Hanse is the German yacht brand that has rocketed the Hanse Group and Team Windcraft in Australia to success over the past couple of decades. The upward trend looks set to continue thanks to a recent 12 million Euro investment in new manufacturing technology by the Hanse Group and the launch of the newly designed Hanse 8 series.
The brain-child of Michael Schmidt, who won the Admrial’s cup in 1985, Hanses were always going to be sailors' boats. Hanse says many experienced yacht sailors choose Hanse because of "the responsive handling and superb sailing experience". Schmidt favours the high aspect rig plan with a large mainsail and a smaller headsail. The trademark Hanse original self-tacking headsail is intrinsic to the overall yacht design and has been widely copied over the years.Team Windcraft says the wide range of sizes from 31 to 67 feet means there is a Hanse yacht for everyone from beginners and entry level sailors right through to experienced and blue water cruisers and racing sailors.
According to Team Windcraft’s Mary Bickley: “The Hanse 455 is the boat of the moment with over 200 now launched worldwide. We placed four into New Zealand alone during the recent Auckland boat show. Our owners love the huge cockpit and the fact that this boat sails so fast.
“The fun and sporty Hanse 315 is proving so popular with new sailors that we’ve created a unique beginner's package to include first year essentials like sailing and berthing lessons, safety training and servicing.
“And at the other end of the spectrum, we’re also really excited about the new Hanse 588 - the first of the new Hanse 8 series. New features include a powerful new sail plan, more windows than ever and a newly designed ultra-modern interior. The first images have just been released and it looks simply magnificent.
“I’ve always loved the Hanse brand, but this a particularly exciting time to be working with these wonderful boats.”
The large Hanse yachts are setting the benchmark for production yachts worldwide with the flagship 675 offering an opportunity for owners looking for an affordable superyacht. Team Windcraft is Hanse’s biggest global dealer in the larger boats and is consistently responsible for 7-8% of The Hanse Group’s turnover. This is an impressive achievement considering the small population of Australia and New Zealand compared to the USA and Europe.
Diverseco, Australia's leading integrated measurement, packaging and product inspection solutions provider, is delighted to announce the acquisition of Robot Technologies/Systems Australia (RTA).
RTA is Australia’s foremost integrator of robotic automation, with over thirty years of experience and expertise in industrial robotics, manufacturing automation, process automation and factory automation.
The company supplies and services robotics equipment for businesses within a broad range of industries across Australia and New Zealand. These include manufacturing, mining, commodity handling, defence and pharmaceutical.
The company’s suppliers include leading brands Kawasaki, Staubli, Kyokutoh, Servo-Robot, Nitta and Pro-face, with RTA currently providing applications for material handling, sorting, machine unloading, fluid application, painting and welding, among others.
Established in 1986, the company’s operations were initially based on supply of robotics to the automotive industry and with RTA being the sole supplier of robots and associated services to Mitsubishi and Toyota.
Brenton Cunningham, Diverseco CEO said, “RTA is a valuable addition to our group, and will complement and enhance our group’s current capabilities, especially our supply of solutions to the manufacturing, packaging equipment and freight sector.”
Trinton Smith, RTA General Manager is confident that the purchase heralds a new era for the company, at a time when the manufacturing industry is undergoing a technological renaissance that is transforming operations.
“With Diverseco’s financial backing, corporate support and vision, we are excited about future opportunities and realising RTA’s full potential - as the go-to company for any business seeking sophisticated robotic automation solutions,” Trinton said.
“The fact is, far too many Australian companies remain unaware of how automation technologies can enable them to realise their productive potential by optimising their operations,” he added.
“Today, most industrial tasks can be automated with a diverse range of robots, far more than most people realise. In some respects, it’s matter of imagination that requires business leaders to envision what ‘can be’ rather than ‘what is.’ Once a company discovers the benefits provided by robotic integration in one part of their business, they are always keen to apply it to another.” Brenton said.
The robotics automation industry remains in a growth phase. For example, the Association for Advancing Automation in the U.S. reports that over fourteen thousand robots, valued at approximately $817 million, were ordered from North American companies in the first half of 2016. This is a new record.
Brenton said, “Manufacturing companies cannot afford to ignore the economic and competitive benefits provided by robotics advances. By embracing them now, they will improve productivity, forge ahead of their rivals and gain an edge with customers who are seeking their own gains in the supply chain..”
Brenton said, “Many of RTA’s core competencies reside in its people, many of whom are recognised experts in their fields, which includes mechatronics engineering. Consequently, we are delighted to have retained their experienced staff and contractors.”
RTA founder, industry legend Doug Smith will remain at the company and will be responsible for managing some key areas for the foreseeable future.
RTA will be closely aligned with another Diverseco company, Scaco Pty Ltd, due to similarities in their automation operations. Consequently, Group General Manager Tim Francis is tasked with overseeing both of these operations.
“The RTA team are second to none in their ability to optimise manufacturing processes across a multitude of industries by incorporating automation and robotics into company operations,” Tim said.
‘They are a great group of people! I’m certain that will embrace the Diverseco’s core values, contribute to our company culture and will continue to provide RTA customers world-class robotics solutions,’ he added.
