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  1. A standard for energy excellence

    Skyrocketing energy prices, dwindling fossil-based energy resources and increasing competitive pressure motivate politics and society to fundamentally reconsider the way we deal with energy. Legal guidelines and regulations lend further impetus. Numerous investigations and studies show that, in many cases, there is a considerable savings potential of up to 30 percent and more. Energy management systems based on the ISO 50001 help tap this huge potential.

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  2. EECA Award finalists showcase excellence in efficiency

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  3. How to increase compressed air efficiency

    Compressed air preparation is not exactly a hot topic for plant operators. As a result, carelessly maintained compressed air systems waste energy and result in premature wearing of high-quality pneumatic valves and drives. Festo is now launching a push for greater compressed air efficiency.

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  4. Taking the tension out of belt tensioning

    A transmission belt that doesn’t need re-tensioning – the German-manufactured Optibelt Red Power V-belt makes this dream come true. Editor Stefan Richter talked to the sole NZ Optibelt agent about the features and advantages of this maintenance-free belt which is being released in its third generation.

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  5. Cutting-edge automation technology for good old-fashioned pies

    From their fully-automated production plant in Silverdale, Dad’s Pies caters for pie lovers nationally and internationally. Editor Stefan Richter took a tour of the high-tech facility.

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  6. Seeing daylight and saving money

    It dawns on more and more businesses that by swapping their existing lighting for more energy-efficient solutions they can save some serious money. But there are more benefits in store for those who swap, as editor Stefan Richter learned from Grant Simpson, PowerSave Light Company’s Director.

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  7. Peak performing hose pump decreases cost of ownership

    Decades of experience and knowledge have combined with closely scrutinised customer feedback to deliver Apex, three new hose pumps from Bredel, part of the Watson-Marlow Pumps Group. Designed to suit all dosing, metering and transfer applications from 2.8 to 1200 litre/hour across a broad range of applications, the new Apex pumps are now, according to the manufacturer, the first choice for processing plants worldwide.

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  8. Window of opportunity

    Renall Doors, a family-run, Carterton-based manufacturer of custom made wooden interior and sheltered exterior doors, think the NZ market is ripe for top quality European-style double glazed wooden windows. To produce a virtually airtight window the company has just invested 1.5 million NZ dollars in a state-of-the-art profiling centre from German specialist Weinig. Editor Stefan Richter has learned more about this major coup.

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  9. Keeping the water and cost savings flowing for Hamilton City

    Hamilton City Council has achieved a 50 percent reduction in machine faults as well as annual savings of $30,000 in machine overhauls, courtesy of a comprehensive condition monitoring and preventive maintenance programme from ABB.

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  10. Walk the line

    There is a distinct difference between condition monitoring and vibration analysis. The former is aimed at detecting a change in the monitored machine whereas the latter seeks to determine what has changed and the severity of that change. For the analyst there is a fine line between ‘too soon’ and ‘too late’. Too soon and the damage will be hard to see, too late and the machine will take itself out. In either case you will be remembered for the wrong reasons.

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  11. Rid New Zealand of PCBs

    Polychlorinated biphenyls are hazardous to human health and the environment. In New Zealand the use and storage of PCBs is prohibited since 2004, but they can still be found in transformers and capacitors. Funded by the Ministry for the Environment Transpacific Technical Services now offer a free service to safely collect and dispose of remaining PCBs.

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  12. Extended arc flash protection range

    Honeywell Safety Products has added two new Salisbury electrical safety products to their extensive arc flash protection range. Arc flash hazards are a critical safety issue for electrical workers and can cause serious injuries; workers can prevent harm to themselves and others by wearing the appropriate arc flash protection when working with electricity.

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  13. Australasian Maintenance Excellence Awards

    The first New Zealand based recipient of the Australasian Maintenance Excellence Awards (AMEA) was presented by SIRF Roundtables, Industrial Maintenance Roundtable (IMRt) on 19 March 2012 at a gala presentation and networking evening at the Novotel Auckland Hotel, Ellerslie. The 2011 Australasian Maintenance Excellence Awards applicants were Vector Gas Ltd, Kapuni Gas Treatment Plant, New Zealand, and Orica Chlor Alkali, Laverton Plant Victoria, Australia.

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  14. New Zealand Oil and Gas Exhibition 2012

    The New Zealand Oil & Gas Exhibition is coming to New Plymouth for the 9th biennial year. “With two exhibitions being held within the space of three months last year,

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  15. “Manufacturers must lift their game”

    “Maintenance is all about maximising plant reliability,” says Larry Wiechern. The Maintenance and Reliability Centre Manager at Manukau Institute of Technology highlights the importance of upskilling the workforce, sharing expertise and choosing trustworthy suppliers.

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  16. Saving costs with synthetic compressor oils

    Choosing speciality lubricants for compressors and gearboxes offers high potential for reducing operating costs and improving CO2 footprint in the food processing industry. The following article illustrates how synthetic compressor oils can save money in the operation of a brewery.

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  17. Problem solver for food industry

    Food processing companies are increasingly discovering the benefits of utilising Vaughan chopper pumps in environments in which conventional pumps have historically failed.

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  18. UPS's keep businesses going

    UPS hardware can help keep business applications available, power costs manageable and data safe. By familiarising themselves with the basics of what a UPS does and how to choose the right one for their needs, businesses can ensure that mission-critical systems always have the clean, reliable electricity they need to drive long-term success.

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  19. New extraction system increases productivity

    Renowned furniture manufacturers Accent Group have recently installed a new Egmont Air Dust Extraction System in their new Wellsford factory. After careful evaluation and analysis, Accent Group selected Egmont Air as their preferred supplier for the new dust extraction system. 

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  20. Contractor prequalification service

    CPNZ Ltd and its foundation clients have released the CPNZ (Contractor Prequalification New Zealand) pan industry contractor health and safety prequalification service. This fully outsourced, pan-industry service is aimed at improving the speed, efficiency and cost of health and safety prequalification whilst helping to improve the safety of all types of contractors. “CPNZ is a New Zealand first and builds on international best practice, but tailored to the local market needs,” says Tom Reeves, Director of CPNZ Ltd.

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