GM industrial digital for Beca, Sue Bradley
An initiative that aims to increase the uptake of new technologies in the manufacturing sector has confirmed its official partners.
Callaghan Innovation has confirmed Beca and The Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) will deliver the Government’s Industry 4.0 Demonstration Network with the Government committing funding to roll out the initiative over four years.
The aim of this is to showcase Industry 4.0 technologies that are delivering vast improvements and resilience for businesses in many sectors.
Real-world demonstrations of how these technologies can drive productivity and enable new business models.
Callaghan Innovation’s general manager research and technical services and commercial businesses, Paul Linton, says it will include a mobile Industry 4.0 showcase along with a network of site visits and ‘smart factory’ tours which will demonstrate Industry 4.0 in action.
“Our aim is to help New Zealand manufacturers to transform and increase their resilience and competitiveness through the adoption of new technologies. Raising the value of their activities and businesses is especially important during times of economic uncertainty and recovery,” he says.
“This partnership is a great example of the Government working with industry experts to create exciting new opportunities for business growth and economic development. It will help prepare the country for a world where increased digital capability is key to lifting our productivity and make us more internationally competitive and future-relevant.”
Industry 4.0 in action
Beca will deliver the mobile showcase and bring Industry 4.0 technologies to the doorstep of manufacturers and educators across New Zealand. The EMA, part of the BusinessNZ network, will deliver a network of site visits and smart factory tours by manufacturers to demonstrate the benefits of Industry 4.0. Combined, this hands-on initiative will help manufacturers directly by creating knowledge sharing and learning opportunities.
GM industrial digital for Beca, Sue Bradley, says interacting with the tools is an important first step in adoption.
“If people can experience these new technologies in action first-hand, discuss and observe the benefits and practical case studies, they can start to imagine what they could achieve in their own context. We’re excited to help them achieve this,” she says.
EMA chief executive Brett O’Riley says it will be tapping into its network of businesses across the country to set up smart factory and network site visits.
“Our manufacturers need to see the technology in action at New Zealand businesses in order to understand how this would translate into their own businesses,” he says.
“It’s going to bring to life real Industry 4.0 journeys, with manufacturers sharing knowledge and experience with other manufacturers first-hand.”
