Tauranga leading high-tech hub charge

TiDA chief executive Warwick Downing with the new 3D metals printer. Photo / Andrew Warner

Tauranga is quickly establishing itself as one of Australasia's leading hubs for high-tech manufacturing, industry experts say.

Revolving around TiDA's (Titanium industry Development Association) world-class facilities at the Bay of Plenty Polytech's Windermere campus, the hub encompasses both the Polytech and the University of Waikato, as well as leading local engineering firm Page Macrae and Katikati dental manufacturer Triodent.

The Western Bay is home to two 3D metal printers - the only two operating in New Zealand - and is leading the country in additive manufacturing, TiDA chief executive Warwick Downing said.

"I've just come back from Australia where they're talking about trying to set up effectively what TiDA has been doing here in New Zealand and trying to create a hub themselves. I believe we're well ahead of Australia in what we're doing in this area."

The Tauranga hub had been driven by local industry players - in particular the efforts and investments of Ian Macrae - but was complemented by the collective powder metallurgy research efforts of TiDA, the University of Waikato, Auckland University, GNS and Callaghan Innovation, Mr Downing said.

The Bay of Plenty Polytech was also playing an important role in developing the skill-base for the growing industry.

"It's a new field, it's growing very quickly and being able to keep up with it is the challenge."

University of Waikato research developer Shane Stuart said Tauranga had taken the lead in powder metallurgy because of the drive and vision of key local individuals and businesses.

"The advantage now is that there is an industry-led ecosystem developing, a network of leaders, companies and research, with the TiDA facility at the heart. This ecosystem would be very difficult to replicate elsewhere," he said.

Mr Stuart said the growing high-tech manufacturing hub had the potential to become a very valuable contributor to the Western Bay's economy - a study commissioned by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise in 2010 predicted the titanium metallurgy industry could be worth $1 billion by 2020.

The benefits for the region would come as exporting companies were attracted to set up close to the Tauranga hub, Mr Stuart said.

Priority One chief executive Andrew Coker said he knew of several companies that were considering relocating or expanding their operations into the Western Bay because of the growing high-tech manufacturing hub.

"Real progress will prevail in the growth of high-tech businesses here over the next five to 10 years - the upshot of course is that it will only get easier to attract skilled and creative people, and of course salary and wage levels will rise significantly with these types of internationally competitive businesses."

The Bay of Plenty Times sought comment from Ian Macrae for this article but was unable to speak with him prior to edition time.