Simon Furness, founder of online tyre fitting company Hyper Drive has taken a product that is traditionally not an internet product and turned it in to one proving convenience is what is important to consumers.
With online tyre sales surging over 300% compared to this time last year consumers are liking the fact that they can shop from the comfort of their keyboard.
“Online tyre retailing enables consumers to compare products online and still get it fitted locally” Furness comments. “From research we have done consumers don’t want to have to ring around trying to get prices on tyres, or go into stores to get a quote, then have to go back a few days later to get the product”.
Hyperdrive.co.nz has a network of over 200 garages across the country. These garages are carefully selected to ensure quality service. “Our garage network is growing every week with enquiries from new companies wishing to become part of our Hyper Drive Fit Network”.
Hyper Drive which is based in Penrose, Auckland have invested heavily in the online stock infrastructure to ensure their system shows live stock of what is available to the consumer. They have a logistics team who organise for the tyres to be sent to the garages when an order has been placed.
The entire process is very simple. The consumer enters their tyre size (or in some cases you can even enter your number plate) and a range of available tyres will appear. You choose which tyres you want, where you want to get them fitted and on what day and time. Payment is all done online then the consumer simply turns up at the booked time and their tyres will be there ready to be fitted.
“It just eliminates so much time from the traditional tyre buying process. Let’s be honest, there aren’t many people who enjoy buying tyres so why not make it as convenient and easy for them” says entrepreneur Simon Furness.
Hyper Drive offers all the leading tyres brands including Pirelli, Goodyear, Nexen, Hankook, Yokohama and more.
Hyper Drive is part of the online retail business Hyper Group which also operates www.hyperride.co.nz and www.hypertyres.co.nz.
| A HyperDrive Release | March 15, 2017 ||
The Minister for Seniors Maggie Barry says changes to Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA) forms will make them easier to understand and use.
“Knowing you can chose people you trust and who understand what you want, who will make important personal and financial decisions for you if you can’t, gives you peace of mind,” Ms Barry says.
“It should be set up when you are fit and healthy – mentally and physically.”
“The changes, which come into effect tomorrow, make it much easier to take that first step towards protecting your future life wishes on your personal health and well-being issues and property matters.”
“Both EPAs are written in plain english and come with an explanation of what setting one up means.”
“The changes won’t affect existing documents but any medical certificates about someone’s mental capacity must meet new requirements.”
“Everyone should set up an Enduring Power of Attorney so your wishes can be carried out if you are not well enough to express them.”
“Seniors can use their Gold Card to receive discounts at 300 legal firms around New Zealand so EPAs and wills cost less to draw up,” Ms Barry says
More information on EPAs is on the SuperSeniors website www.superseniors.msd.govt.nz. The new EPA forms will be available on the website from tomorrow.
Additional information:
Together with changes to the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 that also take effect tomorrow, the changes will:
| A Beehive release | march 15, 2017 ||
Viña del Mar, Chile - High Level Representatives from Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Malaysia, Peru, and Singapore and Vietnam met here today to discuss the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on the margins of the High Level Dialogue on Integration Initiatives for the Asia Pacific.
The participating partners reiterated their firm commitment to collaborate in keeping markets open and to the free flow of goods, services and investment advancing regional economic integration and strengthening the rules-based international trading system noting our concern with protectionism in many parts of the world.
They recalled the balanced outcome and the strategic and economic significance of the TPP highlighting its principles and high standards as a key driver for regional economic integration and promoter of economic growth, competition, innovation and productivity, with the potential of generating jobs and lowering costs for consumers.
The high level representatives exchanged views on their respective domestic processes regarding TPP and canvassed views on a way forward that would advance economic integration in the Asia-Pacific.
Senior Trade Officials will meet and consult in preparation for the Ministers to meet again in the margins of the APEC meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade on 20-21 May 2017.
| A Beehive release | March 15, 2017 ||
2017’s already been identified by Vodafone as the year of data explosion, with Kiwis using more and more of it to stay up to date.
But it’s not just being chewed up by the binge-watching habits that online-only series like Netflix’s Stranger Things brings about.
Kiwis are still just as interested in what’s happening around them, and the video and stories giving insight into their changing world.
In fact, hyper levels of mobility in how we consume news - and how often we expect updates - appears to have increased the appetites of everyday readers.
That’s all part of why Vodafone New Zealand is launching its own news website, offering a behind the scenes look into the work the company’s involved in, its people, and the latest trends in technology, industry and community developments.
Chief Executive Russell Stanners said, "Ever increasing levels of connectivity create an expectation that we need to share what’s going on, and we want to get the latest stories, in many instances, direct from those at the centre of what’s happening.
