8-17 NZEN Dec17-NEWS

EN-Dec17-eMag

N E W S Power supply instability? NHP has the retrofitting solution The consequence of ACB failure can be financially costly and potentially dangerous to personnel. To help address this issue, NHP provide ‘retro-fit’ solutions which allow end users to modernise their ACBs with minimal downtime. Retrofitting of ACBs offers increased cost savings compared with the replacement of an entire switchboard as the key components of the system can be quickly replaced. As well as improved safety and functionality, modern ACBs also clear short-circuits much faster than older models. This means that the incident arc energy is correspondingly lower, which in turn, reduces arc flash hazard. On top of this, retrofitting is typically 80% cheaper than switchboard replacement with minimum downtime. NHP’s ACB retrofit solutions are specifically designed to allow the existing switchboard to remain fundamentally unchanged, with only the obsolete ACB being replaced. Existing busbars and cables remain unaltered, therefore simplifying the installation process and reducing downtime. The NHP retrofit solution has been designed according to relevant New Zealand standards and recognised industrial practices, ensuring the controlled removal of ACBs that are obsolete and potentially dangerous. With retrofit and upgrade options available for most brands and models of ACB, NHP can work within your existing switchboard environment to provide a cost-effective solution. For more information on how NHP can help you modernise your protection system with retrofitting services, visit nhp-nz.com/more/ acbretro. LOADS OF EXTRA MULTIMEDIA CONTENT SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE eMag www.engineeringnews.co.nz 8 December 2017 Widening net prompted by Kiwi export confidence The 2017 ExportNZ DHL Export Barometer shows Kiwi exporters are feeling confident and expecting orders to increase in the next 12 months. Optimism is very positive with 71% of New Zealand exporters expecting international orders to increase - this is a jump from 63% in 2016. The research shows that overall 2017 has been a good year, with just over half (55%) of exporters achieving an increase in international orders. While the survey was carried out prior to the NZ election, ongoing political support for the export environment will be crucial to ensure Kiwi businesses achieve the perceived upcoming boost to orders. Exporters responding to the survey cited several key ways in which assistance from the New Zealand government could help their business. Research and development assistance came out top at 26%, closely followed by help attending trade shows with other NZ companies, and more free trade agreements Düsseldorf set to be 2018 valve meeting point B Valve World Expo 2018 – the world of valve manufacturers and users is meeting in Düsseldorf again from November 27-29, 2018. Occupying Halls 3, 4 and 5 of the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre, this will be the fifth time in Düsseldorf that technical highlights and products will be showcased by international specialists in valves, valve-related products, actuators, compressors and engineering services as well as publishing companies and software houses. www.valveworldexpo.de (both 25%). Commenting on the results, Catherine Beard, ExportNZ executive director says, "It’s heartening to see the jump in optimism amongst Kiwi exporters, especially coming after so much global political uncertainty. A good result on TPP in November would lock in this optimism. "The results show that trading with the USA has increased significantly over the past year, with more than half of Kiwi exporters sending orders to the USA and over half (55%) seeing the Trump administration as having a neutral impact on exports, while 41% thought it had a negative impact on exports. "The fact that R&D has been flagged up as a key area for assistance is significant as more than half (52%) of exporters developed new products and services in a bid to boost export orders. Innovation can be a powerful tool for overcoming the ‘strength of competition in overseas markets’, which is the number one concern among exporters (42%). "ExportNZ looks forward to working with the new government to improve conditions for Kiwi exporters, enabling them to thrive as much as possible." The 2017 ExportNZ DHL Export Barometer shows that while some exporters have embraced online commerce, not much has changed in the last two years. One-fifth of exporters generate more than half of their international orders online, including 6% who generate all export orders this way. There is still plenty of room for growth as 26% said that none of their export orders are generated online. Mark Foy, DHL Express NZ country manager says, "Online commerce is a massive growth area for Kiwi exporters with huge potential to reach international audiences. Currently most businesses (80%) are only spending one-fifth of their marketing budget online. "Social media holds much untapped potential to reach overseas consumers looking for innovative and unique goods. However, 68% of companies say they do not use social media to generate orders or enquiries." While Australia remains by far our number one trading partner (72%), we are shifting towards the ever-growing China (30%) and away from our traditional chief trading partner, the UK (26%), post-Brexit. However, overall, Kiwi exporters don’t expect any major changes to our top ten trading partners in the coming years. A joint initiative between ExportNZ and DHL, a total of 379 New Zealand exporters were surveyed for the ExportNZ DHL Export Barometer 2017. This research aims to provide Kiwi businesses and Government officials detailed feedback on exporter sentiment plus barriers to exporting and how to help reduce them where possible.


EN-Dec17-eMag
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