Publications

TARANAKI – A MANUFACTURING PROFILE A SNAPSHOT OF THE SIGNIFICANCE, SCALE AND STORIES OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN THE REGION LIKE NO OTHER

CONTENTS Page 1

FO NTERRA – CO LLI NGWOOD STREET Page 18

BY T HE N U M B E R S Page 4

Q P SPO RT Page 19

TA R A N AK I P I N E ™ Page 6

B REMNER MUSIC Page 20

HOWA R D W R I G H T Page 7

YAR ROWS FAMILY BA KERS Page 21

A R M AT E C E N V I RO N MEN TAL Page 8

N EX ANS Page 22

C A R AC G RO U P Page 9

EN ERGYWO RKS Page 23

S T IL L VALLE Y Page 10

TARANAK I : A BA SE FOR MAN UFACTURING Page 24

M A N U FAC T U R I N G I N TA R A N AK I

R IV E T Page 11 C A M BRI A N E N G I N E ERI NG Page 12 P R E CIS I O N M I C RO C I RCUI TS Page 13

I ND USTRY SUPPORT Page 25 A H ELPI NG H AND Page 25

G LO BAL S TA I N LE S S Page 14 FIT Z ROY E N G I N E E R I N G Page 15

TARANAKI REGION

M E T HA N E X Page 16 C S A S U R F B OA R DS Page 17

Published by Venture Taranaki Trust, June 2017.

Venture Taranaki greatly acknowledges the support and assistance of Taranaki’s many manufacturers.

Photographs: Nasa/USGS, Patrick Reynolds, Rob Tucker, Venture Taranaki, and supplied by profiled companies.

Project Manager: Dr Anne Probert, Venture Taranaki. anne@venture.org.nz Design: C7 Design Writing and editing: Tracey Howarth, Antony Rhodes ISBN: 978-0-473-40624-0 Disclaimer: The report is provided as general content only. Neither Venture Taranaki, nor its employees or stakeholders, nor any of the contributing organisations, accepts any responsibility on any grounds whatsoever, including negligence, to any other person. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information included are accurate and reliable, Venture Taranaki or any contributing organisations or individuals shall not be liable for any adverse consequences of decisions made in reliance of any report provided.

MANUFACTURING IN TARANAKI A S T R AT E GI C C O M P O NE NT O F TH E TARANAKI E CO N O M Y, M A N U FACTURING MAT TE RS .

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At the other end of the spectrum, large-scale manufacturing firms generally employ more extensive production processes where people have defined tasks, which in total culminate in an efficient production line. Manufacturing is closely connected with engineering and design, which is pertinent to Taranaki, given our strengths in both of these related fields.

Taranaki’s manufacturing base consists of over 570 businesses, which collectively employ 8,670 people – around 17% of Taranaki’s total employment base and comprises 11% of our region’s GDP.

his document aims to shine some light on Taranaki’s manufacturing sector, both in terms of its scale and significance and some of the companies and people involved in manufacturing. Taranaki ranks strongly amongst the nation’s manufacturing regions: a reflection of the breadth of companies involved, and their successes and innovations.

As a broad definition, manufacturing spans the production of merchandise for sale, often entailing a process through which raw materials are transformed into their final products. In small operations, the activity is quite artisan, involving just one or two people.

Taranaki ranks strongly amongst the nation’s manufacturing regions: a reflection of the breadth of companies involved, and their successes and innovations.

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TARANAKI – A MANUFACTURING PROFILE

The number of people employed in manufacturing in Taranaki is comparatively very high for the size of our region – in fact Taranaki’s percentage in this respect is the second highest of any region in New Zealand.

More than over half of our people involved in manufacturing work in food product manufacturing, again one of the highest percentages in the country.

The creation of dairy products, meat and poultry processing are the key components of this, followed by structural steel, fabrication and other forms of engineering.

M A N U FA C T U R I N G M AT T E R S In the contemporary economy, as focus increasingly settles on the service sector, the relevance of manufacturing can come into question. Manufacturing remains essential to modern life because it generates much of the material objects that are demanded, needed or desired. The buildings we live in, clothes we wear, food we eat and much more have their origins in the manufacturing sector.

Additionally, manufacturing adds value to products and goods. Its presence is often extensively linked to supply chains including to the services sector, where many resulting jobs exist or are created from its employment multiplier effect.

What is especially notable about manufacturing in Taranaki is the important export contribution it makes. For example the dairy products produced in the region are exported to over 50 countries.

Manufacturing also stimulates innovation. Research and development and manufacturing are intertwined from the concept development phase right through to production and enhancement. The manipulation and transformation of materials is a task particularly amenable to technical improvements, mechanisation and other forms of innovation. Similarly, where opportunity exists to scale a manufacturing operation, R&D also provides a natural fit.

