At $50 billion, the Future Submarine Program is the largest and most ambitious defence procurement program in Australia’s history. In 2016 the Australian government announced an ambitious series of defence projects worth over $100Bn, including the $50bn Future Submarine program. The Commonwealth’s objective was not only to deliver best in class equipment to the Australian…
Overall, our FY 2017 (Jul16 – Jun17) heavy steel consumption reached just over 173,000 tonnes – 1.4% higher than last year and a new record in our steel statistics. This is a welcome outcome, supported by a buoyant steel construction sector in response to growing demand for seismic strengthened buildings and an expanding population in…
HERA’s vision is to have a long-term sustainable industry which can compete globally. And our mission, is to be the catalyst for innovation and driver for industry transformation. Industry transformation in the context of responding to disruptive challenges in an ever faster world of change is on everyone’s mind. As an industry-owned research association our…
Innovation is what we’re all about – whether in research or industry education. That’s why our #MIC2017 HERA session has our speakers highlighting this disruption. It’s happening around the world and in New Zealand – which is why it’s so important that we understand what it all means for our industry, what challenges are ahead…
Last week our Manager Industry Development Dr. Boaz Habib had the opportunity to present at the Casting Technology New Zealand Annual Conference, 11 – 13 August 2017. Focused on the theme ‘sustainable foundries for the future’ in casting technology, it was a well-attended event. Attracting around 50 industry representatives from across New Zealand and Australia…
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…
HERA members associated with the wider steel construction sector will have or will receive a request for co-funding to the steel construction projects of HERA’s research partnership proposal intended to be submitted to MBIE. You may have been aware from last month’s HERA News item, that out of the original 13 applications submitted; we were…
How often have you heard someone in your work circles say “Nowadays we don’t see work more than two to three weeks ahead” or “Since major contracts have started finishing, we don’t know what to do with our current staff”? If a lot – you’re not alone. Looking out for the next contract opportunity is…
We’re pleased to report that the next round of works for our materials test rig installed at Ohaaki have been completed and are now ready for commissioning phase. Our Research Engineer Holger Heinzel and Intern Tobias Kick have been working tirelessly to drive this project forward to specification – successfully connecting it to a geothermal…
For our heavy engineering industry, productivity has a direct bearing on how we are performing not only as a company but as a sector, which is why keeping an eye on it is a must if we wish to sail or even survive with the times. Productivity drives growth in the quantity and value of…
SNC Steel is a Papakura, Auckland based fabricator with the tenets of lean manufacturing at its core, concentrating on quality and service while eliminating unnecessary cost and time waste. Since their focus has been on quality products provided to customers in the safest manner possible to the highest standards, and recognising that quality can be…