NZ Manufacturer October 2020 by Media Hawkes Bay Limited

Special Report: Manufacturing industry crucial to the country’s future. Page 12.

October 2020

BUY NZ MADE

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ANALYSIS The Intent-ion is to reach the top.

VIEW 27 REAR How we need to

2020 KIWINET AWARD WINNERS Ceremony held in Auckland.

Ganley Engineering process control specialists

™

change global supply chains after Covid-19.

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Khamal Ganley, Gill Ganley and Simon Ganley.

Assists New Zealand companies go forward with great technology. Ganley Engineering Ltd a family company, based north of Auckland, covers all of New Zealand. They are the country’s premier suppliers of manufacturing process controls systems and have been so for the past 25 years. The company consists of Simon, Khamal and Gill Ganley, all of whom bring levels of expertise to represent NDC Technologies, exclusively, for advice, sales and service. Ganley Engineering specialises in on-line and at-line process control. Process control places NDC Technologies sensors in a manufacturing line to measure and control moisture, oil, fats, protein, brix, caffeine, nicotine and colour in real-time. The sensors talk directly to the manufacturing machinery so that levels of moisture (and other components) are automatically and instantly adjusted to the top of the specification or yield. The sensors also display exactly what is being made on trending SCADA screens so operators and management can monitor the production yields. This means manufacturing companies save a lot on power consumption, staff time, scrap, downgrade and raw materials. They also save on not having to do repetitive lab tests and having staff to run them.

Companies are now able to make products they could never have economically made before. The sensors can be placed above a line, into a fluid bed drier and in a variety of other locations. They have no recalibration or maintenance schedules so are basically fit and forget. NDC have tens of thousands of these sensors controlling a wide variety of applications world-wide, including NZ. NDC Technologies is the world’s largest manufacturer of process control sensors. They work in closely with multi-nationals to develop solutions to meet specific manufacturing needs.

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Ganley Engineering has in the past 30 years worked with many NZ companies and developed expertise in a variety of products. A lot of the R & D developed in NZ flows through to the rest of the world. Examples of this include controlling biscuit manufacture with colour and moisture, automating cheese production, controlling panel board with moisture & resin and now high moisture fruit testing. Ganley Engineering works closely with NDC Technologies and their agents to share knowledge. Examples of what Ganley Engineering do include: controlling hamburger patty manufacture (animal

continued on Page 14

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CONTENTS 1 4

DEPARTMENTS LEAD Ganley Engineering process control specialists.

EDITORIAL Labour’s complete mandate requires more from them.

COVID-19 BUSINESS

BUSINESS NEWS

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

9 10

KC Wearable announces partnership with food factory for worker safety.

ADVISORS Kirk Hope

Is Chief Executive of BusinessNZ, New Zealand’s largest business advocacy body. He has held a range of senior positions at Westpac and is a barrister and solicitor.

Aurecon named Australasia’s Most Innovative Company. Mulcahy signs with Epicor to build digital manufacturing platform. How RAM3D became the largest independent metal AM service in Australasia.

ANALYSIS

Ian Walsh

Ian is Managing Director of Intent Group, a master black belt improvement specialist and global lean practitioner. He is passionate about improving productivity and helping to create world class New Zealand businesses.

The Intent-ion is to reach the top.

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY Igus low-cost robot for a unique shopping world.

INTERVIEW

SPECIAL REPORT

SUSTAINABILITY

KIWINET AWARD WINNERS

SMART MANUFACTURING

Karen Swainson, operations manager, Mindful Money.

Leeann Watson

Is the Chief Executive of the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce (the Chamber).and is a strong voice for Canterbury business.

Manufacturing industry crucial to the country’s economic future. Barbara Nebel and the business value of sustainability.

Ceremony in Auckland reveals winners. Seequent’s technology uses ground information modelling. NZ’s first KDS sludge dewatering technology to reduce waste and environmental footprint.

COMMENT

NEW PRODUCTS

DEVELOPMENTS

The truth about counterfeits. ABB Ability Routing Library launched for food and beverage production. PCD Adapters: time-saving termination from Treotham. Carpentry graduate aims to inspire more wahine into trades. Achieving the best possible energy systems.

REAR VIEW How we need to change global supply chains after Covid-19.

Lewis Woodward

Is Managing Director of Connection Technologies Ltd, Wellington and is passionate about industry supporting NZ based companies, which in turn builds local expertise and knowledge, and provides education and employment for future generations.

Brett O’Riley

EMA chief executive Brett O’Riley has a background in technology and economic development. Brett actually grew up with manufacturing, in the family business, Biggins & Co. He currently holds board roles with Wine Grenade and Dotterel Technologies and is also on the NZ Film Commission board.

PUBLISHER Media Hawke’s Bay Ltd,1/121 Russell Street North, Hastings, New Zealand 4122.

The election result is in and Labour needs to move smartly on the economy.

MANAGING EDITOR Doug Green T: +64 6 870 9029 E: publisher@xtra.co.nz

In the past three years, Labour made a play to improve (in the business sector) : housing, the Auckland transport system, regional investment and ‘shovel ready jobs.’

CONTRIBUTORS Holly Green, Barbara Nebel, Ian Walsh, Helen Down, Karen Swainson, John Young

None of these have been achieved and we still address productivity, improved wages and the business sector having its voice heard in the decision making process.

ADVERTISING Doug Green T: + 64 6 870 9029 E: publisher@xtra.co.nz

And we have Covid-19. Labour has handled this well but we now need to place an even greater emphasis on the economy

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Labour has to concentrate on the real areas of growth....and work closely with the private sector.

Kim Alves, KA Design T: + 64 6 870 8133 E: kim.alves@xtra.co.nz

Land-based industries will continue to develop quality products for the changing habits of consumers. Think plant based foods.

WEB MASTER Julian Goodbehere E: julian@isystems.co.nz

The construction industry can provide huge impetus as the country looks to reduce areas of stress and strain.

PUBLISHING SERVICES On-Line Publisher Media Hawke’s Bay Ltd

This, aided by technology enhancements, will assist to grow our economy and improve supply chain and efficiencies.

DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

You only have to look at the innovators in the Technology Innovation Network (TIN) to see where some of these great ideas come from.

E: publisher@xtra.co.nz Free of Charge.

MEDIA HAWKES BAY LTD

Initiatives across the broader manufacturing base are essential and to be encouraged. SME’s are to be supported as they play an integral role in New Zealand’s future.

T: +64 6 870 4506 F: +64 6 878 8150 E: publisher@xtra.co.nz 1/121 Russell Street North, Hastings PO Box 1109, Hastings, NZ NZ Manufacturer ISSN 1179-4992

To provide surety for the apprentices of today who will be the company leaders of tomorrow. In this term, we need Labour to work with business leaders and associations to develop a well planned and concise way forward.

Vol.11 No. 9 OCTOBER 2020

Copyright: NZ Manufacturer is copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher. Neither editorial opinions expressed, nor facts stated in the advertisements, are necessarily agreed to by the editor or publisher of NZ Manufacturer and, whilst all efforts are made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility will be taken by the publishers for inaccurate information, or for any consequences of reliance on this information. NZ Manufacturer welcomes your contributions which may not necessarily be used because of the philosophy of the publication.

NZ Manufacturer October 2020 /

Labour’s complete mandate requires more from them

And Labour, remember the businesses forced to close because of the virus, through no fault of their own.

They need to rise again.

www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz

Doug Green

Success Through Innovation

EDITORIAL

COVID-19 BUSINESS KC Wearable announces partnership with food factory for worker safety The KC N901 Smart Helmet, developed by leading technology and innovation company KC Wearable, has been deployed at Africa’s largest instant noodle manufacturing plant, as food manufacturing groups look to protect their workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. KC Wearable has announced a partnership with Dufil Group, who are responsible for the production of Indomie, one of the world’s most popular Mi Goreng instant noodle brands, as well as oil and pasta brands Power and MiniMie, to name a few. The KC N901 Smart Helmet will be used as a COVID-19 symptom detector, helping Dufil Group to protect staff at the factory. Nigeria has seen almost 57,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far. As new cases continue to emerge, interest the wearable thermal detection device has grown. The KC Smart Helmet allows users to screen multiple individuals for a key symptom of COVID-19 at once, helping to stop the spread of the virus. The helmet can detect fevers, the most prevalent symptom of the virus, with 96% accuracy. Unlike traditional static thermal cameras, the wearable headset improves the efficiency and flexibility of COVID-19 screening, enabling the user to freely move

around an area. The helmet can scan up to 200 people a minute, making it well suited to public settings like transport hubs, hospitals or parks. The KC N901 Smart Helmet has been deployed at Dufil Group’s food manufacturing plant in Nigeria, allowing the company to screen employees for high fevers upon entry. Working in collaboration with KC Wearable, Dufil Group have tailored the smart helmet to fit the requirements of a factory setting. This includes personalised detection, enabling security staff to isolate outbreaks. Powered by sophisticated augmented reality technology, the helmet visor’s thermo-scan sensors show the temperature of people in real time. The helmet is effective within a five-metre radius, enabling the wearer to maintain social distancing

at all time, and has the potential to link up to other data on COVID-19 tracking apps. The device stores all data itself with a 64GB internal memory. Beyond Nigeria, the helmet is also in use in more than 35 countries, including Indonesia, the UAE, Italy, Netherlands, Kuwait, Chile, Turkey and multiple African countries. KC Wearable has partnered with national authorities and major transport hubs such as airports, as well as schools and hospitals, to detect COVID-19 symptoms in a range of settings.

DEUTSCH HD30 & HDP20 CONNECTOR SERIES Designed specifically for the truck, bus, and off-highway industry, heavy duty, environmentally sealed, multipin circular connectors. contact sizes 4 through 20.

