Some manufacturing firms that survived the global financial crisis have one unusual secret to their success: stop manufacturing.

May 17, 2016 - Though just one of the strategies that helped keep some New Zealand manufacturing firms economically buoyant, it was among the most surprising results of Simon Collins’ PhD thesis.

Simon, who graduates on 17 May, dedicated his PhD to investigating the factors that increased resilience in New Zealand manufacturing firms to help them withstand the worst of the global financial crisis nearly ten years ago.

After conducting in-depth interviews with seventeen manufacturing firms, he identified four resilience-building strategies that separated those that continued to perform well during the recession, and those that did not.

"One of the biggest surprises was that some of the resilient firms stopped being manufacturers. They outsourced manufacturing and instead focussed on developing and designing great products, and then taking ownership of distributing and retailing those products themselves. By delivering their products straight to their customers they captured some of the margin that would usually go to a third party," Simon says.

Simon says this tactic was part of a wider survival strategy to maximise efficiencies, which saw resilient manufacturing firms aiming to be more efficient at every stage of the manufacturing process. This improved margins, and as a result, muted the negative effects of lower sales and the unfavourable exchange rate.

Simon’s research identified three other resilience-building strategies:

- Innovating platforms - developing the next generation of products to stimulate new sales

- Actively collaborating - working closely and consistently with other firms and individuals to help develop technology and products

- Cataloguing specialist knowledge and skills - building libraries, creating databases of skills and lodging patents to identify, protect and then capitalise on areas of expertise.

Professor Sally Davenport, one of Simon’s supervisors, says his research captures the response of firms from "some stellar performers to a couple that subsequently went under, so he had a continuum of performance from which to glean resilience factors.

"Simon’s analysis of their experiences can help other firms build resilience to survive future disruptions," she says.

Simon is already doing just that through his consultancy company Visory, which helps businesses use information design to facilitate the communication of strategy.

"I started Visory with two friends around the time I began my PhD. My research has been really valuable in our work because the findings are widely applicable to the type of strategy work we do for our clients," he says.

Simon was also supervised by School of Management’s Associate Professor Urs Daellenbach.

You can reach Simon on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

South Australian company IMP technologies (IMPTEC) have developed a super fine crusher that reduces comminution costs.

The company is currently trialling a semi-commercial unit at Hallett Concrete in Adelaide, South Australia’s capital.

The machine is being used to turn the waste from black sand or iron sand into a replacement for Portland cement.

IMPTEC Director John Doherty said the crusher was a game-changing invention that could eventually be at the forefront of the industry.

“What we’re involved in is reducing the amount of energy, which is usually electrical, and the cost of media. You can also include lower maintenance costs because it’s just one machine,” he said.

“The energy density of the crusher is greater than other machines and reduces around 30 per cent of energy costs.”

Comminution is the essential processor of minerals into cement, more commonly Portland cement, a known producer of a number of greenhouse gases.

It also accounts for almost 40 per cent of total mining costs and three per cent of the world’s energy consumption, prompting the search for a more efficient solution.

Conventional methods include breaking down large rocks to a few centimetres, crushing them further to fit into a ball mill, and grinding the minerals with the help of media and water till the material came out in slurry form.

The machine shortens the process by merging the second and third stage. It is unique because it also able to run the process dry and without the use of media.

Doherty said the company plans to produce a fully commercial product by the end of the year.

“Our semi-commercial unit takes in orders of two tonnes per hour,” Doherty said.

“If it approves itself over the next few months, it would be good. We’re looking at scaling up to 100 tonnes per hour.”

The transformation of black sand or granulated slag into cement is a world first.

Last month IMPTEC was awarded the Statewide Super Innovation in Resources Award for its super fine crusher at the inaugural South Australian Resources Industry Awards.

The judging panel included the leader of the Minerals and Energy strand at the University of South Australia’s Future Industries Institute Bill Skinner who said that as good deposits of high-grade minerals diminish, the need to grind more material finer was vital.

