Colour Graphic Services is offering free ‘colour health checks’ for offset, digital and wide-format printers at PacPrint in May.
Printers can print the free test forme to the best of their ability on the device of their choice and bring it to CGS’s stand B62 at PacPrint, where ‘Colour Doctor’ David Crowther will analyse and provide feedback on their colour performance. “The test provides printers with a report and detailed information about where their colour quality is at on the device they printed it on. We’re measuring it against the ISO standard for print, which is the basis for colour quality, so they can see how close they are and we can advise what they should do,” Crowther said.
The health check will be performed using ISO 13655-compatible Techkon spectrophotometers, and compared against the ISO 12647 colour standard using Mellow Colour software. The program will provide a detailed report within seconds, identifying colour issues and suggesting remedies.
Printers interested in the health check can obtain the forme by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. “The file we send in advance is big, around 200MB, so either high bandwidth or a file sending service such as DropBox or SendStuffNow can be used. It’s a PDF so can easily be put into the workflow and printed out,” Crowther said.
A CGS press release says taking advantage of the free service at PacPrint could provide a saving of hundreds of dollars, as the same process in a metro area would cost between $495 and $995 to produce, measure and report on the test forme.
| A CGS release | March 27, 2017 |||
With its complex rules, fine print and lengthy processes, it’s little wonder that the $NZD1.85 trillion dollar insurance industry has a terrible reputation for trust and customer service. In a recent global survey from accounting firm E&Y, consumers ranked insurance below banks, car manufacturers, online shopping sites and supermarkets for trustworthiness.
A newcomer to the field, Auckland based Digital Squad hopes to reverse that reputation by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) - more specifically technology and behavioral science to create a faster and more transparent service.
The start-up, a collaboration of behavioural economist, Shane Chand, and AI and cryptography specialist, Anvesh Katuri, set out to create algorithms that make it easy and quick to sign up and approve claims – in minutes rather than days.
"AI-SURE will use Machine learning to eventually handle the entire claims process – from triage, through fraud mitigation and down to the actual payment by wire.A big challenge for AI-SURE will come when it faces a flurry of claims from a major natural disaster such as the Christchurch quakes" Shane said.
"Whilst till in testing phrase and far from deployment, the software is looking very promising so far" he added.
U.S based venture capitalist and billionaire Mark Cuban predicted recently that the world's first trillionaires will actually be entrepreneurs working with artificial intelligence.
| A PRWire release | March 28, 2017 |||
Pioneer Construction, formerly known as Canterbury Rebuilders, have been awarded a two-year exclusive contract to build portable cabins for Just Cabins in the South Island.
Following a thorough selection process, Fenton Peterken, owner andFranchisor of Just Cabins, said that Pioneer Construction was thecompany that most closely matched the requirements of Just Cabinsin terms of experience and outlook.
“Although we had several high quality applications from the Christchurch area, Pioneer Construction demonstrated their passion and experience from the outset. We work with a number of partners across the country and we are especially pleased to start this new partnership – two growing New Zealand businesses providing customers with high quality products and service.”
Jarrod Chappell and Mathew Douthett, owners of Pioneer Construction, were equally delighted with the new partnership, saying, “We already have so much experience in building new homes, maintenance work and of course, Earthquake Repairs, so we are looking forward to adding experience of building mobile cabins to our portfolio. We are delighted with the opportunity to work with the Just Cabins team.”
| A PRNZ release | March 25, 2017 |||
ABB has announced the launch of the world’s first digital distribution transformer at the ABB Customer World event in Houston, Texas.
According to the conglomerate, the new TXpert™ will be able to provide information to maximize reliability, while optimizing operating and maintenance costs.
With integrated sensing and monitoring technology, the transformer’s system will be able to collect this data, storing and analyzing it in order to offer insights on its operations.
| An ABB release \ March 27, 2017 |||
The first three months of 2017 have brought several surprises that can possibly impact the global transformer industry. These article series will examine the possible impacts that these events could have on the global transformer industry. Only time will tell which if any of these events will come to pass.
January 2017 saw the inauguration of a new president in the United States and a major shift in how the U.S. will look at the world as stated by President Trump in his inaugural address, ‘Buy American & American Made’ being a prime focus. ABB announcing the close of a plant in New Zealand. The British Parliament’s vote to confirm BREXIT. And finally the commissioning of a new GOES production line in Brazil. These are just a few of the events that we examine.