Tel: 04 566 5345 Email: sales@connectors.co.nz Web: www.connectors.co.nz www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz

NZ Manufacturer October 2020

BUSINESS NEWS

Aurecon named Australasia’s Most Innovative Company International engineering, design and advisory company Aurecon was named The Australian Financial Review Most Innovative Company in Australia and New Zealand for 2020. Aurecon beat out all the other industry winners to the title of Australasia’s Most Innovative Company for 2020. Aurecon was also ranked #1 in the Professional Services Category and won the award for Best Social Impact Innovation for Project Gilghi, its off-grid water purifying system for use in remote Indigenous communities. In announcing the award at a live-streamed event on 8 October, the Financial Review stated that whilst Aurecon scored well for its award-winning Project Gilghi innovation, it was their impressive innovation program which secured the overall award this year. Aurecon group Chief Executive Officer William Cox believes this recognition reflects the long-term commitment the firm has made to place innovation at the centre of its strategy. “These awards are a testament to Aurecon’s people and their passion for exploring ideas and creating unique solutions for our clients. “Project Gilghi is an off-grid water purifying system for use in remote indigenous communities. It improves water security, health outcomes, community amenities and overall quality of life,” Mr Cox said. “Our people are inspired to make a difference to the communities in which we live and work. That’s what

Bore community for the first time in its history. “Access to clean drinking water is a basic human right. Water is taken for granted in cities and towns. Without it, cities and towns would quickly become uninhabitable,” said Mr McGuire. “Our Gilghi unit is perfectly suited for use in remote communities, outback stations, mining, oil and gas sectors, drought or disaster recovery. Its market is potentially millions of people. More broadly, this award-winning solution speaks to Aurecon’s passion to explore the unknown, seek new solutions to old challenges and puts human-centred design at the heart of our design intent,” added Mr McGuire. Project Gilghi recently received the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) 2020 Chris Binnie Award for Sustainable Water Management. This international recognition is in addition to the project already having won the Australian Water Association New South Wales Infrastructure Project Innovation of the Year in 2020. Engineering Australia’s Australian Engineering Excellence Awards 2020 also recognised the project. At the 2020 Good Design Awards within the Social Impact category, the Project Gilghi unit was recognised as a breakthrough design.

drives us. So we’re doubly proud to be recognised for innovation that has a social impact,” added Louise Adams, Chief Executive, Australia & New Zealand. The Australian Financial Review BOSS Most Innovative Companies list ranks the most innovative organisations from across industries in Australia and New Zealand. The competition is judged and compiled by Inventium – Australia’s leading innovation consultancy. In 2020, over 1000 businesses across Australia and New Zealand entered the competition. This is the fourth year in a row that Aurecon has been named on the list. Innovation is part of our DNA “Our innovation aspiration for Aurecon is that our clients, and the communities we impact, must see benefits from our focus on innovation and the design solutions we create,” said John McGuire, Aurecon’s Chief Design Officer. Aurecon’s design solution for Project Gilghi was developed in partnership with Ampcontrol. It aligns with the Australian Government’s ‘Closing the Gap’ commitments and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal which aims to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all by 2030. The off-grid water purifying system delivers a reliable and unlimited supply of potable water to the Gillen

Funding available for SME manufacturers In turbulent times such as these, it is vital that Kiwi businesses work together to ensure our economy holds strong. Intent is thrilled to be working closely with the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA), to ensure manufacturers are embracing the funding opportunities currently available to help them achieve optimal performance. The most recent government support is for a fully-funded productivity improvement assessment. The Business and Digital Readiness assessment is for SME manufacturers and provides up to 2.5 days of

NZ Manufacturer October 2020 /

work (eligibility criteria apply).

become world class

The Business & Digital Readiness assessment is right for you if your manufacturing business would like to:

• Educate your team on best practices and what

• Understand what world class looks like in your industry

• Capture what is required to achieve your vision

• Establish where your organisation currently sits in comparison

Intent can support you with during these unstable

• Identify the gaps your business needs to fill to

ing-available-for-sme-manufacturers

www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz

‘good’ looks like for you To learn more about the funding opportunities times, visit:https://www.intentgroup.co.nz/post/fund-

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY Mulcahy signs with Epicor to build digital manufacturing platform and turbocharge growth One of New Zealand’s leading metal manufacturers, has signed a $1 million dollar deal with Epicor Software Corporation, a global provider of industry-specific enterprise software to promote business growth. The deal will see Epicor deliver a modern end-to-end digital manufacturing platform, allowing Mulcahy to further its digital transformation and be a leading adopter of Industry 4.0 technologies. Mulcahy is one of the country’s largest fabricated metals manufacturing company, partnering with clients in the food and dairy, materials handling, original equipment manufacturing, agriculture, horticulture, and architecture industries. From design to production, Mulcahy partners with product leadership companies helping turn their ideas and intellectual property into a reality, acting as a one-stop manufacturing partner. Innovative technologies from Epicor, which are already helping manufacturers around the world streamline their business processes and break down barriers to growth, will deliver an end-to-end manufacturing platform for Mulcahy to automate its business processes and truly embrace the benefits of the fourth industrial revolution. The solution will provide much greater visibility and traceability – from organisation wide capacity planning and scheduling, job tracking throughout the facility to scheduling machine total productive maintenance (TPM) – helping the organisation gain efficiencies.

The Auckland-based, family-owned business, which celebrates 40 years this year, has grown from a small facility with five employees in Gleneden, to a 6,000 square metre plant in Avondale and a team of 140. Ongoing investment in technology is a key part of Mulcahy’s strategy, having invested in state-of-the-art machinery and boosted data capabilities to optimise business operations over the years. However, disparate legacy systems to manage finance, payroll and CAD capabilities developed over the past 20 years are limiting Mulcahy’s ability to gather consolidated data into its SQL database and draw actionable analytics from its connected machinery. With ambitious plans to double revenue in five years, it became clear the legacy systems prevented the company from scaling up. Crashes, low visibility, siloed planning, lack of traceability and a high level of manual data entry were all growth inhibitors. Managing director Kayne Mulcahy said Epicor stood out from the competition, which included SAP, Infor and Abas, with its integrated business management solution to meet its complex process manufacturing, financial and reporting requirements. “Epicor’s deep manufacturing expertise gave us a lot of confidence – we speak the same language. We also liked their sound approach to project management and felt they were the right technology partner to grow with,” Mr Mulcahy said. “We don’t see ourselves as simply being a supplier of engineering services, but as a manufacturing partner

to our clients. But to truly enable innovation for them, our back end needs more automation. “This is a significant business transformation project for us that will set us up to achieve our ambitious growth plans. The Epicor solution will allow us to make more informed business decisions, help us break into new markets and release new product offerings quicker.” Commenting on the deal, Epicor Software Regional Vice President for ANZ, Greg O’Loan, said he and the team looked forward to helping Mulcahy tap into the full potential of Industry 4.0. “During these changing times, it is crucial businesses have the tools to transition into the ‘New Now’. The benefits of a solid, integrated technology platform are substantial. Mulcahy will get access to real time data, and our solution will help the organisation make sense of it, giving their team the agility to respond quickly to changing market conditions,” Mr O’Loan said. “We look forward to delivering a truly digital, automated and connected manufacturing platform and are excited to partner with Mulcahy on their exciting digital transformation journey. “Fabricated metal manufacturing is a huge focus for Epicor throughout the Asia Pacific region. Our experience means we understand the very unique needs of this niche industry and deliver industry specific solutions to help businesses fully tap into their digital potential.”

Find a great home for your business EAST TAMAKI A great place to do business

getba.org.nz www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz

NZ Manufacturer October 2020

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY How RAM3D became the largest independent metal AM service in Australasia New Zealand company operates seven metal AM systems RAM3D Marketing Manager. “Its real benefits, in terms of improved part functionality, part integration, weight reduction, cost effectiveness and so on, just weren’t widely recognized. We did have to play our part in improving general market awareness and helping to rectify any misconceptions.” One of the big milestones in the company’s evolution has been its partnership with Renishaw, which began in 2014, when the UK-based metal AM company supplied its newest system to RAM3D. At the time, the machine provided the flexibility and openness that RAM3D was looking for, as it had the skills to optimize the AM process for its customers’ applications. “We had lots of ideas of our own on optimising our manufacturing process, and this machine gave us the freedom that we needed to implement them,” said Warwick Downing, CEO and co-founder of RAM3D. “If we wanted to change a parameter, to adjust it to more closely suit a particular part, then we could.” Today, RAM3D not only offers a metal prototyping service, it is also capable of volume production. This is thanks to seven metal 3D printing systems—six of which are from Renishaw.

Though it may best be known for the Kiwi bird, Lord of the Rings and its inspirational Prime Minister, New Zealand has another claim to fame in the additive world: it is home to the largest independent metal 3D printing service in the Southern Hemisphere: RAM3D. Founded in 2008, the Tauranga-based company has had an interesting journey over the past decade, partaking in metal AM’s transition from a one-off custom prototyping solution to an industrial production process.

This journey in itself is interesting, as RAM3D played a vital role in the evangelisation of metal 3D printing in its part of the world—a role that many service providers have played. In short, 3D printing metal parts for customers was only part of its job in its earlier years, it also had to focus on raising awareness of AM, educating on DfAM and facilitating the shift from prototyping to production.

The company plans to scale up its business even more, installing another three or four Renishaw systems by the new year. The service provider works with a range of materials, including stainless steel 15-5ph, stainless steel 316, Inconel 718 and titanium 64. It is also exploring the printing of maraging tool steel.

“In our very early days the perception of 3D metal printing really was that it was just for one-off, custom part prototyping,” explained Gilly Hawker,

“Globally speaking, I think the metal 3D printing sector is at a bit of a tipping point right now, and it’s certainly only going to grow in importance and influence,” concluded Downing. “It is no longer a ‘new technology’, it’s here and now. More and more innovative businesses are coming to realize that even for the most mature of product types, metal additive manufacturing provides an opportunity to inject new life, by overcoming the design constraints of other manufacturing processes. So with some degree of certainty I’d say that metal 3D printing is going to be pushing hard on perceived manufacturing boundaries in the coming years.”

NZ Manufacturer October 2020 /

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ANALYSIS The Intent-ion is to reach the top For more than three decades, Ian Walsh, Managing Director of Intent Group, has been driving improvements in organisations around the globe. Ian understands deeply what is required to deliver and sustain improvement.

Here he shares his thoughts on what New Zealanders can do to recover from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. As I write this, we are in the run up to the election for 2020, with politicians offering promises and plans for how they will implement policy that will enable New Zealand to go in the right direction. This includes investment in housing, infrastructure, tax cuts and so on. I have heard almost no dialogue on how we are going to afford all of this and repay the huge cost Covid-19 has wrought on the country. The answer seems to be that we will stimulate the economy with these offerings and the implication is that this will fix it. I believe that some of these will help but ultimately, we have to address our poor productivity. I am concerned that we are still applying band aids to a sick patient and we are not getting to the root cause of the problem. As Einstein said, ‘We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used to create them.’ So, as New Zealanders, we must take collective responsibility for where we are – the bottom end of

the OECD in terms of economic performance, and therefore our future and potential quality of life. However, the board of New Zealand is the Government, and over the last 30-40 years they are ultimately accountable for NZ sliding down the OECD. I have heard nothing that would suggest that there is an integrated plan to address our productivity gaps. Meanwhile we add more compliance costs and wage hikes onto businesses to fund. We are behaving as if we have the economic performance of a top ten OECD country. Not an underperforming cellar dweller and many of these initiatives, whilst laudable, are unaffordable in the short term, because the burden is still to be carried by small under-resourced businesses. Again, we have a broken system. Politicians are incented to be in government and going in new and perhaps challenging directions is hard to sell to the electorate. It is not the approach that wins. Only when there is a crisis do they risk these things. This is why Japan adopted different approaches, when their economy and country were decimated!

