We head South and discover what makes Dunedin such a unique place to do business. In this episode we chat to Tru-Bilt Managing Director Mark Taylor. Tru-Bilt has a long, proud history as New Zealand's leading manufacturer and supplier of commercial and industrial safety bollard systems, barriers and handrails.

We visit the heart of the South Island, popping into Perreaux Audio. PERREAUX designs, engineers and manufactures state-of-the-art, audiophile-class, amplifiers, preamplifiers, loudspeakers and audio equipment. From small beginnings in 1974, PERREAUX quickly transformed into a New Zealand export success story. In this episode, we discover what the future holds for the exciting and innovative Kiwi business.

Marketing and brand manager Peter Cox runs us through its day-to-day operations and discusses what makes Dunedin

a unique place to do business.

INCLUDED IN THIS EPISODE: Dying Art helps people celebrate the life of a loved one with custom-designed caskets and urns. Founder Ross Hall tells us Dying Art is proudly New Zealand made. All its caskets and urns are designed and created in studio in Auckland.

A KIWI ORIGINAL

Watch uniquely Kiwi stories from people contributing to New Zealand's future by subscribing at www.akiwioriginal.com

IN THIS EPISODE Resene Paints CEO Nick Nightingale talks us through the company's journey from a garage in Eastbourne to one of the most recognisable brands in the country. Subscribe on YouTube: https://nzma.de/youtube GET

FEATURED ON A KIWI ORIGINAL Email - info@buynz.org.nz SOCIAL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buynzmade/ LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/buynzmade Twitter: https://twitter.com/buynzmade Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuyNZMadeCam... MAIL PO Box 1925 | Level 6 JacksonStone House, 3-11 Hunter Street | Wellington | New Zealand.

In this episode, we look at how Fulton Hogan is looking to grow the numbers of people getting into the industry, and how Spunlite Poles are using innovative manufacturing processes and fantastic Kiwi support to stay competitive with overseas imports. One of the biggest challenges that New Zealand faces is getting enough people into the infrastructure sector to keep up with our growing country. Fulton Hogan and its partners have decided to tackle this hurdle head-on.

They've taken Kiwis that are looking for jobs and put them into the newly established Infrastructure Skills Centre. Employed from day 1, these recruits are taught a wide range of infrastructure skills, from drain laying to road building, with a guaranteed job at the end of it. This fantastic programme is doing good for all New Zealanders and we can't wait to see it grow.

Spunlite Poles don't just make poles, they make solutions. When someone needs a streetlight or a 100+ meter radio mast, Spunlite are the guys you should call. With imports coming into the market, Spunlite has looked to innovation and great service to stay competitive, because there are not many companies that still support products they made 40 years ago.

This episode we focus on two businesses that do great work in their community, Kilmarnock Enterprises and Tuki Design Co.

Kilmarnock is well known in Christchurch for being a business "that's purpose goes well beyond profit." Kilmarnock gives employment and education to those who have traditionally had some kind of learning disability. This incredible business also looks to back up its philosophies of community and sustainability by creating products from recycled materials and being a big player in the Christchurch e-waste scene.

Tuki Design Co. are an innovative business that looks to make custom assistive technology such as wheelchairs and commodes to "improve the end-users everyday life." Business development manager, Eamon Wood, takes us through his inspiring story of sporting triumphs and how Tuki has helped him along the way.

A KIWI ORIGINAL

Watch uniquely Kiwi stories from people excelling across our many varied regions.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

https://www.tukidesign.com/

https://www.kilmarnock.co.nz/

Subscribe on YouTube: https://nzma.de/youtube GET FEATURED ON A KIWI ORIGINAL Email - info@buynz.org.nz

Hekeao Feed Co. is a new business that is making waves in the equine nutrition space. Most of the ingredients are grown on the Director, Josh Rushton's farm. Hekeao utilises the unique agricultural landscape of Ashburton to grow nutritious and delicious feed that you can trace from farm to feed-bowl.

