Items filtered by date: Tuesday, 02 December 2014

Rheinmetall announced today that it is integrating its operations in Australia and New Zealand into a single operational unit. Gary Stewart has been appointed as the Managing Director to lead this newly integrated Rheinmetall Defence Australia (RDA) business.

The integrated business will include the existing operations of Rheinmetall Defence Australia, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia, Rheinmetall Electronic Solutions Australia and Logistic Solutions Australia.

From now on, all businesses approaching the Australian and New Zealand governments under the name “Rheinmetall” will be unified within the framework of the new Rheinmetall Defence Australia organization.

Mr Stewart moves into the role after more than twelve months as chief operations officer at RDA, reporting to Andrew Fletcher. Mr Fletcher has stepped down after two and a half years spent establishing the company’s local footprint.

“The timing is right to pass the baton to Gary, as the company moves from an establishment phase to one of consolidation and growth,” Mr Fletcher said.

Mr Stewart has significant defence and industry experience that includes senior management positions at General Dynamics Land Systems in Canada and Australia, as well as delivering project management and systems engineering expertise to a range of Australian programs. Prior to his work in industry, Mr Stewart served for over a decade as an engineering officer in the Royal Australian Air Force.

“From today, Rheinmetall Defence Australia will consolidate its businesses in Australia and New Zealand as one operational unit in the form of Rheinmetall Defence Australia,” Mr Stewart said.

“I am proud to lead the company into this exciting phase where it operates as a regional hub for Rheinmetall, presenting one face to its customers and building on the significant progress we have made over the last 40 years.”

Mr Fletcher’s professional association with Rheinmetall continues through his appointment as a non‐executive director of the Rheinmetall Defence Australia Supervisory Board alongside the Hon. Robert Hill AC and Lt. General John Caligari AO, DSC (retired).

Mr Stewart also announced new appointments across Rheinmetall’s Electronics, Vehicle Systems and Weapons and Munitions businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

Terry Nichols has been appointed General Manager of Rheinmetall’s local electronics systems business as part of Rheinmetall Defence Australia. He joins the company from Boeing Defence Australia where he was most recently the Director of Program Management.

“I welcome Terry’s appointment to lead the Rheinmetall Electronics business in Australia. This is an exciting appointment and we are anticipating significant developments in this business in the coming years,” Mr Stewart said.

Marco Van Lieshout, who has been successfully leading Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles in Australia, will expand his responsibility as part of Rheinmetall Defence Australia to also include tactical vehicles and other products from the Rheinmetall Vehicle Systems Division.

Rod West steps into a new role and will lead the growth of Rheinmetall Weapons and Ammunition business in Australia and New Zealand as part of Rheinmetall Defence Australia.

| A Rheinmetall release  ||  August 15,  2017   |||

The technology sector is booming in the South Island, especially Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson and Queenstown, Delta Insurance’s Karl Samson, the only liability underwriter on the ground in the South Island, says.

Delta offers much more than insurance for technology risks, they are recognised as market leaders in the broad Liability Insurance market and this ranges from very standard coverages such as Public Liability and Statutory Liability right through to more niche products such as UAV (Drone) insurance,” Samson says.

“But in particular, Delta’s offerings for technology and cyber liability are a great fit for key South Island technology companies. We are looking to really establish ourselves as a key partner for the technology sector and we’ve just signed up as member of Canterbury Tech to better get to know some of our customers and prospective customers.

“As well as being a leader in the technology sector, we were also the first in New Zealand to offer a local environmental and pollution risk solution which, covers increasing and problematic risks such asbestos and meth. This type of innovation sets us apart from the rest.

“This point of difference is leading to a better understanding of South Island businesses and brokers. We want to provide more effective solutions to South Island businesses – one example is the technology sector,” he says.

Delta is also New Zealand’s only risk management-led cyber insurance provider with a comprehensive panel of IT experts to help clients manage their cyber security risk. This includes access to a free pre-loss cyber risk assessment as well as access to experts in the event of a cyber-attack.

Delta director Ian Pollard says its vital they have someone on the ground such as Samson who is 100 percent aware of the requirements and issues facing brokers in the South Island.

Samson has 12 years’ industry experience, with recent roles at multinational brokerages dealing with a wide range of clients across the South Island, including sole traders, listed companies and government departments. He has a Bachelor of Commerce and Management from Lincoln University.

| A Make Lemonade release  ||  August 15,  2017   |||

MONTREAL — WSP Global is moving to expand its engineering consulting business Down Under in a deal to acquire Opus International Consultants Ltd. valued at $280.5 million including debt.

OIC brings with it 3,000 people worldwide including 1,800 in New Zealand where WSP has had a small presence as well as expertise in water-related infrastructure, transportation and asset management.