IMPROVE:

Do we have to burn the platform and sink before we adopt new and better ways of thinking? Do we even have the right people making these calls? Shouldn’t we just empower a ministry to drive productivity through the adoption of global best practices and proven data to enable this, and measure their performance via movement up the OECD as opposed to trying to achieve outcomes through top down macro-economic policy? The recent work by the Productivity Commission on Frontier Firms provides some good direction in this regard, and is timely. Consider this: Over 90% of the New Zealand business leaders I have met in seminars or presentations (totaling well over 1,000 now) have; • No data as to why their customers choose their product or service over competitor offerings. Many surmise but have absolutely no data. • Not segmented their products or services based on the customer perception of value. This is logical

continued on Page 14

"Intent worked well with our team identifying operational waste & improvement opportunities we hadn’t seen ourselves & gave us a better understanding of our manufacturing capacity & capability. Within just 6 months there have been margin improvements in the vicinity of 5%, with even more to come."

QUALITY COST CULTURE PERFORMANCE TO DELIVER THE PRODUCTS & SERVICES YOUR CUSTOMERS WANT, WHEN THEY WANT THEM - NO MATTER THE INDUSTRY OR LOCATION

intentgroup.co.nz

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NZ Manufacturer October 2020

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

For a unique shopping world: igus low-cost robot in the design of your choice As the robolink DP can be built in the design of your choice, there are no limits for the user. For example, the articulated arm robot could serve the coffee.

Custom design robolink robot arm ensures fast automation and a new shopping experience From industrial use, robots are increasingly finding their way into the retail trade. There they ensure rapid automation of processes and are also a real eye-catcher. Users place high demands on design and reliability at a cost-effective price. For this reason, igus is now offering its low-cost robot - robolink DP consisting of high-performance polymers, in custom design. Shopping and ordering online has already become part of everyday life, be it for new trousers, an SLR camera for the holidays or the sushi for dinner. Within a few minutes or the next day, the delivery service or the parcel carrier is at the door with the order - convenient and simple. But the new buying behaviour is increasingly building up competitive pressure on the stationary retail trade. Intelligent automation systems for fast shopping are in demand, in the supermarket as well as in the furniture store. Solutions can be: automatic juice dispensers, bread slicers or self-service cash registers with

weighing technology, in which igus motion plastics - such as lubrication-free iglidur plain bearings and maintenance-free drylin linear guides - ensure wear-resistant movements.

DP robot arm, which largely consists of plastic components.

At the same time, retailers such as fashion houses and restaurants can develop store and design concepts that offer customers a new experience. Robots are a popular tool of choice because they are not only a real eye-catcher, but also a practical automation solution.

The user can freely use the RAL colour palette either for the corporate design of the company or as a barista robot in an elegant white look. The compact, lightweight robolink DP makes comprehensive use of the advantages of igus motion plastics in production: light, lubrication-free and maintenance-free, quiet, durable and cost-effective.

They can give out prizes from raffles, mix cocktails or even cover a pizza with toppings. So far, expensive fun that is rarely found in New Zealand. With its igus robolink DP, Treotham now offers a new cost-effective solution, which the customer can design individually.

Low-cost robots in the desired outfit Last year, igus presented for the first time its robolink

The customer now has the option of designing the robot arm as he wants, with four or five axes.

The new articulated arm can be configured individually via the platform RBTX.com and, depending on the type of application, can be equipped with grippers, cameras or sensors from a wide range of manufacturers. See the robolink DP for yourself: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=46XPjsUBZbk www.treotham.co.nz

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Contact Kevin Kevany Mobile 021 577 211 Email kevwrite@xtra.co.nz

INTERVIEW Karen Swainson Karen is Operations Manager for Mindful Money, a charitable social enterprise established in 2018. Mindful Money aims to make money a force for good. The current focus is on empowering members of the public to choose a KiwiSaver fund and/or investment fund that aligns with their values. Why do you do what you do? How long have you been doing it? I am committed to working towards an environmentally sustainable and socially just future, and one of the most effective ways of doing that, is by changing the flow of money. After all, money makes the world go round! Finance underpins all the solutions we need to create a future with a resilient economy where we can live in harmony with the planet and provide everyone with what they need to live a healthy, dignified life. So, when I heard about Mindful Money, I knew I wanted to be involved. My background is in project management, encompassing both IT and behaviour change, and I thrive on the challenge of small business and start-ups. I got involved with Mindful Money prior to the launch of the website, in early 2019, and I love the variety of my role – from finance and HR, to project managing the website and presenting to corporates about what we do. When I graduated with a maths degree 20+ years ago I swore I wouldn’t work in finance, but it’s managed to lure me in through the back door by appealing to my values! How are you finding current business conditions? It’s been a year of demonstrating adaptability for us, like so many businesses. With Covid came the market downturn, which put the brakes on anyone wanting to move their KiwiSaver. Our main source of income, through the referral fees we receive when people switch to one of the ethical funds on our website, dropped rather than growing as projected. The cautiousness around personal finance has continued even though the markets have bounced back. Meanwhile, we made the best of the situation and started an online seminar series on ethical investing, which proved popular with an audience in lockdown. Once they were established, we were able to get corporate sponsorship for the seminars, which has made up for the deficit in fees. We are in a lucky position of having lean operational costs, as a relatively new charity, and we’ve just had to be patient and wait a little longer to see the growth we had planned for this year. Where do you see opportunities for your company in the future? The warming of our climate poses enormous risks to our financial systems. The government has recently announced mandatory reporting on climate risks, providing a basis for transparency and accountability for climate risks, impact and action. We are in a position to be able to report on carbon exposure for funds, which will become increasingly relevant in this drive for transparency. Acknowledging, managing and eventually eliminating climate-related risk will increasingly

become part of every company’s licence to operate, driven by the investment community, and many businesses are still at the very beginning of their journey towards understanding this.

echoes so many of today’s headlines it sounds too interesting to turn down.

We have already found that the detail we provide around funds has helped fund providers identify and move away from harmful investments, so this will be a further opportunity to influence investment behaviour for good.

Favourite quote?

Is there assistance you would like to see provided to business in the current circumstances? I hope we will see the government replicate its world-leading response to managing Covid by demonstrating that, with decisive and well communicated policy, New Zealand can lead the world in responding to global warming, it’s causes and impacts. Using our recovery spending we can accelerate our transition towards zero carbon and build our resilience to future shocks. All government procurement should be made using a climate lens, with financial support for businesses leading the way. How do you identify client needs? Each year we do a survey on public attitudes to responsible investment to identify consumer needs. We work closely with fund providers to assess how we can most effectively help them move towards a responsible investment framework for their funds. And we collaborate with our allies across civil society on shared goals. What is different about your company as against others in a comparative range of activities? Our website puts the power of choice into consumers’ hands, enabling them to easily and quickly move their KiwiSaver, or other investments, into ethical funds – and at no cost. Education is an important piece of this, as many people have their KiwiSaver with their bank and don’t understand that they can change. Volunteers are essential to the operational running of Mindful Money while we’re in an early growth stage. Across the business, many roles have been performed by volunteers eager to forward the mission of the organisation. Many of the volunteers have been recent immigrants to New Zealand who needed work experience as a stepping-stone into paid work in their profession, and the organisation provided them with new skills, contacts, confidence and a reference. ln turn, we have benefited from the rich skills and diversity that they bring to New Zealand. Favourite book? I love reading novels, but it’s way too hard to pick a favourite. I’ve just finished Philip Pullman’s “La Belle Sauvage”, which is the prequel to his Dark Materials trilogy and a real page turner. I’m currently reading Ben Elton’s “Two Brothers”, following a Jewish family through 1930s Germany, which is a harrowing read and the similarities to what’s currently happening in the US are terrifying. My husband has recommended “The Road to Abbadon” by our friend Vincent Heeringa next – possibly a bit too fantastical for me, but as the plot

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here. This is to have succeeded.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson It’s a good guide for life! Biggest influence on your path? Without hesitation, my grandfather, Tom Land. With hard work and vision, he bravely pivoted a 100-year-old successful family electroplating business into an even stronger industrial instrumentation business. He recognised electroplating was a dying industry and with his skill and tenacity he engineered a change of direction to guarantee its longevity into the 21st Century.

He recognised electroplating was a dying industry and with his skill and tenacity he engineered a change of direction to guarantee its longevity into the 21st Century.

He always strived to be the best person he could be, whether that was at work or with his family. When I was in my 20s and not sure of what path to take, he advised me to be patient and trust that the right opportunities would come when I was ready. He was spot on and he remains an inspiration to me to this day. About Mindful Money Currently most KiwiSaver and investment funds invest in companies engaged in pollution and exploitation, with investments in sectors like fossil fuel production, weapons, human rights abuses and animal cruelty. Meanwhile, Mindful Money’s research shows that 83% of Kiwis expect their KiwiSaver to be invested ethically. The charity raises awareness of this disconnect and makes it easy for New Zealanders to invest in better companies through their website. Check what you’re investing in at www.mindfulmoney.nz.

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NZ Manufacturer October 2020

SPECIAL REPORT

Manufacturing industry crucial to the country’s economic future The New Zealand manufacturing and technology industry is actively urging the Government to listen to and support the engine room of New Zealand’s economic recovery. The call comes after the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted the country’s first Manufacturing and Technology Forum, focusing on economic recovery from COVID-19. Over one hundred manufacturing and technology industry representatives across the Wellington region came together to share their views and highlight areas where support was needed to foster economic growth from these industries. The Minister of Finance, the Honorable Grant Robertson attended the forum and opened the event, which was part of October’s 2020 Wellington Business Expo. CEO of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, Helen Down, said government must support the manufacturing sector to reap the benefits it can offer to the COVID-19 response and our economic recovery. The forum is part of an ongoing programme of work by the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce to champion the manufacturing and technology industries and advocate for them to government. “It is not only industries most obviously damaged by COVID-19, like international tourism that needs support. Manufacturing and technology industries are pivotal to our recovery and our future, they are important employers in our communities and they need government support,” she said. A panel of industry experts from a variety of manufacturing and technology companies presented their inside perspectives. The panel included Sir Neville Jordan from Endeavour Capital; Martin Simpson from Fraser Engineering; Richard Latta from Leda Extrusions and Pikes Plastics; Derek Bradley from Aurora44; Terry Carter from NZ Tube Mills; and Shane Lowe from 360 Logistics. The General Manager of Fraser Engineering, Martin Simpson, said the manufacturing sector is the engine

