Aeromarine head invited to world leading trade show in Japan

Aeromarine head invited to world leading trade show in Japan

Timaru business Aeromarine Industries has been selected out of only five positions worldwide to attend one of the world’s largest technology expos to be held in Japan.

Intex Osaka, the biggest trade show for the mechanical parts industry in Japan features leading Japanese parts manufacturers, corporates and service providers as they look to partner with manufacturers around the world in global exchanges of technology and products.

The invitation-only event is known as the Jetro Invitation Programme and is run in conjunction with M-Tech Osaka 2012. Jetro invites to the event overseas corporations that it considers can make a strong contribution to the world and Japanese trading economy and bring advances in construction techniques and technologies.

And that’s where Aeromarine Industries operation manager Simon Robb, who will be attending the three-day event, says his company can be of most value to both New Zealand and Japan trade.

The Washdyke-based company has undergone rapid expansion and product remodelling as it enjoys strong commercial success in a range of new enterprises.

The company has maintained its core business while moving into new markets designing and constructing innovative products for local government projects, and the recreational and construction industry.

“We’ve been picked because we have been identified as a go-forward business with huge expansion potential in a variety of markets,” Mr Robb said.

“Other criteria include being a company interested in Japanese manufacturing technologies and capabilities, and being one with experience or interest in doing business with Japanese companies.”

Of particular interest are domestic and industrial waste treatment plants.

“We currently manufacture a system that originated from Japan some 27 years ago. The Japanese are keen to help us upgrade the technology by supplying filtration and treatment systems to fit the underground fibreglass tanks we manufacture. The Japanese are one of the world leaders in this technology,” Mr Robb said.

He said strong opportunities also exist with Japanese suppliers in building construction that is composite or fibreglass based.

“And this is vital as we enter the Christchurch rebuild programme.”

“The earthquake devastation in Christchurch has shown us how much we need to rethink our approach to construction.

“Steel, timber and concrete have for years been the mainstay of New Zealand’s construction industry.

“But recent seismic events have shown all to hold potential major weaknesses, sometimes in combination, sometimes as individual components, most not apparent at construction time,” he said.

Aeromarine was developing modular fibreglass bathrooms for hotels and accommodation blocks; modular building components; earthquake strengthening of damage structures using composites such as carbon fibre and kevlar; and composite building facade systems that were strong and light and would not come tumbling down in a jolt.

“It is these developments that have interested the Japanese and hence our exciting invitation,” Mr Robb said.

And with Aeromarine also heavily involved in heavy transport manufacture with industry partners, the Japanese, who supply many heavy transport components to New Zealand, have seen another opportunity for a multi-country partnership, Mr Robb said.

Jetro says more than 688 companies will exhibit and the number of visitors will exceed 30,000 over the three days. It will pay all Mr Robb’s travel and accommodation expenses as well as funding his own interpreter.

The trade show runs from October 3 to October 5. Mr Robb will spend some further days touring Osaka businesses and looking for further trading opportunities for the Timaru-based company.

ENDS

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