Steel & Tube Holdings boss Dave Taylor says a "dramatic upswing" in coking coal prices and higher iron ore prices meant there needs to be a hike in domestic steel prices in New Zealand next year.
Taylor made the comments in a presentation at the company's annual meeting in Wellington. The price of premium hard coking coal reached US$307.20 a ton last week from US$85 a ton at the start of June, according to Reuters. Iron ore futures have also climbed to reach about US$70 a metric ton.
Higher coal costs add about US$140 (NZ$200) to a tonne of steel and the rise in iron ore amounted to another $40 increase per tonne of steel, he said. "Already steel prices have shown an upward trend, with steel mills no longer able to absorb this cost increase. These key cost contributors all point to a substantial price increase across all steel products that we expect will impact domestic steel prices in New Zealand very early in calendar year 2017". Continue to full article
The UK and Brexit then the US and Trumplections - what is happening in the political arena? So will the coming months see a change inhow the election message is delivered to the voters in New Zealand for the 2017 elections?
Is MMP strong enough to weed out the Trumps of this world?
Of course time will duly deliver the answers but meanwhile ahead is an interesting time of rhetoric, promiseswrapped in appealing packaging, the ridiculous, the practical and the preposterous, its all part of the game hopefullythe rules will see the country end up with positive governance in place helping to improve productivity and the lifestyle of all New Zealanders.
Here on To The Beehive we will run as many of the release from across all the competitors. No starters gun, no umpire, linesme or third referee for that matter, just as it comes.
Releases can be sent to:- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The annual re-weighting of the Trade-Weighted Index (TWI) takes effect on Wednesday 16 November 2016.
The TWI is a measure of the value of the New Zealand dollar relative to the currencies of New Zealand’s major trading partners. There are 17 currencies included in the TWI and each currency is weighted using the country’s bilateral trade with New Zealand. The TWI weights for the next 12 months can be viewed here
Düsseldorf, Germany – Terex Port Solutions (TPS), the pioneer and technological pacesetter in terminal automation, starts a new chapter for operators of container terminals with Terex® diesel-electric straddle carriers. For the first time, TPS is automating a straddle carrier fleet for Ports of Auckland Ltd. (POAL) from New Zealand. By mid-2019, TPS will supply a total of 27 new, fully automated N SC 644 E (1-over-3) machines to work in the container stackyard and to serve trucks. At the same time, 21 existing manual straddle carriers are being upgraded so that they can work hand in hand with the 27 fully automated machines. In addition to the supply and upgrade of the vehicles, the order also includes all sub-systems and software systems required for operation. Before POAL placed the order, TPS verified the feasibility and safety of the concept in a detailed study. POAL is pursuing a double strategy: improved stacking capacity and high productivity
POAL currently operates a fleet of Terex N SC 634 E (1-over-2) diesel-electric straddle carriers and is pursuing a two-part strategy that includes the automation initiative and a step towards higher stacking capability which will deliver a medium-term increase in capacity from today’s 900,000 TEU to 1.6 to 1.7 million TEU. Tony Gibson, CEO Ports of Auckland Ltd.: “Due to community concerns, we cannot increase capacity at our container terminal through reclamation, so the only way is up. In future, we will use 1-over-3 straddle carriers in the container stackyard to
increase capacity. Automated straddle carriers also offer a number of other benefits: They are inherently safer, as there is no human on board; they deliver a positive environmental impact as they will consume up to 10% less fuel and produce lower emissions; they will be quieter and need less light on the terminal, reducing both noise and light pollution. Overall, automation offers us safety, environmental, community and capacity benefits.” In future, POAL will only use the existing 1-over-2 machines for horizontal container transport between ship-to-shore cranes and the storage area, which will help POAL maintain its currently high levels of productivity.
