15 Nov 2016 --- Bolstered by rapid consumption growth and increasing customer needs in the Asia-Pacific region, Tetra Pak have announced their US$110 million investment in a state-of-the-art regional manufacturing facility near Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to serve customers across the region.
The move is prompted by increasing consumption volumes, with the 2016 total packed liquid dairy and fruit-based beverages intake at 70 billion litres across ASEAN, South Asia, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, over the next three years, these markets are likely to grow at a healthy 5.6% per annum, with products packed in Tetra Pak cartons projected to grow at a much faster rate as compared to other packaging formats such as glass bottles and cans.
“Tetra Pak has been present in the region for decades, with our first factory set up in Gotemba, Japan in 1971,” said Michael Zacka, Regional Vice President, Tetra Pak South Asia, East Asia and Oceania. “Over the years, we have seen substantial growth of our products, driven by a wide portfolio and a number of innovations that we have introduced in the market. Hence our investment in a new plant, which will be our fourth Packaging Material factory in the region, providing us expansive coverage and scale. Continue to Full article
Aston Pennsylvania – Amacoil-Uhing Model RS drive nuts provide smooth backlash-free linear motion in machine design. Unlike a screw, the RS drive nut runs on a smooth shaft. This eliminates the potential for debris to become trapped in threads which could then clog or jam. If material does fall onto the shaft, it is easily removed by wiping the shaft with a clean cloth. Should an object somehow become caught between the nut and the shaft bearing end support, the drive simply slips until the operator can remove the obstruction. Slipping, as opposed to the churning and grinding associated with screw-based systems, prevents damage to the nut and other components in the linear motion system which, in turn, reduces downtime for repairs and enables more consistent production rates.
Designers of automated machinery requiring a linear motion component will find RS drive nuts meet requirements for a variety of indexing and reciprocating linear motion applications. When integrated with sensing devices such as a linear scale, RS drive nuts provide high accuracy, back-lash free linear motion in material handling machines, winding equipment, test and measurement devices, metrology machinery, packaging machines, and other converting and finishing equipment. Continue to read full article
Dutch coffee giant has Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) has received Overseas Investment Office approval for the acquisition of BrewGroup NZ (formerly Bell Tea & Coffee Co).
The price is undisclosed and the approval comes with conditions that the company explore opportunities to increase exports and put some of its Kiwi brands on the global stage.
JDE Australia and New Zealand managing director David Ansell says the acquisition will be completed by December 1. The two companies will continue to operate as separate operating units for the next two months with integration to begin in February 2017. Continue to read article on NBR
Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has today announced that the Centre for Space Science Technology (CSST) has been selected to become New Zealand’s second Regional Research Institute.
“The Centre for Space Science Technology, which will be based in Alexandra, Central Otago, will undertake research to explore the use of space-based measurements and satellite imagery unique to New Zealand to meet the specific needs of our regional industries,” Mr Joyce says.
“It will establish an international satellite data exchange and collaborate with leading researchers and businesses, both here and abroad, to design, build and launch New Zealand’s first fleet of cube satellites.”
The Government will provide funding of up to $14.7 million over four years for the new institute with additional funding from industry, and it will operate as a private, independently governed organisation.
“In its proposal to establish a Regional Research Institute, CSST presented a strong business case that will support the development and growth of New Zealand’s space economy by filling critical gaps in the collection and processing of New Zealand’s satellite data,” says Mr Joyce.
“A standout aspect of the proposal was that CSST will also have research hubs in Dunedin, Canterbury and Taranaki, further encouraging R&D and innovation in regional New Zealand – a key objective of the Regional Research Institute initiative.”
CSST is the second successful proposal under the initiative following the launch of the New Zealand Research Institute of Viticulture and Oenology (NZRIVO), based in Marlborough, in October.
A third shortlisted proposal by Earth+Vantage, based in Southland, which proposed undertaking research using real time satellite and ground-based data to lift primary industry productivity was unsuccessful in its application but will have the option to put forward a proposal for the second round of funding. An additional sum of $2.3 million has also been set aside for technical collaboration between CSST and Earth+Vantage if this proves possible.
Minister Joyce today also opened a second round of funding for the Regional Research Institutes initiative.