The following pages indicate the breadth of Taranaki’s manufacturing base, but by no means tells the full story, other than showing that the region’s endemic spirit of pragmatic innovation and aptitude for manufacturing is very much alive and well and deserving of higher profile.

Dr Anne Probert, Venture Taranaki

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Taranaki’s manufacturing base consists of over 570 businesses, which collectively employ 8,670 people – around 17% of Taranaki’s total employment base and comprises 11% of our region’s GDP.

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TARANAKI – A MANUFACTURING PROFILE

MANUFACTURING IN TARANAKI

BY THE NUMBERS

4%

CONTRIBUTION OF MANUFACTURING TO TARANAKI’S REGIONAL GDP PER ANNUM

MILLION

$888 576

Taranaki’s proportion of New Zealand’s GDP in manufacturing

11%

Manufacturing as a % of Taranaki’s total regional GDP per annum

Manufacturing businesses in Taranaki

52%

Taranaki ranks

2nd Highest Region in NZ

of Taranaki’s manufacturing base work in food production – one of the highest percentages in the country

In terms of the percentage of manufacturing to regional employment

8,670

Taranaki’s top four manufacturing subsectors that provide highest levels of employment in Taranaki are:

Employees work in manufacturing in Taranaki

1

17%

2

Meat Dairy product/ processing cheese production

% of Taranaki’s total employment base that consists of jobs in manufacturing

4

3

Poultry

4

Structural steel/ fabrication/ engineering

4,140

employed in New Plymouth District

140

employed in Stratford

4,390

employed in South Taranaki Image Credit: NASA/USGS 5

TARANAKI – A MANUFACTURING PROFILE

TA R A N A K I P I N E ™

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improving structural performance, developing superior coating systems and improving durability treatment processes of wood.

They have invested in new technology, with an emphasis on maximising the volume of timber cut from each log – increasing overall productivity and minimising waste.

Not only is Taranakipine™ responsive to worldwide interest in engineered wood, they are also capitalising on the growing demand for Radiata pine as tropical hardwood forests have been over harvested and hardwood is becoming a scarce and very expensive resource.

“Now is a good time to be a grower, manufacturer, designer and builder using New Zealand’s own Radiata pine for a wide range of engineered wood products,” says Taranakipine™’s CEO Tom Boon.

aranakipine™ has evolved over the past 60 years from a small family owned-business based at National Park processing native logs, into leaders in value-added engineered wood products using sustainable 100% renewable plantation New Zealand Radiata pine.

Now based in New Plymouth, the Taranakipine™ team of 170 manufactures a comprehensive range of timber products for both the local market and for export to Australia, Europe and North America.

A key feature of wood’s growing appeal includes its flexibility under stress such as earthquakes, cost competitiveness, long-life, its environmental benefits, ease of use, speed of installation and finally its finished look.

With a strong focus on research and development, the team at Taranakipine™ has prioritised product advancements, such as

www.taranakipine.co.nz

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HOWARD WRIGHT

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global recognition, numerous awards and a large international customer base. In fact 75% of their products go off shore to all corners of the world and they are one of the top three suppliers of hospital beds in Australasia.

Good design and care doesn’t stop at the end product. Care for the environment is also a key driver at Howard Wright.

Their products are manufactured from recyclable steels, aluminium and plastic and they also recycle waste at their manufacturing facility.

With a team of 37, based in an award-winning ‘environmentally conscious’ workplace and with exports around the world, Howard Wright has come a long way since motor mechanic Howard created his first hospital bed for a local nurse in his home workshop.

ince motor mechanic Howard Wright founded the company in 1963, Howard Wright has become an award-winning leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of medical beds and stretchers.

Great design starts with talking at Howard Wright – talking to everyone who uses their products, from nurses and patients through to maintenance technicians. And the people who design the products do the listening so they can create practical, innovative and intuitive products using the latest electronic componentry.

“Being a design-led company with original thinking is exciting. Every new product we supply we know makes human care easier,” says Howard Wright CEO Bruce Moller.

This design-led approach, combined with their philosophy of making human care easier, is at the heart of everything they do and has led to

www.howardwrightcares.com

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TARANAKI – A MANUFACTURING PROFILE

A R M AT E C E N V I RO N M E N TA L

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Their products are designed and made in a purpose-built 1500 square metre fibreglass factory in New Plymouth. All products are designed and manufactured to international standards. To ensure the highest level of quality assurance is provided, Armatec maintains a quality assurance system covering both design and manufacture. This includes materials traceability, so that if there is a problem in the future, materials can be identified and traced back to the supplier.

