Another four Iveco Stralis prime movers for C3
We’ve heard of a range of different reasons as to why operators choose the Iveco product, often its adaptability and cost of life that is nominated as the prime reasons.
But in this case, it was simply a case of the Iveco product copping a battering and consistently coming back for more.
New Zealand logistics company – C3 has just expanded its fleet of 16 Iveco Stralis prime movers by another four trucks.
The new trucks will join their older siblings in Western Australia – hauling wood chips from sustainably-grown plantations across.
C3 also operate several trucks from the city of Portland in south-western Victoria in the same application but configured as B-Doubles.
Racking up about 400kms a day, some of the Stralis trucks in the C3 fleet have covered more than a million kilometres.
But C3 Operations Manager – Albany, Craig Fildes, says they just keep coming back for more punishment.
“A lot of the roads the trucks travel on especially in the plantations – as you could imagine – are not very nice, the trucks can take a battering but the Ivecos handle it well.
“The drivers are also happy with them, especially with their comfortable, quiet cabin.”
c3 logistocs iveco stralisThe new additions to the fleet are powered by the 560hp 13 litre Cursor engine coupled to a ZF Eurotronic II 16-speed transmission.
“This time we went for the higher engine output and worked with Iveco to select the best GCM – the AS-Ls allow us to work at our desired target of 90 tonnes which helps productivity.
“The AS-Ls do quite an amazing job – they are a good all-round fit for the application.
“They’re comfortable, quiet, they’re easy to work with and are competitively priced.”
| A BehindTheWheel release || September 1, 2017 |||
One of the most common frustrations during packing of bags is the time consumed by the labeling system. Changing tape, tickets or ribbons means halting the process while another tape or ticket roll is being loaded.
This leads to unnecessary delay, accumulation of costs per bag and increases in lead time. Furthermore, the tape or tickets attached to the bag can easily tear off or be removed and can fade when subjected to sun light, causing logistical problems and loss of identification. Depending on the number of customers and products being packed, storage of all the different tape and tickets increases your costing and often leaves you with unusable surplus material.
Together with LC Packaging Eqraft has developed laser printable bags and a laser printer that prints straight on to bags without the use of ink ribbons, tape or paper tickets. As the printing is without contact there are no wearing parts.
This printer has been developed for high volume continuous operation at high reliability. The printer allows for the individual printing of bags with filling dates, product information track and trace numbers and any other information making the identification of each specific bag and its contents possible. Printing is done straight onto the bag without the use of the so called consumables such as PE tape, paper tickets, sprayed ink or ink ribbon.
The Eqraft Laser Printer for Bags allows for:
Currently the Eqraft Laser Printer and the LC Packaging laser printable bags are being thoroughly tested by one of our customers in the Netherlands. The official presentation will be at the Potato Europe Exhibition in Emmeloord on September 13-14th. The Eqraft Laser Printer for Bags can be integrated with the Baxmatic® bagging equipment.
| A n Eqraft release || August 29, 2017 |||
Sistema CEO and Customs .jpgCustoms and Sistema Plastics have signed a partnership under the NZ Customs Secure Export Scheme (SES), endorsing the exporter’s supply chain security standards.
Customs and Sistema executives met at the Sistema head office in Auckland to seal the deal with an official Certificate of Partnership.
Customs Acting Comptroller Christine Stevenson says New Zealand’s SES gives members greater certainty at international borders and ensures minimal delay.
“We recognise the importance of supporting international trade. Sistema is one of the country’s most successful manufacturing businesses, and now exports to more than 80 countries around the world. The Sistema range is well known internationally and it is very pleasing to welcome them on board with this partnership,” says Ms Stevenson.
Sistema Plastics CEO Drew Muirhead says “Joining the partnership will bring great efficiencies and allow us to continue streamlining our supply to our customers globally. We are delighted to be part of SES and thrilled to be working alongside Customs and the other great New Zealand companies which are also part of it.”
Exporters that are approved for the SES provide Customs with risk management plans that assure their goods are packed and transported securely to the place of shipment without interference.
Customs currently has agreements with the United States, China, Australia, Japan and Korea and SES is recognised by those countries. It means exports by local SES members benefit from the knowledge their products will be considered secure at those borders.
The SES is voluntary and open to exporters wish to apply. For more information, see Secure Export Scheme.
| An NZCustoms release || September 01, 2017 |||
JR’s Orchards, writes Nicola Watson for www.freshplaza.com is the only large scale, export orchard left in the Wellington area and is situated in the heart of the beautiful Wairarapa, in Greytown.
"Our region's climate of hot days and cold nights gives our fruit outstanding pressures and brix, making our apples highly desirable to all markets," said Jamiee Burns from the company. "In the past 5 years we have planted in excess of 35,000 trees including the new “Sunglow” Red Delicious which is attracting a lot of interest due to its sweet taste and storage compatibilities."
JR's are planting another 5,000 trees this winter, mainly Royal Gala and High Colour Braeburn. "We are looking to grow our markets in Europe and Asia as we feel our variety mix of Royal Gala, Braeburn, Fuji, Sunglow, Pacific Rose and European Pears will be perfect for these markets. We also export to the Middle East market and currently supply fruit into Lidl and Aldi in Europe."
