DEMM Engineering & Manufacturing Magazine

20/08/2026

From fault-finding to the world stage - Bay of Plenty apprentice heading to the ‘Trades' Olympics’ in Shanghai

When Campbell Brown began his refrigeration and air conditioning apprenticeship with McAlpine Hussmann, he expected to find a career he enjoyed - and one that would pay the bills.

He never imagined it would lead to representing New Zealand on the world stage.

The 22-year-old Papamoa refrigeration technician has been selected to compete in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning skill category at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, where he will test his skills against the world's best young tradespeople.

When Campbell Brown began his refrigeration and air conditioning apprenticeship with McAlpine Hussmann, he expected to find a career he enjoyed - and one that would pay the bills. He never imagined it would lead to representing New Zealand on the world stage. The 22-year-old Papamoa refrigeration te...

17/08/2026

From enquiry to installation: Creating the right heat exchanger for your business

Most projects begin with an initial enquiry. This may come from an existing or past client, perhaps with a good technical understanding of the equipment they require, or may instead be a new business with minimal experience and a material that they need to heat, cool or process thermally.

What does it take to design and build a reliable, efficient tubular heat exchanger? In this article, we reveal how HRS Heat Exchangers’ team of engineers, designers, electricians, and project managers turn an initial enquiry into a finished, bespoke product, perfectly suited to their client’s ne...

13/08/2026

The 2026 KiwiNet Awards finalists turning world-class research into global impact

From breakthrough health technologies and smarter food production to clean-tech, agritech and space innovation, the 18 finalists in the 2026 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards showcase the very best of Aotearoa New Zealand's science-led innovation.

Representing universities, Crown Research Institutes, research organisations and innovative companies, the finalists are transforming world-class research into solutions creating new ventures, emerging industries, and lasting economic and societal benefit.

From breakthrough health technologies and smarter food production to clean-tech, agritech and space innovation, the 18 finalists in the 2026 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards showcase the very best of Aotearoa New Zealand's science-led innovation. Representing universities, Crown Research In...

11/08/2026

Our latest issue is focused on options for powering equipment in your plant covering Motors & Drives, Pneumatics and Hydraulics including
The true cost of Motors
Specialised cabling from Treotham
SMC's Air Servo Technology
plus more
You can read the free digital issue at https://digital.adrenalin.co.nz/books/miru/ =1

10/08/2026

Why manufacturing supply chain leaders still can’t scale their warehouse technology

Today’s manufacturing supply chain and warehouse leaders are seeing an all-too-familiar frustration right now. A manufacturer scales its business, adds plants or distribution centers, or enters a new market, and quickly discovers that its warehouse management system was not built to grow with it. The result is a disruptive, expensive reimplementation cycle that strains IT teams and forces production and materials-handling employees to relearn systems from the ground up. For many manufacturers, this is not an isolated event but a recurring feature of doing business in a sector where technology decisions compound over time,

Today’s manufacturing supply chain and warehouse leaders are seeing an all-too-familiar frustration right now. A manufacturer scales its business, adds plants or distribution centers, or enters a new market, and quickly discovers that its warehouse management system was not built to grow with it. ...

06/08/2026

From finding his feet to New Zealand Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year

When Culham Engineering apprentice Devin Gibson was named New Zealand Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year, it was recognition of the work that happens long before awards are handed out.

Presented by Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing, Hon. Cameron Brewer, at the 2026 New Zealand Manufacturing Awards, the national award recognises apprentices who demonstrate technical excellence, leadership potential, professionalism and commitment to their trade.

When Culham Engineering apprentice Devin Gibson was named New Zealand Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year, it was recognition of the work that happens long before awards are handed out. Presented by Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing, Hon. Cameron Brewer, at the 2026 New Zealand Manufact...

04/08/2026

How one manufacturer is growing its own future workforce

Cambridge-based Treadlite collects thousands of end-of-life tyres once destined for landfill, transforming them into recycled rubber products used in New Zealand playgrounds, sports fields and horse arenas - with some products also exported to Australia.

As the country's only tyre recycler manufacturing rubber products for the domestic market, the 60-strong team and seven-year-old business is growing - and it is investing in its people with the same long-term mindset it applies to sustainability.

Through industry training organisation Competenz’s manufacturing programmes, Treadlite is creating clear development pathways that strengthen capability, build confidence, and prepare future leaders from within.

Cambridge-based Treadlite collects thousands of end-of-life tyres once destined for landfill, transforming them into recycled rubber products used in New Zealand playgrounds, sports fields and horse arenas - with some products also exported to Australia. As the country's only tyre recycler manufactu...

29/07/2026

Making the most of your energy :The benefits of waste heat recovery
As manufacturing facilities look to reduce emissions, many focus on large-scale changes such as switching energy sources or installing new equipment. Those steps can be effective, but manufacturers should also examine how existing operations can be adapted to cut energy use, lower emissions and improve productivity

As manufacturing facilities look to reduce emissions, many focus on large-scale changes such as switching energy sources or installing new equipment. Those steps can be effective, but manufacturers should also examine how existing operations can be adapted to cut energy use, lower emissions and impr...