MANUFACTURING » F1 Innovations
Business South November 2015
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An industy leader in not just fibreglass Kim Newth Combine a spacious workshop equipped with the latest composite and resin infusion technology and a team of specialist engineers trained to think outside the box and the result is cutting-edge Invercargill-based firm FI Innovations. The company’s core business has always been fibreglass but it has recently rebranded to reflect the increasingly diverse range of solutions it is offering clients with problems to solve. When it comes to fibreglass, FI Innovations is an industry leader in the application of resin infusion. Few other companies would be as experienced in its use. “We are doing a lot of carbon fibre resin infusion work,” says the company’s managing director Gareth Dykes. “For example, we have made seat and pod units for Shotover Jet. The reason why we work with carbon fibre is that it is so strong and lightweight. The fuel savings alone for a company like that are phenomenal. We also made flexible heated handrails for the jet boats, designed to keep passengers’ hands warm while also acting as shock absorbers.” Resin infusion technology has also been used by the team to build the award-winning 1600 Fisher carbon fibre cabin for Stabicraft Marine, as well
as seat and pod units for Dart River Safaris. Other applications include flat panels for transport trucks, pipes for water treatment and fibreglass replica shells to transform old or damaged architectural features. “Resin infusion is a superior process to conventional fibreglass methods as it can be used to make any kind of lightweight strong structure so it covers all markets. If somebody comes to us with their idea, we can take it from concept to reality.” There is strong demand for the company’s fibreglass repair services for the marine, transport and agricultural sectors and for industrial fibreglass from pipework to industrial linings and coatings. Aside from fibreglass, FI Innovations is an industry leader in flooring. The company has a wide range of products and different composites it can use to meet clients’ demand for decorative yet functional flooring. Its contracts have included industrial flooring for wet areas in dairy factories, floors for amenity blocks and decorative anti-slip flooring at Invercargill’s Splash Palace complex. “Most of the time we are working with quartz chip. The end result is durable, hardwearing and looks good.” FI Innovations is a fast adopter of new technology with practical applications. For example, a new $50,000 machine is enabling the company to foam-fill boat hulls for added buoyancy and noise reduction.
The award-winning 1600 Fisher carbon fibre cabin built for Stabicraft Marine was made by FI Innovations, which is based in Invercargill. Gareth is the fourth generation at the helm of this long-established family firm. After returning to Southland in 2002 with his wife Melissa, he took over the firm with a vision to grow the company and diversify its activities. “When I started here, it was just me and one other guy. Now we have a staff of twelve, including two apprentices – we have had a lot of growth.” Most of the company’s staff is fully qualified, having undergone four year apprenticeships in composites.
Recently, FI Innovations acquired land and buildings adjoining its workshop so as to expand its yard space and add another workshop. FI Innovations is dedicated to quality, service, safety and innovation from the floor up.
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Turning great ideas into reality Ph 03 216 6650 | 38 Otepuni Avenue, Invercargill | www.f-i.co.nz
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