TRAVERSE CITY — Devices to help farmers get over, around and through orchards and vineyards were on display during the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center's annual open house last week.
Seven agricultural equipment vendors — three from the area — sprawled out down the hill from the Research Center office and conference building.
One area vendor, Herman's Mobile Service from Suttons Bay, towered over the other companies.
Herman's displayed a mobile frost fan that extends 28 feet into the air. Built by Tow and Blow in New Zealand, the device is powered by a diesel engine.
"This machine will cover 11 acres," said owner Pat Herman. "The new model that is coming in now are 14 acres. Diesel engine. They're quiet, like a lawn mower. The biggest thing with these is portability. You can move them from one crop to another or put them away when you're done with them."
Herman said permanent frost fans, while covering more acreage, also burn more fuel.
"We're going to have slightly less coverage than them, maybe one to two acres," he said. "But the other thing we have going is we burn about a gallon and a quarter of fuel an hour where those are going to burn about 13. It's a big difference."
The mobile frost fans also feature a temperature-controlled start. Herman said the $37,000 price tag is "very comparable to the stationary ones."
Herman said his company has been carrying the product for three years. He said Herman's Mobile Service sells many of the mobile units in Ohio, New York and Wisconsin.
| A RecordEagle release || August 31, 2017 |||
Ingram Micro has announced a partnership with Vertiv, formerly Emerson Network Power, to deliver data centre solutions to businesses in New Zealand writes James Henderson New Zealand Reseller News
The deal comes amid an Auckland office expansion for the distributor, after signing the lease to take over the Umbrellar building that shares the company’s head office site on the North Shore.
From a vendor perspective, Vertiv will provide the complete range of products and services within a critical IT infrastructure framework, targeting industries such as telecommunications and internet services, banking and finance, transportation, power, logistics, and retail.
As a result, Ingram Micro will work with resellers to provide financing, education, training and business development resources to marketing services and pre- and post-sale technical assistance.
“Ingram will be delivering a broad and deep spectrum of technology and supply chain services to our solution partner community,” Vertiv channel business director of Asia Daniel Sim said.
“Vertiv will continue to bolster its position in New Zealand as a catalyst in adoption of pioneering edge computing implementations.”
Among the lines of Vertiv products that Ingram Micro will carry for the New Zealand market include critical power, thermal management, racks and enclosures, monitoring and services under the well known brands of Chloride, Liebert and Trellis.
“Appointing Ingram Micro significantly increases our presence in New Zealand and underpins our rapidly broadening channel strategy,” Vertiv A/NZ managing director Robert Linsdell added.
Formerly Emerson Network Power, Vertiv specialises in supporting mobile and cloud computing markets with a portfolio of power, thermal and infrastructure management solutions.
“Vertiv’s solutions open up additional revenue streams for Ingram Micro resellers that are active in the converged infrastructure space, so our channel partners are enthusiastic about the new opportunities,” Ingram Micro New Zealand managing director Gary Bigwood added.
“Ingram Micro is the only New Zealand distributor that can provide specialist resellers with a full range of hardware and software for data centres and enterprise level infrastructure solutions, which makes Vertiv the perfect fit for our partne
Alongside the new vendor partnership, Ingram Micro also unveiled plans to bolster office space, expanding into the adjacent building in Auckland.
“We’ve seen substantial expansion and have literally run out of room,” Bigwood added. “We’ve removed offices, reduced desk sizes and moved outbound teams to hot-desks – pretty much anything we could think of to create more room. But in the end, we really, really just needed more space.
“In a case of perfect timing, Umbrellar was looking to relocate just as we had finally run out of room to swing the proverbial cat. The stars aligned and everything has worked out very well for all involved.”
Bigwood said that signing the lease to take over the Umbrellar building, which is next door to the existing Ingram Micro building, also avoids a design and build project over the next couple of years and the associated disruption that would bring.
“The current Ingram Micro building is almost nine years old and will be getting a tidy up to match the Umbrellar facility over the coming year,” Bigwood added.
