Five megatrends you need to know to deconstruct construction risk
What are the big five megatrends in construction risk? And how do they relate to our members? Last week, I attended the launch of the Willis Towers Watson Construction Risk…
Why lean startup applies to you – even if you’re not a startup!
Lean startup is an innovation process with an unfortunate name. Although it is based on lean principles, it isn’t the same. And, although it was based on startup evidence, it…
Why isn’t manufacturing uptaking exponential technologies
There are many logical and psychological barriers stopping people from uptaking exponential technologies. In fact a study of US manufacturing firms’ adoption of exponential technologies has many similarities to feedback…
Are you disruption ready?
Business disruption is experienced on an almost daily basis. Just recently, HERA lost email and file access for several days, which was hugely disruptive. Could that have been avoided? Yes!…
Farewell to Peter Hayward: a HERA luminary
After a long history with HERA as our longest serving employee – we’d like to announce that our Welding and Inspection Engineer Peter Hayward is retiring at the end of…
#INWED18 – Meet New Zealand Steel Graduate Process Engineer, Mikaela Keir
Mikaela is a process engineer at New Zealand Steel. Looking after the process variables to produce molten steel to various specifications. New Zealand Steel is the sole producer of steel in…
How to attract and retain female talent
We’re coming up to the International Day of Women in Engineering on 23 June 2018. And, with almost all member companies that we visit stating that attracting and retaining talent…
Manufacturing R&D in NZ – a sob story, job story or FOB story?
That was the provocative title of my Keynote at MAD2018: A Collaborative Future for NZ Manufacturing and Design. It’s a question that is well worth considering. Though, I’m not sure…
Beyond commodities
Manufacturing companies make significant contribution to NZ’s BERD according to a report released recently on the state of manufacturing in New Zealand. “Manufacturing Report 2018. Beyond commodities: Manufacturing into the future” identified…
Is BRANZ material neutral?
BRANZ is New Zealand’s independent, impartial research, testing and consulting organisation for the building and construction industry. However, there is a current perception that they aren’t as impartial as they…
Meet Kam Subramani – a man clocking up almost 30 years of service at HERA!
This month the idea of work culture has been playing heavily on our mind. In particular, how we go about fostering a good one. In the end, the answer couldn’t…
Kickstart lean start up – and improve business!
Stop wasting time. Get products to market faster. Maximise success. These are the key outcomes from implementing The Lean startup methodology. Lean startup is transforming the way that businesses develop…