With more than 35 years of experience in the industry, Armatec Environmental has established an enviable reputation for manufacturing high quality, corrosion resistant products for tough environmental situations.

rmatec Environmental is a New Zealand leader in the design, manufacture and supply of world class industrial fibreglass products and systems for odour, pollution and corrosion control.

The family operated business employs a team of up to 25 located across two sites – one in New Plymouth and the other in Auckland.

Armatec Environmental products can be found in industries as varied as dairy, wastewater, pulp and paper, fertiliser, food, chemical plants, galvanisers and marine, here in New Zealand and exported to customers in Australia and Egypt.

Their range of air pollution control products and systems to reduce discharges of noxious gases, odours and particulates from plants, sets them apart from their competitors.

www.armatec.co.nz

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CARAC GROUP

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In addition to their outstanding track record in innovation, the 40-strong Carac Group team pride themselves on accommodating individual client requirements and their fast turnaround for one-off and sample products. The ability to deliver on quality, speed and service is in part down to their well-equipped workshop featuring high precision equipment including the country’s most advanced laser cutter.

Carac Group remains a family business flying the flag for New Zealand designed and made products. Over the years the company has received a number of business and innovation awards in recognition of their contribution to business and industry.

“We enjoy pushing the boundaries of what is possible in engineering and delivering better solutions,” says John. www.carac.nz

life-long talent for fixing and inventing things led self-taught engineer John Burling to establish Carac Group in 1988. This talent for product innovation and improvement, coupled with John’s enthusiasm, is at the core of Carac Group’s success.

Success started with a unique and innovative range of trailer couplings and has grown to include a range of automotive, agricultural, marine, engineering and utility related products.

Carac Group’s products are available nationwide and exported around the world, predominantly to America.

The latest invention to come out of Carac Group’s Eltham manufacturing plant is a tow lock that will never slip or come undone – something Burling anticipates will have massive appeal both in New Zealand and overseas.

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TARANAKI – A MANUFACTURING PROFILE

STILL VALLEY

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applications through to use in food and cleaning products.

The time consuming part of the process is gathering the raw materials. For every litre of essential oil around 300-400kg of raw plant materials is required. The distilling part takes two to four hours depending on the nature of the raw ingredient being used.

Jim promotes the benefits of utilising the ‘waste’ products from other New Zealand industries like forestry and farming. Ironically, in North America, whole plantations are grown to harvest oils, with timber being the by-product of the process.

The science behind the distillation process has caught the eye of the coordinators of the science and technology focused Curious Minds Programme and Jim has been happily sharing his knowledge and working with local school communities to show how he uses science and engineering in his business.

onsultant engineer Jim Bennett has expanded his work in the petroleum oil industry into the more aromatic world of essential oil. In 2016 he launched Still Valley, an essential oil and hydrosol extraction business in Bell Block.

He takes a range of raw materials, including the likes of pine, cedar, cypress, juniper, mānuka, lavender and various herbs, then extracts their essential oils and hydrosols.

Hydrosols, or ‘floral waters’, have similar therapeutic properties to essential oils but are less concentrated.

Most of the essential oils and hydrosols are then bottled and sold directly to customers and other manufacturers. The remainder are converted to natural products for skin care, aromatherapy, cleaning, and insect repellents, and are sold via his website. About a third of his products are exported, mainly to America where awareness and interest in essential oils is higher.

The uses of essential oils and hydrosols are extensive – from botanical, wellness and beauty

www.newzealandfloralextracts.com

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RIVET

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Rivet team is known for their innovative approach to engineering and willingness to take on new and different projects. One of their latest and more unique commissions was creating a still for local gin producers Juno Gin. Established in 1990 Rivet has two dedicated modern well equipped workshops, a stainless steel fabrication workshop in New Plymouth and an engineering workshop in Bell Block. They also specialise in laser, plasma and water jet profile cutting.

The company has recently been ISO9001 accredited, an international standard that reaffirms their commitment to quality through all their systems and procedures and consistently meeting or exceeding customer requirements.

here aren’t many steel fabricating companies that have a permanent 14m high billboard showcasing their work, but New Plymouth’s Rivet has in the form of the Len Lye Centre which they provided the mirror-like stainless steel panels for in 2015.

Not all of their work is as high profile as the Len Lye Centre, but they have a reputation for delivering top quality clever stainless steel, sheetmetal products and engineering solutions for all their clients. Their products range from custom-made, one-off pieces like the Len Lye Centre panels and the St Andrew’s church spire, to strengthening, tanks, high-end horse floats and components for the dairy, water treatment, food, energy, building and electrical industries New Zealand wide.