The move into the new building is scheduled for October this year.
| A IngramMicro release || August 31, 2017 |||
Centuries of formality, tradition and etiquette are the attributes that many young people normally see as reasons to bypass the game of golf.
The perception that golf is also mostly for the elders on the higher rungs of the corporate ladder might be precisely why the young and ambitious should consider practicing their swing.
Trends worldwide show that golf is a game which is under enormous pressure to gain and retain participants, especially of a younger demographic. New Zealand Golf continues to meet the pressure head on through its ongoing efforts to keep the game accessible to all.
New Zealand Golf, with the support of the University of Auckland, has set out to create a unique programme that has seen such interest that spaces were taken within days.
The Business Course pairs leading business professionals with ambitious young students for a round of golf, teaching them a bit about ‘the game’ while playing the game over the space of six weeks.
Big names such as former prime minister Sir John Key, celebrity chef and restauranteur Josh Emmett, Air New Zealand Chief Financial Officer Rob McDonald, Susan Paterson (ONZM), Spark Chief Executive of Home, Mobile and Business Jason Paris and Rhodes scholar and Reserve Bank director Jonathan Ross, will join students on the course. The students will graduate from the programme at an event held alongside New Zealand’s first LPGA event, the MCKAYSON New Zealand Women’s Open on October 1st.
The Business Course follows New Zealand Golf’s Love Golf initiative, which was launched in 2014, designed to tackle the perception of the sport in New Zealand and drive an increase in participation.
With 8 out of 10 golfers playing the sport on a casual basis, golf in New Zealand has evolved to facilitate Kiwis’ flexible commitment to the sport as interest grows within a younger demographic of players.
The University of Auckland Business School is thrilled to partner with New Zealand Golf to give promising business students the opportunity to learn from and network with some of the biggest names in New Zealand business, picking up skills that will be valuable for life.
“Co-curricular activities such as The Business Course offer another level to a student’s career development and the initiative is one we are very excited about at the University of Auckland,” says University of Auckland senior lecturer of marketing Dr Mike Lee
“Nearly all industry stakeholders we have spoken to state the importance of graduates that are not only book smart but also people smart. While we provide as many opportunities as possible to ensure all students get a chance to develop these soft-skills, this initiative is a truly exceptional opportunity for our students.”
“We all believe in diversity and inclusiveness. There is probably a perception that golf is a sport for middle aged white males, and that only white males do well in business. That is why it was really important for us to select a diverse group of students and, with the help of New Zealand Golf, pair them with a diverse set of mentors. Both parties want to break the stereotype that golf (and Business) is only of interest to old white men,” Lee adds.
New Zealand Golf believes that the programme will be a valuable tool in demonstrating the value of the game of golf to young people.
“Golf is a game that enriches young lives and has always been a useful sport to play in the business world. We believe the opportunity to partner with the University of Auckland Business School for this programme is invaluable,” says New Zealand Golf Chief Executive Dean Murphy.
“The Business Course will be of huge benefit to both the mentors and the students as they spend time together on the course and get to know one another away from the distractions of a busy world.”
Being able to play golf has always been an advantage in the business world but The Business Course is more than a golf game, it’s an investment in promising futures.
| A NZGolf Assoc. release | August 31, 2017 |||
Judges for the 2017 NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards have announced the line-up of finalists after a record year of entries.
CEO of the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) Rachel Brown says these organisations and individuals are leading the transformation to a more sustainable New Zealand.
“This year we have had the highest number of entries in the 15 years of the Awards, reflecting the growth in sustainability initiatives across New Zealand businesses.
“These Awards recognise outstanding achievement in making New Zealand a more sustainable nation. Over the years we have seen a movement from efficient resource management into real system shifts, responding to critical themes like restoring nature, renewable transport and good food.
“The quality of entries has been extremely high, so making the final round of judging is a considerable achievement.
“The finalists include small businesses, corporates and not for profits, showing that all types of organisations can make a success out of sustainability. Recognising progress is vital, and the Awards are our way of celebrating together.”