Part I of this report will concentrate on events that can possibly impact global transformer manufacturers. Part II will focus on the possible impacts to the North American transformer industry.
Let’s start with recent BREXIT vote in the United Kingdom. We now know that the UK Parliament will activate Rule 50 on March 29th. In response the EU Commission has stated that terms of the departure will be such that no other country will want to leave the EU.
What will BREXIT do to the transformer industry? Will the UK maintain the import duties on grain oriented electrical steel (GOES)? What about efficiency standards?
Duties on GOES crossing the Channel?
At this point UK does have a mill producing grain oriented electrical steel (GOES), the CORUS Division of Tata British steel. It is possible that with BREXIT that the EU will look at this mill in the same light that they have with mills in Japan, China, South Korea, Russia and the United States. In that case there would be duties on GOES crossing the Channel.
Which brings us to the Tata British Steel / ThyssenKrupp joint venture. Currently Tata British Steel is in negations with ThyssenKrupp to merge Tata’s specialty steel division. Will ThyssenKrupp want to have production facilities across the Channel in a non-EU country with the possibility of import duties, or will they want to move that capacity into their plants in France and Germany?
Experts stated in 2016 that the UK, on its own, could not meet the EU 2020 Efficiency Standards. Not being a member of the EU, will they decide to adhere to the 2020 Efficiency Standard or will they decide to adopt a less strict standard. If the UK adopts a less strict standard will UK transformer companies be forced to produce a line of transformers for export to the EU and a separate design of the UK.
In recent years we have seen the EU transformer industry out-sourcing their transformer core manufacturing. Much of this has gone to Turkey and the Middle East. Some of the reasoning for this has been the duties imposed by the EU on imported GOES and the continued efforts to reduce costs.
EU transformer manufacturers should be concerned about their supply chain
With the relations between the EU and Turkey becoming more strained, should European transformer manufacturers be concerned about their supply chain, not only, for cores but also magnet wire.
The global GOES supply is undergoing changes also.
In 2016 Allegheny Technologies announced that they were leaving the GOES market, while in China the merger of Baosteel and Wuhan Iron & Steel (WISCO) was announced. This meant that the United States lost one of it’s two GOES producer and 115,000 tons of capacity.
The merger of Baosteel and WISCO could represent a reduction in Chinese GOES capacity since neither company has been operating their GOES facilities at capacity for at least the past year.
Just recently AK Steel has stated that they expect reduced shipments of GOES through the first half of 2017.
To offset these concerns, Aperam has just commissioned a new GOES processing line at their Brazilian operation allowing them to produce HiB. This would be a first for South America.
In India, late 2016 the Russian steel producer NLMK signed a LOI with the Indian government to build a mill in India capable of producing GOES. Maybe they will have better luck than POSCO.
| A Power Transformer release | March 27, 2017 |||
An agreement to boost New Zealand-China trade was today signed by Customs Minister Nicky Wagner and China’s Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Wang Lutong.
The Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) ensures border agencies in New Zealand and China recognise one another’s trusted exporter programmes.
“New Zealand and China Customs enjoy a strong working relationship. This arrangement will further strengthen ties by helping streamline the movement of goods,” Ms Wagner says.
“Companies signed up to New Zealand Customs’ Secure Export Scheme will automatically benefit from faster cargo clearance, reduced document checks and less examination.”
The MRA will come into effect on 1 July 2017. More details on the implementation and benefits will be provided to New Zealand exporters and Chinese importers in the coming months.
China and New Zealand Customs also recently launched a Joint Electronic Verification System, which automatically sends New Zealand’s Certificate of Origin data to China for greater assurance over the authenticity of goods.
| A Beehive release | March 27, 2017 |||
New Zealand has enhanced its air service agreement with China by 20 per cent Transport Minister Simon Bridges announced today.
“New Zealand and Chinese airlines can now operate 59 passenger services per week,” Mr Bridges says.
“We’ve seen strong growth with visitors from China and we expect this to continue. China is our second largest source of visitors after Australia, so it’s important that we have the appropriate agreements in place to support this.
“The amendment will also allow additional airlines to enter the market, ensuring a competitive environment that will benefit New Zealand and Chinese travellers.
