Fibrelite has grown and evolved through its core values of quality and innovation into a brand whose name is synonymous with product excellence, innovation and great customer service.
Fibrelite will be launching its new branding this week to reflect its new global market positioning. Fibrelite claims it has led the way in composite technology since 1980 with the design of the world’s first composite manhole cover as a prototype for Esso UK to eliminate health and safety issues associated with traditional heavy metal covers. From there, Fibrelite says it grew as the retail petroleum industry adopted their covers as the industry standard, now selling to over 80 countries worldwide with manufacturing facilities on three continents.
This commitment to innovation continues to drive its approach today, and shape tomorrow, as it creates bespoke solutions that reflects its global reputation and heritage.
Fibrelite says it continues to evolve, with key events including the opening of a US manufacturing plant in 2005 and Malaysia in 2010, which saw record sales the year immediately following its opening. Fibrelite was then acquired by OPW in 2013, a fully integrated fuel handling and control solutions which also values innovation.
Fibrelite puts its sustained growth down to continued investment in product innovation and commitment to providing customer specific solutions for clients worldwide, frequently resulting in entirely new products. These range from creation of the world’s first composite cover back in 1980, to the first composite multiport covers and the only 90 tonne rated composite trench covers on the market, both of which were created in the last two years.
Fibrelite says it has access to a collaborative worldwide network with almost limitless skills, resources and experience. This breadth of knowledge allows it to consistently deliver forward-thinking, cutting-edge solutions at scale and speed.
Considering the myriad successes of recent years, Fibrelite decided that it was time to innovate its branding as a reflection of its new market positioning on a global scale as part of OPW and Dover, whilst maintaining its commitment to innovation as it continues to grow into an increasing number of new industries.
Fibrelite’s new branding has launched this week. This is the first stage of Fibrelite’s new global brand positioning, which will be followed by a new mobile friendly responsive website in the coming months, reflecting its continuing dedication to growth through innovation and strong customer relationships.
A Fibrelite.com news release
South Seas Think Tank put reputation on the line to make unqualified early and correct EU forecast
July 6, 2016 - Singapore Airlines is letting economy class passengers bid to be upgraded to premium economy, using a new system called mySQupgrade – which works a bit like the bidding process on eBay.
mySQupgrade is not as simple as it sounds. For a start, not anyone can bid. Invitations “are made at Singapore Airlines’ sole discretion based on certain criteria and combination of factors, which are dynamic”, the airline says. That means, in essence, that you don’t know what the factors are and they are not going to tell you.
“To stand a chance of being invited, please ensure that your email address is correctly indicated when making a booking, so that we are able to contact you if you are deemed eligible,” SIA advises.
The airline stipulates a minimum and maximum for bids and passengers can pitch their bid anywhere between. For successful bidders, the bid is charged to the credit card they nominate.
A “strength meter” indicates the strength of the bid – just like some sites measure the strength of a password – but it does not mean the bid will necessarily be successful.
Flyers can’t bid for just any flight, either. “Not all flights in your booking are necessarily eligible for bidding. The eligible flights are decided at Singapore Airlines’ sole discretion, and will be listed in the email you have received. For example, if a flight is not operated by Singapore Airlines, or you do not have a confirmed reservation for the flight, those flights will not be eligible for bidding.”
The emails go out about a week before departure and bids must be received 50 hours before take-off. Passengers can make, change or cancel their bids anytime before that.
Australian Business Traveller says the airline has assured loyal KrisFlyer members that any points-based upgrade requests will receive priority over cash-based bids received via mySQupgrade.
mySQupgrade is confined to premium economy so far, but Singapore Airlines has hinted that the scheme may spread. Who knows, the airline may one day extend it to business class, first class and even the ultimate, suites class.
Singapore Airlines website has details of mySQupgrade.
Written by Peter Needham on eGlobal travel Media
Port Future Study reports
The study's Consensus Working Group submitted its recommendations report to Auckland Council in July 2016.
The report will be formally received by Auckland Council at the Auckland Development Committee meeting on Wednesday 6 July 2016.
Consensus Working Group recommendations report file (PDF 1.3MB)
As part of its work over the study period, the Consensus Working Group commissioned consultants to analyse options for the future of the port. The consultant's report was appended to the Consensus Working Group's recommendations report.