Travis Atkinson, Executive General Manager of NZI, the Principal Sponsor of the Awards, says, “We’ve been proud supporters of the Sustainable Business Network and national Awards for the last 10 years.
“As an organisation that provides business insurance for a growing New Zealand, being sustainable is really important to us - it’s fundamental to the way we do business. We’re strong believers in the SBN’s mission to inspire change and we look forward to meeting the new sustainability leaders of 2017.”
The Award winners will be announced at a black tie ceremony on 30 November at Shed 10 on Auckland’s waterfront. Tickets are now on sale.
The finalists for the 2017 NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards are: Sustainability Superstar AwardSponsored by Westpac Geoff Bold, Fisher & Paykel HealthcareBob Burnett, Bob Burnett ArchitectureGary Dalton, Te Whangai TrustJosie Evans, Excelso CoffeeAndrew Fisher, EcoStock Supplies LtdToni Hogg, Green CabsAnton Hutton, Z EnergyIan G. McLean, Toi Ohomai Institute of TechnologyJulia Milne, Common Unity Project AotearoaDee and Steve West, ChargeNet New Zealand Communicating for Change AwardSponsored by Cadence Communications Conscious ConsumersEcotricityGreen CabsMeridian EnergySustainable Winegrowing NZ / NZ Sustainability DashboardSuperhome MovementThe Better NZ TrustTrade MeWasteMINZBayfair Shopping CentreClean EventKiwi Community Assistance Charitable TrustLittle Yellow BirdMy Car Your RentalThankyou PayrollTROW GroupVerisafeWestpac Partnering for Good Award Akina FoundationAuckland Whale & Dolphin SafariBNZ and Good Shepherd NZChargeNet New ZealandDementia Auckland / WestpacFonterra / KickStart Breakfast ProgrammeKiwibank and BanqerMevo LimitedNew Zealand PostSeagull Centre TrustTake My Hands Charitable TrustThree Kings Salvage and Recovery Project Going Circular AwardSponsored by Auckland Council Auckland District Health BoardClearsite Demolition LtdEcoStock Supplies LtdEthiqueGlobal Action Plan OceaniaInnocent PackagingMashbone Dog TreatsReclaimReseneThe FormaryTrademeTROW GroupWishbone Design StudioWoolchemy NZ Ltd Efficiency Champion AwardSponsored by RicohAuckland District Health BoardChristchurch Airport Clearsite Demolition LtdFisher & Paykel HealthcareFoodstuffsKiwi Property GroupT&G Global Smarter Transport AwardSponsored by Opus International Consultants Auckland TransportBoltra LtdChargeNet New ZealandEcotricityFlip the FleetMercuryMevo LimitedNew Zealand PostWaste Management NZ LimitedYourDrive Revolutionising Energy AwardSponsored by EECA BusinessBayfair Shopping CentreChargeNet New ZealandECOLight / Kiwi Property GroupEcoStock Supplies LtdHR Cement LimitedPakaraka PermacultureReid Technology Ltd & TEAM Power LtdVector Transforming Food AwardSponsored by Yealands Family WinesCommon Unity Project AotearoaDung Beetle InnovationsEcoStock Supplies LtdGreen Spot Technologies LtdOtago LocustsPakaraka PermaculturePurebread Restoring Nature AwardSponsored by Department of Conservation Agrissentials NZ LtdAuckland Whale & Dolphin SafariGreen CabsLittle Brown Kiwi New ZealandMaungatautari Ecological Island Trust (MEIT) Real JourneysTe Whangai TrustZealandia
| A Sustainable Busness Network release || August 31, 2017 |||
Growing evidence shows that the downside of super-fast connectivity and ultra-fast broadband is producing an equivalent lift in cyber-attacks, NZTech chief executive Graeme Muller says.
Muller, just back from the multinational Global Tech Leaders Dialogue in Melbourne yesterday, says many nations involved in the forum confirmed increasing cyber-attacks along with faster connections.