“Energy consumption is going to go up if we are trying to keep up with what is needed in terms of metals. So anything that is going to reduce the footprint of an operating plant is going to be good,” he said.

“Portland cement is very energy intensive to produce and produces a lot of CO2 in the process. If you are using something that is actually a waste product, that is what you want.”

“This (IMPTEC’s super fine crusher) particular technology offers much reduced energy consumption. Up scaling it is a challenge that needs to be overcome.”

A The Lead South Australia press release

Up-and-coming engineering students and graduates will be given a head start in the industry thanks to Milmeq’s graduate, scholarship and internship programmes.

Engineering students from Massey, Canterbury and Auckland Universities are offered the chance to intern at Milmeq during their summer break, with opportunities to go on to the graduate programme.

Auckland University Mechanical Engineering student and 2015/16 intern Ryan Ennor says working in the Auckland office to complete his professional hours was a valuable experience. “Many of the engineers at Milmeq have been here a long time and have a lot of knowledge to share. Working closely with them has really helped me to broaden my understanding and knowledge base.”

During their time at Milmeq the interns assist the company in innovation projects, aimed at providing enhancements to existing technologies and development of new technologies. This enables them to complete the 400 hours each of practical and professional engineering experience required as part of their degree.

In addition to the internship, Milmeq also offers a scholarship, to the value of $3000, for an engineering student at Auckland University to go towards their final year of study.

This year’s recipient was Evan Simmers who also worked in the Milmeq Auckland office during his summer break. “My 10 weeks at Milmeq helped me develop my innovative thinking and problem solving skills. I think more than anything, the open and collaborative culture at Milmeq is what I enjoyed the most," Mr Simmers says.

Newly-qualified engineers are also given a leg up at Milmeq through their graduate programme. Milmeq employs newly qualified engineers every year in graduate positions. Graduates are often sourced from those who have successfully completed internships, although applications are also opened up to those outside the programme.

New graduate Thomas Craig joined Milmeq’s Dunedin-based team in November last year after interning at the company the previous summer. “In my role I’ve had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects and put a lot of the theory I learnt in my degree into practical application,” Thomas says. “It’s fantastic getting to work alongside highly experienced engineers – I find myself learning something new every day.”

Milmeq CEO Mike Lightfoot says fostering new engineering talent is a major focus for the company. “Our internship, scholarship and graduate programmes are an integral component of our business,” Mr Lightfoot says. “These students and graduates are the future of the industry so we are focussed on creating a pathway to bring new talent into our business. This is an essential ingredient for long term growth and sustainability - having mix of experience and youth in our engineering team encourages us to constantly challenge the way things are done, and this in turn drives innovation.”

A Milmeq news release

Snorkel unveiled its new 460SJ mid-sized telescopic boom lift at the HIRE 16 trade show in Queensland, Australia, May 5-6.

5 May 2016 - Available globally, the 460SJ is part of a new family of four telescopic boom lifts introduced by Snorkel this year. The family also includes the 660SJ, officially launched in mid April at Bauma 2016 in Munich, Germany.

Built to last, the all-steel Snorkel 460SJ delivers 46-ft. (16.0 m) platform height, 40'0" (12.2 m) outreach, and can lift up to 600 lbs. (272 kg).

The 460SJ features a 6'7" (2.0 m) jib that can articulate 135°, and the lift is also available without the jib, as the model 400S, with a platform height of 33'6" (12.2 m).

Fitted with a fixed axle as standard, the 460SJ delivers excellent rough-terrain performance thanks to a traction manifold that always delivers oil to all four wheels for continuous 4-wheel drive, with the ability to climb grades to 50%. An oscillating axle is optional.

The 460SJ features Snorkel’s new tri-entry removable platform and Snorkel Guard secondary guarding system as standard. Proportional joystick controls operate all functions, including platform rotation and leveling.

At HIRE 16, the Snorkel 460SJ is on display alongside the larger Snorkel 660SJ in Ahern Australia’s stand in the Outdoor Area (A8).