WSP spokeswoman Isabelle Adjahi said the deal, which has the support of OIC's majority shareholder, also brings potential to win bids in New Zealand.

"If you look at the market in New Zealand, it's booming in terms of infrastructure," Adjahi said in an interview Monday.

WSP is offering to pay NZ$1.78 per share and a dividend of seven N.Z. cents per share to Opus shareholders. UEM Edgenta, which owns 61.2 per cent of the shares in OIC, has agreed to support the deal.

It will be WSP's largest acquisition since Alexandre L'Heureux moved up to chief executive of WSP Global (TSX:WSP).

The transaction will move WSP Global a step closer to its goal of having a workforce of 45,000 and C$6 billion of annual net revenues by the end of 2018.

WSP Global entered Australia and New Zealand in a modest way with the 2014 purchase of Parsons Brinckerhoff, a 13,500-employee global consulting firm, for US$1.35 billion cash.

Industry analysts said the transaction makes sense and demonstrates WSP is on the path toward reaching its strategic objectives.

Maxim Sytchev of Dundee Capital Markets said the offer leverages WSP's operations in core markets and takes advantage of Opus' reducing share price despite improved operating results.

"WSP is opportunistically acquiring a good quality company that has hit serious speed bumps recently," Frederic Bastien of Raymond James added in a report.

| A BCLocal release  ||  August 14,  2017   |||

Raimondi Cranes, an Italian equipment manufacturer owned by Saudi Arabia’s KBW Investments, has appointed Heavy Lift Designs (HLD) as its official agent in New Zealand.

Wellington-based HLD will represent Raimondi Cranes in New Zealand’s North and South Islands, conducting all installation and dismantling procedures.

Founded in 2014 by managing director, Eng Blake Hammon, HLD provides engineering services for New Zealand’s heavy lifting segment, following previous success in New South Wales, Australia.

The firm’s service offering includes technical lift planning, erection, dismantling, and site planning, as well as feasibility assessments, third-party verification, and equipment sourcing.

Commenting on heavy lifting-related activities in his domestic market, Hammon said: “I see New Zealand as the opportune place for HLD to launch new technologies; there is substantial activity in the construction and engineering sectors with room for a successful entrepreneurial-driven market entry.”

Under the agency of HLD, Raimondi Cranes’ topless tower and luffing jib models will be made available to clients across New Zealand, together with aftersales and technical support.

READ: Saudi-owned Raimondi supplies six cranes for French uni project

“HLD’s entire value proposition is based on bringing modern engineering solutions, developed and drafted with precision and care, to the construction industry,” Hammon added. “Raimondi Cranes is a fantastic, forward-thinking crane manufacturer; for this reason, we actively pursued the Raimondi agency appointment, and we’re looking forward to bringing the company’s highly reputable, solution based products to market.”

Raimondi Cranes’ partnership with HLD in New Zealand follows recent appointments of representatives in South Germany and Great Britain.

The moves form part of the manufacturer’s broader strategy to increase its market share in global construction hubs, according to commercial director, Mauro Masetti.

|  A ConstructionWeekOnline release  ||  August 14,  2017   |||

New Zealand will host APEC in 2021, with Leaders’ Week to be held in Auckland from November 8 to 14, Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

“With Auckland also set to host the America’s Cup, 2021 will be a big year for the country’s biggest city,” Mr Brownlee says.

“We are announcing the dates as early as possible to provide some clarity for planning, which is already under way.

“APEC 2021 will be the largest event ever hosted by the New Zealand government and is a wonderful opportunity for New Zealand to shine on the international stage.

“APEC will bring world leaders to New Zealand and create significant opportunities to promote our economic interests with trading nations including China, the US and Japan.

“The Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing economic region in the world and APEC is its leading economic forum.

“APEC member economies account for almost half of all global trade, and more than 70 per cent of New Zealand’s goods and services are exported to APEC economies.

“It is expected that APEC will attract up to 22,000 international attendees to the 12 significant APEC-related events held throughout the year, with around 10,000 attendees expected for Leaders’ Week.

“While Auckland is confirmed to host the Leaders’ Week, we intend to spread meetings and events across other large cities, including Christchurch, to showcase the very best of New Zealand’s capability, innovation, culture and amazing landscapes,” Mr Brownlee says

| A Beehive release  ||  August 15,  2017   |||

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McConnell Dowell has been awarded the contract for Te Mato Vai Stage 2 which includes the design and construction of 10 water intake upgrades.

Awarding of the contract marks a milestone in the progress of the Te Mato Vai project and comes after consent was granted from landowners of all 10 intakes to undertake surveys to provide information for detailed designs.