"At the same time this truly is the age of the customer - they’re digitally savvy, empowered by the technology - and they want to understand who they’re dealing with, at a deeper level," he added.
Vodafone News will feature behind the scenes video of important developments, offer advice and readable features across a range of topics for consumers as well as insights from leaders in a range of diverse fields.
Russell Stanners said, "At Vodafone we’re at the forefront of innovation, and Kiwis want to know what we think about topics that are important to them.
"We want to get our story out, we’re proud of what our people are achieving, and so much is set to change in technology trends this year, we want to make sure people can make sense of it all," he added.
People are consuming news and information constantly these days through a range of mediums, and the days of only reading news from just one or two websites has rapidly declined.
Instead, as the recent U.S election illustrated, consumers will browse a wide range of sources - whether that’s hard copy, online or through social media, to read more about what they’re interested in.
Andrea Brady, Vodafone’s Head of External Communications, believes this shift in media consumption habits, opens the door for customers to experience major projects from the inside.
"There are times when Vodafone is hard at work in areas that you might not expect. A good example is our Instant Network team. They’re our first response team who go into emergencies, when everyone else is fleeing them," she said.
The team deployed a year ago when Fiji declared a state of natural disaster in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Winston, with a series of suitcases and a mobile generator to successfully establish a local communications network.
"They were the first emergency relief to reach Vanua Balavu that had been devastated by the cyclone. Communications were quickly established enabling the village to reach out for medical evacuation for those in need, and so that people could let relieved family members know they were still alive," Andrea said.
Behind the scenes video on Vodafone News paints the picture of how the Instant Network team works, and the powerful impact it can have on communities’ desperately in need.
"There are countless examples of innovation taking place every day in communities and businesses around the country. We’re keen to make sure those get the attention they deserve," Andrea added.
For more information head to https://news.vodafone.co.nz/
| A Vodafone release | March 15, 2017 ||
Executives at Toshiba are now actively considering selling Westinghouse, among other options to deal with the troubled nuclear developer.
The company has expanded a probe into Westinghouse and missed an earnings report deadline for a second time, Reuters reported.
Officials at Toshiba believe it could find buyers for a majority stake in Westinghouse even though it recently lost $6.3 billion. Industry executives believe South Korea’s KEPCO could be a potential buyer. KEPCO indicated it would consider an offer.
However, CEO Satoshi Tsunakawa dodged questions about a potential bankruptcy filing for Westinghouse, indicating only that there are multiple options. Company sources say Toshiba has hired bankruptcy lawyers as an exploratory step.
Even with the extraordinary losses, tied to nuclear project delays, dwindling demand for nuclear and the overvaluation of the purchase of CB&I Stone & Webster, Tsunakawa indicated nuclear construction is only a small part of Westinghouse’s operations.
"Around 80 percent of Westinghouse's revenues come from stable businesses in services and fuel-related businesses so I think that will be taken into consideration too," he said during a news conference.
Toshiba’s goal is to have Westinghouse off its consolidated accounts by the end of the next fiscal year in March 2018.
| A Power Engineering release | March 14, 2017 ||
Will purchase appease shareholders and their class action?
The acquisition by Toronto’s Resolver Inc of assets of Wynyard Group points up the need for an international partner by New Zealand technology companies.
Resolver has taken over a slew of products from the Wynyard Group which went into liquidation. In doing so the Canadian company also acquires a user base, notably in the public sector.
Resolver’s activities in the crime-fighting, counter insurgency, and security IT application sector mirrored those of Wynyard.
The failure of Wynyard much earlier to acquire a big league international collaboration is all the more strange bearing in mind that Wynyard sprang out of Jade which achieved its global market share through an initial tie up with Unisys, and then with the UK’s Skipton Building Society.
Even so, collaboration poses a special threat for risk systems producers.
The less people in on the codes, the better. The less diluted their allegiance, the less the risk of leaks.
These systems require input from law enforcement authorities. Tolkien buff and New Zealand resident Peter Thiel’s Palantir is an example.
It is not known if the acquisition by Resolver of the Wynyard Group product line is sufficient to appease the formerly NZX main board company’s shareholders with their class action.
Meanwhile, the transaction reinforces a long tradition of Canadian IT involvement in this country which started with the introduction of the first PC portable, as they were then known, the Hyperion, then the Commodore, and much more recently the BlackBerry, long the Parliamentary standard.
Canadian manufacturers that played a big part in the telecommunications ramp-up included Mitel, Norpak, and Brian Tolley’s Bell Block cable extrusion process factory Canzac.
| From the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Wednesday 15 March 2017 ||
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