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!…
We’re saddened to share the passing of University of Auckland’s Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering John Butterworth. Passing away after a long illness on 4 September – we wanted to share our condolences with his family and friends and acknowledge the contributions he’s made to our industry. Graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Earlier this year, we applied for the MBIE 2017 Research Partnership Investment Round under the title “Transforming the heavy metals engineering industry through disruptive innovation” – an application now approved by their Science Board to progress to the full proposal stage. While this advance has considerably improved our chance for success, the investment round is…
Even though stainless steel structural sections have been available since the 1960s, the industry hasn’t shown great interest until the last decade – the main reasons being a lack of material knowledge, limited supply sources, irregular demand, small volumes, long delivery times and high prices. Today this has changed, with the market not only asking…
With some disappointment but also an accompanying sense of clarity in purpose, we share the sad news that a our joint Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust / HERA proposal submitted to the NZ government for the establishment of a Regional Research Institute (RRI) in Rotorua was unsuccessful. Long-listed following our previous proposal last year, it was found…