Timaru Bluestone is a family business that again utilises the natural advantage of the Canterbury region. Forged in lava flow of ancient volcanoes, the bluestone that surrounds the Timaru area makes for decadent and beautiful material in architectural homes. A KIWI ORIGINAL Watch uniquely Kiwi stories from people excelling across our many varied regions.

TIMESTAMPS 0:36 Hekeao Feed Co. 4:10 Timaru Bluestone

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE www.hekeao.nz

https://www.timarubluestone.co.nz/

Show notes:

00:58     Facing challenges as a business

04:00     Processes and customization

06:55     The impact of uniforms in the workplace

09:25     Product quality

11:54     The extent of technology use in the business

16:19     Trend changes

19:25     Building a team and a business

25:16     Processes and determining the right garment for the client

29:49     Sustainability in the business

34:27     Being New Zealand Made

In this episode, we talk all things software and cyber security with Safestack founder Laura Bell.

Show notes:

01:02     Introducing digital security to small businesses

02:15     Expanding beyond anti-virus software

04:03     Psychology of social engineers

05:55     Development of secure code

08:40     The future of software development in New Zealand

11:54     academy.safestack.io

When Hugo and I left, we were laden down with free products... and Ken shared two pizza making tips. 

1. Coat the edges with a little oil to crisp it up. 
2. Always use a pizza stone!

#akiwioriginal

In this episode, Neil Watson shares his backstory of running his own business in the UK and then switching to Fletchers when he began working in New Zealand. Neil shares the opportunities that Fletchers provides, the enthusiasm and willingness to learn that's needed and what's on the go right now.

We also touch on the impact of slower shipping lines and how CSP Pacific are benefiting by manufacturing local.

Lets's take a listen.

Over the next 30 years, they developed and grew their business and software product.

"We decided that these companies really needed some packaged software. Our theme was to alight upon something that would be difficult for others to do."

Now, their local government software is used in Australia, the US and in New Zealand...

…and it all started before most New Zealanders had even touched a personal computer.

One of the Art Deco buildings in Napier, New Zealand that the Benson brothers have lovingly restored.

“The cajon is very versatile and a good way of getting in to music, especially if you love tapping on things. You can transfer that on to this instrument quite easily. I’m a musician myself and I want to build a really good version of this instrument. I didn’t want to compromise.”

In our chat, we discuss the handmaking process and what inspires Phill to make this unique Peruvian instrument in New Zealand. People love the sound of Phill's drums.

They have been used by bands across Aotearoa and in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra… but more than that… you can get one and bring it out after the BBQ to have a sing along and tap on the drums.

"My focus has been to make the packet look as good on the outside as the meal looks on the inside." Tony Caudwell.

In this episode you'll learn about:

- considerations when rebranding a product.

- introduction of new products to a range.

- how Covid has improved demand in Australia and the United States.

Ceiling, under-floor and wall insulation are their specialty products and if you’re in the Southland region, they’ll install it too without the need for renovation.

In this episode you’ll learn about the 100% natural wool ceiling insulation, Envirowool and what R rating you should insulate your home in.

Show notes:

01:24     The advantages of using Envirowool

07:22     Early Challenges

08:29     The science of heat loss and insulation

17:36     A competitive market

21:56     BJ Carter is primarily a construction business

22:47     Encouraging interest in a building career

25:44     The immediacy of the housing market

28:18     Taking pride in Southland

Show summary:

James talks about his company BJ Carter Builders and Insulators, their unique natural product Envirowool, the science of insulation, and the advantages of running a business out of Southland.

"It was a hobby or pipe dream but Nick persevered, and he was determined that he was going to develop something that was going to change the face of reuse in the coffee industry. After three years, he said 'I think I've got it."

The back story - Stephanie Fry had run her own coffee shop so knew firsthand how many single use coffee cups they were sending to landfill. Her husband Nick did the numbers for single use coffee cups for the whole of New Zealand and found the scale quite shocking.

They decided to do something about it. Learn what happens next in this episode.