New Intermech factory bucks offshore trend

New Intermech factory bucks offshore manufacturing trend

Auckland-based Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) technology exporter fully operational today

AUCKLAND, NZ, April 18, 2008 - New Zealand-based Intermech Ltd, a world pioneer and exporter of clean fuel CNG (compressed natural gas) technologies, is expanding its New Zealand presence with today’s official opening of its new, purpose-built, state-of-the-art factory in Auckland’s popular Highbrook Business Park.

Intermech’s new factory will enable the 100 percent exporting company to immediately increase production capacity by 200 percent. Product development will be also be enhanced with the expansion of the company’s research and development department, which is also located at the new premises.

Prime Minister Helen Clark will officially open the facility at 4.30pm, with a small ceremony to be attended by international dignitaries and customers representing some of Intermech’s 22 overseas markets, including Thailand, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia and China. Manukau City Mayor Len Brown will also attend.

Intermech general manager Rajeev Dadhe says the new facility is not only significant to the company’s operations, with order-to-delivery times slashed from nine to three months, but is evidence of the increasing global demand for CNG and Intermech products.

“The investment our parent owner, industrial equipment and services provider Atlas Copco Group, is making with this factory demonstrates their strong commitment to the industry and our company,” says Mr Dadhe.

“Since joining the Atlas Copco family in 2005, we have doubled our staff numbers to 80 people, augmented the level of outsourcing to local manufacturers, and tripled our turnover. Not only has our capacity increased dramatically, but so has our ability to commit more resources to R&D so that we can continuously improve the technology and stay ahead of the pack.”

The president of Atlas Copco’s Compressor Technique Division, Ronnie Leten, who will be taking part in today’s opening ceremonies, is confident the company’s New Zealand investments will continue to bring value to Intermech customers worldwide.

“Intermech has pioneered many world-firsts since they first entered the CNG industry 25 years ago and they have continued to dominate globally in this area,” says Mr Leten. “It makes perfect sense for us to continue to invest in this innovative New Zealand company.”

Intermech was the first CNG technology company that Atlas Copco added to its group, as it sought to respond to the increasing global demand for alternative transport fuels.

A vehicle fuelled with CNG reduces carbon emissions by a quarter compared to a petrol or diesel vehicle, and thus represents a viable, low-emission energy source for metropolitan centres, especially those with high-density populations like Dehli, Beijing and Bangkok.

ENDS

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