Items filtered by date: Tuesday, 02 December 2014

Auckland, Wednesday 6 July 2016 - We have in New Zealand a problem that can strike small packaging companies.  Where they can be  running several blown film lines and just  not have  the money to put a gauge on each line. But they still need to see what they are making, especially when expensive co-extrusions are being made. Between a rock and a hard place stuff really!  

Now NDC Technologies make a transmission gauge for measuring various co-extrusions on-line to reference accuracy. These gauges usually sit on scanning frames and control the films as they are being made. Now the problem with a lot of blown film lines is doubling the measurement at the lay flat or paying a fortune for a rotary scanner on the bubble. But a customer wanted to measure all his lines with one gauge at-line rather than on-line.

So I saw David Aucamp at Innopak in Auckland to design and make a mechanism that would scan a strip of sample. An operator simply cuts a strip from the film and puts it on the winder. This scans the strip and gives a full running analysis of the co-extrusions. This data is kept as a record and the operator can adjust the die bolts to correct any unders or overs. One centrally placed winding system is far less to buy than a gauge system on each line. Innopak make the scanning frame. This gauge system works brilliantly and is now well proven

If you are a blown film packaging manufacturer this level of control opens things out significantly for you because you can now confidently make products that previously you would probably never have attempted. You can set the lines up to make products automatically the way your customers customers want them. And that gives you a quick return on investment. The ability to control what you make is paramount and really does have a positive effect on the bottom line.

If the above applies to you then please don’t hesitate to come through to me. You can reach me on 09 428 3426 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and the other part of the solution; I do have finance options available for you to consider that can help make the whole exercise a positive one.

From Simon Ganley of Ganley Engineering

Wellington, Tuesday 5 july 2016 - Digital technology is to be formally integrated into the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, Education Minister Hekia Parata announced today at the NZTech Advance Education Technology Summit in Auckland.

“This is the first change to the New Zealand Curriculum since its introduction in 2007 and reflects our Government’s commitment to championing 21st century practice in teaching and learning,” says Ms Parata.

“It will ensure that we have an education system that prepares children and young people for a future where digital fluency will be critical for success.”

The decision is an outcome of the Government’s Science and Society Strategic Plan ‘A Nation of Curious Minds: Te Whenua Hihiri i te Mahara’.

“One of the key initiatives of Curious Minds was to review the positioning and content of digital technology within the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa. As a result of the review recommendations, digital technology will be included as a strand of the Technology learning area in the New Zealand Curriculum, and as a whenu within the Hangarau Wāhanga Ako of Te Marautanga o Aotearoa,” says Ms Parata.

“The information technology sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in New Zealand, with a demand for skilled graduates. This step will support young people to develop skills, confidence and interest in digital technologies and lead them to opportunities across the diverse and growing IT sector. We look forward to continuing to work with the IT sector to ensure we have a future-focused, world-leading education system.”

From now until the end of 2017, the Government will consult with stakeholders, design new curriculum content, and develop achievement objectives across the whole learner pathway. It will be fully integrated into the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa in 2018.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, July 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- New Zealand-based steel solutions provider Real Steel has been named the first winner of the Hardox Wearparts Award, a competition introduced this year by SSAB to provide recognition to Hardox Wearparts centers for their innovativeness and product successes for applications in the aftermarket.

Real Steel is one of more than 200 Hardox Wearparts centers located worldwide that provide wear parts and wear services for industries including quarry, mining, forestry, transport and recycling, among others.

For this application, Real Steel worked on site with their customer, Sollys Contractors, that provides transport, construction and earthmoving services, and was looking for a solution for their rotor discs that wore out quickly. Working together with Real Steel's wear engineers, they designed a laminated disc made from Hardox 500 and Hardox 550.

The result: total wear life of the rotor increased by three times and production costs were reduced by 30 percent.

Previously the rotor discs were hardfaced which was time consuming and expensive. The uneven wear on the rotor discs required that they be removed frequently and re-hardfaced and balanced. Frequent hardfacing led to fatigue and cracks in the base metal.