Although netting is not common among New Zealand apples growers, JR's have 90% of their orchards protected. "We have the largest single netting structure for apples and pears in New Zealand and we will continue to develop until we are 100% covered," explains Jamiee.
"The netting has many benefits in enhancing our fruit quality and fruit finish as it has created its own micro climate under the nets. Our crop is protected from birds, insects, wind and hail."
The first netting was erected in 2007 and according to Jamiee, it has been a fantastic investment. "We have seen a 30% increase in production due to the netting. This is achieved by having a cleaner, pest free product and healthier trees."
JR's are a stand-alone business with no other grower supply base. Everything is marketed under the ECCO brand is 100% own fruit. "We have our own packhouse and coolstores with the capacity to Smartfresh 2,000 bins per day. We load all containers onsite and are part of New Zealand's Secure Exporters Program. This allows our export product to enter overseas markets freely without the need for additional offshore customs inspections."
The company has also invested in a new Compac grader that allows them to size, colour band, defect sort and optimise pack weight to ensure accuracy of the product.
"Our philosophy and vision is to grow excellent quality fruit in a sustainable way, while showing respect for our environment. We have twice entered the New Zealand Ballance Environmental Awards and in 2009 won the Gallagher Innovation Award. In 2015 we entered again and won the 2015 Hill Laboratories Harvest Award, 2015 Waterforce Integrated Management Award and 2015 Massey University Innovation Award, said Jamiee proudly.
The company is accredited to BRC, Global Gap + GRASP, Sedex Registered and follow the New Zealand Pipfuit Apple Futures Program to ensure we can deliver an excellent product and meet all our Importers stringent MRL standards required by our markets.
| A FreshPlaza release || August 31, 2017 |||
NBR readers back the scrapping Callaghan innovation – but Labour’s position still unclear The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Labour to confirm that a Labour-led Government would scrap Callaghan Innovation's 'corporate welfare' grants after an NBR subscribers poll found more than 57% of readers want the schemes to be scrapped (with a further 31% backing a reduction in the corporate welfare regime).
Executive Director of the Taxpayers' Union Jordan Williams says, “NBR’s poll proves what we’ve been arguing. The majority of the business community want the Callaghan Innovation, ‘hand picking of winners’ grants system scrapped.”
"This result doesn't come as a surprise. When Callaghan surveyed its own clients last year, 40% said Callaghan hadn't added value to their business. Given Callaghan's role is giving away free stuff, that statistic is extraordinary." “Jacinda Ardern had signalled her interest in going away from the ‘picking winners’ model in favour of R&D tax breaks. We call on Labour to commit to what businesses want, and pledge to get rid of Callaghan Innovation if elected in September.”
For further information see: https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/poll-result%C2%A0whats-best-way-boost-rd-spending-ck-p-207194
| A Taxpayers Union release || August 31, 2017 |||
Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges has joined Taranaki councils and the business community to launch an economic development strategy for the region.
The Minister is in New Plymouth today to join the local community at the launch of Tapuae Roa - Make Way for Taranaki, which provides direction for the region’s economy.
“Taranaki’s economy is mostly based on the oil, gas, dairy, manufacturing and other sectors. This strategy will build on this through boosting skills and enterprise to grow Taranaki into a modern, high-value economy," Mr Bridges says.
“While the region has a noteworthy technology profile, the strategy also highlights the lifestyle and culture of the region. The region can be proud of its achievements with the award-winning Len Lye Centre, the coastal walkway, WOMAD and many others.”
The strategy was commissioned by Taranaki’s four councils and was developed by business and iwi leaders, the region’s councils and central government.
It identifies a number of action areas including boosting tourism and visitor services, growing the Maori economy and focusing on improving skills and innovation.
“The opportunities highlighted in the strategy will go a long way to Taranaki continuing its reign as the second best region in the world as voted by Lonely Planet, building on its visitor sector and taking the economy to the next level,” Mr Bridges says.
An action plan currently being developed will be released later this year and will identify priority actions to deliver the regional strategy.
Through the Regional Growth Programme, central government agencies will work in partnership with Taranaki stakeholders to develop and implement the Action Plan.
For more information on the strategy, go to www.makeway.co.nz.
| A Beehive release || August 31, 2017 |||
Solid Energy sells off last of its significant assets
New Zealand logistics company C3 expands Iveco fleet
Bracewell to step down from Freightways top job after 18 years
Nelson on "hot streak" as it retains top spot on economic scoreboard
Antarctic labs overhaul just the beginning for supercool Scott Base
Tony Alexander's weekly Overview
Interesting times ahead for Callaghan Innovation
Govt co-launches Taranaki economic strategy
You know how the saying goes, we love anything Solar. Predicted to replace 1 million tons of coal in the next 25 years, China's new 250-Acre Solar Panda makes sustainability adorable! <a href="http://ow.ly/B6d230e1VEx
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