The scope of Te Mato Vai Stage 2 involves the upgrade of water inlets, construction of treatment facilities, additional storage capacity as well as the replacement of trunk mains and some improvements to access roads.

As part of their design-build contract, the McConnell Dowell team will undertake preliminary surveys, geotechnical investigation, develop detailed designs and do construction.

They will also operate the system with the Cook Islands Government for 12 months at completion of construction as part of a training and capacity building exercise, as well as ensuring the supply meets performance requirements.

McConnell Dowell worked on the Avatiu Port development project for the Cook Islands government and Ports Authority, completed in 2013.

A spokesman for the project said the company’s existing relationships with local resources and the people of Rarotonga would be valuable in the successful implementation of the Te Mato Vai Stage 2 works.

They are relationships that Finance minister Mark Brown says will see the government’s capital investment flow back into the local community and workforce.

A core team from McConnell Dowell will be based in Rarotonga to oversee the Stage 2 works, which will be carried out mostly by local contractors and workers.

GHD New Zealand is the engineer to the contract, and will have a full time presence in Rarotonga for the full duration of construction.

The company is responsible for managing and monitoring the works with regards to performance and compliance to all relevant regulations and quality standards, on behalf of the Cook Islands Government.

Brown acknowledges the lengthy and complex tender process undertaken between GHD New Zealand, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, the Crown Law Office and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, before McConnell Dowell was identified as preferred tenderer on May 23.

Since that time, a final scope has been negotiated for a contract price acceptable to the Cook Islands government.

The contract is worth $34.6 million, and is the outcome of a well prepared construction plan with a scope of work that maximises value for money and will deliver a safe and reliable water supply to the people of Rarotonga.

During discussions, much consideration was given to ensuring that guarantees and warranties for the treatment facilities are in place and that the system can be managed and operated with minimal maintenance.

This negotiation phase also reduced the contract price by $4.6 million without any detrimental effect on the project outcomes.

The spokesman said the tender process had established a productive relationship between the Cook Islands Government, GHD New Zealand, and McConnell Dowell.

The contract is expected to be signed in the next few weeks with preliminary surveys starting shortly afterwards.

A new phase of landowner meetings will be undertaken over coming months, to discuss survey findings, develop the detailed designs and obtain landowners’ consent to proceed with construction.

“Government will continue to work very closely with landowners not only throughout the project but also far into the future as part of the upkeep of this national investment,” says Brown.

According to the project programme the detailed designs will be complete before the end of 2017, with the physical works scheduled to start in 2018. The work will take around two and a half years to complete.

The 10 intakes are to be upgraded are Avana, Avatiu, Matavera, Ngatoe, Papua, Taipara, Takuvaine, Totokoitu, Tupapa and Turangi.

|  A Cook Islands News release  ||  August 14,  2017   |||

They’re off – on a toilet roll race! Flight attendants organised passengers to complete in a toilet paper roll race to see which side of the aisle would be allowed to get off the plane first.

Watch Video here

The flight was a long-haul US domestic flight on Southwest Airlines. The Raleigh to Denver flight is about four hours long (roughly the same length as Sydney to Darwin) and attendants decided to pit passengers against each other mid-flight.

The contest involves passengers speedily passing a roll of toilet paper over their heads, row to row, back along the plane until it reaches the last passenger. If the roll tears, your side loses.

Passenger Marcie Villarreal filmed the race last month. It has been posted on Facebook ad YouTube.

“I’ve been flying different airlines my whole life, and just when I think I’ve seen it all, your flight attendants decide to do a ‘toilet paper race,’” wrote Villarreal, who was on the winning side.

“Hands down the funnest flight ever and I was even travelling with my baby. You rock, Southwest! Keep doing what you’re doing!”

Curiously, it’s not the first such midair stunt. Several other clips of airline toilet roll races have been posted on social media, in 2008 and again in 2014. Southwest appears to be the world leader in this unusual event – it features in every clip.

| An eGlobal Travel media release written by Peter Needham  ||  August 14,  2017   |||

The creator of an inexpensive floating water monitor suspects the Government is unwilling to fund a device that would show how bad our water is Lynn Grieveson reports.  Lynn  writes on environment and education, is sub-editor at Newsroom Pro and a contributing photographer to Newsroom.

Regional councils are eyeing up an experimental floating water monitor that would enable them to "stake out" rivers and pinpoint polluters - but only if the developers can raise enough through donations for beta testing and commercial release.

Wairarapa farmer Grant Muir yesterday launched a PledgeMe campaign to raise cash for beta testing of the award-winning 'RiverWatch' device he and biologist son James developed in conjunction with Victoria University.

