Company takes big leap into the future
Taranaki-based McKechnie Aluminium has invested $18 million in new machinery to help it ‘leapfrog’ into the future.
The company already has the lowest carbon footprint of any aluminium extruder in Australasia and now it has the newest, most technologically advanced press in New Zealand.
This has increased the plant’s capacity by between 30 and 40 percent, as it can now produce larger-sized products and complex profiles that could not previously be made in New Zealand, McKechnie managing director Pramod Khatri said.
‘‘We have leap-frogged into the future in terms of technology, we have got a press that will cater for the future, whatever is coming,’’ he said.
McKechnie, which is based in Bell Block, has been manufacturing and exporting for 60 years, and the new press will enable it to continue for at least another 60, he said.
‘‘This significant investment is part of our strategy to grow our business and future-proof our customer base, employees and local community.’’
The $18m investment in the new press was welcome news for the local economy, particularly in the wake of the Government’s 2018 announcement to cease offshore oil and gas exploration.
‘‘This state-of-the-art aluminium extrusion press is a very exciting addition to Taranaki’s, and New Zealand’s, manufacturing capability,’’ he said.
The project had taken three years to complete and months of commissioning work.
It was officially blessed this week by Reverend Albie Martin, followed with a barbecue for staff.
It is traditional for presses to be given a name, and the Italian supplier Turla suggested Giulia (pronounced Julia), which means youth and its broader meaning is ‘new’ and ‘prosperous’.
McKechnie is the only aluminium extruder in Australasia that uses recycled aluminium.
‘‘Our product has the lowest carbon footprint of all aluminium extrusions produced in Australasia. McKechnie is the only aluminium extruder with a re-melt facility, which means a high proportion of our product is made from recycled content,’’ chief operating officer Scott Fuller said.
The plant was environmental certified and was also the only Australasian aluminium extruder, and the world’s first, to have gained third-party CEMARS environmental certification, which is based on stringent European standards.
The company employs 300 people in Australia and New Zealand. A sizeable proportion of its production is exported to Australia.
The new press was more efficient and automated than previous equipment, but this did not mean a reduction in staffing, he said.
‘‘Our employee numbers have not come down as we are growing as a result of the new press and also other business area growth.’’