Creating opportunities for economic growth
A new research and development facility opened in Auckland on 16 April by Research, Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp highlights a vital element of the Government’s plan for economic growth.
Steel-frame export company FRAMECAD has moved into new premises in Glen Innes as it starts work on the first of several new R&D contracts with the Government-funded Materials Accelerator partnership of universities and Crown Research Institutes.
Dr Mapp said that the Government is committed to lifting New Zealand’s economic performance through research, science and technology.
“We are determined that the money invested in business R&D will create real growth opportunities,” Dr Mapp said.
“FRAMECAD is an excellent example of this. It had a growth rate of 25 per cent in 2009 thanks to its approach to innovation through market-focused R&D.
“This was succinctly summed up by FRAMECAD Chief Executive Mark Taylor today, in pointing out that if R&D is market-led, it has a 90 per cent chance of success; but if it is technology-led, it has a 90 per cent chance of failure.
“FRAMECAD models the private investment in R&D we would like many more New Zealand firms to emulate,” he said.
Established with a $9.6 million investment by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology in 2009, the Materials Accelerator partnership is led by the University of Auckland.
Dr Mapp said that the benefits flow through to other sectors because Materials Accelerator owns any intellectual property developed. Companies are freed from managing patents and can concentrate on getting their R&D to market.
“Discoveries made through R&D performed by a company in one sector can be used by New Zealand companies in other industries.
“Materials Accelerator provides a path for individual firms to develop their ideas, forge new markets, and back themselves to succeed,” he said.
FRAMECAD Chief Executive Mark Taylor says that a key to the company’s success has been their investment in research and development, supported by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.
“It’s helped the company into new markets. It’s helped us expand our production base and workforce both here in New Zealand and at our overseas branches.”
After the first year of funding, 20 new jobs were created at FRAMECAD, and exports of the new products were achieved in 18 countries.
Mark believes the new FRAMECAD Tech Park will give the company the extra resources and facilities to further develop their software and production technology interface.
Prior to the commissioning of the new R&D facility, FRAMECAD’s research arm was based at Mt Wellington, where the company developed with funding from TechNZ the highly acclaimed FRAMECAD F300i—an advanced steel-fabricating machine capable of producing steel framing for a typical three bedroom house in six hours.
While it has high-volume production capacity, the F300i has an extremely small ecological footprint and can be supplied as a fully operational mobile factory housed in a modified shipping container.
From left: Foundation Chief Executive Murray Bain and FRAMECAD Chief Executive Mark Taylor at the launch of the company's new technology park.
Steel-frame export company FRAMECAD has moved into new premises in Glen Innes as it starts work on the first of several new R&D contracts with the Government-funded Materials Accelerator partnership of universities and Crown Research Institutes. Dr Mapp said that the Government is committed to lifting New Zealand’s economic performance through research, science and technology.
“We are determined that the money invested in business R&D will create real growth opportunities,” Dr Mapp said.
“FRAMECAD is an excellent example of this. It had a growth rate of 25 per cent in 2009 thanks to its approach to innovation through market-focused R&D.
“This was succinctly summed up by FRAMECAD Chief Executive Mark Taylor today, in pointing out that if R&D is market-led, it has a 90 per cent chance of success; but if it is technology-led, it has a 90 per cent chance of failure.
“FRAMECAD models the private investment in R&D we would like many more New Zealand firms to emulate,” he said.
Established with a $9.6 million investment by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology in 2009, the Materials Accelerator partnership is led by the University of Auckland.
Dr Mapp said that the benefits flow through to other sectors because Materials Accelerator owns any intellectual property developed. Companies are freed from managing patents and can concentrate on getting their R&D to market.
“Discoveries made through R&D performed by a company in one sector can be used by New Zealand companies in other industries.
“Materials Accelerator provides a path for individual firms to develop their ideas, forge new markets, and back themselves to succeed,” he said.
FRAMECAD Chief Executive Mark Taylor says that a key to the company’s success has been their investment in research and development, supported by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.
“It’s helped the company into new markets. It’s helped us expand our production base and workforce both here in New Zealand and at our overseas branches.”
After the first year of funding, 20 new jobs were created at FRAMECAD, and exports of the new products were achieved in 18 countries.
Mark believes the new FRAMECAD Tech Park will give the company the extra resources and facilities to further develop their software and production technology interface.
Prior to the commissioning of the new R&D facility, FRAMECAD’s research arm was based at Mt Wellington, where the company developed with funding from TechNZ the highly acclaimed FRAMECAD F300i—an advanced steel-fabricating machine capable of producing steel framing for a typical three bedroom house in six hours.
While it has high-volume production capacity, the F300i has an extremely small ecological footprint and can be supplied as a fully operational mobile factory housed in a modified shipping container.
From left: Foundation Chief Executive Murray Bain and FRAMECAD Chief Executive Mark Taylor at the launch of the company's new technology park.