Muir said he suspected the Government was not keen on having the true state of New Zealand's rivers, lakes and harbours revealed because it knows there is a huge spend needed on infrastructure as well as potential limits on agricultural intensification.

"They know what's happening and all we can think is that up to now there hasn't been a willingness by government to get this data out there. I can tell you right now the data is bad, and is probably the worst in our cities, it really is," Muir said.

"I used to think it was mainly the farmers, but it's not. Some of the worst pollution is happening right under our noses … there are major problems in Manukau Harbour with heavy metals, E. coli, sewerage - and Porirua harbour is a cesspool, an absolute cesspool," he said.

"I think that is one of the reasons why we haven't received government input because government is thinking, firstly, 'It's going to cost us too much because we know the infrastructure in our cities isn't up to standard' – and, 'Gosh, what are we going to do if dairy production goes down?'"

"So the Government is looking at it that they are going to get hit at both ends."

Muir's solar powered device wirelessly uploads GPS-tagged data from five probes measuring water temperature, turbidity (murkiness), dissolved oxygen, conductivity and PH levels. It was awarded the 2016 World Wildlife Fund Conservation Innovation Award.

Muir said they were now collaborating with ESR on E. coli testing capability, and he was still hopeful of funding through MBIE, but, for now, "this has all been funding through volunteers and people who care about water, basically".

The developers hope to raise $50,000 through the PledgeMe campaign to pay for 10 devices to be tested at locations across the country.

"If we can build this with a group of third year students at Victoria University imagine what we can make if they give us a couple of decent electronics and software people and a bit of funding," Muir said.

"We are going to continue to run our own boat at the moment until someone comes along and says 'look, we'll give you a hand'".

The answer councils are looking for?

Each floating monitor would cost around $2500. It doesn’t yet include probes for nitrates as those currently available are too expensive and unsuited to New Zealand rivers, Muir said. He said he expected some good nitrate probes to come out of China in the next 18 months (which might add around $1000 to the cost of each monitor) but in the meantime the data provided by the probe provided a useful picture of a waterway's health.

"Between those five parameters we can tell a lot about what is actually going on in the water. Particularly if you are looking at high concentrations of nitrate or phosphates one of the first things to disappear when you have those concentrates is dissolved oxygen. Also conductivity changes and so does PH. By running algorithms across those five parameters we can actually determine a lot of other things that are going on in the water," he said. The invention has caught the interest of regional councils, which are adding up the likely cost of increased responsibilities over water quality. Some councils have already bought imported monitors for $25,000 each but Muir said they had proved unreliable in New Zealand rivers.

So now we've got regional councils saying: 'we want to stake out our river system'

"The regional councils know that they are going to be mandated with the job of testing for water quality no matter what government gets in [after the election]," Muir said.

"When you look at the economics of sending staff out with just a tester wand, a meter, you plug it in the water and get a one-off reading, that's really expensive. So, when we came in with this idea all of a sudden everyone was saying 'Hallelujah, this is the answer we'd been looking for' - something that can be deployed and stay in the water for a long period of time, it doesn't have to have someone going out to get the data from it, that data can be sent automatically to the website or they can retrieve it very easily.

"So now we've got regional councils saying: 'We want to stake out our river system'," (by putting water quality monitors at the source of the river and then at points downstream).

In urban areas they would be able to use the system to pinpoint 'single point emitters" such as factories or individuals discharging pollutants into waterways, and use the data to take them to court.

Muir said farmers were interested in the device as well, as it would enable them to measure whether mitigation measures such as riparian planting were having an effect, as well as helping them prove they were not causing pollution.

"A lot of the farmers say, 'The thing that gets my goat is, hang on, I just spent $50,000 on my farm, I fenced it, riparian planted it but old Joe upstream hasn't spent a cent and all that dirty water is flowing through my place and if the regional council tested down here they are going to blame me'," he said.

Muir said farmers would also benefit from regional councils using it as a lower-cost solution.

"If the regional councils have to go out and do the testing they will charge the farmer for that testing, the end-user is ultimately going to receive a bill for the water tests. Farmers are going to actually be billed by the regional councils for water testing. It is far better that the farmer would have their own device and be able to do that testing, and because that device can link to the internet that data can be sent directly to a portal that the regional council monitors."

Recreational users and tourists would also benefit, with real-time water quality information publicly available on the RiverWatch website, and searchable by waterway.

"We are happy to share our toys with anyone to get our data out there. I just wish few other parties would share toys with us as well," Muir said.

| A Newsroom release by Lynn Grieveson.  Lynn  writes on environment and education, is sub-editor at Newsroom Pro and a contributing photographer to Newsroom.  ||  August 15,  2017   |||