Comprehensive: all sub-systems and software systems also from TPS
Steve Filipov, President Terex Cranes and Material Handling & Port Solutions, is delighted to achieve another milestone in automation: “Automation will enable increased capacity and safe, efficient operations for terminals that organize container transport and storage with straddle carriers. We are pleased that this comprehensive project gives us the opportunity to help an ambitious terminal operator such as POAL with its long-term development objectives.” As a supplier of integrated systems, TPS is also responsible for all sub-systems required to operate the partly modified, partly newly assembled fleet. In addition to the TEAMS fleet management system, these sub-systems include the Navimatic® navigation system based on a terrestrial system and its corresponding antennae to determine the position of the vehicles. TEAMS and Navimatic, successfully implemented on several occasions by TPS in major terminals for automated operations in the past, have now been adapted to the specific requirements of straddle carriers to control the automated operations in Auckland. TPS will supply the interchange and fence control system, safety-relevant vehicle control systems and various sensor systems that will enable smooth interplay between the automated vehicles and manual straddle carriers, as well as other functions operated by staff in the terminal.
TPS well-equipped thanks to extensive test program
With its latest innovation, TPS is fulfilling the wish of many terminal operators to automate straddle carrier terminals. In addition, many terminals that currently use manual 1-over-1 sprinter carriers between ship-to-shore cranes and container stackyards would like to convert to automated machines in the future. Klaus Peter Hoffmann, Vice President & Managing Director TPS: “Against the backdrop of increasing demand, several years ago we started a comprehensive research and development program, in the course of which we created automation technology for both Terex straddle carriers and Terex sprinter carriers. We tested this over many months on prototypes at our testing grounds near the TPS competence center for straddle carriers in Würzburg, Germany, where we looked at design and operating principles, the control system, and the features of the positioning system. Our technology is now ready for market and has impressed POAL.”
Pioneer in automation: cutting edge with an integrated approach
TPS has been at the cutting edge of automation technology for port handling for a quarter of a century, and gradually expanded its range of products and services after the introduction of the first Terex® Gottwald automated guided vehicles (AGV), which were ready for series production in 1992. Initially the software required for operating AGV’s was supplied by the terminal operator or by third parties. Thanks to its growing experience in this area, TPS was able to take over development of navigation and management software. In addition to several AGV product lines, today’s TPS portfolio includes automated stacking cranes (ASC) for the container stackyard including the required software.
Thanks to the simultaneous delivery of the sub-systems required for automated transport and automated storage of containers, TPS is now a supplier of complete systems who can draw on a wealth of experience. And long before the first cut of the spade, TPS also provides support for its customers with the consultation services of its software brands, which include the simulation and emulation of terminal processes. Hoffmann: “Our wealth of experience, in addition to our unique range of automation products, makes us the natural partner for innovative solutions, as has now been demonstrated by the first order for fully automated straddle carriers from New Zealand. With this reference installation, we believe that we are perfectly positioned to convert more existing manual terminals into semi or fully automated terminals and to equip green field port facilities.”
Düsseldorf, Germany – Terex Port Solutions (TPS), the pioneer and technological pacesetter in terminal automation, starts a new chapter for operators of container terminals with Terex® diesel-electric straddle carriers. For the first time, TPS is automating a straddle carrier fleet for Ports of Auckland Ltd. (POAL) from New Zealand. By mid-2019, TPS will supply a total of 27 new, fully automated N SC 644 E (1-over-3) machines to work in the container stackyard and to serve trucks. At the same time, 21 existing manual straddle carriers are being upgraded so that they can work hand in hand with the 27 fully automated machines. In addition to the supply and upgrade of the vehicles, the order also includes all sub-systems and software systems required for operation. Before POAL placed the order, TPS verified the feasibility and safety of the concept in a detailed study. POAL is pursuing a double strategy: improved stacking capacity and high productivity
POAL currently operates a fleet of Terex N SC 634 E (1-over-2) diesel-electric straddle carriers and is pursuing a two-part strategy that includes the automation initiative and a step towards higher stacking capability which will deliver a medium-term increase in capacity from today’s 900,000 TEU to 1.6 to 1.7 million TEU. Tony Gibson, CEO Ports of Auckland Ltd.: “Due to community concerns, we cannot increase capacity at our container terminal through reclamation, so the only way is up. In future, we will use 1-over-3 straddle carriers in the container stackyard to
increase capacity. Automated straddle carriers also offer a number of other benefits: They are inherently safer, as there is no human on board; they deliver a positive environmental impact as they will consume up to 10% less fuel and produce lower emissions; they will be quieter and need less light on the terminal, reducing both noise and light pollution. Overall, automation offers us safety, environmental, community and capacity benefits.” In future, POAL will only use the existing 1-over-2 machines for horizontal container transport between ship-to-shore cranes and the storage area, which will help POAL maintain its currently high levels of productivity.