NZ Manufacturer October 2020 /

room of the economy and can no longer be ignored. Located in Wingate, Lower Hutt, Fraser Engineering employs 120 staff and is facing substantial growth as the largest manufacturer of fire engines in the Pacific. “I believe there has been a disconnect between consecutive governments in regards to supporting a strong manufacturing sector and this is now being highlighted by COVID-19. I believe the manufacturers hold the secret to economic success in this county,” Martin Simpson said. “A government that is willing to empower and support this sector will generate the income required to transform this economy and lead the world to a social and sustainable future.” Chief Executive of NZ Tube Mills, Terry Carter, said globally New Zealand is an attractive supplier and the strong response to COVID-19 has given a competitive advantage in the manufacturing sector for export. “New Zealand manufacturers are very flexible and seize opportunities, however at times it can be difficult to get support. Now is a pivotal time for the Government to consider refining some of the processes to access export markets,” Terry Carter said. Sir Neville Jordan, Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and founder of Endeavour Capital and MAS Technology, agrees. He said supporting ‘the ball carrier’ by helping manufacturing companies was crucial. He said Crown Research Institutes (CRI’s), and universities are often the front door. “However, many of us have tried to deal with CRI’s and universities and it’s really hard.” Sir Neville wants the Government to listen and open up the front doors. Another issue is obtaining highly skilled staff in

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this current environment. The Chief Executive of gaming company Aurora 44, Derek Bradley, said it’s a challenge to get the right staff to continue the growth of their business. The company’s video game, Ashen, was picked up by Microsoft as an Xbox and Windows exclusive. Aurora44 has seen rapid growth, employing 70 staff within seven years, and is expected to grow further this year. “We need help from the Government to bring in more highly skilled workers,” Derek Bradley said. “The growth potential for the video game industry is huge. It will grow to a billion-dollar export industry just within New Zealand over the next five years.” Recognising the ongoing skills shortage, exacerbated by COVID-19, the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted its first Education to Employment ‘Speed Meet’, as part of the Wellington Business Expo. Over 70 students met with 20 employers to discuss and learn about career pathways and immediate work opportunities available, many within manufacturing. Jo Kunnen, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Times-7, a Hutt Valley radio-frequency identification (RFID) business, attended the Chamber’s Speed Meet. “Ultimately I think the future for the sector in New Zealand is strong. We need to show young people the many career opportunities that exist in manufacturing and encourage them to entice young people to study STEM at school,” Jo Kunnen said. The Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce will publish a report to government, summarising the forum’s ideas and the support the industry needs to underpin the country’s economic recovery.

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NZ Manufacturer October 2020

HEADING NZ MANUFACTURER FEATURES title

continued from Page 9

November 2020 Issue text

The Intent-ion is to reach the top given the above, as they haven’t asked their customers what they value.

INDUSTRY 4.0

• Little awareness of best practices, such as continuous improvement methodology, Lean, Six Sigma, and certainly have no ability or capacity to implement them.

COMPANY PROFILE

• No idea of their performance potential, their true loss and wastes versus a zero-loss model. • Never led a culture transformation program. Will changing the tax regime, adding more sick leave etc. address any of these issues?

SMART MANUFACTURING

New Zealand businesses are falling into three categories; • Those continuing as they always have, • Those who know they need to do better and change, but are unable to do so, and • Those trying to implement change.

PRODUCTIVITY

Covid has taught us this, and now anything can be procured on the internet and competitors can come from anywhere, so you must be ready. Many of these businesses either don’t know the mountain needs climbing or have forgotten their map, appropriate gear and the Sherpa! If we want to be world class, we need to know why we need to climb (so we can share the vision with the team), what mountain we are climbing, how to climb, and have the right gear and proven guides who know the way to the top. We need more businesses to commence the climb to excellence, to be visionary, create role models and be aspirational, to enable others to follow and to help NZ pull itself up. We have a few excellent examples, but we need more. Are you up for the challenge? I am!

Unfortunately, the third category is the smallest group. Many NZ businesses are continuing to operate the same as always.

CLIMATE CHANGE

However, many businesses will not survive and prosper if they rely on the things that protected NZ businesses in the past.

Advertising Booking Deadline – 6 November 2020 Advertising Copy Deadline – 6 November 2020 Editorial Copy Deadline – 6 November 2020 Advertising – For bookings and further information contact: Doug Green, P O Box 1109, Hastings 4156, Hawke’s Bay Email: publisher@xtra.co.nz

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Ganley Engineering process control specialists -

Editorial material to be sent to : Doug Green, P O Box 1109, Hastings 4156, Hawke’s Bay Email: publisher@xtra.co.nz Tel: 06 870 9029

At NZ MANUFACTURER our aim is to keep our readers up to date with the latest industry news and manufacturing advances in a tasty morsel, ensuring they do not get left behind in the highly competitive and rapidly evolving manufacturing world. Opinion

As I See It Business News

Letters to the Editor

Appointments

Politics of Manufacturing

Around New Zealand

Diary of Events World Market Report Q/A

Australian Report New to the Market Lean Manufacturing

Export News

Equipment for Sale

Machine Tools

Recruitment

Business Opportunities

Environmental Technology

Commentary

Manufacturing Processes

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NZ Manufacturer October 2020 /

Control baked products at the oven by controlling the oven. Controlling the manufacture of fruit-based products for moisture, brix and colour. They also take care of making confectionery, especially hard shell sweets and chocolate. Oh, and they control coffee roasting as well.

Manufacturing Profiles

Trade Fair World

and vegetable) by automatically controlling ratios. Controlling grape crushing for optimum yield. Controlling moisture, oil and colour in potato chips and fries. Controlling moisture, fat (oil) and protein in fluid bed driers. Controlling moisture in building products. Controlling moisture, oil and protein in horticultural products at the harvester to control fertiliser application. Instant at-line analysis of meat fat (Ausmeat approved).

For a more exhaustive list, visit www.ganleyengineering.co.nz or www.ndc.com. The ability to save energy and staff costs means a fast return on investment. With low finance rates now available, sensors can be leased with the payments pitched to be less than the savings. This means a company can be paid to increase their profits. For most multi-nationals, this is a no-brainer.

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Companies are now able to make products they could never have economically made before.

SUSTAINABILITY The business value of sustainability By Barbara Nebel Many successful organisations today have evolved to see sustainability as more than just a compliance issue and rightly so. Regulatory compliance only scratches the surface of what sustainability has to offer. The multi-layered benefits reveal themselves when the languages of sustainability and business are translated. There is tangible business value in incorporating and implementing sustainability in core strategy that goes beyond just energy savings and a growing number of organisations recognise this. As sustainability experts, we at thinkstep-anz translate the business value of sustainability into a common language that can be understood by all.

explorers, miners, and producers. This should hit home with CEOs and directors in the manufacturing sector as there are key opportunities to seize. The road to becoming a responsible investment asset will look different from company to company but will be marked by bold moves such as cleaning up sources of stationary thermal energy.

ESG and exclusive capital access Sustainability is not only fundamental for survival today but also encourages growth. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) tracking and disclosure is opening the door to new business opportunities, with growing evidence that good ESG performance is linked to “less market volatility, lower risk, and better financial performance”. In fact, financial and ESG reporting combined enables investors to better assess the true value of a business, opening up new opportunities such as green financing, which has the potential to deliver both financial and reputational benefits. For example, Rabobank has better conditions for certified sustainable businesses with their green bonds and sustainability bonds. Rabobank takes documentation and management of ESG risks associated with a project into account in their evaluation and selection process for such bonds.

Access lucrative green markets

Brand matters

Certified environmental credentials can directly help to increase revenue. One example is in the building industry where providing certified environmental information in form of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) directly supports higher Green Star ratings for buildings, thus expanding access to new markets.

Authentic sustainability credentials clearly increase the brand value of businesses. We have experienced that recently ourselves.

Green Star buildings also attract investment and finance opportunities such as green loans and sustainability-linked loans that are not available to non-certified assets and portfolios.

Attract investors as a responsible asset When investors such as the NZ Superfund announce that they want to reduce the carbon footprint of their portfolio by 20%, the CEOs of those assets quickly realise they need to take sustainability seriously. Managing their carbon footprint then translates into tangible business value. A 2018 report by the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance found that New Zealand and Australia had the greatest proportion of responsible investment assets, with 63 percent of assets using a responsible investment approach. In 2019, the responsible investment market in New Zealand alone was worth $153.5 billion according to a report by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA). The RIAA report shows that investment managers are catching up with consumer interest, with a doubling in frequency of investment managers applying screens to manage exposure to fossil fuel

A fellow B Corp in New Zealand approached us for help with their own journey. Their clear message was that they wanted to work with businesses that share the same values and “use their business as a force for good”. As a certified B Corp, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of sustainability performance, transparency, and accountability. Another client of ours confirmed that they continue working with us not only because of the work we do, but also because we walk the talk and joined the Climate Leaders Coalition.

and protecting the environment was still the dominant concern for Gen Z around the world, and a close second for millennials behind only healthcare and disease prevention. In New Zealand, 72% of youth note it is important that their future employer is socially and environmentally responsible. Unsurprisingly then, many of the projects at thinkstep-anz are initiated by CFOs and CEOs partially due to internal pressure from their employees.

Tackling the (in)visible problem Mitigating risk is another key benefit of sustainability with extensive global supply chains providing an increasingly visible hotpot of risk. The coronavirus pandemic has turned the spotlight on gaps in global supply chains that are prone to disruption and exploitation. If not properly addressed, supply chain issues such as modern slavery, illegal logging, and unsustainable plantations of palm oil can pose a serious business risk and endanger an organisation’s Social License to Operate (SLO). The pandemic then presents significant opportunities to pause and re-evaluate the reliance on a traditional global supply chain. Some businesses and industries are localising their supply chains which provides a boost to the local economy, and vastly improves traceability as a precursor to transparency. Where localisation is not a feasible option, some are utilising a macro perspective with regionalisation or focusing on strengthening the visibility of their existing supply chain. While modern slavery legislation is currently not in place in New Zealand, Australia’s Modern Slavery Act will affect up to 500 NZ businesses directly or indirectly as they will need to comply with disclosure requirements. Taking a proactive stance towards a transparent supply chain, whether local, regional, or global, is the first step towards being prepared when the questions come.

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Attracting and retaining talent Sustainability initiatives help to reduce energy and related costs, but the benefits also extend to significant savings in recruitment costs. Keeping millennials in the business reduces staff turnover and related costs while also motivating young people and increasing productivity. A Deloitte report found that even during a global pandemic, climate change

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NZ Manufacturer October 2020

KIWINET AWARD WINNERS 2020 KiwiNet Awards winners showcase NZ’s leading research innovations Winners of the eighth annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards, designed to celebrate impact from science through successful research commercialisation within New Zealand’s universities, Crown Research Institutes and other research organisations, were announced at a reception in Auckland on Thursday 16 October.

MinterEllisonRuddWatts Professional Award

Commercialisation

Mr Heebink was joined on the judging panel by Bridget Coates the Chair of White Cloud Dairy Innovation, Kendall Flutey the Co-Founder and CEO of Banqer, and Debra Hall an investor, director and Chair of KiwiNet Investment Committee.