To celebrate the acquisition, Brenton Cunningham and Doug Smith were recently invited to visit Kawasaki Robots Head Office in Akashi, Japan, where they were entertained by the senior management, provided a tour of facilities, and briefed of Kawasaki’s latest innovations. They are pictured shaking hands with Shin-ichi Hada, Senior Manager at Kawasaki Robotics.
Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has today released the 2016 Science and Innovation System Performance Report, the first of an annual series which presents data on the research outputs, impacts, funding, and overall performance of science and innovation in New Zealand.
“This report provides us with a performance benchmark against other OECD countries including the other small advanced economies – Israel, Switzerland, Singapore, Finland, Ireland and Denmark,” Mr Joyce says.
“The report increases transparency by showing how public funding for science and innovation is being invested, and it begins to give a direct line-of-sight to the benefits that funding brings for the New Zealand economy, environment and society.”
Key findings from the 2016 Science and Innovation System Performance Report include:
The report includes examples of the impacts of different scientific developments in New Zealand, who was involved, how they were funded, and the results that occurred. Future reports will provide more comprehensive assessment of science impacts to give a robust picture of the overall benefits of science investment.
The National Statement of Science Investment (NSSI), published in 2015, set out the Government’s vision for 2025: “A highly dynamic science system that enriches New Zealand, making a more visible, measurable contribution to our productivity and wellbeing through excellent science”.
The NSSI committed to publishing regular system performance reports. This annual report will track progress against NSSI goals and become a valuable evidence base to inform government policy decisions and longer-term strategy. It includes information on R&D activity across the government, higher-education and private sectors.
“Achieving the NSSI vision will require reliable, timely information and robust evaluation of science and innovation system performance,” Mr Joyce says.
“This government invested $410.5 million new funding in science and innovation over four years through Budget 2016. We know that better performance data will enable us to target our growing science investments effectively and to maximise their long-term value to New Zealand.”
This report complements the first Research, Science and Innovation Domain Plan, released by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in September 2016. The domain plan provides a long-term picture of what is required to improve official statistics, data and information in this area, and a coordinated, cross-agency plan for addressing the issues.
The Science and Innovation System Performance Report is available here.
Technology that mimics nature is the focus of Associate Professor Iain Anderson from the University of Auckland, who was awarded the Pickering Medal from the Royal Society of New Zealand this week.
The annual award was made to Associate Professor Anderson “for developing and commercialising electroactive polymer technology”.
The Royal Society’s Pickering Medal is made annually “for excellence and innovation in the practical application of technology leading to significant recognition and influence both in New Zealand and overseas”.
His award citation reads: “To Iain Alexander Anderson for the development and commercialisation of applications for electroactive polymer technology.”
Associate Professor Anderson leads the Biomimetics Lab at the University’s Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI), and the laboratory’s research programme for creating new technology that mimics nature to solve problems.
“I was thrilled when I heard that I was to receive the medal,” says Associate Professor Anderson. “For about 10 years my students and I have been plugging away, advancing our electroactive polymer work, in the hope that it would all come to something substantial. Well it has! This medal from the Royal Society is an endorsement of the lab’s and StretchSense’s work and our creation of an electroactive polymer ecosystem down here in New Zealand”
The research programme combines electric charge with soft polymer materials to mimic muscle action that includes force, movement and sensing of stretch.
The technology can also be used for energy harvesting from wind, wave human and animal motion.
Researchers at the lab succeeded in developing wearable strain-sensing technology that has potential applications in healthcare, rehabilitation, sports training, animation and gaming industries.
To commercialise the technology, Associate Professor Anderson launched the spin-out company StretchSense Ltd in 2012 with two of his former students, Todd Gisby and Ben O’Brien (who won the Prime Minister’s Emerging Scientist Award in 2013). Anderson is a Director and the Chief Scientist of StretchSense.
The company has seen rapid growth with more than 200 business customers, including Fortune 100 companies and research organisations worldwide.
Their technology also featured in 2016 New York Fashion Week with fashion designer Becca McCharen (Chromat) using it to create dresses that physically responded to wearers’ hand movements to create different tones and moods.
The company now employs 35 staff, including five former post-graduate students of Associate Professor Anderson. Following receiving major funding from a company that owns Japan’s largest retailer of apparel and accessories, StretchSense will expand its New Zealand manufacturing plant and its research and development facility. It also plans to set up sales and customer support offices in the US, Europe and Asia.
A further goal of StretchSense is to produce sensors that are self-powered. StretchSense has recently licensed the electroactive polymer energy harvesting intellectual property developed by the Biomimetics Lab.
The Biomimetics Lab is also patenting new stretchy electronic switches for use in soft robotic applications for agriculture, aquaculture and health. This technology holds great potential for new high-value industries for New Zealand.
The medal selection committee commended Associate Professor Anderson for being able to foster a strong spirit of entrepreneurship in his students alongside a high standard of scientific inquiry.
Iain Anderson is Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Science at University of Auckland. He was one of the finalists in the 2014 KiwiNet Research Commerialisation Awards and in May 2016 he was presented with a Vice-Chancellor’s Commercialisation Medal from the University of Auckland.
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