Regional Research Institutes were announced in Budget 2015. In Budget 2016, the Government set aside $40 million of additional funds to support the initiative, bringing the total funding in contingency to $65 million over four years.
Proposals are invited from groups of businesses, researchers and private investors who are seeking to collaborate to establish regional institutes that will deliver commercially focused and industry-relevant research to their region and New Zealand as a whole.
“During the initial funding round, a number of credible and exciting proposals were received from all across New Zealand on a wide range of research and development interests,” says Mr Joyce.
“Our regional economies have different resources and strengths. These institutes will focus on scientific research relevant to a particular region, with a strong emphasis on the effective transfer of research into new technologies, new firms, and new products and services.”
It is expected that two or three additional institutes will be established over the next four to five years in areas outside Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Proposals are due to MBIE by 27 January 2017. Shortlisted proposals will be invited to present to a panel of experts and, if selected, will develop business cases for consideration.
More information on the Regional Research Institutes initiative is available at http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/regions-cities/...
Trade Minister Todd McClay has welcomed the third reading of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement Amendment Bill in Parliament today.
The passage of this Bill is a significant step towards New Zealand ratifying the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
“It will be a signal of the commitment that New Zealand has for the continued liberalisation of international trade. At times when there is uncertainty in the rest of the world, New Zealand’s consistent and trusted voice of negotiating trade outcomes that are good for our economy needs to be heard.
“Our vision for a mechanism to enhance trade between four countries grew into the largest trade agreement to date and which places us in the middle of a region encompassing nearly 40 per cent of global GDP. We can be very proud of that, but we must continue to push for new trading opportunities and to continue to push for trade liberalisation wherever we can,” says Mr McClay.
The Bill makes all the necessary changes to primary legislation required by New Zealand to ratify TPP. The amendments introduced by the Bill – and other related changes to New Zealand law – will take effect only from the date that TPP enters into force for New Zealand.
TPP provides for an initial period of up to two years for all TPP signatories to complete their own domestic procedures required to ratify TPP. The Government hopes that other TPP signatories will continue their efforts to complete their domestic processes.
“Whilst acknowledging that there remain obstacles to the agreement coming into force, we need to take time to allow the new US administration time to fully consider its trade agenda.
“Until then, New Zealand will continue its own, well-proven path to openness and inclusiveness in the global trade arena,” says Mr McClay.
An inconvenient truth - How NZ can take off to Paris with energy from wasteDr. Marc R. Stammbach, Hitachi Zosen Inova Australia2pm, 6th December 2016
Extracting valuable products from waste in a circular economy* is critical for communities to be sustainable.Grate based energy from waste maximises energy as well as material recovery from solid waste. Recovered materials include detoxified inert materials for use, aggregate, ferrous and aluminium, and now also copper, silver, palladium, and even gold. The high net energy production to electricity, process steam, district heating and cooling classifies them as recycling plants according to the European R1 criteria.The focus of this webinar will be:• Residuals materials fit for energy from waste• Flue gas treatment options• Recovery steam, heat and electricity (50% renewable)• Detoxifies waste to mostly renewable carbon dioxide, aggregate and metals• Chemically recycles – recovery of metals from flue gas treatment• Thermally recycles – urban mining of metals and aggregate from bottom ash• New projects delivered into the UK using best available technology• Importance of recycling of metals with increasing use of multi-composite materials• Energy from waste is environmentally sound and empowers the circular economy• Turns NZ’s CO2 emission from waste below zero and will achieve near “zero waste to landfill”Case studies from operational facilities with these features will be portrayed and their relevance in the New Zealand context discussed.
The Bioenergy Association invites anyone interested in utilizing waste to produce energy to attend this webinar.
Booking a Place at the Webinar
· Bookings: - Bookings are essential in order to connect to the GoToMeeting system. Please book your place at this event using This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Attendance at this webinar is FREE courtesy of EECA Business.
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Goldsmith has welcomed the passing of the Patents (Trans-Tasman Patent Attorneys and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, which will implement a joint trans-Tasman licensing regime for New Zealand and Australian patent attorneys.
Patent attorneys make up a small profession providing specialist advice to innovative businesses on the protection and exploitation of intellectual property.