The 2020 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards winners are: Norman Barry Foundation Innovator Award

Breakthrough

• Brooke Marshall, AgResearch: Creating impact from AgResearch’s world-class science PwC Commercial Impact Award • Massey University – ‘FERRI PRO’ IP Sale: A partnership to help address the global problem of iron deficiency BNZ Supreme Award

• Dr Eldon Tate, Inhibit Coatings Limited: Antimicrobial coatings keeping people safe in food and healthcare industries Baldwins Researcher Entrepreneur Award • Professor Jim Johnston, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington: A world-renowned inorganic and materials chemist focussed on commercial outcomes

• Professor Jim Johnston, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington: A world-renowned inorganic and materials chemist focussed on commercial outcomes KiwiNet Awards lead judge Rob Heebink, R&D Executive at Gallagher Group, says: “The quality of entrants this year was incredibly high – it was difficult to select the finalists let alone the category winners. Over the years we have seen a number of shifts occurring in research organisations, such an increase in commercialisation capability and more engagement with industry. This has resulted

Only 14% of all our engineers are women. We want to change that. Join us and scores of other Kiwi organisations that have galvanised around one common goal: 20% more women engineers by 2021. www.diversityagenda.org

NZ Manufacturer October 2020 /

in global impact with significant benefits for New Zealand. The future is bright – we have much more technology coming out of our research organisations that we can fund.”

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KiwiNet CEO Dr James Hutchinson, says: “New Zealand needs technology innovation now more than ever, to help rebuild a more diverse post-COVID economy and bring into the world new solutions the big global challenges we face. Our awards finalists are doing just that. They are leading the charge in the creating a better, brighter and prosperous Aotearoa New Zealand for our tamariki to inherit.” The annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards are supported by sponsors BNZ, MinterEllisonRuddWatts, PwC, Baldwins, MBIE, Norman Barry Foundation and K1W1, as well as, key partner Return On Science. BNZ’s Tim Wixon, Head of Technology Industry, and Charlie Mear, Business Development Manager, added their congratulations to the recipients of the 2020 KiwiNet Awards. “We are always delighted to see and hear about those individuals, teams and organisations who have created successful businesses built on interesting ideas and scientific research. Each year we enjoy taking the time to acknowledge, congratulate and celebrate some of New Zealand’s leading commercialisation talent.” Paul Stocks, Deputy Chief Executive at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, says “The quality of the submissions and the outstanding achievements of this year’s KiwiNet Awards winners are a testament to the talent we have in New Zealand. MBIE is proud to support research commercialisation and especially during challenging times the sector’s work must continue to be celebrated.” The Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet) is a consortium of 18 universities, Crown Research Institutes, an Independent Research Organisation and a Crown Entity established to boost commercial outcomes from publicly funded research by helping to transform scientific discoveries into new products and services.

ADVISORS Mike Shatford

is an expert in the field of technology development and commercialisation. His company Design Energy Limited has completed over 100 significant projects in this vein by consulting for and partnering with some of New Zealand’s leading producers. Among Mike and his team’s strengths are industrial robotics and automated production where the company puts much of its focus.

Sandra Lukey

Sandra Lukey is the founder of Shine Group, a consultancy that helps science and technology companies accelerate growth. She is a keen observer of the tech sector and how new developments create opportunity for future business. She has over 20 years’ experience working with companies to boost profile and build influential connections.

Matt Minio

Managing Director, Objective3D Matt has extensive hands on experience as a user and supplier of 3D Printing technology. He comes from a mechanical design and engineering background with 25 years’ experience in multiple high end 3D cad applications across a range of industries, including aerospace and automotive. He has been heavily involved in the 3D printing evolution - from initial early prototyping to todays advanced 3d printing technologies producing production parts straight off the printer. As Managing Director of Objective 3D, he provides Stratasys, Desktop Metal and Concept Laser 3D printing solutions to a host of industries across Australia and New Zealand.

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NZ Manufacturer October 2020

Seequent’s technology transforms critical infrastructure projects globally with ground information modelling Infrastructure projects are technically and operationally complex - from design through to construction, and completion requiring an ongoing understanding of ground and groundwater conditions to inform engineering decisions across the entire project lifecycle. Global geoscience software company Seequent of Christchurch has become the industry standard for Ground Information Models (GIM), being widely adopted by the world’s leading civil engineering companies working on some of the world’s most significant transportation and infrastructure projects. Seequent CEO, Shaun Maloney, says: “We’re working with the civil engineering industry to deliver a digital twin of the subsurface, that when combined with the infrastructure designs, creates a true virtual representation of what can be expected on site. “Our technology is helping progress some of the most emblematic infrastructure projects in the world including the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project in the UK, which has already achieved several key milestones, and London’s Crossrail 2 railway.” Mott MacDonald’s team of over 80 engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers are using Seequent’s solutions to investigate, analyse, model, and share their geological understanding of expected ground conditions with the wider HS2 project team. Christopher Brook, Associate, Mott MacDonald, says: “Seequent’s digital innovations allow us to produce higher quality Building Information Modelling (BIM) deliverables, communicate to stakeholders and deliver controlled and robust ground models in 4D. It also helps the onsite ground investigation team to make informed decisions for the project resulting in time and cost savings and risk reduction. This has benefited the Balfour Beatty VINCI joint venture on HS2 Phase 1 and will continue to provide value through the detailed design phase and into construction.”

quickest time possible. “We’re committed to the fast development of our cloud technology platform and engaging a broad community of industry leaders, partners, and other key stakeholders to achieve this.”

High Speed 2 (HS2) rail infrastructure project, UK High Speed 2 (HS2) is a state-of-the-art, high-speed rail line critical for the UK’s low-carbon transport future scheduled to open in phases between 2029 and 2035. Phase 1 of the main civil engineering works packages for the design of the West Midlands area (lots N1 and N2) is currently being progressed through a contract delivered by BBV (a joint venture between Balfour Beatty, Vinci, Mott MacDonald and Systra). The design work spanning approximately 90km with over 350 assets (including tunnels, viaducts, overbridges, and underpasses) has recently reached another milestone - a switch from the design phase to construction.

Arup engineering geologist Charlene Ting, says: “Seequent’s Leapfrog 3D modelling software has transformed the way we present and understand ground risk.” TfL Lead Geotechnical Engineer for Crossrail 2, Mike Black, added, “The quality and level of detail throughout the project speaks for itself. It really has been a step-change to what I have seen previously.” Maloney says Seequent believes supporting the development of large infrastructure projects is key to keeping people employed, stimulating regeneration, and maintaining the productive capacity of the economy, ultimately enabling recovery in the

NZ Manufacturer October 2020

Christopher Brook, Associate, Mott MacDonald, says: “Seequent’s digital innovations allow us to produce higher quality Building Information Modelling (BIM) deliverables, communicate to stakeholders and deliver controlled and robust ground models in 4D. It also helps the onsite ground investigation team to make informed decisions for the project resulting in time and cost savings and risk reduction. This has benefited the Balfour Beatty VINCI joint venture on HS2 Phase 1 and will continue to provide value through the detailed design phase and into construction. “As HS2 transitions from development into the country’s largest-ever construction programme, it’s essential to learn, not just from our own experiences, but also from other major projects.”

! Crossrail 2 railway project – UK

Multidisciplinary professional services firm Arup was appointed by Transport for London (TfL) to develop a 3D ground model to identify geological hazards along the route, inform early design decisions and provide the project with an invaluable geotechnical risk management tool.

Multidisciplinary professional services firm Arup was contracted by Transport for London (TfL) to develop a 3D ground model to identify geological hazards along the route, inform early design decisions and provide the project with an invaluable geotechnical risk management tool. Seequent’s dynamic 3D ground modelling solution, Leapfrog Works, helped Arup to effectively create a digital model of the geology for London’s proposed Crossrail 2 railway to aid the ongoing understanding and communication of ground and groundwater conditions that would impact on engineering decisions.

manage models and also to effectively communicate changes in ground investigation data and other outputs with key stakeholders in near “real-time” allowing risks and opportunities to be understood and value engineering to be undertaken.

Currently, with over 5500 ground investigation locations in the database and with a further 2000 proposed, the ground investigation for N1 and N2 is providing ‘just in time’ GI information to this project. Across N1 and N2 there are significant technical ground and engineering design challenges, which are complicated by the large multifaceted teams working across many offices, companies, time zones and a variety of stakeholders. Within Mott MacDonald’s team of over 80 engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers, they are using Seequent’s solutions to investigate, analyse, model, and share their geological understanding of expected ground conditions with the wider project team. Leapfrog Works is being used to create data and geological models and due to the scale and complexity of the long route, many individual Leapfrog models are required. The Seequent Central platform is therefore being used to

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Seequent’s dynamic 3D ground modelling solution, Leapfrog Works, helped Arup to effectively create a digital model of the geology for London’s proposed Crossrail 2 railway to aid the ongoing understanding and communication of ground and groundwater conditions that would impact on engineering decisions. The proposed railway will link the national rail networks in Surrey and Hertfordshire via approximately 30 km of an underground tunnel. Avoiding or mitigating the risks that any potential hazards pose is critical to allow for robust and realistic estimates of the project programme and cost. Stuart Millis, Arup’s Associate Director in Infrastructure Hong Kong comments, “Leapfrog Works enabled us to visualise the geological base model and other formats of geological data in 3D, undertake refinements to the model and effectively communicate uncertainty and spatial variation in geology. We were able to feed the geological

Proposed tunnel structures, boreholes and strata surfaces informing the alignment design. Ting & Gilson (2020), Developing the 3D Project Stratigraphic Model for Crossrail 2.

surfaces into our data-driven approach to design decisions, which supports our drive towards digital automation of engineering design. Being able to have this data-driven workflow in place so early on the project has been valuable and was appreciated by us and Transport for London.”

higher-resolution digital terrain models, historical and recent publications on the construction of the London Underground and other major infrastructure

projects, such as Thames Water Ring Main, Crossrail, Thames Tideway and others.

