Column – Craig Carlyle, MESNZ

Engineers grabbed an opportunity to see the hydraulic and control capabilities of Manukau’s McRaes Global Hydraulics in December as part of an MESNZ event.

Around 60 people were treated to a bonnet-up look at the company, which began life 50 years ago as a jobbing machine shop, and has now grown to being a cutting edge facility.

The former Global Hydraulics operation is now part of the McRaes Group of companies.

From the international super yacht industry in Abu Dhabi to the Lower Hatea bridge project in New Zealand, McRaes has taken the kiwi can-do attitude and applied it as a “think local, act global” formula.

Engineers at the social event took a keen interest in the smallest details of the firm’s control systems, which are capable of applying surgeon like fine hand movements to powerful hydraulic actuators, fluid analysis systems, and design innovations such as the helicopter handling controls used for landing helicopters aboard ships in heavy sea conditions.

As well as learning first-hand tips on hydraulic systems and their maintenance, the audience benefited from the opportunity to network with their peers, taking new connections and solutions back to their workplaces.

The Maintenance Engineering Society is active across New Zealand, providing opportunities for maintenance engineers and manufacturing operations to network and share innovations and experiences.