Now we have a new government – we have a left of center mix of policies. Which on first principle should be building innovative, high value local manufacturing with the aim of increased prosperity and our ability to pay our way in the world. And for me, I congratulate the team around ‘Prime Minister to…
The New Zealand Productivity Commission – an independent Crown entity – called for an in-depth inquiry into the issue of New Zealand’s transition to a low-emission economy and how it can meet its Paris agreement targets. HERA, as the industry research association of the heavy metals-based fabrication and manufacturing industry, is primarily engaged in the…
The election race is tight and every vote will count. Our director reviews the most important policy relating to our industry’s contribution to creating a prosperous New Zealand. And our view is unshakeably in favour of a policy which supports local manufacturing in the framework of a free trade environment. So we urge all members…
The HERA organised stream at the Metals Industry Conference in Christchurch focused on industry transformation for our members and HERA’s role in it. We think it was very relevant and want to ensure that those who missed out can catch up on those important topics. What a great conference and Awards Gala Dinner to remember!…
For many, the sudden closures of engineering icon A&G Price in Thames and AMTEC Engineering in New Plymouth came like a bolt out of the blue. But for some, it wasn’t so surprising. The playing field is strongly stacked against us as we don’t seem to have the right value proposition for our traditional companies…
As an avid reader of our news updates you’ll be aware of the unique opportunity we offered to leverage significant government co-funding for research activities through our Research Partnership Proposal. Sadly, we report the Research Partnership Proposal has stalled from progressing. Insufficient levels of industry co-funding stopping us from submitting a credible and workable bid…
Remember LanzaTech? The New Zealand bio fuel R&D start-up which invented a process to convert carbon-rich gases from steel mills to create the ethanol base of their fuel Lanzanol. Probably not. Since LanzaTech packed their bags quite early in the game and moved to the US with many of their former staff in tow. But…
Following MBIE and Commerce Commission announcements of significant building products conformance issues which included steel products, HERA consulted in April 2016 extensively with its membership. The outcome was the wide endorsement by HERA and SCNZ membership of a policy statement requesting that “all critical building work independent of building material should be required to have…
Last Friday, April 7, our Director Wolfgang Scholz and Welding Centre General Manager Michail Karpenko were pleased to attend the annual IPENZ Fellows’ and Achievers’ Awards in Wellington, New Zealand. Attended by over 400 people, this was an opportune time to recognise the hard work, dedication and innovation of New Zealand engineers – and celebrate…
The Statistics House investigation has highlighted that had the Kaikoura earthquake have happened at a different hour – lives would have been lost. Now more than ever, urgent action is required to safeguard and ensure existing precast concrete floor designs are checked and the 10-year old concrete design standard updated. On 14 November 2016 the…
Steel dumping ‘steal’ talks and ‘dump’ the real issues Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s recent visit to New Zealand last week brought much attention to free trade and export opportunities for our country – but did the right topics get the focus they deserved? Amidst steel dumping headlines, China’s strong interest to balance its trade by…
The Net Zero in New Zealand report makes it clear that our industry as energy users and carbon reducing solution providers have abundant opportunity to contribute to emission reductions and can play an important part in helping New Zealand fulfil its Paris Agreement commitments. Global warming is a scientific fact. Global temperatures and sea levels…