Employing 48 people, the award-winning

www.rivet.net.nz

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TARANAKI – A MANUFACTURING PROFILE

CAMBRIAN ENGINEERING

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ucked away in a suburb of New Plymouth few would know Cambrian Engineering is one of New Plymouth’s oldest engineering firms initially established in the CBD in 1925 and later moving to Vogeltown and finally to its new site in Bell Block. These days Cambrian Engineering is a one-stop-shop for casting, machining, electroplating, tube bending and production welding.

The 20-strong engineering team pride themselves on being a bespoke foundry and machine shop which can work with just about any metal – from brass and copper through to aluminium, nickel hardened iron and others. They are also known for helping others prototype their new products.

Cambrian Engineering manufacture and market a wide range of products for domestic and overseas markets and also work closely with customers and manufacturers to supply products and parts to meet their individual requirements. Their main international markets are Australia and America and one of their more high profile customers is Australia’s Hollinger Engineering who they produce castings for their race car gearboxes.

Cambrian Engineering’s own extensive range of products includes everything from architectural hardware and sharpening steels, through to sprayers for horticulturists and farmers and valves and fittings for a wide range of industries.

Offering a full range of services, keeping abreast of market needs and being agile and open to opportunity has been a point of difference for the company since its inception. www.cambrian.co.nz

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PRECISION MICROCIRCUITS

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s New Zealand’s only manufacturer of thick film microcircuits, Precision Microcircuits design, prototype, evaluate and manufacture custom electronics solutions from their base in the foothills of the Pouakai Ranges near New Plymouth.

Thick-film technology is a process where electronic components are layered in a way to create very robust products often suited to harsh and demanding operating environments.

These thick-film electronic microcircuits can be found in everything from animal training systems, military systems, outdoor security products, health products and domestic appliances. Much of Precision Microcircuits production is exported, mainly to China, Mexico and America. In New Zealand one of their biggest clients is Fisher & Paykel.

The award winning, family business was started in 1995 by Managing Director, Barrie Carruthers and is now run by his son, Rob Carruthers. The team of 12 creative thinkers and technical engineers is passionate about creating

great products and innovative solutions for their clients.

The company’s competitive advantage comes from something so simple, but something we have in abundance in Taranaki – clean air. Clean air enables the company to make highly accurate circuits, resulting in less expensive fine-tuning down the line. It also provides cost savings not having to filter air like their overseas competitors.

Further accuracy has been built into the production process over the years, with Rob’s custom-made computer programs. He wrote them, without any formal training in the area, because it was the best way to get what was required.

A plaque quoting founder Barrie Carruthers on the office wall sums up the spirit running through this niche electronics provider: “If any company is not actively developing new products, they have made a conscious decision to be out of business in the next five years.” www.pml.nz

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TARANAKI – A MANUFACTURING PROFILE

GLOBAL S TA I N L E S S

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here are two sides to the stainless steel fabrication business Lincoln Raikes established with his son in Hawera in 2004 – industrial products and art. Yes art. Global Stainless Artworks is a world leader in the fabrication of steel balls, spheres, and sculptures custom built to the specifications of professional sculptors and artisans from around the globe.

Their first sculpture, the Tall Tree and the Eye, designed by world leading artist, Anish Kapoor, stands 15 metres tall and resembles giant shiny bubbles emerging from the ground.

It has been shown in London, Spain and South Korea. Similar sculptures have been made for French and Singaporean customers.

Raikes had been experimenting with the idea of making these shiny, seamless stainless steel ‘balls’ for years before patenting the method in 2000. The stainless steel spheres are made from marine grade stainless and buffed to a mirror-like finish. The impressive sculptures are manufactured to withstand wind and movement from potential earthquakes.

The industrial side of the business, Global Stainless Industrial, sees Raikes and his team of 24 manufacture a range of different shaped domes, flanged ends and long radius bends for pipework and ducting. These products are used in the food and beverage industry, industrial applications, pharmaceutical, marine, dairy and transport industry for New Zealand customers as well as those in Australia, Europe, UK and America.

While not always as artistic and eyecatching, these industrial pieces are made with the same attention to detail, high standard, customisability and inventiveness of the components for Raikes’s art commissions. www.globalstainlessindustrial.com

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FITZROY ENGINEERING

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procurement, and construction management of New Zealand’s first tallow to bio-diesel plant for Z Energy in Auckland.

Fitzroy are probably Australasia’s most experienced offshore oil & gas engineering services company and have had a role on every offshore production project in New Zealand waters. They have also successfully completed large offshore projects in Australia with one notable example being the engineering, construction and installation of the Yolla Accommodation Module in the Bass Strait in 2010/2011.

One of their more unique recent contracts involved constructing an underwater restaurant for a resort in the Maldives. The 18m long x 5.4m wide, 410 tonne underwater restaurant was the second and largest of its type in the world.

