Technology award driven by focus on consumer needs

Technology award driven by focus on consumer needs

A commitment to innovation and developing new products to meet the demands of modern consumers has seen Dulux New Zealand win a major regional technology award.

Dulux has won the Established Business category at the inaugural Technology Valley Awards announced in Lower Hutt last Thursday (4 June). Dry Living Limited won the Emerging Technology Valley Business category.

The Technology Valley Awards are part of Technology Valley, a Hutt Valley based community, industry and local government partnership.

Dulux technical manager Heather Goode says the award is welcomed as proof of the company’s commitment to develop coatings beyond the beautiful.

“Dulux works hard to develop paints that do more than simply coat and look good – although of course we do very much focus on bringing the colours of New Zealand to consumers.

“However, it is through advanced technical research at our Lower Hutt plant that we have been able to develop water based paints that are easily as effective as previous solvent-based products – paints that contain anti-mould and anti-bacterial properties for example,” Ms Goode says.

Technology Valley’s purpose is to create sustainable growth and wealth from economic development activities focused on science, technology, engineering and manufacturing. The goal is to increase GDP (economic growth indicator) and build high value, export orientated industry and jobs in the Hutt Valley.

Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace says, "It is wonderful to recognise some of the excellence in the science, technology and manufacturing sectors we have here in Lower Hutt.

"These awards are part of a wider initiative to raise the profile of these industries and we look forward to many more years and celebrating many more winners."

Judges David Miller, Lapo Ancillotti and Professor Kate McGrath praised both winners for the application of technology and innovation in their businesses.

In its application Dulux says it prides itself on protecting and beautifying the places and spaces New Zealanders live and work and works hard at their commitment to environmental responsibility.

The Dulux laboratories are constantly producing new variations and are actively looking to increase their specialty coatings for the infrastructure and engineering markets.

Dulux is also adding value to timber, one of New Zealand's primary industry outputs by producing and applying primers in-factory to increase the margin of these exported products.

Interestingly, in its drive to craft colours that reflect New Zealand’s landscape, Dulux has developed a range of paints named for towns and places in the Hutt Valley including Petone, Pencarrow,Gracefield and Eastbourne.

ENDS

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