NILS programme with the support of Good Shepherd. Aviva is now providing microfinance loans to individuals and families affected by family violence.

Sustainable Business Network Level 3, Old Sofrana House 18 Customs Street East Auckland T (09) 826 0394 E info@sustainable.org.nz sustainable.org.nz — Advertising Feature

Kiwibank is leading a number of initiatives designed to make New Zealand a better place to live, they are: • Kiwibank is partnering with Nga Tangata Microfinance to provide microfinance loans for low income families • Kiwibank is also providing the loan capital to enable Aviva to provide no interest loans to individuals affected by family violence • Kiwibank is working with Good Shepherd, tapping into their 33 years experience through Good Shepherd Microfinance in offering the No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) across Australia • Kiwibank has special accounts for non-profit organisations • Kiwibank is working with Pure Advantage to create more affordable sustainable housing in the market • Kiwibank is working with the Akina Foundation, an independent charity growing social enterprise to support new solutions to pressing social and environmental challenges.

Murray says the award was a great boost but they plan to take a step back from the SBN awards this year. He says they want to take time to focus broadening the reach of the programme and also consider new initiatives that they could play a meaningful role in.

Kiwibank 0800 11 33 55 www.kiwibank.co.nz

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 109

Sustainable Business Network | Planet Goodness

Feel good factor shopping In recent year’s people’s awareness and knowledge around organic, ethical and healthy products has increased, and so has their desire to purchase them.

But it’s not always easy to know which products are actually good for you and the environment when packaging and labels can be deceptive, and stores to buy these products can be few and far between.

The online store, Planet Goodness, takes the confusion and hassle out of buying organic, ethical products by bringing together a quality range on one online site.

The online store sells a wide range of New Zealand owned products from beauty, fashion, food and drink, babies and children’s items, and home and living products - all given the thumbs up to be healthy for you and the environment.

environment thanks to an independent panel of experts who assess every new product against strict criteria before it hits their website.

Founder and director, Lara Charles says Planet Goodness is the first online store in New Zealand that has an independent panel to vet and approve everything that is sold. The online store pulls together a wide range of New Zealand’s best eco brands and makes them easily accessible to the consumer.

She says the testing gives customers’ confidence they are buying quality products they can trust are actually good for them, and the planet.

Product selection

Sustainable Business Network

You can rest assure every product Planet Goodness sells is safe for you and the

The CEO of the Sustainable Business Network, Rachel Brown is a member of the

Planet Goodness team

independent product panel which reviews and approves everything that is sold.

Lara says when they were setting up the panel they did a lot of research on who would make valuable members and Rachel was an obvious choice with her extensive experience.

Other panellists include Kath Dewar of GoodSense Marketing and Ben Gleisner of Conscious Consumers.

“We are very honoured to have Rachel, Kath and Ben sit on the panel. We are a very proud member of the Sustainable Business Network and we value the support we receive from them.”

Giving back Planet Goodness is passionate about giving back to the community which is why five percent of their total revenue for each month is given to a charity partner.

Charity partners include Plunket, Forest & Bird and the Heart Foundation, among others. “We know that people who buy green products are typically the type of people who donate to charity so we created one platform that covers both aspects of giving back,” Lara says.

Planet Goodness has also conducted customer user research and received overwhelmingly good feedback.

“People told us that it feels really good to shop with us because they know that they can trust the products we sell and they are also supporting a good Kiwi cause.”

Green growth Lara says the next stage of business growth is to look strategically at how they can get more people involved and increase their customer base.

She says their pool of products is limited due to their strict criteria but that is a positive thing because they are proud to sell what they believe are New Zealand’s “best ethical brands and best products”.

She says they are going to keep adding to the product with exciting things to come.

Planet Goodness PO Box 38-994 Wellington E lara@planetgoodness.com www.planetgoodness.com — Advertising Feature

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Proud to support sustainable business success.

At NZI we’re genuinely committed to sustainability, and believe our 5 Star Green Star rated building and sustainable business practices will create benefits for our community, employees, shareholders, and the natural environment long into the future.

Sustainability is also something we believe every business should benefit from. That’s why for 10 years we’ve sponsored the Sustainable Business Network and their work in helping Kiwi businesses achieve success through sustainability. And we’ll continue to support them as they move toward their vision of transforming New Zealand into a model sustainable nation.

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Sustainable Business Network | Foodstuffs NZ

A case study in commercial sustainability There’s no doubting, the sustainability challenge is an increasingly important one – food security, climate change, global poverty, resource constraints, the list goes on. If we’re to stand a chance, business simply has to be part of the solution.

With more than 680 stores and wholesale outlets throughout the country, Foodstuffs recognised the impact increased sustainability measures could have on its nationwide operations – both financially and environmentally.

So last year the company began the submetering installation and reporting project. At the heart of this are seven sub-meters which

“For the stores inside the programme, the cost savings they are seeing through reduced energy use and the informative bi-monthly reporting they receive only represents the start of the wider benefits the system will deliver,” sustainability manager Mike Sammons explains.

“More importantly, the visibility the submetering provides on where energy is used in store, will enable us to move to part two of our strategy, which is to work with members to identify the most cost-effective plan for each of the stores in the programme.”

Ross and Donna Jordan - NW Newlands SBN award winners

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With just one standard electricity meter on a commercial site, the main obstacle to improvement has been lack of visibility around how much energy has been used by what component in store. Because, if you don’t know what’s working efficiently and what’s not, how do you know what to improve?

provide online access to energy use data, enabling members to see exactly where its energy is being used in store.