Fitzroy Engineering’s extensive skillset and broad experience helped secure the contract to build the underwater restaurant over international competition and will undoubtedly not be the last time they work on such a large scale, unique project, or beat international competition to win a big contract.

stablished in the late 1950s in New Plymouth, Fitzroy Engineering has become one of New Zealand’s largest heavy fabrication and multidisciplined engineering companies with a wealth of experience in oil and gas, petrochemical and energy projects.

Their extensive range of expertise includes: engineering, project management, procurement, structural steel fabrication and erection, mechanical design, heavy fabrication, site construction, mechanical contracting, maintenance services, catalyst handling, shutdown management and support, piping, industrial coatings, machining and rigging and scaffolding. In fact their scaffolding and rigging division is one of the largest industrial scaffolding set-ups in the country.

Employing a staff of over 400 Fitzroy Engineering is based in New Plymouth with branches in Auckland, Taupo, South Taranaki, Wellington, Brisbane and Chinchilla and is a subsidiary of Dialog Group Berhad from Malaysia.

Quality, cost competitiveness and ability to deliver on-time, have helped Fitzroy Engineering secure many local and offshore contracts, and they’ve recently completed the engineering,

www.fitzroyengineering.com

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TARANAKI – A MANUFACTURING PROFILE

METHANEX

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methanol. The result is a clear, liquid, organic chemical that is water soluble and readily biodegradable. Approximately 95 per cent of the methanol produced in Taranaki is exported to the Asia Pacific region.

Methanex’s highly skilled and diverse workforce in New Zealand includes approximately 250 employees in Taranaki with additional support from local contractors. The presence of the company makes an important contribution to the local and national economy.

An economic report prepared by Business and Economic Research Limited has estimated that Methanex contributes NZD440 million to Taranaki’s GDP and NZD650 million to New Zealand’s GDP annually at full three-plant production. Methanex is committed to the principles and ethics of Responsible Care, consistently exceeding the requirements laid out by local and central government. Both the Motunui and Waitara Valley facilities have won awards for environmental excellence and industrial safety. The company is also an active and enthusiastic contributor to the social and cultural development of neighbouring communities through a variety of social responsibility programmes. www.methanex.com

ethanex is New Zealand’s only methanol manufacturer. The company has three production facilities, all based in Taranaki, and in total it has the capacity to produce up to 2.4 million tonnes of methanol annually. Two of the facilities are located at Motunui and one at Waitara Valley, near New Plymouth. Methanex has a commercial office in Auckland as well as storage facilities at Port Taranaki.

Methanol, CH3OH, comprises four parts hydrogen, one part oxygen and one part carbon. It’s an essential ingredient used to produce other chemical derivatives which, in turn are used to produce everyday products, including building materials, foams, resins, plastics, paints, polyester and a variety of health and pharmaceutical products. Methanol is also a clean-burning, biodegradable fuel.

Increasingly, methanol’s environmental and economic advantages are making it an attractive alternative fuel for powering vehicles and ships, cooking food and heating homes.

Methanol is produced in Taranaki by reforming the gas (sourced from Taranaki’s own oil and gas fields) with steam and then converting and distilling the resulting synthesized gas mixture to create pure

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CSA SURFBOARDS

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experience, set them apart and results in a lot of repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.

It all started 18 years ago in Opunake with teenaged Cain shaping boards for friends.

Nowadays Cain and his small team make around 500 surfboards a year from their Seaview Road factory and showroom and have become one of New Zealand’s top surfboard manufacturing businesses.

It’s not uncommon for out-of-town customers to place an order for a surfboard to coincide with a period of good surf and forgo having their new board shipped to them in favour of an excuse for a Taranaki surf trip. As a surfer himself, Cain understands this rationale and spends a lot of time in the water in the name of research!

ain Aldridge from CSA Surfboards has developed a world-class surfboard manufacturing business, building custommade boards for keen surfers from all over New Zealand.

His process involves mechanical preproduction of surfboard blanks, which are then hand-finished, before unique artwork is applied and fibreglassing takes place. He describes himself as more than just a surfboard shaper and designer; more a surfboard builder as he is skilled in all areas from hand-shaping, through to using design software, fibreglassing, making fins and creating custom artwork.

“There aren’t many places that do the whole process,” says Cain.

This full service approach, coupled with their unique custom artwork and extensive

www.csasurfboards.co.nz

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TARANAKI – A MANUFACTURING PROFILE

FONTERRA

– C O L L I N G W O O D S T R E E T E LT H A M

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to the specialist melty cheese found in Sizzler Sausages. They shred the frozen mozzarella for Pizza Hut and Dominoes products, as well as the individually wrapped cheese slices found in our grocery outlets. There are more than 275 individual specifications the Collingwood Street team are required to meet for their customers.