Both models are now available for ordering worldwide.

At the show, Ahern Australia is also officially launching Snorkel’s new line of hydraulically driven electric scissor lifts. The new Snorkel electric scissor lift line includes six models, three of which will be on display at the show. The S3219E, S3226E and S4732E will make their first appearance in the Australian market, showcasing features such as twin-door ‘inside-out’ access to components, upsized kingpins, dual shear scissor stack for increased rigidity, and on-board diagnostics for easy maintenance. The new scissor lifts are now available to order.

HIRE 16 is also seeing Ahern showcase telehandlers and trailers manufactured in Snorkel’s New Zealand facility, including two products designed specifically for the Australian market. The MHP13AT is a robust and reliable towable boom lift, offering 12.9m working height and 6.4m of outreach, that is ideal for tradespeople and facilities maintenance. The Snorkel S2255RT is a narrow and lightweight compact rough terrain scissor lift that can lift up 420kg to a working height of 8.5m. Designed predominantly for working in constricted areas on uneven ground, this lift can be towed on a trailer behind any vehicle with 3.0 tonne GVM or greater, making it ideal for multi-site applications.

Ahern Australia will also display an Xtreme Manufacturing XR1255 rough-terrain telehandler at the show. Now available to order in Australia, the heavy duty XR1255 can lift up to 5,400 kg and has a maximum reach of 16.0m, making it ideal for multi-story construction projects.

A Lift&Access Release

UK Trade & Investment Policy swerve recognises European uncertainties

An outstanding cross-section of New Zealand companies have made it through as finalists in the 2016 Air New Zealand Cargo ExportNZ Awards for Auckland and Waikato.

​Auckland, 26 April 2016 - From household names to start-up businesses, judges have been impressed with the calibre of entries received this year, especially as this is the first time the awards have been opened up to Waikato enterprises.

Overall, there are 25 finalists in seven categories (see below).

“I’m delighted with the diverse range of finalists we have in this year’s awards. We have a mix of service industries and manufacturers. These awards are designed to give recognition to our exporting community, and acknowledge the hard yards they have put in to help transform our economy. This year’s awards will showcase a cross-section of some of our most ingenious and innovative businesses,” says Catherine Lye, ExportNZ Manager Auckland, Waikato & Bay of Plenty.

Exports account for 29% of New Zealand’s GDP (NZ$69.3 billion).

ExportNZ Auckland and Waikato are divisions of the Employers and Manufacturers Association. The 2016 awards will be presented at a black-tie gala dinner on Thursday, June 23 at The Langham Hotel, Auckland.

Air New Zealand Cargo ExportNZ Awards 2016

2016 finalists for the Air New Zealand Cargo ExportNZ Awards

Award category 1:Westpac Exporter of the Year (export revenue over $25 million)1. Gallagher Group Ltd are renowned for innovation and marketing of animal management, security, fuel systems and contract managing solutions. [Waikato]2. Hobbiton Movie Set Tours provides a fascinating two hour guided tour of the set used for filming The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies which has experienced spectacular growth in visitor number in the past five years. [Waikato]3. Leigh Fisheries are New Zealand's largest and leading fresh chilled seafood exporter providing a sustainable premium product directly to USA, Europe, Asia and Australia on a daily basis. Working with artisan fishermen nationwide employing the art of long line fishing with the principles of "just in time" process of hook to plate internationally and domestically. [Northland]4. Vista Group Ltd is the global leader in film industry software solutions. Building on the dominant market position of Vista Entertainment Solutions, Vista Group has expanded to include a number of complementary businesses offering solutions across the wider film industry. [Auckland]