“This week alone we have seen sophisticated scams using fake government websites and email addresses,” Muller says.
“The national cyber emergency response team CERT NZ have identified and exposed scams such as the fake IRD tax rebate email scam and the fake Ministry of Primary Industries exporters advisory email scam.
“Both elaborate cases of phishing attacks designed to get people to click on a link that inserts malware onto their computer. This malware allows criminals to capture your key strokes or take over your machine.
“As systems across our economy are becoming more digital the greater the number and variety of attacks, says Muller, and at the extreme end of the range of concerns is what could happen when complex systems like autonomous vehicles or drones come online.
“Our discussions in Melbourne focused on the increasing need for all countries to share information better around cyber issues as global supply chains connecting large corporates and small to medium enterprises across borders provide many potential vulnerabilities that expose us all.”
Recent research from the Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO), highlights that cyber security remains a significant risk as nations in the region become more digital.
The report, due for release on September 11, recommends the establishment of a regional CERT to connect national cyber security response teams for faster information sharing.
Muller says the cyber security of New Zealand and its trading partners is particularly important as digital trade grows and ultimately sees something similar to a security version of the World Health Organisation develop as the sense of shared responsibility grows and nations work to decrease cyber-crime.
“The New Zealand government’s cyber security strategy is considered world leading and as a nation we continue to work on improving our security together.
“The third annual NZTech Advance Cyber Security Summit in Wellington on October 25 will see tech leaders, security experts and policy makers finding innovative solutions for improving our cyber security.
“The summit has become an environment for shared learnings and experiences, and the opportunity to check in on the work being done as part of the national security strategy.
“We will hear from firms like TradeMe and Xero, completely digital businesses and how they are managing their security, and there will be updates from the minister, the CERT and the National Cyber Policy Office.”
“This is a nationally critical issue that is not about to go away and our ability to get together like this and collaborate, across industry and government, means that as a nation we are well placed to be one of the most secure nations, and this will help drive economic growth in the future,” Muller says.
For further information contact NZTech chief executive Graeme Muller or 21 02520767 or Make Lemonade editor-in-chief Kip Brook on 0275 030188.
| A MakeLemonade release || August 31, 2017 |||
"Double the amount of pallets fit onto a container ship" writes Nele Moorthamers Marketing Manager Europe ZESPRI International ( Europe) NV for FreshPlaza. A few months ago Seatrade introduced a new line from New Zealand. "Our kiwis now go to Belgium with the Seatrade Blue," says Nele Moorthamers of Zespri Europe. "This container ship goes to Zeebrugge via Peru and the US, arriving at the BNFW terminal, where the kiwis are unloaded. It will be a set line that will arrive at Zeebrugge every 10 days. The first ship from the new line arrived on August 28. Around 40% of the shipment is SunGold and the rest is Green and Organic kiwi fruit."
ContainersIt's the first time that Zespri has transported its kiwis in 40 foot containers. "
In the past the kiwis arrived in Zeebrugge in reefer ships, where the entire deck was filled with pallets of kiwi fruit. The line Color Carrier, uses cooled container ships. Every container has around 20 pallets of kiwis and are individually cooled. It mainly has an impact on loading and unloading the ships," she explains.
Double the volume"The container ship has a much larger capacity. In the past we received around 5,000 pallets through a reefer ship and there are 10,060 pallets on the ship that arrived on Monday. That's more than double. The transit time is now a few days longer than with the reefer ships, as this line has extra stops."
Nele says that the season has been satisfactory so far. "We still have around six weeks of sales for New Zealand SunGold, before we seamlessly move to European SunGold. The season for Green is more difficult, as the demand is large and the supply on the market is quite limited."
| A FreshPlaza release || August 30, 2017 |||
Queensland trade policy 'really bad' for NZ firms
Record numbers as finalists announced for 2017 NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards
Auckland waterfront plans unveiled
Ports of Auckland trims annual dividend as profit slips 28%
All NZ kiwifruit contractors to be audited after worker exploitation
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