Comprehensive: all sub-systems and software systems also from TPS
Steve Filipov, President Terex Cranes and Material Handling & Port Solutions, is delighted to achieve another milestone in automation: “Automation will enable increased capacity and safe, efficient operations for terminals that organize container transport and storage with straddle carriers. We are pleased that this comprehensive project gives us the opportunity to help an ambitious terminal operator such as POAL with its long-term development objectives.” As a supplier of integrated systems, TPS is also responsible for all sub-systems required to operate the partly modified, partly newly assembled fleet. In addition to the TEAMS fleet management system, these sub-systems include the Navimatic® navigation system based on a terrestrial system and its corresponding antennae to determine the position of the vehicles. TEAMS and Navimatic, successfully implemented on several occasions by TPS in major terminals for automated operations in the past, have now been adapted to the specific requirements of straddle carriers to control the automated operations in Auckland. TPS will supply the interchange and fence control system, safety-relevant vehicle control systems and various sensor systems that will enable smooth interplay between the automated vehicles and manual straddle carriers, as well as other functions operated by staff in the terminal.
TPS well-equipped thanks to extensive test program
With its latest innovation, TPS is fulfilling the wish of many terminal operators to automate straddle carrier terminals. In addition, many terminals that currently use manual 1-over-1 sprinter carriers between ship-to-shore cranes and container stackyards would like to convert to automated machines in the future. Klaus Peter Hoffmann, Vice President & Managing Director TPS: “Against the backdrop of increasing demand, several years ago we started a comprehensive research and development program, in the course of which we created automation technology for both Terex straddle carriers and Terex sprinter carriers. We tested this over many months on prototypes at our testing grounds near the TPS competence center for straddle carriers in Würzburg, Germany, where we looked at design and operating principles, the control system, and the features of the positioning system. Our technology is now ready for market and has impressed POAL.”
Pioneer in automation: cutting edge with an integrated approach
TPS has been at the cutting edge of automation technology for port handling for a quarter of a century, and gradually expanded its range of products and services after the introduction of the first Terex® Gottwald automated guided vehicles (AGV), which were ready for series production in 1992. Initially the software required for operating AGV’s was supplied by the terminal operator or by third parties. Thanks to its growing experience in this area, TPS was able to take over development of navigation and management software. In addition to several AGV product lines, today’s TPS portfolio includes automated stacking cranes (ASC) for the container stackyard including the required software.
Thanks to the simultaneous delivery of the sub-systems required for automated transport and automated storage of containers, TPS is now a supplier of complete systems who can draw on a wealth of experience. And long before the first cut of the spade, TPS also provides support for its customers with the consultation services of its software brands, which include the simulation and emulation of terminal processes. Hoffmann: “Our wealth of experience, in addition to our unique range of automation products, makes us the natural partner for innovative solutions, as has now been demonstrated by the first order for fully automated straddle carriers from New Zealand. With this reference installation, we believe that we are perfectly positioned to convert more existing manual terminals into semi or fully automated terminals and to equip green field port facilities.”
Forge platform surpasses 4,000 applications, demonstrating high demand for connected design and engineering experiences
Las Vegas--(BBusiness Wire) November 15, 2016 01:00 PM Eastern Standard Time-- At Autodesk University, Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK) announced that developers and customers of all sizes are adopting its Forge platform to build and deploy apps and services for making the world around us. The company also introduced new AR/VR capabilities to drive immersive real-time industry experiences and shared its plans to use Forge as its common data environment and engine for simplifying its own product offerings.
Since announced at Autodesk University 2015, Autodesk Forge has expanded to include more robust integrations to manufacturing and construction enterprise systems to streamline collaboration, integrate with manufacturing and BIM workflows and make it easier to get things made. The more than 4,000 apps and services created on Forge span a variety of business needs ranging from part inspection to sub-sea surveying, from managing mines with drones to turning cost estimation into a competitive advantage.
Autodesk has aggressively broadened the Forge platform and ecosystem in the past twelve months. The most recent platform enhancements and future plans include:
“Autodesk relies on Forge as the foundation for its own cloud services like Fusion 360 and BIM 360, and we want both developers and our end customers to benefit from creating lightweight applications that fit their business needs,” said Amar Hanspal, SVP products at Autodesk. “Forge is empowering companies to build and deliver all sorts of industry applications, and we are thrilled to see the range of connected experiences created with our platform in just one year.”