“Officials also have the opportunity to further expand the agreement later this year if certain conditions are met.
“Chinese airlines can now operate between airports in New Zealand during the course of their international service, allowing airports that do not receive flights by Chinese airlines the opportunity to do so.
“We have progressively enhanced this agreement. In 2014 the agreement provided 42 offerings per week and was increased in 2016 to 49. We will continue to work towards an open skies agreement with China,” Mr Bridges says.
Five Chinese airlines currently operate to New Zealand and a sixth, Sichuan Airlines, will enter the market in June.
“New Zealand is committed to liberalising air services, allowing for competitive markets, increased air traffic, lower air fares and stronger international trade links,” Mr Bridges says.
New Zealand now has 61 air service agreements with countries and territories with a further 20 awaiting signature.
Arrivals from China in 2016 were 421,000 – an increase 12 per cent (54,000) from 2015.
| A Beehive release | march 27, 2017 |||
New Zealand and China will begin talks on an upgrade of the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries on April 25, Prime Minister Bill English announced today.
The announcement followed official talks between the Prime Minister and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Wellington today.
“The FTA with China has been an enormous success,” Mr English says.
“Since coming into force in 2008 two-way trade between our two countries has tripled to $23 billion, creating jobs and opportunities for people in both countries. An upgrade will ensure this momentum continues and ensure that the FTA remains a modern agreement that tackles barriers our exporters face. It will assist progress towards our target of $30 billion two-way trade by 2020.
“The agreement to commence of negotiations also confirms the commitment of both countries to open trade and economic growth,” Mr English says.
“Trade openness and strong ties in the region are critical to New Zealand’s economic growth, prosperity, and job creation.”
Mr English says today’s meeting with Premier Li provided an opportunity to reflect on the successes achieved since New Zealand established diplomatic relations with China 45 years ago, and to set the agenda for the future.
“Premier Li and I also reiterated the value we see in people-to-people links between our two countries, including the nearly 35,000 Chinese students studying in New Zealand, and the 400,000 Chinese who visit annually.
“Both countries also confirmed their commitment to open trade, sustainable development, and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
In addition to agreeing a date for talks to begin on a FTA upgrade, the two leaders also announced a number of other initiatives, including:
This is the Premier’s first visit to New Zealand as Premier, but he previously visited as Vice Premier in 2009.
“It was a pleasure to host Premier Li in New Zealand once again, together with his wife Madame Cheng Hong.
“I look forward to hosting them both at a China-New Zealand Gala in Auckland tomorrow.”
Related DocumentsList of Initiatives announced between China and New Zealand (pdf 213.9 KB)
| A Beehive releas | march 27, 2017 |||
Downer mounts A$1.2 billion takeover for Spotless Group
Ξ Rodd & Gunn Branching Out in the US
Ξ P3 is the mantra for Kiwi business in India
Ξ While you were sleeping: Wall St falls as investors consider Trump's recent decisions
Ξ China FTA upgrade talks to begin next month
Ξ Chinese Premier Li rejects steel dumping claim, cites larger NZ dairy exports
Ξ NZ US Council to take Trade Agenda 2030 to Washington
A number of US steelmakers are expanding capacity and upgrading mills in the same region where Australian company BlueScope Steel operates its highly profitable North Star mill.
According to BlueScope, its North Star mill in Ohio achieved a profit of $211 million in the first half of 2016-17, which accounted for 35 per cent of its overall profit. This is double the profit from the year prior.
With rivals getting wind of this, a number have announced expansions and upgrades of their Ohio plants, supported by new policies from US President Donald Trump designed to stimulate local manufacturing.
For example, Nucor recently announced its plan to spend US$85 million (AU$111 million) to upgrade a steel mill in Marion, Ohio, in order to keep a “cost-competitive position”. Charter Steel also announced its plan to build a new $150 million steel mill in Cuyahoga Heights in Ohio, and US Steel has stated its intention to spend up to US$200 million on steel mill expansions.
According to Deutsche Bank analyst Paul Young, producers are being incentivised to bring under-utilised capacity back into market as demand increases. Despite Trump’s protectionism policies and higher tariffs on imported steel, increased US steel mill utilisation is expected to limit profit margin expansion, said Young.
| A ManufacturersMonthly release | March 27,2017 |||
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