Not only is the range of products and list of customers long, the production scale is staggering – one machine processes 1.5 tonnes of cheese per hour and can produce up to 2,000 individually wrapped slices of cheese per minute.

With numbers like that it’s not surprising that 80 per cent of the cheese that’s processed at the Eltham plant is exported. People in more than 50 countries around the world enjoy Fonterra’s Taranaki cheese in their burgers, sandwiches and pizzas. www.fonterra.com

onterra’s Collingwood Street Eltham, Taranaki, plant is a high-tech cheese production Mecca – the largest consumer and cheese manufacturing plant in Australasia. It produces 80,000 tonnes of cut, shredded, processed and sliced cheese for a range of local and multi-national customers including McDonald’s, Burger King and Subway.

The Collingwood Street site was established in the late 1980s and now operates 24 hours a day, 50 weeks of the year. Production has increased due to a major expansion in its sliceon-slice cheese plant capabilities.

Even though the facility produces enough sliced cheese each year to cover three billion cheese burgers, the range of cheese products is tailored to meet each customer’s specifications.

From specific packaging and presentation to suit each individual quick service restaurant brand,

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QP SPORT

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chest protection equipment.

Secondly, they work with some of the best universities in the world on sports science, breast impact studies, breast biomechanics, motion control and health.

And lastly, their New Plymouth based manufacturing and development facility uses state of the art equipment which allows them to continually develop and test new products and features and exceed relevant CE (European) certification.

QP Sport is a family owned business, employing a team of six.

We never stop innovating and are proud to have many sporting codes and individuals endorse our products,” says Managing Director Richie Shearer.

He also believes Taranaki is an excellent base for manufacturing businesses. “The service sector, such as printing, packaging and freight, is of high quality, and attracting and retaining quality staff is not difficult. The region has a progressive culture and there is excellent support for businesses with the presence of Venture Taranaki, the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, and many specialist groups such as Taranaki Technology”. www.qpsport.co.nz

P Sport has nuns to thank for the advent of their sporting chest protection business.

In 1978, nuns from a local girls’ school in New Plymouth had an orthotics specialist fashion a chest protector for their female football players.

As a result in 1981 QP Sports was established to manufacture and market it. That product went on to become the ‘EconoGuard’ and to this day it is still in QP Sport’s product range, although with a number of design and manufacturing enhancements from the early model.

Sales took off in the early 1990s when the martial arts and fencing worlds discovered QP Sports products. Their products are now standard equipment for fencing, karate and other martial arts and are used by a range of other sporting codes including the likes of lacrosse, equestrian, baseball, cricket and roller derby.

Today, QP Sport design and manufacture their world-leading range of high quality breast and chest protection products for customers in more than 50 countries around the world.

It’s no accident that their award-winning products are sought after world-wide.

Firstly, they are the only company in the world who solely focus on making breast and 19

TARANAKI – A MANUFACTURING PROFILE

BREMNER MUSIC

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players use and endorse their products.

“We regard this, and the fact that we are now recognised as one of the leaders in practice mutes, as our main success” says Trevor.

The market for the sshhmute is truly global, with sales throughout Europe, the Americas and Asia. The Bremners report that 95 percent of sales for the sshhmute are exported, and the company is looking to expand its dealer networks in the United States, China and Canada.

Over the years the range of mutes has increased to 8 models and work continues on other new model options.

Bremner Music is proud to be totally Taranaki – having their plastic parts made by a local injection moulding company Devon Plastics and seals from Shuk Engineering.

They have purchased their own plastic welder for production – and recently added a pad printer to the processes done in house.

The pad printer is used for printing on the cones and previously this was done in Wellington.

remner Music represents the new generation of a high value export product and they handle all the manufacturing and production from their workshop in New Plymouth.

Furthermore, the company has gone from backyard workshop to global market leader, with an idea born out of an old suitcase.

Champion cornet player Trevor Bremner found that it was necessary to practice at odd times and in odd places and the existing practice mutes did more damage than good.

Trevor made the first prototype sshhmute from an old suitcase and brass in his workshop and the product has since been meticulously refined and developed. It is now made from lightweight and robust ABS plastic, and manufactured in their purpose built New Plymouth production facility.

Practice mutes are an essential tool for any serious brass player, as it allows them to play and practice anywhere, at any time. The sshhmute range is easy to play, tuneful, and encourages strengthening of the throat muscles.

Trevor says many of the world’s top brass

www.sshhmute.com

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YA R R O W S FA M I LY B A K E R S

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Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Embracing the latest technology and blending it with traditional bread making methods sets Yarrows Family Bakers apart.