The new railway will improve access to and from London across the wider south-east region of the UK and significantly reduce congestion on existing Tube and National Rail services. Crossrail 2 will support 200,000 jobs, spur the development of 200,000 new homes across the region and increase London’s rail capacity by 10%, complementing other major national transport projects, such as High Speed 2. Crossrail 2 is at the very early stages of planning. TfL intends to seek permission from the UK Government to build Crossrail 2 to start construction later in the 2020s, with the new line opening to the public in the 2030s. Work on developing the Project Stratigraphic Model for Crossrail 2 was initiated in early 2018. An extract from The British Geological Survey’s (BGS) 1:50,000 scale 3D model of the London Basin was adopted as the baseline Stratigraphic Model. Leapfrog Works was used to integrate additional information available in the form of additional boreholes,

Ting, C., Gilson, B., Black, M. 2020. Developing the 3D geological model for Crossrail 2, London, United Kingdom

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NZ Manufacturer October 2020

CASE STUDY NZ’s first KDS sludge dewatering technology to reduce waste and environmental footprint This first NZ adopter of the KDS technology had previously tried alternative technologies, but none handled the variable volume involved or dewatered the fruit waste enough to prevent excess water and product from creating an unhygienic site and causing leakage. The NZ producer selected a model SS611 KDS with a longer press zone, to achieve optimum dewatering of the sloppy and wet mix of peelings, leaves and pulpy fruit material. Australasian deciduous crops such as apples and pears have a clean, green reputation internationally, which extends from growing through to production. KDS sludge dewatering technology is being used internationally to handle food and beverage waste in an environmentally sensitive manner.

A New Zealand food processing company committed to environmental excellence has become the country’s first adopter of a sludge dewatering technology engineered to cost-efficiently reduce the sustainability footprint of food, beverage, and wastewater treatment. The fruit producer is installing a compact and cost-efficient KDS multidisc Roller system from CST Wastewater Solutions, to dewater wet sloppy screened waste from the peeling process. This transforms fruit waste from a wet and sticky heavy mass to a much drier product that is less messy, easier to handle, and transport for stockfeed or landfill.

The dewatering concept being employed in this instance is to spread the waste over the table width and dewater a mat of material, to maximise the surface area and minimise water retention. This is an outstanding application of this globally proven technology, which is eminently suited to the food and beverage processing industry.

• Operates at low (63dBa) non-intrusive noise and vibration levels • Does not need water to keep clean, eliminating aerosol OH&S problems • Requires minimal daily maintenance, saving cost and enhancing OH&S performance • Occupies typically half the space or less of conventional dewatering plants • Is engineered to overcome the limitations of technologies such as screw presses, belt presses and centrifuges typically employed by small-to-medium applications to treat the sludge produced by their operations. The largest KDS unit can handle about 100kg DS (dry solids) an hour at 98 per cent solids capture.

It also very cost-efficiently advances the environmental credentials of a significant member of the Australasian fruit industry, which is also a major contributor to the local and export agricultural market. The KDS technology limits the possibility of spillages on public roads while sludge is being transported, as well as reducing their carbon footprint required to transport the much lighter and more hygienic byproduct.

The technology will reduce volume by up to 90%, thus reducing, transport costs and help prevent any potential spillages during transport. There are also both operational and OH&S benefits with the site being cleaner and easier to maintain and the financial gain of not paying for transport and disposal of unnecessary water. “Heavy cakes of byproduct from growers and food processors can cost upwards of $150 a ton to dispose of, including the specialised transport from the places where trade wastes are generated to centres where compacting, drying, recycling and disposal can take place in controlled environments,” says CST Wastewater Solutions Managing Director Mr Michael Bambridge.

KDS technology is also available in a skid-mounted version, pictured above left, which can be easily transported by truck or trailer to remote, sensitive or difficult to access sites. Shown right is the dry output of fruit processing.

Wet, sloppy waste is eliminated by KDS technology, which produces a lighter, drier, and more hygienic waste product

KDS technology with its multi-roller system (above) eliminates sticky, sloppy sludge and spillages by producing a drier, much lighter and hygienic waste that is more easily transported and recycled.

The NZ producer – which cannot be named because of contractual confidentiality provisions – is adopting its KDS technology to handle a highly variable quality and volume of up to 5m3/h.

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Used for thickening of dissolved air flotation sludge – a very common application throughout wastewater operations – the KDS achieves solids capture of 97 per cent thickened sludge at a dryness of 17 per cent. Waste activated sludge dryness levels are typically 15-18 per cent dryness. The high quality, stainless-steel technology:

Japanese-manufactured

• Uses minimal energy, consuming as little as 0.06kW hr of electricity

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This lighter, dryer waste it produces – in addition to being easier and cheaper to transport – reduces the need for manual labour in cleaning and transport operations and curtails the need for staff to handle sloppy heavy waste potentially hazardous to health in applications including: fruit and vegetable producers, juice processing and production facilities, food kitchens and catering facilities, as well as livestock, horticulture, agribusiness producing waste during processing of grains, cereals and grapes. The technology is also suitable for municipal and remote industrial worksite waste handling. where its cost-effectiveness and low-maintenance operation is a major advantage where engineering support may be far distant.

COMMENT The truth about counterfeits

~ Why you can never eliminate the risk of counterfeits entirely ~ According to the latest data from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the trade in counterfeit goods now represents 3.3 per cent of global trade.

Unfortunately, this figure is on the rise, even as overall trade has declined. Here, John Young, APAC director at obsolete parts supplier EU Automation APAC, offers his verdict on the scale of the problem in the Asia Pacific region and what manufacturers can do to limit the risks.

Counterfeiting in industry Counterfeiting is not a new problem, but the current growth of this phenomenon is driven by many novel factors, such as the convergence between industry and IT and new technologies like 3D printing. Most people have some familiarity with this problem in the world of consumer goods, but industrial equipment is not immune to the risk. In the world of industrial parts, fakes are often even harder to detect. Take an industrial motor as an example. The outer casing or housing of the counterfeit part may look perfectly fine. Even on the inside, there is very little way of detecting a counterfeit through a simple visual inspection. Counterfeited industrial parts are usually manufactured from poorer quality material. This reduces the life cycle of the part, increasing the risks of unplanned downtime and raising whole-life costs when unexpected failures occur. Unfortunately, there is often little way to know definitively if the broken part was genuine or not. Genuine parts will have been through a rigorous and standardised process of testing. Fake parts, on the other hand, do not benefit from this validation and verification process. Labelling is one way of stamping products in a way that can demonstrate their authenticity, but unfortunately modern technology makes these labels much easier for scammers to fake.

The anatomy of the problem The truth about counterfeits is that it is impossible to eliminate the risk entirely. That’s a controversial admission, but one that any realistic parts supplier should be willing to concede. As the OECD figures demonstrate, the problem is widespread and deeply entrenched. Asia – and China in particular – is seen as the global centre of counterfeits. Although it is true that a statistically high proportion of counterfeits originate from China or Hong Kong, we need a more nuanced assessment of the problem.

technological change and the lag between the two is an opportunity for counterfeiters. However, it is just as often the failure to enforce existing regulations that is the problem, rather than the absence of regulation to begin with. As for enforcement, geographical factors can often be major obstacles. Another reason Asia is a major source and conduit for counterfeit goods is because it hosts many of the world’s largest ports. Countries with long borders and sprawling coastlines are always going to struggle to keep fakes from entering. Malaysia is an obvious example of this in the Asia-Pacific region. Enforcement can also be hindered by what are otherwise positive developments. For example, an unintended consequence of free trade zones is that they make rules against counterfeiting harder to enforce. In future, technologies like blockchain might strengthen the fightback against counterfeits. In recent years though, many technological developments have simply strengthened the hand of the scammers. The rapid growth of e-commerce provides a more loosely regulated arena through which counterfeiters can advertise and sell their products. 3D printing, for all its undoubtedly positive applications, is also a fantastic tool for creating fake parts, especially when CAD designs are freely available on the internet.

The good news Although it is impossible for suppliers and plant manufacturers to wholly eliminate the risk of counterfeits, there are steps and measures that can be taken to constantly improve the odds in your favour. Firstly, carry out a thorough audit of your equipment so you are aware of the expected lifecycle of each component. Keeping track of this information will allow you to make more informed judgements if you find yourself facing repeat problems. Here’s another golden rule: if something sounds too

good to be true, then it probably is. Extra low prices do not guarantee a part is fake, but it should make you more vigilant. In the APAC region, the counterfeit market is partly fuelled by high demand for low cost parts. Unfortunately, it is the demand for these lower priced parts, along with a lack of understanding of their risks and the true cost of the authentic component, that helps fuel the market for counterfeits. You should always check a supplier’s counterfeit policy and what measures they have in place to address the risks. A fake part may perform perfectly well for a few months but ultimately fail within half the typical lifecycle of a genuine part. Furthermore, a reliable supplier should offer a good warranty. Depending on the length of the warranty, you can protect yourself against this risk. Another mitigative strategy is building relationships with trusted suppliers. This is not something that happens overnight and it cannot be developed if you are simply looking for the cheapest option on an e-commerce site. It will, however, save you money in the long run. Counterfeiters are often hard to catch because they shut down and then re-open somewhere else under a different name. Reputable parts suppliers build their reputations up steadily over many years and have every interest in ensuring that their customers remain satisfied not just with the cost of the original transaction, but with the durability of the product and the continued service. The trade in counterfeited industrial parts looks set to continue to grow for now. Hopefully, there will be a corresponding growth in our knowledge and understanding of the problem, alongside new technologies to assist us. In the meantime, those in the market for new, reconditioned and obsolete parts should continue to educate themselves about the issue, demand good warranties with their purchases and build relationships with trusted suppliers.

Asia is the workshop of the world and so we should expect a correspondingly higher volume of counterfeits to originate here. It is also worth dispelling the myth that the US and Europe are the sole targets of this problem. Australia, Japan, South Korea, China and Hong Kong also rank prominently among the victims. More importantly though, as has been observed by the OECD’s own experts, counterfeiting threatens to lock developing countries into the status quo. The theft of technology, through counterfeiting, could hinder these countries from designing more of their own products. It is a truism to say that regulations and legal frameworks often struggle to keep pace with

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NEW PRODUCTS ABB Ability Liquid Routing Library launched for food and beverage production Process automation technology provides customers with optimal routing and ‘cleaning-in-place’ to increase efficiency and reduce costs. ABB has launched ABB Ability Liquid Routing Library which is a control engineering inventory for food and beverage manufacturers and those in other liquid related industries, including tank farms, pharmaceuticals and chemical resin plants. The new digital application draws on ABB Ability System 800xA, the most powerful Distributed Control System (DCS) automation platform in the market and will support routing and cleaning in place (CIP) functionalities needed for liquid-led production. It can be used wherever products are transported, stored or processed in tanks and lines and is particularly relevant to dairy, brewing, sugar, mills and edible oil application programming. Ready-made objects including libraries, typicals, and templates for product routing, with recipe-based CIP, track and trace, preventive plant maintenance, Excel-based bulk data tools are made available for customers through the library. Functionalities include alarm handling, alarm propagation between different units, queue handling for online production changes, control and supervision of process objects, interlocks and transfer of product and equipment settings like

product codes, unit names and unit states. ABB Ability Liquid Routing Library will support food and beverage customers in their digitalisation journey. Customers are driving innovation in process automation, digitalising their production sites for greater speed, consistency and quality and Liquid Routing Library is an important piece of this jigsaw. Having a complete library for product routing, with ready-made objects and templates will allow users greater visibility and understanding of what is happening at each stage of the process. We know that routing and cleaning in place support are vitally important in food and beverage plants. This is built-in and at-any-stage ABB support from experts or additional documentation is available. Operators will be able to diagnose issues quicker than before and have solutions ready, ultimately saving time and money.” It is estimated that the library will reduce project specific library development time by 80 per cent and the project specific software requirements by 60 per cent, minimising the cost of developing an automation solution while maximising plant operability. The use of Liquid Routing Library provides efficient commissioning and maintenance due to its transparency, granularity and diagnostics. It creates

a streamlined environment for reliable control via a dynamic, easy-to-use interface that gives operators access to the whole plant and different layers of information. This can improve operator effectiveness by 25 per cent. ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 110,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com

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NEW PRODUCTS PCD Adapters: time-saving termination from Treotham ILME has enriched the range of PCB interface adapters, enlarging the connectors’ application in the electronics sector. The new entries of the CIF series allow a precise cabling and an easy mounting as well as a reduction of the wiring costs, offering an efficient installation in power electronics or signal applications. The adapters are designed for printed circuit boards with thickness up to 2.4 mm and are provided with gold or silver plated contacts. The best product can be selected according to the customers application requirements. The new available solutions include: • CIF Q05 2.4: 5 poles, 10A/250V, compatible with CQ 05 inserts.

