The latest New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NZMEA) Survey of Business Conditions, completed during April 2017, shows total sales in March 2017 increased 2.93% (year on year export sales decreased by 8.10% with domestic sales increasing by 17.95%) on March 2016. In the 3 months to March, export sales decreased an average of 9.4%, and domestic sales increased 7.1% on average. The NZMEA survey sample this month covered NZ$360m in annualised sales, with an export content of 51%. Net confidence rose to 23, up from 0 in February. The current performance index (a combination of profitability and cash flow)…

RACINE - Claiming it can compete globally from its manufacturing base in southeastern Wisconsin, where it invented the first garbage disposal 90 years ago, InSinkErator  on Thursday announced a $63 million raft of new investments that include new headquarters and research labs. "We can be competitive here. We do it every day," said InSinkErator President Chad Severson. China, Britain, Australia and New Zealand are among the growth markets that InSinkErator expects to drive demand for made-in-Wisconsin disposals. InSinkErator, owned by St. Louis-based Emerson Electric Co., will build a new $34 million headquarters and lab facility in Mount Pleasant, which is 5 miles…

The car industry, the computer industry and even the machine industry present every few years new and modern designed models. Why? To be able to attack new markets and new customers. However, it is hard to see something new in the conveyor industry. Most of the unit conveyor systems were developed 15, 20 or even 50 years ago and are still sold today in a construction, which remembers on the patents of the British toy manufacturer Frank Hornby, who has already registered his patent of a “Meccano” kit in 1901. Now, the two young founders of the start-up Avancon SA…

Elaflex HIBY Tanktechnik, a specialist company in safe connections for the transfer of dangerous goods and sensitive fluids, have acquired a major stake in Oasis Engineering Ltd of Tauranga (New Zealand). Oasis, a member of NGV Global, is an internationally operating specialist for valves and couplings used in the compressed natural gas (CNG) industry. The company established a strong reputation as supplier of CNG components and systems for filling stations and gas delivery networks. An example: Worldwide CNG trailer companies are rapidly adopting the new Oasis high flow breakaway and coupling systems that have positively changed the whole economics of…

New Zealand contract manufacturer Alaron has undertaken a multi-million-dollar expansion and renovation project at its Nelson site, with the firm hopeful of growth for its customers in South East Asia after China sales began to go “off the boil” due to regulatory uncertainty. Continue here to read full article  |  April  11, 2017   |||  

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…

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…

Mechanical fastening has long been the standard method of keeping manufacturing assemblies together, but adhesive bonding has seen a rise in popularity as an alternative technique. Mechanical fastening with screws and rivets, welding or soldering and brazing are effective, yet insufficiently distribute load stress, which compromises structural strength. Additionally, they present a risk of galvanic corrosion and can add weight to a product. Proponents of structural bonding with adhesives tout advantages in weight, greater structural strength and minimization of galvanic corrosion as primary benefits of using bonding agents such as epoxy resins versus traditional mechanical fastening. Additional benefits of adhesive…

New Zealand is missing a prime opportunity to combine its sustainable timber resources with an innovative manufacturing system to build faster and more efficiently. Daryl Patterson, Head of Operational Excellence at Lend Lease Australia, states Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is that missing link. CLT is an engineered wood system made from several layers of dimensional lumber boards, stacked crossways and bonded together. Speaking at the Wood Processors & Manufacturers Association of New Zealand (WPMA) and Property Council New Zealand Tall Timber Buildings seminar last week, Mr Patterson questioned why, given New Zealand’s ample timber resources, there is not greater use…

Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing has appointed Rob Scoines as general manager for its New Zealand operation. Mr Scoines, who most recently served as general manager for Logistics at Sanitarium Australia, brings 40 years of experience in a variety of roles such as accounting, HR and manufacturing in different locations, including Auckland. As general manager for Logistics, he led Sanitarium Australia to be considered a preferred supplier by its trading partners over the past 10 years. "We’re the country’s number one breakfast food manufacturer and this offers the church a unique opportunity to make a positive impact in the community." “I…

Construction is underway on Sealord's new $70 million factory vessel, which is being built in Norway with additional steel work carried out in Poland. Sealord is now a year out from taking delivery of its state of the art new factory vessel. Work began on the $70 million project in January and, according to Sealord fleet harvest manager Scott Gillanders, is already running ahead of schedule. The ship's hull was being built in eight blocks, with seven of these constructed in Poland before being barged to the Simek shipbuilders yard in Flekkefjord, Norway.A concept drawing of Sealord's new $70 million…