Pioneers in the manufacture of frozen dough products, Yarrows were the first New Zealand company to export butter based goods (frozen croissants) to the United States. They were also the first bakery in New Zealand to install a mechanical mixer and an electric oven.

Today Yarrows remain at the leading edge of new baking and production techniques.

They work in partnership with their customers to provide support and advice on new ideas, techniques, equipment, baking methods and best practice bakery operation.

arrows Family Bakers was founded in 1923 in the small South Taranaki township of Manaia and it is now one of the largest independently owned bakeries in New Zealand.

Proudly owned and operated by the third generation of Yarrows, the state of the art Manaia bakery operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They produce a wide range of world-class bread, buns, rolls, artisan breads, cookies, croissants, danish and muffins for supermarkets, retailers and foodservice customers in New Zealand, Australia and Asia.

Yarrows has been working with one of the world’s largest fast food chain, Subway, for over 15 years supplying them with their Subway sandwich. Every month they produce Frozen Dough Sticks for Subway franchises in New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore,

www.yarrows.co.nz

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TARANAKI – A MANUFACTURING PROFILE

NEXANS

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range of electrical power cables, ranging from low voltage through to medium voltage power cables with ratings up to 33kV, all of which are quality and environmentally certified to ISO9001 and ISO14001.

Nexans’ strategy is founded on continuous innovation in products, solutions and services, employee development, customer training and the introduction of safe, low-environmentalimpact industrial processes.

Their team of experts can also provide technical consultancy, cable design, logistics solutions and other specialist services. These value-added benefits are a product of their extensive experience in the industry.

Nexans New Zealand is part of the Nexans Group which is represented in over 40 countries worldwide, employing close to 26,000 people.

As part of the global group, Nexans New Zealand pride themselves on having the best of both worlds – local expertise and global capabilities!

s the country’s largest power cable supplier, Nexans New Zealand manufactures a wide range of electrical cable solutions for the energy, infrastructure, industrial, building and construction markets.

They have been manufacturing and distributing power cables since 1967, and today provide high quality cable and consulting services for, on average, 200 projects around New Zealand and the Pacific every year, ranging in size from relatively small residential and commercial works to major multimillion dollar infrastructure projects.

Nexans have supplied custom cabling solutions to a number of major projects in the Taranaki region: Kupe production plant, the McKee project, and the Taranaki Combined Cycle and Peaker Plant to name a few.

Nexans New Zealand employ over 140 staff, with a manufacturing facility and head office in New Plymouth, and sales and distribution warehouses in Christchurch and Auckland.

The New Plymouth factory produces a wide

www.nexans.co.nz

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ENERGYWORKS

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Energyworks has also focused on establishing longer-term multi-discipline maintenance contracts with clients. These contracts sees Energyworks taking the lead role managing safety, quality, environmental as well as the technical and commercial delivery of a wide range of engineering services such as mechanical, industrial coatings, scaffolding, rigging, cranage, non-destructive testing, insulation for its key clients. According to CEO, David McGregor, “this contracting model provides our clients with single point of accountability and ensures that the important interfaces between all engineering disciplines are properly coordinated and prioritised without our clients having to only contract with large international engineering firms.”

Highlights for the company include receipt of the Taranaki Regional Council Environmental Award in recognition of strides their industrial coating division had made with respect to “investment and innovation in air emissions control and environmental sustainability”.

Providing assurance to customers regarding their commitment to excellence, continual improvement as well as Health, Safety and Environment and quality are also embodied in their certifications which include the internationally recognised AS/NZS (H&S), ISO 14001 as well as ISO 9001:2008.

riginally established in 1972 as Inglewood Engineering and re-branded in 2005, Energyworks Limited has grown alongside the energy sector in Taranaki to become one of the leading specialised multi-disciplined engineering companies in Australasia.

The company’s core roots lie with the construction of piping systems and the installation of mechanical equipment for the oil and gas industry, although increasingly, their expertise is being sought by other sectors such as power generation, petrochemical, and the dairy and food industry.

Energyworks Ltd principally constructs and maintains everything from the oil and gas well head up to and including power stations including: Well head piping and equipment, gathering pipelines, production stations, export pipelines, metering stations, power stations and storage facilities.

Employing more than 200 specialist staff, Energyworks have considerable experience and resource depth to draw upon. Over the years they have been called upon for critical roles servicing major projects both locally and globally, spanning gas pipeline work in Queensland to fabrication and installation work for New Zealand energy projects as well as specialist facility maintenance work for Taranaki clients.

Along with its construction activities

www.energyworks.net.nz

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TARANAKI – A MANUFACTURING PROFILE

TA R A N A K I : A B A S E FO R MANUFACTURING The Taranaki region provides a welcoming and attractive location to establish or expand your manufacturing business.