Consultant's report to the Port Future Study (PDF 5.4MB)
Port Future Study scope
The Port Future Study scope directed the consultants in their work to provide an analysis of options for the future of the port. Their work formed the evidence base for the recommendations that the consensus working group made to Auckland Council in July 2016.
The Port Future Study scope was finalised by the consensus working group in September 2015.
Port Future Study scope (PDF 101KB)
Information released by Port Future Study commissioned by Auckland Council
A clear pathway for the future of Auckland port has been outlined in the Port Future Study report, released today.As a member of the Consensus Working Group (CWG), EMA is pleased the study has provided certainty and direction on how to maintain the critical freight links for Auckland and New Zealand businesses, while accommodating the long term growth of the city.
"The Consensus Working Group put aside their various individual positions to come up with what appears to be a workable plan that will guide the transition of the port to another location in the long term while maintaining the city’s critical position in the regional and national import and export supply chain in the interim," says Kim Campbell, CEO, EMA.
"Social pressures and/or freight capacity issues will drive the timing of the shift but it is likely to be 30 - 50 years. Even if you start the process today you are probably looking at a minimum 25 years for consenting and construction."
The CWG recommendations, derived from the Port Future Study carried out by EY and various peer reviews of key components of the EY Report, recommends two possible alternative locations in either the Manukau Harbour or the Firth of Thames acknowledging both options require much greater in-depth analysis before settling on a final location.
While that work continues and the complex process of consenting any of those options begins, the CWG agreed that a minor berth extension is required to cope with current and future cruise and freight traffic at the current downtown Auckland port.
"The Port company has taken the contentious issue of reclamation completely off the table but does need to extend berth space to cope with general cargo currently managed on Bledisloe Wharf.
"Now there is a clear pathway to eventually move the port, the community should acknowledge the efforts of the port and accept a short-term answer to achieve the long-term goal of moving the Port. You can’t achieve a move until there is a viable consented alternative and you weaken the business case for a move if you don’t allow the current port to continue to be highly competitive and highly efficient."
Mr Campbell says both the Manukau and Firth of Thames options present a wide variety of very complex issues including environmental, community, iwi concerns, transport links, funding and ownership questions.
"What the EY Report and the CWG have achieved is to clearly identify the two best options. On balance we’d probably favour a large-scale East Coast option as the most attractive to shipping companies and business as that also appears a logical alternative when Port of Tauranga eventually reaches its capacity.
"Now the really hard work begins on finding and consenting that viable long term option."
An EMA press release
Auckland, Wednesday 6 July 2016 - We have in New Zealand a problem that can strike small packaging companies. Where they can be running several blown film lines and just not have the money to put a gauge on each line. But they still need to see what they are making, especially when expensive co-extrusions are being made. Between a rock and a hard place stuff really!
Now NDC Technologies make a transmission gauge for measuring various co-extrusions on-line to reference accuracy. These gauges usually sit on scanning frames and control the films as they are being made. Now the problem with a lot of blown film lines is doubling the measurement at the lay flat or paying a fortune for a rotary scanner on the bubble. But a customer wanted to measure all his lines with one gauge at-line rather than on-line.
So I saw David Aucamp at Innopak in Auckland to design and make a mechanism that would scan a strip of sample. An operator simply cuts a strip from the film and puts it on the winder. This scans the strip and gives a full running analysis of the co-extrusions. This data is kept as a record and the operator can adjust the die bolts to correct any unders or overs. One centrally placed winding system is far less to buy than a gauge system on each line. Innopak make the scanning frame. This gauge system works brilliantly and is now well proven
If you are a blown film packaging manufacturer this level of control opens things out significantly for you because you can now confidently make products that previously you would probably never have attempted. You can set the lines up to make products automatically the way your customers customers want them. And that gives you a quick return on investment. The ability to control what you make is paramount and really does have a positive effect on the bottom line.
If the above applies to you then please don’t hesitate to come through to me. You can reach me on 09 428 3426 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and the other part of the solution; I do have finance options available for you to consider that can help make the whole exercise a positive one.
From Simon Ganley of Ganley Engineering
Wellington, Tuesday 5 july 2016 - Digital technology is to be formally integrated into the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, Education Minister Hekia Parata announced today at the NZTech Advance Education Technology Summit in Auckland.