• CIF Q07 2.4: 7 poles, 7,5A/250V, compatible with CQ 07 inserts. • CIF Q12 2.4: 12 poles + PE, 7,5A/250V, compatible with the special dedicated CQF/M 12 CIF inserts with PE contact equipped with rear 1 mm diameter pin for the mating with the PE contact of the adapter. The installation can be completed with the dedicated interface contacts for each of the adapters. The new PCD adapters are available from Treotham Automation. www.treotham.co.nz

Carbide inserts for productive and efficient steel turning Sandvik Coromant has upgraded its range of turning inserts for machining ISO-P steels. The tooling specialist has launched two new carbide grades that are designed for external and internal machining of low-alloyed and unalloyed steels. The new inserts, GC4415 and GC4425, deliver increased toughness, heat resistance and predictable wear. GC4415 and GC4425 are ideal for manufacturers operating in mass and batch production set-ups machining low alloyed (P 2.1 to 2.6) and unalloyed (P 1.1 to 1.5) steels, respectively. Grade GC4425 is shown to outperform competing inserts in a majority of steel turning applications. It features improved wear and heat resistance

and toughness, which significantly expands the application range. Both it and GC4415 can be used for finishing to roughing, in applications with continuous cuts and light interruptions. Meanwhile, GC4415 is designed to complement GC4425 when enhanced performance and more heat resistance is needed. In addition, the materials’ new post-treatment is found to boost performance in intermittent cutting operations, avoiding any sudden breakages and enabling both insert grades to outperform over a broad application range. Every manufacturer wants to achieve the following goals: increased metal removal rates, more pieces per edge, reduced cycle times, minimised waste and optimised inventory use. For manufacturers with a batch production set-up, this also means having the flexibility to machine multiple steel materials with the same grade. GC4415 and GC4425 grades can help you achieve this — even with tough and complex ISO-P materials.

Enhanced wear resistance The GC4415 and GC4425 inserts show superior wear resistance, which contributes towards extended tool life and predictable performance with every use. This also minimises material waste, both from the workpiece and the insert. The inserts’ superior wear resistance is attributed to Sandvik Coromant’s second generation Inveio technology, an alumina coating layer. What makes Inveio unique can be seen at a microscopic level; its surface is characterised by a uni-directional crystal orientation. Each crystal is lined up towards the cutting edge, creating a strong barrier that improves crater and flank wear resistance. Heat is also lead away from the cutting zone more quickly, which keeps the cutting edge in shape for longer. The result is a harder wearing tool. For better sustainability, the carbide substrate of these new grades contains a high proportion of recycled carbide material, more than 50%. Making grades from recycled material saves virgin raw material, and requires less energy and fewer CO2 emissions in production.

THE HYDRAULINK DIFFERENCE

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NEW PRODUCTS Bathurst Resources selects Hydraulink for reliability assurance over multiple sites New Zealand company, Bathurst Resources Ltd, has appointed leading hydraulic maintenance and safety services provider Hydraulink to advance its objectives over its mines producing for the domestic market. Hydraulink is a supplier to major infrastructure and resources development companies throughout Australia and New Zealand, providing world-class standards of safety, maintenance, energy efficiency and service life optimisation for mining machinery that depends extensively on hydraulics for safe and efficient operation. Bathurst Resources Ltd is New Zealand’s major exporter of Coking Coal used in the manufacture of steel. Bathurst Resources Ltd produces a unique low ash coking coal valued in the market by its long-term customers in Japan, India and South East Asia. Domestically, Bathurst operates four mines, suppling throughout New Zealand, including: New Zealand Steel for its steel manufacture, Electricity (Huntly), Dairy plants, Industrial plants for Meat and Vegetable processing and Hospitals. Hydraulink NZ Sales Manager Mr Rob Naughton says Hydraulink will provide uniformly world-class standards of fleet maintenance safety and operational services for Bathurst Resources, plus machinery

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it provides employment and support.

and site knowledge, as well as operational quality, traceability and accountability standards across multiple sites for Bathurst Resources Ltd, including its operations at Rotowaro and Maramarua in the North Island and Canterbury Coal and Takitimu in the South Island.

Precision engineering, on land and at sea

Operating from containerised full-service storage and engineering facilities on two sites – and backed by the resources of an organisation with more than 400 service points in Australia and New Zealand – Hydraulink will also install and service fire suppression systems and automatic lubrication systems as required across Bathurst’s combined fleet of more than 100 heavy machines.

Hydraulic cant systems, for which Hydraulink provides hydraulic services, are vital to boats’ performance

Machinery product knowledge and understanding of each site’s equipment and structure is vital to maintenance planning, quick response to operational issues and avoiding efficiency interruptions. Such integration and engineering knowledge facilitates fulfilment of Bathurst Resources’ first priority, which is the responsible care of its employees, contractors and communities for which

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In addition to working to the engineering excellence standards of major resources, infrastructure and energy companies throughout Australasia, Hydraulink is a sponsor and engineering services provider for Emirates Team New Zealand.

Hydraulink’s standards of excellence are demonstrated by its selection to provide key hydraulic components for yacht systems such as the vital foil cant systems on Emirates Team New Zealand and on each of the Challengers’ craft. Rapid and sensitive hydraulic actuation of the foils is vital to the performance edge of each boat as it skims above the waves at speeds reaching 47-50 knots (90+kph).

DEVELOPMENTS Carpentry graduate aims to inspire more wahine into trades WelTec carpentry graduate, Sarah Clark, wants to start a company that champions female tradies. Sarah is currently employed by Tonks Residential, a local construction company, as an apprentice builder. Sarah was introduced to the company while she was completing her Level 3 carpentry programme at WelTec in Lower Hutt, as part of her Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTTS) scholarship. The scholarship supports students from entry into study, right through to employment, and an important part of this journey is to get work experience - which in Sarah’s case led directly to her first apprenticeship. Loving her new job at Tonks, and succeeding at it as a young female - has inspired Sarah to want to create an environment that supports and encourages women into the trades. Carpentry is often considered a man’s job, but Sarah believes that seeing other women succeed in the trades could make it a more accessible career path for young women. “My aunt is an electrician so the idea of being a woman in the trades was not unusual for me when I was growing up. I definitely believe that the more young girls see females in the trades, the more common it will become,” explains Sarah. “Just getting the word out there that I am working in construction as a young female, and that the team I work for embraces and encourages me, might help someone to see it as a viable option for themselves.” Sarah grew up in Lower Hutt, living with her

grandparents and attending Sacred Heart College. She completed year 13 but knew that she didn’t want to spend more time ‘sitting in a classroom’. “I knew that I wanted to be doing something in the outdoors, and so when a WelTec advert popped up on my social media, I thought it sounded like a smart next step.” Sarah was supported through her course by the Tamaiti Whangai team at WelTec as part of her Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTTS) scholarship. “The scholarship is as much about covering the costs of study as it is about supporting students to be the best they can be,” says Hinemoa Priest, Kaiwhakahaere Māori, and Manager of the Tamaiti Whāngai team which supports the MPTTS programme at both WelTec and Whitireia. “The team helps our learners with all manner of things - from getting a driver’s licence, sourcing equipment for their hands-on learning, and importantly providing wrap around pastoral, cultural, and wellbeing support. “Through our network of employers, such as Tonks, we help students get work experience while they study so they can see how to apply themselves and their knowledge in a real-life environment, and then assist with securing an apprenticeship or employment at the end of their study. Sarah has been a wonderful example of the success of this.” “Having my course fees covered by the MPTTS made a huge difference because it meant that I could

concentrate on my studies without having to worry about how to cover my costs,” said Sarah. “I never would have expected to come away from tertiary study with a qualification, life skills, and no student debt.”

Achieving the best possible energy system The BusinessNZ Energy Council (BEC) has released its advice to the incoming Government for the electoral term following the election.

- Growing local forms of energy production around NZ

be reviewing the implications for the speed and direction of energy transition.

- Driving diversity and security of energy supply

The 2020 Energy Briefing outlines areas where the energy sector would like to work more closely with the incoming Government and offers recommendations for New Zealand’s energy policy.

- Improving consumer access to real-time electricity data

“Energy related projects often stimulate significant investment and can create jobs where there is a sound regulatory environment across the sector.

BusinessNZ include:

Energy

Council

recommendations

- Strengthening regulation to ensure houses are properly insulated and ventilated - Keeping up with energy efficiency

- A long-term whole-of-energy strategy and supporting policies to decarbonise the economy

BEC Executive Director Tina Schirr says the energy sector is balancing the need for survival and recovery.

- Steering NZ’s transport systems, currently primarily run on fossil fuels, towards clean fuel options

“As energy leaders and policymakers grapple with the current Covid crisis, New Zealand should

“We seek to collaboratively and constructively address how rules, incentives and markets can best be harnessed to shape evidence-based policy informed by our BEC scenario modelling. “Together we can achieve the transition to facilitate greater technological diversity without undermining the energy system we have.” The 2020 Energy Briefing is on www.bec.org.nz

Anagenix purchase Vitaco manufacturing facility Cutting edge nutraceutical ingredients company Anagenix has purchased Vitaco’s Avondale-based nutritional product manufacturing facility. The seven-figure deal includes all assets at the site and acquiring the premises’ 10-year lease. New Zealand-owned Anagenix manufactures and markets high-quality scientifically-formulated ingredients used by health supplement

and nutraceutical manufacturers. Its products are locally grown kiwifruit and boysenberry-apple powders, gently processed from non-GMO whole fruits, to retain a high level of bioactivityThe company’s products are also BioGrow NZ organic certified, halal and kosher. Announcing the deal, Anagenix Managing Director Chris Johnson says Anagenix has experienced significant growth in recent years, with that trend set to continue despite Covid-19. Most of the company’s products are exported to the United States, Europe and Asia, where New Zealand-grown and manufactured natural health product ingredients command a premium.