LAND AVAILABILITY

TRANSPORT

The Bell Block area to the northeast of New Plymouth has the region’s greatest concentration of existing manufacturing businesses with plenty of land suitable for further growth. There are also good sites available in other towns in the region.

There is also a long history of industrial and manufacturing development in rural areas of Taranaki. This has been particularly important for the development of large plants which require larger blocks of land and separation from other businesses and residential areas.

Taranaki is well serviced by transportation networks. State Highway Three provides links to the north and south and links the region’s main towns. Rail Services run south from Taranaki linking up with the main trunk railway line at Marton. Port Taranaki is located in New Plymouth and moves large quantities of oil and gas products and other bulk goods. It is also linked directly to rail services. Air services are provided via New Plymouth Airport. Air New Zealand flies directly from New Plymouth to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch with linkages to other centres and international services. JetStar provides services to and from Auckland.

ENERGY SUPPLY While the energy requirements of most manufacturing businesses can be serviced by standard commercial arrangements, some require large quantities of gas or electricity.

As home to New Zealand’s oil and gas industry Taranaki is very well serviced with supply and distribution of natural gas. There are also several electricity generating facilities in Taranaki meaning the region has good connections to the national electricity network.

DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY World-class fibre-based broadband services are provided in New Plymouth (including the industrial area of Bell Block), Oakura, Hawera and Normanby. Other towns in the region are serviced by copper wire-based broadband though fibre is confirmed for installation in Waitara, Urenui, Inglewood, Stratford, Eltham, Okato, Opunake, Manaia and Patea. There is also good cellphone and mobile broadband coverage on the Taranaki ringplain.

WATER AND WASTE The region’s three District Councils – New Plymouth, Stratford and South Taranaki – provide water and waste services. It is important to have a discussion directly with the Councils with regard to sourcing water or disposing of waste water and other waste products.

SKILLS AND PEOPLE Taranaki is home to a globally connected workforce, with a core skills base honed by the technical demands of the oil and gas, food production and energy sectors. The region has a strong culture of health and safety and innovation, and is renowned for its flexible and versatile workforce and globally-competitive skillset.

DISTRICT PLANS The three District Councils also prepare District Plans. These Plans provide policies and rules that guide the activities that can be carried out in particular locations.

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INDUSTRY SUPPORT ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL GROUP

ENGINEERING TARANAKI CONSORTIUM

The Energy and Industrial Group comprises 25 companies whose collective expertise spans all aspects of industrial design and construction.

Working collaboratively, clients can use the group as a convenient hub where they can access specialist technologies and operational excellence. The Group meets monthly and utilises their combined expertise to help secure and attract work to benefit the Taranaki economy. The Energy and Industrial Group is facilitated by Venture Taranaki, the Regional Development Agency.

The Engineering Taranaki Consortium is New Zealand's leading engineering consortium with over 250 years of combined engineering, design and fabrication experience. The Consortium comprises eleven companies from the Taranaki region who are delivering a wide range of worldclass engineering solutions. The members collaborate to ensure strong united leadership, promote the value of the industry and encourage skill development through the ETC Engineering & Electrical Apprenticeship Awards for Taranaki.

www.energyindustrial.co.nz

www.engineeringtaranaki.co.nz

A HELPING HAND Venture Taranaki is Taranaki’s regional development agency, and is on hand to help local businesses grow.

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ervices include free Business Start-up clinics, delivered regularly throughout the region to assist anyone with a new business idea to test the concept and progress towards launch. The Trust also offers business support, and can meet with businesses across all sizes and all sectors to offer a customised approach to helping them achieve success.

The organisation manages the Business Mentor New Zealand programme in Taranaki, which connects businesses with experienced mentors who can act as a sounding board to help businesses navigate challenges or growth.

Business capability is developed through Capability Development Vouchers, which enable eligible business managers and directors to boost their skillsets, while a number of Research and Development grants are available to help develop products or processes.

A range of regional intelligence publications are available, as well as export assistance, talent attraction, and broader sector support: it really is a one-stop shop for business growth.

To learn more: www.taranaki.info Contact: anne@venture.org.nz.

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Manufacturing in Taranaki is an important part of the Taranaki economy and comprises a significant part of the region’s employment base. In fact, Taranaki ranks the second-highest region in New Zealand in terms of the percentage of manufacturing jobs to total regional employment. Read some of the many stories that make up Taranaki’s manufacturing sector and showcase the innovation that is endemic to the region.

An initiative of

Taranaki’s Regional Development Agency 9 Robe Street | PO Box 670 New Plymouth 4340 | New Zealand T: +64 6 759 5150 E: info@venture.org.nz www.taranaki.info

ISBN 978-0-473-40624-0 Published by Venture Taranaki, June 2017.