“This is the first change to the New Zealand Curriculum since its introduction in 2007 and reflects our Government’s commitment to championing 21st century practice in teaching and learning,” says Ms Parata.
“It will ensure that we have an education system that prepares children and young people for a future where digital fluency will be critical for success.”
The decision is an outcome of the Government’s Science and Society Strategic Plan ‘A Nation of Curious Minds: Te Whenua Hihiri i te Mahara’.
“One of the key initiatives of Curious Minds was to review the positioning and content of digital technology within the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa. As a result of the review recommendations, digital technology will be included as a strand of the Technology learning area in the New Zealand Curriculum, and as a whenu within the Hangarau Wāhanga Ako of Te Marautanga o Aotearoa,” says Ms Parata.
“The information technology sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in New Zealand, with a demand for skilled graduates. This step will support young people to develop skills, confidence and interest in digital technologies and lead them to opportunities across the diverse and growing IT sector. We look forward to continuing to work with the IT sector to ensure we have a future-focused, world-leading education system.”
From now until the end of 2017, the Government will consult with stakeholders, design new curriculum content, and develop achievement objectives across the whole learner pathway. It will be fully integrated into the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa in 2018.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand, July 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- New Zealand-based steel solutions provider Real Steel has been named the first winner of the Hardox Wearparts Award, a competition introduced this year by SSAB to provide recognition to Hardox Wearparts centers for their innovativeness and product successes for applications in the aftermarket.
Real Steel is one of more than 200 Hardox Wearparts centers located worldwide that provide wear parts and wear services for industries including quarry, mining, forestry, transport and recycling, among others.
For this application, Real Steel worked on site with their customer, Sollys Contractors, that provides transport, construction and earthmoving services, and was looking for a solution for their rotor discs that wore out quickly. Working together with Real Steel's wear engineers, they designed a laminated disc made from Hardox 500 and Hardox 550.
The result: total wear life of the rotor increased by three times and production costs were reduced by 30 percent.
Previously the rotor discs were hardfaced which was time consuming and expensive. The uneven wear on the rotor discs required that they be removed frequently and re-hardfaced and balanced. Frequent hardfacing led to fatigue and cracks in the base metal.
"Our solution extended the wear life while removing the hardfacing and need for re-balancing the rotors," said Luke Mathieson, Managing Director, Real Steel. "The solution also created even wear on the rotors."
Real Steel also redesigned the base plate of the rotor upgrading it from AR400 to Hardox 550. In addition a recess was machined into the disc to allow for Hardox 600 wear plate to be inserted where the main wear occurred.
"We are pleased to offer Real Steel this award for their innovation which was selected among several entries from Hardox Wearparts centers around the world," said Nancy Matos, Market Development for SSAB Services. "This is one of the great benefits our centers gain from being a part of the Hardox Wearparts network - the ability to share ideas and gain inspirations from other centers to help grow their business."
Two other centers received awards - Herman Johnson in Sweden won second prize for their Toolox bucket and Ethalon Service in Russia won third prize for their shredder knives made of Hardox 600. The award ceremony took place on June 2, 2016 at Real Steel's company headquarters in New Zealand.
Laminated rotor for impact crusher, the winning entry
Hardox Wearparts is the world's leading provider of wear parts and wear services. With more than 200 centers in more than 65 countries, there is always a Hardox Wearparts center close to you. Hardox Wearparts is a part of SSAB, the manufacturer of Hardox wear plate. www.hardoxwearparts.com
Donors will have to overlook failure to predict EU referendum and to identify mood behind it
General Indian labelling requirements
The New Zealand High Commission has prepared guidance on general labelling requirements for food items imported into India in order to support New Zealand food exporters’ understanding of India’s food labelling regulations.
While best efforts have been made to ensure its accuracy as at the date of drafting, it should not be considered a substitute for due diligence. Exporters are strongly advised to read Chapter 2 of the Food Safety Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulation 2011 and subsequent amendments (noting that rules and regulations change frequently), and to seek independent advice before finalising any labels for products to be exported to India. Please also refer to the Food Safety Standards (Import Foods) Regulations 2016 and to www.fssai.gov.in (external link) for full details.
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