"Our solution extended the wear life while removing the hardfacing and need for re-balancing the rotors," said Luke Mathieson, Managing Director, Real Steel. "The solution also created even wear on the rotors."

Real Steel also redesigned the base plate of the rotor upgrading it from AR400 to Hardox 550. In addition a recess was machined into the disc to allow for Hardox 600 wear plate to be inserted where the main wear occurred.

"We are pleased to offer Real Steel this award for their innovation which was selected among several entries from Hardox Wearparts centers around the world," said Nancy Matos, Market Development for SSAB Services. "This is one of the great benefits our centers gain from being a part of the Hardox Wearparts network - the ability to share ideas and gain inspirations from other centers to help grow their business."

Two other centers received awards - Herman Johnson in Sweden won second prize for their Toolox bucket and Ethalon Service in Russia won third prize for their shredder knives made of Hardox 600. The award ceremony took place on June 2, 2016 at Real Steel's company headquarters in New Zealand.

Laminated rotor for impact crusher, the winning entry

View video of winning entry.

Hardox Wearparts is the world's leading provider of wear parts and wear services. With more than 200 centers in more than 65 countries, there is always a Hardox Wearparts center close to you. Hardox Wearparts is a part of SSAB, the manufacturer of Hardox wear plate. www.hardoxwearparts.com

Donors will have to overlook failure to predict EU referendum and to identify mood behind it

General Indian labelling requirements

The New Zealand High Commission has prepared guidance on general labelling requirements for food items imported into India in order to support New Zealand food exporters’ understanding of India’s food labelling regulations.

While best efforts have been made to ensure its accuracy as at the date of drafting, it should not be considered a substitute for due diligence. Exporters are strongly advised to read Chapter 2 of the Food Safety Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulation 2011 and subsequent amendments (noting that rules and regulations change frequently), and to seek independent advice before finalising any labels for products to be exported to India. Please also refer to the Food Safety Standards (Import Foods) Regulations 2016 and to www.fssai.gov.in (external link) for full details.

Wellington, Monday 4 July 2016 - Prime Minister John Key will visit the United Kingdom and Europe next week for a series of bilateral meetings and to attend Bastille Day commemorations, before leading a high level business delegation to Indonesia.

In his first visit to Italy, Mr Key will meet with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in Rome before heading to Paris where he will meet with French President François Hollande and Prime Minister Manuel Valls.

“Italy and France are important trading partners to New Zealand and important members of the European Union. I am looking forward to discussing how we can further strengthen those relationships in light of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union. We will also discuss a wide range of other issues including the global economy and counter terrorism,” says Mr Key.

Mr Key will also participate in Bastille Day commemorations, which this year coincide with the 100-year anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. More than 80 New Zealand Defence Force personnel will march in the parade.

“It is an honour for New Zealand to have been invited, along with Australia, to take part in these commemorations,” says Mr Key. “I am looking forward to joining our Defence Force personnel to pay respects to our soldiers who fought and died in France.”

Prior to visiting Rome and Paris, Mr Key will have an informal meeting with UK Prime Minister David Cameron in London. Meetings in Brussels may also take place if the necessary arrangements can be made.

“New Zealand has strong relationships with both the EU and the UK, and it is important that we reinforce both relationships now that Britain’s referendum decision has been made.”

From Paris, Mr Key will travel to Indonesia for a two-day visit aimed at boosting New Zealand’s economic and political links.

“I am looking forward to meeting with President Joko Widodo and discussing a number of areas where we have common links including in business, education and renewable energy.

“Indonesia is an important regional partner for New Zealand and a key player in Asia-Pacific. It is New Zealand’s 13th largest two-way trade partner and we see huge potential to build that relationship further.”

Mr Key will be accompanied in Indonesia by Trade Minister Todd McClay and a senior New Zealand business delegation.

Mr Key will be away from July 8-20.

June 30, 2016 - InternetNZ has launched a new website, called ISP Spotlight, which will help New Zealanders make more informed choices about their Internet providers.

