A number of industry commentators from around the world have made their manufacturing forecasts for the year ahead, and amongst the obvious (supply chain disruptions, labour challenges), one that really stood out was the movement of sustainable business practices from “nice to have” to “must have”. This trend has been noticeable for some time, but it’s interesting to see experts coalescing around this as a key topic for 2022.
Category Archives: Pep talk
How effective are our health and safety efforts?
Health and safety statistics seemed to have slipped off the radar since the intense media scrutiny post the Pike River Mine disaster and the subsequent introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Act circa 2016.
3D printing: A greener, more sustainable manufacturing?
Unlike subtractive machining which typically generates large quantities of waste product, 3D printing’s additive nature allows for the creation of parts while creating minimal waste, writes Dr Juan Shutte.
Leveraging industrial opportunities in metal 3D printing
Dr Juan Schutte shares how 3D printing has evolved from plastic filament being melted into rough layered prototypes, and is making its mark in the industry with metal-based technologies.
Arbitration clauses in construction contracts: the ‘may’ versus ‘must’ debate
There is a question whether a party is entitled to litigate instead of referring its dispute to arbitration where an arbitration clause in a construction contract such as clause 13.4 in NZS3910:2013 provides that the parties ‘may’ refer their dispute to arbitration, but does not say anything about litigation.
Getting serious about machine safety in 2022
A wave of prosecutions related to guarding and the safe use of machinery are an eyeopener to the complacency of business in keeping their workers safe. From the Wellington pastry worker degloving his hand in a pastry maker to the female sawmill worker killed when she was dragged into machinery, the reality is that our statistics have not improved despite the best intentions of MBIE and WorkSafe.
What does 2022 have in store?
It’s dangerous at the best of times to get out the crystal ball in an attempt to foretell the year ahead, and even more so at times of so much change, but I thought I’d give it a go anyway!
Steel is a hero of the circular economy: Study estimates 85% of Aotearoa’s building and construction steel waste is recycled
In June 2021, HERA published its Steel Recycling Report that indicated an impressive 74% of scrap steel in New Zealand was recycled. The recycling of steel not only provides significant environmental benefits but also helps to secure the future of the steel industry. Recycled steel is cheaper and easier to produce (recycling steel saves almost 74% of the overall energy used in production), saves natural resources, and prevents excess greenhouse gas usage.
All I want for Christmas is the housing crisis to go away…
New Zealand is a wonderful place to live, however it is plagued with colossal infrastructural limitations and a demoralizing ever-growing housing shortage/crisis. Just ask any Aucklander who’s had the ‘luxury’ of peak hour traffic on the harbor bridge or the desperate individual trying to buy a house…
Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi in Governance
In the recent reforms of vocational education, the Education and Training Act 2020 was amended with a reference (Section 4): “The purpose of this Act is to establish and regulate an education system that…honours Te Tiriti Waitangi and supports Māori-Crown relationships”. This is the first piece of legislation that references requirements relating to Te Tiriti in its entirety (versus the principles) and compels “honouring” it.
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