Award category 2:QBE Insurance Exporter of the Year (export revenue $10 million - $25 million)1. Auckland Institute of Studies is an independent tertiary education institution offering quality education and strong support services to international students. [Auckland]2. BBC Technologies are developers and manufacturers of advanced fruit and vegetable processing equipment, specialising in small, delicate commodities such as berries. [Waikato]3. Bobux International is a baby footwear developer and manufacturer which designs from a foot health first perspective which recognises that while barefoot is best it is not always practical. [Auckland]4. James Dunlop Textiles is an international converter and wholesaler of premium furnishing fabrics. Established more than a hundred years ago, it has been recognised internationally as a leading premium brand from the Southern Hemisphere. [Auckland]5. Waikato Milking Systems is a New Zealand success story. Founded in the Waikato in 1967, the company is today one of the leading designers and manufacturers of dairy systems in the world. [Waikato]

Award category 3:BDO Exporter of the Year (export revenue $1million - $10million)1. API Consumer Brands is a leading New Zealand developer, manufacturer, supplier, marketer, and distributor of high quality pharmaceuticals, toiletry and cosmetic products. From the two state of the art manufacturing plants they bring to the market the high quality toiletries and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and a range of controlled drugs. [Auckland]2. Dulux Powder & Industrial Coatings NZ with a reputation for quality and service, manufacture in New Zealand, and market internationally, a comprehensive range of colourful, innovative, and technologically advanced powder coatings. [Auckland]3. Rayglass Boats was established in 1989 and is a leading manufacturer of high quality power boats, with the Rayglass Legend and the Rayglass Protector being its two key prototypes. [Auckland]

Award category 4:Endace Services Exporter of the Year (export revenue $1million - $10million)1. Eagle Aviation Consulting Ltd is an independent consulting firm specialising in commercial aviation advisory and solutions for investors, airlines and governments. [Auckland]2. ICL Education is a group of education providers offering a range of tertiary business, computing, teaching English as a second language and early childhood education programmes. [Auckland]3. Keedup Ltd provides a 24/7 service to the international celebrity image business - editing, captioning, keywording and distributing the latest shots from celebrity hot spots such as Hollywood and Cannes. [Auckland]

Award category 5:TNT Emerging Exporter of the Year1. Triumph & Disaster is a modern day apothecary and skincare foundry using bespoke aromas and natural blends to deliver a product that’s reminiscent of simpler times. [Auckland]2. Virsae provides cloud services to allow its clients to manage their technology and communication systems to peak performance levels, so channels remain open and customers can always get an answer. [Auckland]3. Zealong Tea Estate Ltd produces organically certified tea which is handpicked from New Zealand’s only commercial tea estate. [Waikato]

Award category 6:Baldwins Intellectual Property Best Use of Commercialisation of Innovation for Export1. Adept Medical sells a range of ear, nose, radiology, cardiology, neuroradiology and sterilisation service products directly to hospitals. [Auckland]2. BBC Technologies are developers and manufacturers of advanced fruit and vegetable processing equipment, specialising in small, delicate commodities such as berries. [Waikato]3. Methven Ltd create amazing water experiences every day with their range of beautifully designed showers, tapware and valves. [Auckland]4. Quantec Ltd is a biotechnology business focused on capturing value from dairy, through innovation business activities in animal and human health. [Waikato]

Award category 7:Quantium Solutions Best Use of Digital Strategy for Export1. Metal Heart Ltd make fashion jewellery from the finest minerals and gemstones, with an emphasis on quality and brand experience. [Auckland]2. Natural Ringa Company create holistic products that enhance individual beauty and provide rejuvenation of body, mind and spirit. [Auckland]3. Triumph & Disaster is a modern day apothecary and skincare foundry using bespoke aromas and natural blends to deliver a product that’s reminiscent of simpler times. [Auckland]

Supreme Winner (selected from the winners of award categories 2-5)Simmonds Stewart Exporters Champion (for exemplary services to export)8.     Supreme Winner (selected from the winners of award categories 2-5)9.     Simmonds Stewart Exporters Champion (for exemplary services to export)

Speciality packaging manufacturer, Parkside, has developed in conjunction with a technology partner, a revolutionary protective packaging solution for the transport of high value, delicate items in a compact format.

