DEMM Engineering & Manufacturing Magazine

07/12/2025

AI in industrial automation: from assistance to autonomy

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a key catalyst for innovation within industrial automation, prompting organisations to make its integration a top priority. According to a recent survey among manufacturers, 40% reported that AI and automation have taken precedence over other digital transformation initiatives, with 80% currently allocating resources toward AI deployment. However, 30% pointed out that integration challenges remain a concern.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a key catalyst for innovation within industrial automation, prompting organisations to make its integration a top priority. According to a recent survey among manufacturers, 40% reported that AI and automation have taken precedence over other digital transform...

04/12/2025

Wired for success: Re-engineering apprenticeships to power New Zealand’s workforce

A strengthened apprenticeship support system is driving higher completion rates across engineering and manufacturing — helping New Zealand build the skilled workforce it needs. Toni Christie explains how industry training organisation Competenz redesigned their apprentice learning experience to give every one of their learners the tools – and confidence – to finish what they start.

A strengthened apprenticeship support system is driving higher completion rates across engineering and manufacturing — helping New Zealand build the skilled workforce it needs

02/12/2025

Our sister magazine, NZ Company Vehicle LCV Buyers Guide is out now, reviews of Farizon SV EV van, VW ID.Buzz Cargo, Mitsubishi Triton GLX, a look at upcoming Van and Ute models and our comprehensive model guide to LCV's read the free digital issue here if you are looking for new utes or vans for your fleet or yourself
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01/12/2025

World-first liquid-hydrogen refuelling delivers major step toward Australasia’s first hydrogen-electric flight
New Zealand and Australian companies developing and deploying liquid-hydrogen technologies to enable Australasia’s first hydrogen-electric flights have made a significant step forward in the transition to zero-emission aviation.

Fabrum, AMSL Aero, and Stralis Aircraft have successfully filled pioneering aviation tanks with liquid hydrogen produced and stored on-site for the first time at an international airport in preparation for pre-flight testing.

Fabrum designed and manufactured the advanced composite liquid-hydrogen tanks for the aircraft companies AMSL Aero and Stralis Aircraft. The refuelling was successfully completed at Fabrum’s dedicated liquid-hydrogen test facility at Christchurch Airport, developed in partnership with the airport at its renewable energy precinct.

New Zealand and Australian companies developing and deploying liquid-hydrogen technologies to enable Australasia’s first hydrogen-electric flights have made a significant step forward in the transition to zero-emission aviation. Fabrum, AMSL Aero, and Stralis Aircraft have successfully filled pion...

27/11/2025

Celebrating excellence in structural steel – NZ’s top projects recognised

Steel Construction New Zealand (SCNZ) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 SCNZ Excellence in Steel Awards. Close to 300 leaders and specialists from across the structural steel industry gathered in Auckland to celebrate the best of the best at an event that highlights the sector’s commitment to innovation, collaboration and best practice.

Supreme Winner and Over $3M Category Winner

Eastbridge & Culham Engineering for Te Ara Pekapeka Bridge

This new traffic bridge provides a vital crossing over the Waikato River in Hamilton. Intricate Māori carvings and patterns transform the 180m-long structure into a sculptural landmark that reflects local heritage. Two 30m-high lattice Y-shaped piers support four lines of box tub girders and a composite concrete deck, delivering a resilient and practical asset for the community.

Steel Construction New Zealand (SCNZ) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 SCNZ Excellence in Steel Awards. Close to 300 leaders and specialists from across the structural steel industry gathered in Auckland to celebrate the best of the best at an event that highlights the sector’s commi...

24/11/2025

Raising the Bar: Global Fire Champions skills training across the fire protection sector
When cities build higher, the risks build too. With Auckland growing up as fast as it’s growing out, the demand for skilled fire protection installation tradespeople has never been greater. Global Fire is meeting that challenge head-on, celebrating 12 team members who have completed their New Zealand Certificate in Passive Fire Protection Installation (Level 3) through industry training organisation Competenz. Not only is the nationally recognised qualification strengthening company competency, but it’s also lifting standards sector-wide.

When cities build higher, the risks build too. With Auckland growing up as fast as it’s growing out, the demand for skilled fire protection installation tradespeople has never been greater. Global Fire is meeting that challenge head-on, celebrating 12 team members who have completed their New Zeal...

19/11/2025

From Heat to Hazard: Why Forestry Kilns and Biomass Dryers need early fire detection systems

Recent data reveals just how costly fire risks in forestry facilities have become. Last year, the U.S. experienced over 38,000 fires at industrial or manufacturing facilities. According to global risk consultants TÜV SÜD, this caused around $1.2 billion in damage , with a significant percentage originating in manufacturing processes involving high heat, like drying and kiln operations.

By their very nature, fires that originate in kilns and dryers are frequently subsumed into broader forestry fire statistics, obscuring the role of industrial processes in overall risk. However, we can infer something of the scale of this heat-driven hazard.

