Ryco Filters a top 10 innovator for a third straight year RYCO FILTERS IS AGAIN HONOURED TO BE RECOGNISED AS ONE OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND’S MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANIES. THE PRESTIGIOUS ANNUAL LIST, PUBLISHED BY THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW AND BOSS MAGAZINE, IS BASED ON A RIGOROUS ASSESSMENT PROCESS MANAGED BY AUSTRALIA’S LEADING INNOVATION CONSULTANCY, INVENTIUM, IN CONJUNCTION WITH A PANEL OF INDUSTRY EXPERT JUDGES. yco was ranked second in this year’s manufacturing and consumer goods category among the 700 nominated organisations across Australia and New Zealand that entered in this year’s awards. The assessment measures a top innovation implemented in the past two years. Specifically, the judges look at how valuable the problem is that the innovation is solving, the quality and uniqueness of the solution being provided, and the level of impact that the innovation is having in the market. Inventium also assesses internal elements such as innovation culture, strategy, resources, and process that demonstrate a sustainable and repeatable approach to innovation. Ryco Filters achieved second place this year for its cabin air filters. The Ryco MicroShield N99 cabin air filters are effectively medical-grade face masks for vehicle cabins. In a world first, MicroShield N99 brings medical-grade air filtration to vehicles, protecting the health and safety of occupants from hazardous pollution, allergens, bacteria, and viruses with a fine-particle filter suitable for most Australian
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and New Zealand vehicles. The MicroShield N99 filters outside air entering the vehicle cabin and occupants’ airways. It replaces existing coarse or large-particle dust filters with a unique integrated fine-particle filter, comprising: • An anti-viral and bacterial pre-filter to eliminate biological agents • Activated carbon barrier to remove chemicals and odours • Electrostatically charged nano-fibre filter to capture fine particles • A 360° air-tight seal to prevent air bypassing the filter Occupants experience an enhanced air quality with improved health and safety benefits, removing 99.7% @ 0.3micron viral and bacterial particles that can enter deep into the lungs. Ryco says customers have praised the noticeably reduced-odour driving experience. The MicroShield N99 cabin air filter range is suitable for most vehicles in Australia and New Zealand. The initial range covers more than 10 million vehicles.
MicroShield is easily fitted during a regular professional or DIY service following simple instructions with no specialty tools required. “I’m extremely proud of Ryco’s second placing on this year’s list,” said Stuart Chandler, Ryco’s executive general manager. “The continued outstanding and innovative work being carried out within the entire Ryco business, in particular identifying and successfully solving one of the most interesting problems faced by car owners. The development of a product that is not only easy for the automotive service trade to install, but also delivers a world-first product that enhances the health and safety of consumers when driving their vehicles in these tough Covid times and beyond, is certainly cementing Ryco as the leader in filtration solutions.” For more Information on Ryco products see rycofilters.com.au, or see facebook.com/rycofilters, or instagram.com/rycofilters.
Efficiencies gained bringing services in-house KAWERAU AUTOMOTIVE MECHANICS SAYS ITS DECISION TO BRING WHEEL SERVICING IN-HOUSE HAS PAID OFF orkshop manager Rod Stephenson said the garage used to send tyre work down the road to a tyre shop but the team decided they might as well bring tyre changing and balancing into the business. It would add a small margin but the main benefit was in extra convenience. “I hadn’t done it [tyre changing] before so I didn’t know what [equipment] was good or bad,” says Rod. Treadway Equipped was contacted and they assessed the workshop’s needs, recommended a Steiner ST260 with helper arm, then they handled the installation and training. One year on, Rod says he is “more than happy” with the gear and the ongoing support from Treadway Equipped. “It was a bit of a learning curve and while it would have been ideal to have someone on the spot sometimes, once or twice we’ve called up and worked through it on the phone.” The Steiner ST260’s large turntable with an 11- to 24-inch clamping range handles larger wheels and tyres, as well as standard sizes and smaller rims. While the ST260 is designed for dealerships and smaller workshops looking to add a tyre-changing capability, the generous spacing between the
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table and rear post gives the ST260 the flexibility to tackle anything on the domestic market. Wheels and tyres up to 1.1m in diameter are not a problem. The bead breaker has adjustable width settings, and is generously wide, giving the capability to deal with wider rims, and even some agricultural wheels. The solid double box construction of the rear post prevents movement on the mounting arm and that in turn prevents scratching or damage to the rim or tyre. This feature was important to McGlashen’s hire car business where pristine presentation is important. The optional helper arms give extra support when dealing with hard-to-handle tyres, like run flats, low profiles, or tyres that have been in place a long time. The added degree of control and care lowers the risk of damage to the tyre or rim when putting a tyre back on. It’s literally like having an extra set of hands to hold, move, and massage a
tyre on and off the rim. “It’s all about getting the right equipment for the customer and then making sure they get the most out of it for their business, especially if it’s a service new to them,” says Loren Bill, sales manager at Treadway Equipped. One year on and the Steiner ST260 is still going strong, as is the Kawerau Automotive Mechanics/Treadway Equipped relationship. For more information on customised equipment solutions for workshops, see treadwayequipped.co.nz or call 0800 436 436.
