Experts to Offer Solutions for Local Manufacturers

Experts to Offer Solutions for Local Manufacturers

Engineering experts from New Zealand and Australia are coming to CPIT to help Christchurch businesses with practical, immediate solutions to common post-earthquake manufacturing problems.

The idea for the free day-long seminar, on Tuesday 29 November at CPIT, originated at Manakau Institute of Technology (MIT).

"We feel very strongly for you down there in Christchurch and we are very mindful that it could happen to us," Larry Wiechern, Lecturer Modern Apprenticeships, School of Mechanical Engineering and Trades at Manukau Institute of Technology said. "We are very happy to continue to work alongside CPIT - we all need the country going in the right direction."

Wiechern contacted industry partners and found they were willing to present papers at the conference and fund their own travel so that the seminar could be presented at no cost to Christchurch businesses. Nine presenters including Wiechern will present half hour talks on the day, followed by a networking session where business representatives can ask questions.

Christchurch businesses can take immediate steps to save significant resources, Wiechern said. Topics will focus on the alignment of plant and machines, identifying plant air leaks and ensuring materials for production are compliant.

"If they don't put these things in practice now the reject rate of production will cost them dearly. In the panic of getting up and running, just taking a breath now and applying some of the practices outlined on the seminar will save money in the future," he said.

CPIT Head of School of Engineering Dr Paul Elmes said the event was significant for CPIT and for Christchurch. "We are very pleased to host this event and very grateful to MIT for organising such an outstanding programme. This is an excellent example of the ongoing collaboration between our two organisations. Christchurch manufacturing businesses are facing many challenges and this event will enable them to find some immediate solutions that will help their overall long term sustainability."