It´s no secret that forest product manufacturing depends on kilns and dryers to prepare wood for the market. These critical processes remove moisture, stabilise timber, and improve product quality to optimise your assets before shipping, but the very nature of kilns and dryers also creates one of t...

17/11/2025

Turning point: Becoming a leader in alarm annunciators
The rise of the digital age and PC-based systems and graphical interfaces led many to view the traditional annunciator market as obsolete. Major players in the sector either scaled back investment or consolidated – such as the 1989 merger of Highland and Rochester – leaving the market seemingly in decline. At Omniflex, we recognised that while the technology was evolving, the fundamental need for reliable, unambiguous alarm systems in critical environments wasn’t going away. In fact, it was becoming more important.

As competitors exited the space or shifted focus, Omniflex chose to remain active. The company adapted to emerging technologies like SCADA, DCS, and HMI, positioning itself not just as a hardware provider, but a solution partner in integrated alarm systems.

A pivotal moment came in 1994 with the Milford Haven explosion. This catastrophic event exposed serious flaws in alarm management. During the incident, operators were overwhelmed by an avalanche of screen-based alarms, unable to distinguish urgent threats from routine warnings.

In the 1970s and 80s, the hardwired alarm annunciator was essential to industrial control rooms, particularly in high-risk sectors such as nuclear, petrochemical and oil and gas. These wall-mounted panels, with flashing lights and hardwired inputs, served as the front line of safety monitoring givin...

13/11/2025

Competenz searches for game changing coach – nominate your MVC

Entries are now open for the Competenz Most Valuable Coach (MVC) award — a brand-new nationwide search to honour the mentors, trainers, and workplace legends who go the extra mile for apprentices and trainees.

Every skilled trainee or apprentice has had someone teaching, backing, or inspiring them — the coach who has quietly shaped their success in the engineering sector.

“These are the people who inspire, teach, and back our learners every day,” says Toni Christie, General Manager, Employer and Learner Services at industry training organisation Competenz.

Entries are now open for the Competenz Most Valuable Coach (MVC) award — a brand-new nationwide search to honour the mentors, trainers, and workplace legends who go the extra mile for apprentices and trainees. Every skilled trainee or apprentice has had someone teaching, backing, or inspiring them...

10/11/2025

Drawing a future: Competenz study groups bring technical skills to life for apprentices

Drawing is more than lines on paper — it’s a language of its own, says drawing expert and facilitator Rod Horton, who facilitates a nationwide study group helping apprentices master the art of technical sketching. “Drawings are universal,” Rod explains. “You can walk into a workshop anywhere in the world and the same drawing symbols and conventions are understood. It’s the language engineers speak.”

The Drawing Study Group is one of several highly successful initiatives by industry training organisation Competenz designed to support apprentices in areas where they need extra help to achieve their qualifications.

From literacy and numeracy support for neurodiverse tradespeople to mentoring for Māori and Pasifika apprentices who may face language or confidence barriers, these study groups have become a cornerstone of the Competenz learner support model — creating safe, interactive spaces where apprentices can build both technical skill and confidence.

Drawing is more than lines on paper — it’s a language of its own, says drawing expert and facilitator Rod Horton, who facilitates a nationwide study group helping apprentices master the art of technical sketching. “Drawings are universal,” Rod explains. “You can walk into a workshop anywhe...

06/11/2025

Energy: the invisible raw material in asphalt production

Asphalt producers spend enormous time and attention sourcing aggregates and bitumen, but comparatively little time on optimising the energy used in the production process. In many asphalt plants, equipment such as dryers, exhaust fans, mixers and skip drives represent some of the highest electrical loads(link is external) — yet their energy consumption is not always monitored as closely as other production inputs.

This is a blind spot. Energy is just as integral to the final product as stone or binder and the way it is managed can be the difference between profit and loss.

In 1959, the UK opened its first major motorway, the M1, with a 67-mile stretch. Including connecting feeder roads, the new route spanned around 72 miles and relied on thousands of tonnes of asphalt — a mixture of aggregates and bitumen that continues to be fundamental to roadbuilding today. Moder...

03/11/2025

2025 KiwiNet Awards winners: Science-led innovation shaping New Zealand’s future

Winners’ innovations include space technology, clean-tech innovations, CAR-T therapy breakthroughs for cancer treatment, a university course guidance platform, and an innovative new potato variety for sustainable French fries. KiwiNet’s Commercialisation Icon and Commercialisation Professional were also honoured.

The KiwiNet Awards celebrate New Zealand’s deep tech talent - research entrepreneurs, innovators, and commercialisation professionals - who translate cutting-edge research from universities, Crown Research Institutes, and research organisations into powerful technologies, thriving businesses, and tangible economic benefits for Aotearoa and beyond.

Winners of the 2025 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards were honoured at a gala event in Auckland Wednesday night 22nd October for their success in transforming scientific discoveries and new technologies into innovative solutions with global impact, driving New Zealand’s future. Winners’ ...