The part EECA funded project has been going from strength to strength with results surpassing all expectations and its results have enabled Foodstuffs to implement a number of high profile sustainability projects, Mike says.

“Previously a lot of businesses have seen sustainability as a costly luxury. Now they recognise that by delivering their services more efficiently, it’s a win win, financially and economically.”

And it seems it’s a win for the company’s owner operators too, with Newlands New World being awarded the top prize in the Mega Efficiency category at the finals of the Sustainable Business Network Awards held in Auckland last November.

The award recognised the innovation demonstrated by the store in being the first organisation to prove the concept of transcritical refrigeration in a supermarket environment in New Zealand.

“This is a new type of refrigeration system we put into two of our stores,” Mike explains.

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NW Metro on Willis - new waste system

112 July/August 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

“A transcritical system uses 100 percent natural refrigerants. In terms of a supermarket application, this has the ability to reduce a store’s carbon footprint by about 40 percent, which is really significant.”

But the award doesn’t recognise that the store put the system in, rather Mike says, it recognises that they were the first supermarket in the Southern Hemisphere which was prepared to take a punt on this technology.

“The transcritical refrigeration system was the first thing we looked at in terms of refrigeration and we’re confident it delivers a superior model in terms of financial and environmental output.

“It was a trial project, so we monitored the system very closely for 12 months and the results of that monitoring period showed that we had proven the case study. Now we are expanding that system to other new stores, which are in various states of completion in the development process.”

The Newlands store and the brand new Kumeu New World store represent a new generation of stores, with an estimated 40-50 percent smaller carbon footprint compared to stores of just five years ago.

Featuring transcritical refrigeration, energy efficient freezers with sliding lids, LED lighting and being one of the first stores to implement (with help from Envirowaste), the new waste procedures that aim to divert 90 percent of waste away from

Sustainable Business Network | Foodstuffs NZ

Recycling Equipment THINK GREEN...

But it’s not just the new stores which are reflecting strong environmentally friendly practices.

Recent analysis has revealed some of Foodstuff’s most energy efficient stores are more than 10 years old. The owners have simply focussed on and invested in energy efficiency practices such as sub-metering, lids on freezers, T5 fluorescent lights and more recently, LEDs. The outstanding performance of the submetering project has revealed what’s possible with minimum investment but maximum commitment. The project has proven that ‘no cost and low cost’ solutions can result in energy reduction in excess of 10 percent in many cases.

With the plans this go-getter organisation has in place, this is just the beginning.

Today the company’s cardboard, plastic wrap, food waste and a number of other recyclables go off for reuse in other areas. If fit for human consumption, food waste is sent to charitable groups such as the Salvation Army and City Mission in Wellington. If it’s fit for animal consumption it goes to stock feed, with the company working with local pig farms via the NZ Pork Board and a re-processor who manufactures stock feed for the dairy industry. Meat waste can go to the petfood industry or rendered down into tallow.

“Diverting waste to other productive uses wherever we can makes commercial sense to us and while a lot of our stores have only become involved with the programme in March, we are already up around 80 percent waste reduction, with a target of 90 percent within two years.”

Packaging is another area of focus, with Auckland Council looking to include ‘bin lift’ charges to its wheelie bin rubbish collections in 2015. Foodstuffs began looking at how

to prevent increased disposal costs for its nationwide customer base by ensuring as much packaging as possible is free to dispose of through the kerbside recycling service.

As a result, Foodstuffs has been supplying stores with sustainable alternatives to the existing polystyrene food trays for use in departments outside butchery for the last six months.

Pioneer is proud to supply Waste and Recycling Equipment to Foodstuffs NZ. • Vertical Balers • Horizontal Balers • Drum Crushers • Shredders • Glass Crushers • Sorting Systems • Recycling Bins • Overband Magnets

Although butchery requirements have meant finding a cost-effective, equally functional, alternative to polystyrene foam has been more challenging, good progress has been made and the organisation is confident of offering stores a solution in the very near future.

“Because this is a really big challenge, we haven’t put a time frame on this and we will be actively working in this area. All our stores now have kerbside recyclable trays in every department except butchery and we expect to offer recyclable alternatives to foam meat trays by early next year,” Mike says.

Foodstuffs is also trialling plastic bag recycling during the next few months. Starting in Christchurch the system will see customers returning used bags to the store for recycling.

Once the trial has been evaluated, Foodstuffs will decide whether to roll the programme out nationwide.

Cardboard Baler

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“The waste project is probably our biggest focus at the moment, looking to divert the maximum amount of ‘back of store’ waste away from landfill,” Mike says.

NW Newlands energy efficient freezers

“We’re also heavily promoting reuseable bags in our stores at the moment,” Mike says. “There’s a real momentum building and through surveys we can see how enthusiastic our owners and customers are about our moves in this area.

“We are in a real position to put systems in place which will affect so many people’s lives”.

Foodstuffs North Island Support Centre 60 Roma Road Mt Roskill Auckland T (09) 621 0600 www.foodstuffs.co.nz — Advertising Feature

(7466337) 0508 PIONEER roup.co.nz www.pioneerg

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landfill, the new Kumeu store represents the benchmark for new builds.

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Rethink reusable bags

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz July/August 2014 113

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