Forging the Future Together
Autodesk invests in and partners with companies developing innovative solutions and services on the Forge Platform. JE Dunn, MakeTime and Seebo are a few of the companies using Forge for building apps and services.
“We’re very excited about the integration between Autodesk Forge and Seebo, which will provide Autodesk customers with access to some of the most cutting edge IoT development tools available. The joint platform allows manufacturers to tap into the world of IoT efficiently and cost effectively,” said Lior Akavia, Co-Founder and CEO of Seebo.
Forge for Autodesk
Cloud-native and always connected, Forge is the platform in which Autodesk is building three industry specific experiences that span design, make and use for each of our major industries. Each offering is built on a common data environment with a set of lightweight applications and experiences that work across multiple platforms such and personas. Whether used internally by Autodesk for development and simplification or externally by companies to deliver and deploy apps and services, the Forge platform is the backbone to make anything. To learn more about Forge, visit https://forge.autodesk.com/.
In new 270-degree view auditorium and visitor’s centre
Fonterra in New Zealand is a significant organisation. In addition to their leading consumer brands and foodservice business the company operates more than 30 manufacturing sites across the country and processes about 16 billion litres of the country’s milk each year. With this in mind when Fonterra decided to centralise all of their staff into one new Auckland-based HQ two very specific audio visual requirements needed to be met and for those they turned to Epson and their EB-G6970WU multi-media projectors.
Design Engineering Manager for Automation Associates (AA) - the systems integrator on the project - Rupert Brown explained, “Previously Fonterra’s 1500 employees were spread over three separate buildings. Earlier this year the company made the decision to go with a new, more efficient, activity-based working model and centralise all of their staff into one main building. Part of this building housed a new auditorium and a new visitor’s centre and both areas had very specific AV requirements.”
The auditorium project was particularly ambitious as it was to be equipped to a high enough standard that Fonterra would no longer need to hire external venues for presentations.
As part of AA’s response to Fonterra’s brief the company’s design and installation included edge-blending the EB-G6970WU projectors across the entire background being projected upon within the auditorium.
Brown continued, “Fonterra wanted a wow factor in the auditorium so we came up with a design that integrated thirteen Epson EB-G6970WU projectors which seamlessly edge blended to give a 270-degree projection onto custom-designed motorised screens. This is incredibly impressive as it means Fonterra can now dynamically change the screen and edge blending as the room configuration changes.”
For the training, seminars, group workshops, host events and press conferences held in the Fonterra auditorium the new 270-degree projection solution raised a bar in presentation standard to a level never seen before.
To achieve this unique dynamic edge-blending 270-degree projection solution AA used the award-winning Coolux Pandoras Box media and show control system to handle the edge blending, whilst simultaneously communicating with the projectors’ via the output fed into a custom-created digital media frame.
AA also configured the auditorium so the screens could be divided down the centre which gave Fonterra the option of two separate 270-degree rooms or a larger combined 270-degree projection system.
According to Brown there were several reasons the EB-G6970WU projectors were chosen for this project, many of which revolved around quality of image, reliability and functionality.
He continued, “We chose the EB-G6970WU projectors as they have a good short throw for minimum shadow when a viewer approaches the screen and they easily enabled us to cover the 45 meters of screen we needed at an affordable price. The lens on the EB-G6970WU was also a big part of why it was selected as it allowed us to reduce the number of projectors required while still being short enough that shadows aren’t cast until close to the screen. Finally having on-board HDBaseT was a big win as it reduced the required hardware and cabling to connect the projectors.”
The visitor’s experience centre presented a different challenge according to Brown who explained, “In the visitor’s experience centre Fonterra wanted to project pre-recorded exhibits and pre-made videos with ultra-sonic sensors built into the ceiling so the projection would start as the visitor approached. What was needed here was a top quality, highly reliable and very easily integrated projector. So, based on the success of the auditorium installation, the decision was made to again go with multiple Epson EB-G6970WU projectors, all of which work perfectly with the sensors and perform brilliantly.”
For more information on the Epson EB-G6970WU projectors go to: http://www.epson.co.nz/products/projector/EB-G6970WUNL.asp
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