Mr Johnson commented that company’s stand was inundated at a recent European (virtual) trade show: “Whole fruit products that have great science portfolios around them, including clinical trials, are really taking off. “Our growth is such that Anagenix is now backwards integrating so that we can better manage all stages in our manufacturing supply chain, thus enhancing our products’ consistency and quality.” Mr Johnson says acquiring the manufacturing facility will enable Anagenix to triple its fruit drying and ingredient processing capacity over the next two to three years.

Anagenix Managing Director Chris Johnson.

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DEVELOPMENTS Hydraulink optimises pipe safety for McConnell Dowell’s Watercare record length project New Zealand construction leader McConnell Dowell Constructors Ltd has selected the quality hydraulic hose, fittings and 24/7 service backup of Hydraulink to optimise the safety of New Zealand’s longest pipe jacking project. The Hunua 4 watermain project, commissioned and managed by Watercare Services Ltd, is a 31km pipeline through South and Central Auckland to help meet growing demand, increase the system’s capacity, ensure uninterrupted supply, and provide resilience to natural disasters.

2,500mm ID jacking pipes between six shafts, before lining the tunnel with a 1,575mm OD steel pipe. The pipe jacks are the longest ever completed in New Zealand. McConnell Dowell recently (July 2020) celebrated the completion of the second drive of Section 11. McConnell Dowell’s TBM broke through at Khyber Pass Rd, setting a record of 1,216 metres for the longest single drive in the southern hemisphere by a TBM greater than 3 metres diameter.

A strong emphasis was placed on minimising disruption to communities along the pipeline route.

McConnell Dowell utilised a world-class TBM from Germany – a 55-tonne Herrenknecht – to excavate the 3m diameter tunnel required. To minimise community disruption, 80% of the pipeline construction was trenchless, and McConnell Dowell selected an alternative pipeline route that moved construction away from residential areas and ecologically sensitive sites.

Using mainly micro-tunnelling methods, McConnell Dowell constructed a 3.5km watermain using a tunnel boring machine (TBM) to drive and install

Hydraulink has more than 400 service outlets throughout New Zealand, Australia, and Pacific Islands, which bring essential hydraulic hose, fittings

Watercare, an Auckland Council-controlled organisation, engaged McConnell Dowell to design and construct Section 11, the final section of the pipeline, from Market Road to the Khyber Pass Reservoir.

and safety-compliant and traceable service expertise to industries requiring prompt, quality 24/7 service either on or off site. Hydraulic hoses are like the arteries of the system – if they don’t work properly, the whole thing shuts down, and that causes costly downtime, delays and throws the whole project timeline out.

Problem solving expertise in tough conditions The completed pipe jack was 1,216m, so in order to achieve the distance required for this project, McConnell Dowell utilised a series of ten intermediate pushing stations (interjacks), placed approximately 100m apart, to push the pipe gradually in a series of cycles. Using a pipe jacking system allowed McConnell Dowell to reduce the amount of surface excavation for trenches. While it involved greater engineering, it was vital to this section of the project, because it ran under the busy Khyber Pass Road, which averages 30,000 vehicles each day. At its deepest sections, the tunnel runs close to 30m underground – a similar height to the region’s famous Hunua Falls, part of the Wairoa River that travels through an ancient volcano as it meanders north through Clevedon, before meeting the Hauraki Gulf. Difficult geotechnical conditions, ranging from very hard basalt to soft clays created further challenges, reinforced the need for world-class technologies to be employed. Additionally, underground hydraulics and components needed to have a low flame and high flash point* to minimise fire hazard risks. (*The flash point indicates how easily a chemical or substance may burn. Materials with higher flash points are less flammable or hazardous than chemicals with lower flash points.) Now that the second drive is complete, McConnell Dowell has progressed to the third and final stage of Hunua 4 Section 11 – a 1,296m drive under Manukau Rd – which is scheduled to be completed in late 2021.

Government funding backs Lincoln University’s goal to be fossil fuel-free by 2024 Lincoln University’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2030 and to cease the combustion of coal by 2024 has received a major boost with confirmation of a $4.576 million investment from the Government’s $200 million Clean Powered Public Service Fund. As an advocate for sustainable development and an institution where environmentally sustainable practices are researched, taught and showcased, Lincoln University is committed to its bold objective to be carbon neutral within 10 years. The funding boost will enable the University to advance directly to its stated end-goal of decommissioning its coal-powered boiler by mid-2024.

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Lincoln will immediately begin work to convert its existing heating network from coal-fired steam to 100% electrification. This will involve a campus-wide rollout of distributed heat pumps and induction boiler heaters powered by an upgraded electrical network in time for the winter of 2024. Once the electrification project has been completed, the University’s boiler plant and coal stack will be decommissioned and deconstructed, making way for a regenerative and biodiverse central greenspace. Lincoln University is the only New Zealand University to achieve a ranking on the UI Green Metric World University Rankings, and in partnership with Meridian Energy has recently boosted its

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commercial-scale solar energy generating capability, with several roof-mounted solar installations already delivering 250,000 kWh of clean renewable energy to the campus network per year. The solar installations and the decarbonisation project are part of a wider campus development programme for Lincoln that includes the construction of two new fit-for-future science buildings, an extensive upgrade of the Sport and Recreation Centre and visionary landscaping projects that will enhance the vibrancy of the park-like campus and promote a positive learning, research and community-focused environment.

REAR VIEW How we need to change global supply chains after Covid-19 • The Covid-19 pandemic plunged nearly every industry into crisis with goods production and supply chains particularly disrupted;

to fill gaps where and when they arise and reinvent our supply chains to make them more resilient and human.

• A collaborative response from public and private sectors and the use of innovative technologies to fill gaps suggests a way to rebuild our global supply chains for the future;

Collaborate to build supply chains with resilience and humanity at the core

Strike a balance between globalised and just-in-time manufacturing

Cost optimisation can no longer be the only consideration in structuring our supply chains. We need supply chains that are built for resilience with humanity at the core and we must work together.

• From 3D printing to supply chains with resilience and humanity at the core, Covid-19 presents a vital opportunity to rethink the structures, systems and technologies in place. Covid-19 blindsided us. Doctors, nurses and other frontline medical workers were forced to wear garbage bags for lack of personal protective equipment (PPE). Grocery store shelves were left barren around the world while surplus elsewhere led to 3.7 million gallons of milk and 750,000 eggs being dumped and destroyed per day, according to the Dairy Farmers of America. Seemingly overnight, the pandemic plunged nearly every industry into crisis. Goods production stalled. Supply chains were crippled. The virus was fast-spreading and unforeseen; there was only so much even the best logistics experts in the world could do. As a global society, we must learn from this moment. It’s urgent that we do, as many top health experts predict that this virus could likely re-emerge in varying waves across different geographies for the foreseeable future.

Opposing voices emerged, claiming that our long, global supply chains were the true culprit of the shortages. The truth lies in the middle. Globalised supply chains have many benefits, including lower costs, greater variety and wider access to customers, but, ultimately, building the resilient supply chains of the future means striking a balance between surplus and lean manufacturing. Because when the crisis struck, it became extremely difficult for suppliers to fix the issue, as they were all looking for substitutes at the same time. In fact, a recent survey by the Institute for Supply Chain Management revealed how widespread Covid-related supply chain disruptions initially were. The survey found, over the course of May, North American manufacturing was operating at 74% of normal capacity. Chinese and European manufacturing were at 76% and 64%, respectively. Moreover, 97% of all organisations said they had been affected by Covid-19 supply chain disruptions. Our supply chains are incredibly intertwined and intricate. We cannot predict when or where the next pandemic, natural disaster or civil unrest will strike, so attempting to detangle our inextricable global supply chains is futile. What we can do is use innovative technologies, across private and public sectors, as a stopgap measure to fill manufacturing demand on-the-spot, just-in-time. In fact, we already have.

Embrace 3D printing to fill supply chain gaps For years, critics have questioned 3D printing’s viability at scale. During this pandemic, 3D printing has proven its immense value as not only a resource during crises, but also a core part of our future supply chains.

Triggers of global supply chain disruption outlined in 2011 Image: World Economic Forum The challenge ahead lies in sustaining one critical upshot that was spurred by the immediacy of this crisis: collaboration. Within and among themselves, the public and private sectors quickly dissolved long-standing barriers. What we now need are systems capable of ensuring that the progress achieved during these months doesn’t disappear. We must collaborate to invest in future-ready capabilities that allow for resilient reactions to the unexpected and strike a better balance between globalized and localised manufacturing. They must take advantage of digital manufacturing

One of the biggest battles the healthcare sector faced early in this pandemic was a near-universal shortage of ventilators. These are extremely complex and intricate pieces of machinery. They regulate how long inhalation lasts, how much air is received, the pressure to which a patient’s lungs are inflated and the air’s temperature, humidity and oxygen levels. This presents a strong case for the need for more localised manufacturing. At a moment’s notice, 3D printing organisations around the world sprang into action to produce N95 masks, face shields, bespoke ventilator parts and hands-free door openers just-in-time and near the hospitals and medical centres that immediately needed them.

Supply chains are so much more than systems, structures and technologies; they are also people, whose safety and well-being must be upheld. Business leaders, especially those in technology, have an obligation to build the supply chain of the future with an unwavering commitment to human rights and safe practices for all workers. HP has taken a step towards this with the inaugural Human Rights Report, which commits to advancing respect for human rights within our own business policies and practices, as well as those of our partners and suppliers. Because our businesses, countries, economies and supply chains are so intertwined, there is a significant opportunity to hold one another to a higher standard and take advantage of the collective power of our systems to uphold supply chain transparency and hold one another accountable. It is crucial to engage with key stakeholders governments, academia and civil society - in the broader production system. Platforms like the World Economic Forum’s Shaping the Future of Advanced Manufacturing and Production can help to accelerate and amplify these type of efforts and build new partnerships that will create shared value for businesses, society and the environment. It’s not just the right thing to do, it’s simply good business – many ethically minded consumers are willing to pay more for a product that comes from a transparent supply chain. Covid-19 was an unforeseen global issue that is now being confronted with global action as we realise the weaknesses it’s exposed. Today, it presents us with an opportunity to rebuild the supply chain of the future that we want to see and that’s an opportunity we cannot miss.

Today, it presents us with an opportunity to rebuild the supply chain of the future that we want to see and that’s an opportunity we cannot miss.

What’s more, 3D technology democratises manufacturing and widens the potential for innovation. Enthusiasts of 3D printing produced ventilator parts from machines in their homes.

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