You typically consider price, speed and availability, when choosing your Internet Service Provider. ISP Spotlight takes you beyond these basics and helps you to consider the way that each provider is run.

Deputy Chief Executive of InternetNZ Andrew Cushen says ISP Spotlight has two purposes – to educate Internet users nationwide and to prompt ISPs to take positive action.

The website looks at six technical issues that all Internet Service Providers need to consider such as how they are keeping your information safe. ISP Spotlight highlights why these issues are important and how they impact you.

"We see this website as the next step for those consumers who want to make conscious decisions about who they buy their Internet service from. Consumers regularly look beyond price when they choose products like fair-trade coffee, and we want to give people this choice when it comes to Internet providers," says Cushen.

InternetNZ wants to show consumers that even simple issues like online billing can display a provider's commitment to equal access and human rights, since online billing is essential for those with disabilities.

"This website is about teasing those issues out for all New Zealanders and helping you, as a consumer, hold the ISPs to account," says Cushen.

Taryn Hamilton is Consumer General Manager at M2 Group Ltd - the company who represents Flip, Orcon and Sligshot.

"We applaud InternetNZ for its efforts with ISP Spotlight. It's helped us hold a torch to our processes, and make sure that we are transparent and candid about how we operate.

"It's important that we keep the Internet open, and campaigns like this are vital," says Hamilton.

The website compares 15 of the major Internet providers, and aims to build this base over the coming months. InternetNZ also hopes that the website promotes competition and awareness amongst the ISPs and encourages them to take positive action towards these issues.

"We hope that by highlighting these sometimes hidden facts, that you will have more confidence in choosing an ISP that is right for your needs," says Cushen.

ISP Spotlight can be found at the following link:  ispspotlight.nz

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ContainerCo Napier depot positioned for congestion-free box storage and repairs

Monday 4 July 2016 - On Wednesday 6 July, 750 students and teachers will join the Got a Trade? Got it Made! Big Bus Tours 2016 across Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch. Students and teachers will visit 50 workplaces to see what trades and services careers and on-the-job learning is all about.

Sectors on show include manufacturing design and engineering; civil engineering; specialist trades; automotive technology, repair and engineering; social and community care; sales and service; sign-writing; mining and industrial machinery and construction and infrastructure - to name a few.

"We wanted to promote the many opportunities that exist for on-the-job learning and apprenticeships, across as many sectors as we could, in one day," says Got a Trade chair, Andrew Robertson.

The Big Bus Tours are part of Got a Trade’s campaign response to the growing need for more young people to enter trades and services roles across New Zealand. Industries like aged care require more than 2,600 new people entering the sector year on year and in construction and infrastructure that figure is closer to 5,000. Looking forward to 2020, in industries like mechanical and automotive engineering, there’s demand for more than 5,600 and 11,200 new people respectively. By 2020 the civil engineering sector will also need 19,600 new people, and in the manufacturing sector, that figure blows out to 40,000.

"There’s no doubt that there are great opportunities out there for young New Zealander’s" adds Robertson.

"But students can’t choose a career they cannot see. The Big Bus Tours will really open their eyes to the full range of opportunities available across Got a Trade’s 140+ industries."

The Got a Trade Big Bus Tours will be backed by the BCITO’s Big Construction Tours the very next day. Together the Tours will have more than 2,000 students exposed to all aspects of apprenticeships and on-the-job learning.

The Big Bus Tours is an initiative driven by Got a Trade? Got it Made! the national campaign to promote trades and services careers and on-the-job learning. Got a Trade is a collaboration of eight industry training organisations; BCITO, Careerforce, Competenz, Connexis, HITO, MITO, ServiceIQ and The Skills Organisation. Together they represent more than 140 industries.

The second annual Got a Trade Week, celebrating those making headway in their trades and services careers, will run 22-26 August 2016.

To learn more about the opportunities a trades and services career can offer, and for a full list of participating workplaces, visit gotatrade.co.nz