United Kingdom, 21 April 2016 - Rockpocket™ is a flexible laminated bag that contains polystyrene beads between its outer layers. A vacuum extraction pump is applied to the pack to evacuate the air between layers, which creates a solid pack that protects goods from damage during transit.

Developed over several months by the Advanced Packaging Expert (APEX) innovation team at Parkside, Rockpocket is available in multiple sizes and offers a lightweight and compact solution for the transportation of items.

Steve McCormick, new product development director at Parkside, said: “More people than ever before are shopping online and Rockpocket offers the ideal solution for online retailers who want to ensure their customers receive items in perfect condition.

“The design is totally versatile, creating a protective packaging around any shape of item and we can print bespoke high definition graphics and branding on pack to meet customer requirements.”

Many secondary and security packaging solutions that offer full product protection are a combination of several packaging materials such as boxes, void fill and bubble wrap. Rockpocket, however, is a ‘one pack fits all’ solution, requiring no additional packaging and eliminating the need to over-pack products in order to achieve a high level of protection. Packaging waste is reduced significantly as a result.

The outer film is manufactured from recyclable LDPE or PET and the pack itself is made from up to 90 per cent air, reducing transportation weight and the associated carbon footprint and costs.

As no assembly is required, the design speeds up the packing process and its flat edges enhance ease of packing and stacking.

Tamper proof sealing tabs and document windows can be incorporated into the pack design, as well as track and trace features such as an RFID tag or embedded image.

To enhance its environmental credentials even further, Parkside is developing a valve less Rockpocket pack that will be made from 100 per cent compostable materials, enabling the pack to compost at the end of its service life.

Paula Birch, Parkside’s Head of Sales commented: “Brands understand the importance of their packaging in the online retail world and the “moment of truth” is often disappointing today, which consumers are happy to share on social media. Goods are often over-packed in dull secondary packaging materials, wasting valuable communication opportunities and consumer engagement. The branding and packing efficiency opportunities that Rockpocket offer are significant and a number of online retailers are exploring it for their next generation packaging solution as a result.

A Parkside press release

The Commerce Commission is alerting businesses that they are under no obligation to pay an invoice being sent in the post by TM Publisher to New Zealand trade mark holders.

WELLINGTON, 14 April 2016  -The invoice for $1,638 relates to an overseas trade mark registration service, which is not necessarily a service that the recipient has agreed to buy. Anyone who does not want the service has no obligation to pay the invoice.

The Commission is investigating TM Publisher; a company based overseas which purports to offer a web-based trademark registration service. TM Publisher’s bank account has been frozen while decisions are made about how to deal with the $200,000 in payments that have already been made into the account by New Zealand businesses.

If your business has paid this invoice, you may be able to get a refund. Please contact the Commission on 0800 943 600 or through our online form.

Commerce Commission General Counsel, Mary-Anne Borrowdale, says that unfortunately, this type of pro-forma invoicing model hits New Zealand businesses on a fairly regular basis.

“The trader here uses a similar method to the Corporate Portal and Global Map Index letters we’ve warned about before, as businesses are misled into thinking that they are obliged to pay for a service that they have not agreed to.”

“These schemes aim to exploit businesses by sending seemingly legitimate invoices in the hope that companies will pay them without reading all the fine print. In this case, some businesses have paid the fee, not realising that it was for an on-line listing on a private trade mark directory,” Mrs Borrowdale said.

It appears that TM Publisher has used details of the businesses and their trademarks which are available from the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) website as the same details have been used in the letter. TM Publisher is not connected to IPONZ.

Mrs Borrowdale said that unlike similar pro-forma trade mark registration schemes this trader has a registered New Zealand address and bank account, in this instance with ANZ Bank NZ, although the trader is based overseas.

“This example is another important reminder for businesses to always be vigilant in checking any unsolicited mail thoroughly, no matter how believable it may seem,” Mrs Borrowdale said.