“The two countries share over 500 trans-Tasman patent attorneys. With many of them already registered in both jurisdictions it makes sense to take advantage of economies of scale and save the profession time, money and effort.
“A modern regime for regulating patent attorneys ensures New Zealand businesses have optimal access to high quality, reliable advice,” says Mr Goldsmith.
Key changes in the legislation include:
The trans-Tasman regime will commence on 24 February 2017. Further information can be found on MBIE’s website. Information on the transition from current national registration regime to the new trans-Tasman regime can be found here.
Darren’s knowledge and expertise are a strong fit for SCNZ as the organisation moves forward. He has 28 years of sales and marketing, and business development experience, gained largely in the building and construction industry. He joins SCNZ from Fletcher Aluminium, a division of Fletcher Building, where he was for 16 years. Prior to that Darren held positions at BHP New Zealand Steel, Solid Energy, Marley NZ and Plyco Doors. He has also just ended his time on the board of industry organisation the Window Association NZ where he served for 12 years, seven as Chairman.
Darren says: "I’m delighted to be joining such a progressive industry. In the last decade New Zealand’s structural steel sector has invested significantly in people, equipment and technology to boost capacity, quality and efficiency. It has proactively introduced Steel Fabricator Certification, an industry-led quality initiative to set itself apart from offshore suppliers.
"The present climate presents both challenges and opportunities. I’m looking forward to supporting the industry on the next phase of its journey as it continues to grow and develop."
Darren replaces Alistair Fussell, who is stepping down from the role after 11 years. Alistair plans to establish a structural engineering consultancy and will continue his association with SCNZ on a contract basis.
MSCNewsWire understands that a Notice of Intent to Award Contracts (the Award) from the Virginia Port Authority (VPA) in the USA has been announced and awarded to Konecranes.
The Award includes the provision of 86 Automated Stacking Cranes or Automated Rail Mounted Gantry (ARMG) cranes, which are available throughout Australasia, to be delivered in phases between 2018 and 2020, with a total contract value in excess of EUR 200 million (over AUD $280 million).
The Virginia Port Authority intends to award two separate contracts, once approved by their board of commissioners. The first involves 60 Automated Stacking Cranes for Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) and the second involves 26 Automated Stacking Cranes for Virginia International Gateway (VIG).
The Konecranes ASC system offers valuable advantages in an ever-more automated industry, including high performance, reliability, accuracy, low operating costs and low energy consumption.
“Konecranes ARMGs have a light, intelligent steel structure. When this is combined with our Active Load Control (ALC) technology, the cranes deliver fast, accurate container stacking over a range of real world conditions,” says Ms Cindy Shi, Marketing Manager – Ports, Konecranes Asia Pacific, which includes Australia and New Zealand.
Konecranes ARMG cranes are part of a range of container handling equipment offered by Konecranes, including Automated Rubber Tyre Gantry (ARTG) cranes, RTG cranes, RMG cranes, Ship-to-shore Gantry (STS) cranes and straddle carriers.
Statistics New Zealand's decision to review the schedule of data releases after this week's 7.5 magnitude earthquake left its Wellington headquarters unusable for up to a year has highlighted the agency's reliance on the head office.
The quake damaged the 11-year-old building to such an extent that Statistics NZ's staff won't be allowed back in for up to 12 months, and its website and public data sources are out of action, although its Auckland and Christchurch offices remain open.
The agency was scheduled to release the September retail trade survey today, but has put that off until further notice and is reviewing its release calendar.
While that's seen as more of a nuisance to economists who rely on government data, New Zealand Institute of Economic Research's Christina Leung says the agency has too much emphasis on the Wellington office.
"I can't believe that it has all its systems concentrated and are so reliant on Wellington," Ms Leung says. Read the full article on NBR
Palace of the Alhambra, Spain
By: Charles Nathaniel Worsley (1862-1923)
From the collection of Sir Heaton Rhodes
Oil on canvas - 118cm x 162cm
Valued $12,000 - $18,000
Offers invited over $9,000
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242
Mount Egmont with Lake
By: John Philemon Backhouse (1845-1908)
Oil on Sea Shell - 13cm x 14cm
Valued $2,000-$3,000
Offers invited over $1,500
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242