Craig Price is the new President of the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ).
Mr Price has had a long career with engineering consultancy Beca. He is currently South Island Regional Manager and Chair of Beca’s New Zealand business.
IPENZ currently has a record 19,000 members across all fields of engineering.
Mr Price takes office during a significant period of change for IPENZ, with the organisation adopting a new direction and membership structure.
“This will be another big year of change, as we deliver on our strategies to drive increased credibility and influence for our members.”
Mr Price says he’s passionate about upholding engineering standards. He also wants to see engineers moving beyond technical management into leadership and governance roles, in both business and the wider community.
“Engineers needs to step up and become influencers, not just implementers.
“Problem solving is at the heart of engineering, and engineers can bring this valuable perspective to industry groups and commercial and community boards.”
He has been a strong supporter of Beca’s School Days programme, which gives local high school students the chance to experience a day as a professional consultant in a Beca office.
“Engineering is an energising and challenging profession full of different paths and possibilities. We need to keep attracting the best young talent – and to make sure we support them throughout their careers.”
Mr Price is an IPENZ Fellow and a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors, and is a director of infrastructure services company City Care.
Mr Price will hold office for a year. He succeeds Elena Trout, IPENZ’s second female President.
| An IPENZ reease || April 7, 2017 |||
$1.4b surplus in Crown Accounts to February. The Crown accounts for the eight months to 28 February posted a $1.4 billion operating surplus before gains and losses, $912 million better than expected at the half yearly update, Finance Minister Steven Joyce says.
“Higher tax revenues and lower than forecast expenditure mean the OBEGAL surplus is better than expected,” Mr Joyce says.
Tax revenues from the last year are 3.8 per cent ahead of Budget 2016 expectations and 7.7 per cent ahead of the same period last year, with all categories of tax growing.
“The Government has collected $3.5 billion more in tax in the first eight months of this year compared to last year,” Mr Joyce says. “That’s one of the dividends the country obtains from a consistently growing economy that is responding to a strong economic plan.”
Core Crown expenses were $395 million below forecast.
The $1.4 billion OBEGAL surplus compares to Treasury’s Budget 2016 forecast of a $568 million surplus for the eight months to February at the start of the fiscal year.
“While, the expenses outturn will continue to move around a little, it is good to see the trend of growing tax revenues continue as we head into Budget 2017, Mr Joyce says.
“It’s also good to see us making progress on our debt target, with net debt currently at 23.5 per cent of GDP,” Mr Joyce says. “Reducing net debt to around 20 per cent of GDP by 2020/21 will improve the resilience of the New Zealand economy to future shocks.”
| A beehive release | April 06, 2017 |||
Ξ Auckland Airport launches Strata – revamps lounge, wifi
Ξ Engineer defends assessment of quake-damaged Wellington building
Ξ What's next for America's Cup technology - boats with wings?
Ξ Human-like avatar gives glimpse of the future
Ξ Napier Port chief executive announces retirement
Ξ Consent in for five-star hotel in Dunedin
Ξ Scott Technology positioned for good growth
Babcock International’s Australasian CEO for engineering, infrastructure and aviation believes local operations will grow by more than 25 per cent annually, it has been reported in todays Manufacturers' Monthly
David Ruff spoke with the AFR about the potential for the business, which has been awarded contract “to provide offshore helicopter support services” in the Timor Sea for the United States oil and gas company Conoco Philips.
Babcock International has annual global revenues over $9 billion and opened a new regional headquarters in Adelaide on Wednesday.
In Australia and New Zealand, the company was generating revenues of $15 million from four years ago and has seen that rise to $250 million annually.
Last September, Babcock secured a five-year contract to help manage Qantas airline’s aviation fleet in 60 locations across Australia.
There are also further opportunities in engineering, defence, and transport and infrastructure sectors.
| A Manufacturers'Monthly release || April 06, 2017 |||
An Irish insulation manufacturer , Kingspan who also have presence in the New Zealand market, has officially opened its new facility in Somerton, creating 50 new jobs, and setting new standards in energy efficiency.
Victorian Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan congratulated Kingspan at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Victorian Government has worked with Kingspan to develop the Oherns Road factory – worth about $40 million – by providing funding support and assisting with planning and approval.
The company’s new Somerton base has become Australia’s first ever Green Star rated manufacturing facility.
It includes a 750 kW solar system built into the roof design, and innovative features such as industrial low energy lighting and heating systems.
It’s at least 10 per cent more energy efficient than Kingspan’s other manufacturing facilities.
Kingspan will supply its insulation products to the Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Oceania markets, with 35 per cent of output expected to be exported by 2020.
The Victorian Government supported Kingspan’s investment in partnership with the Federal Government through the Melbourne’s North Innovation and Investment Fund (MNIIF).
MNIIF has since been replaced by the $33 million Local Industry Fund for Transition (LIFT), supporting new investment, and creating jobs for retrenched automotive workers.
These grants have already created an additional 122 jobs from six projects in Melbourne’s north – as the Victorian Government works to build a strong, innovative and sustainable manufacturing sector.
| A Kingspan release | April 06, 2017 |||
Last week I attended a business conference and was talking to a rather sceptical business owner about health and safety and its benefits.
In his view, it was just another thing to do and made no difference to his business. I suppose, depending on the business this could be the case. We then discussed this at some length and I suggested that he look at the converse approach of what would be the impact on his business if something did go wrong. In effect, the what if approach for good risk management. So whats eventuated is that I will be attending his next managers and H&S committee meeting to illustrate the point through a simple yet effective group exercise.
To see how this can work for your business I have put together an article called The Ripple Effect which you can read here.
Gordon Anderson runs Health & safety consultancy Hasmate
Emirates has introduced another service to mitigate the inconvenience of the recent ban on electronic devices on board US-bound flights. First and Business Class passengers will now be able to borrow tablets on board Emirates’ US-bound flights from Dubai allowing them to continue working during their flight.
The new service is in response to the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) directive which requires all passengers travelling on non-stop flights to the US from Dubai to check-in their laptops, tablets, and other personal electronic devices larger than a smart phone.
As part of this latest service, Emirates’ premium customers will have Microsoft Surface tablets equipped with Microsoft Office 2016 available for loan on board. Customers can download their work on to a USB which can be brought on board and plugged into the devices to continue working seamlessly.
The service is complimentary and will be available on all non-stop flights from Dubai to Emirates’ US destinations. Emirates provides connections at Dubai from its five daily A380 services from New Zealand to the US.
For customers who prefer to stow away their personal devices and simply enjoy the award winning inflight entertainment and service on board, Emirates had introduced a laptop and tablet handling service for US-bound customers. This complimentary service has been made available to passengers in all cabin classes since 25 March 2017, which was when the new TSA rules took effect.
This service allows customers to retain and utilise their personal devices until just before they board their US-bound flights. Passengers must then declare and hand over their laptops, tablets, and other banned electronic devices to security staff at the boarding gate, who will pack and tag each device to be stored in the aircraft hold and returned to the customer at their US destination.
Watch a video on how Emirates’ handling service works here.
To date, nearly 8,000 passengers have utilised Emirates’ laptop and tablet handling service on the airline’s 112 weekly non-stop flights departing Dubai International airport to cities in the USA. Emirates has received positive feedback from appreciative customers, and reports an even mix of Economy, Business and First class passengers utilising its laptop and tablet handling service.
These two new services by Emirates gives customers travelling to the US several options, such as: packing their electronic devices into their check-in baggage at their point of departure; the opportunity to use their laptops and tablet on their first leg of their journeys and during transit in Dubai, up to the moment they board their US-bound flight; and for premium customers the choice to continue working on loaned devices on board. Customers can stay connected in the air with mobile phone connectivity, in-seat telephones with SMS and email and live TV on most flights. Currently, over 85% of Emirates’ fleet of passenger aircraft is equipped with Wi-Fi on board.
The TSA directive does not apply to Emirates’ US-bound flights via Milan (EK205) and Athens (EK209). It also does not impact flights departing from the US, or Emirates’ flights to any other destination.
Emirates customers flying to the US can find out more about how the new TSA rules impact them at www.emirates.com/electronicsban.
Emirates serves 12 US airports with passenger flights - Newark (EWR), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Orlando (MCO), Chicago (ORD), Boston (BOS), San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), Seattle (SEA), Dallas (DFW), Houston (IAH), Washington (IAD) and New York (JFK).
| An Emirates release | April 06, 2017 |||