|
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
26 November, 2002World-class testing facilities open in ChristchurchUnderwriters Laboratories' new world-class testing facilities were officially opened by Science, Research and Technology Minister Hon. Pete Hodgson today, paving the way for New Zealand's high-tech manufacturers to accelerate product development. Managing Director Manuel Shimasaki said that the increasing rate of product development from the electrical and electronics industry had seen the laboratory's business grow over 100% in the last six months and its staff double during the same period. The new purpose-built premises were commissioned by Underwriters to meet the requirements of a laboratory, increasing space by 40% and offering the opportunity to enhance the layout of its testing facilities. "This has greatly increased our capacity, enabling us to provide a greater range of services," Mr Shimasaki said. Underwriters currently invests 50% of its revenue back into the Company to keep up with emerging technologies. The laboratory is now stepping up its investment programme to enable it to move into new technologies and fields. Mr Shimasaki said Underwriters was currently focused on investment in Electromagnetic Compatibility, Environmental and Meter Testing to provide testing for the more complicated and higher specification requirements of New Zealand's hi-tech manufacturing companies. "Shock and vibration, electromagnetic compatibility and the open area test site now provide fully automated testing and we are moving towards full automation of all testing through our investment programme," Mr Shimasaki said. The laboratory houses state-of-the-art testing equipment and facilities, many that have been designed and built by Underwriters's scientific staff. In-house innovation includes an automated testing jig, a semi-anechoic chamber for EMC testing and a meter-testing facility that has been ranked as one of the best in the world. Marketing Director Matt Toohey said that Underwriters assisted high-tech manufacturers to overcome non-tariff trade barriers by providing product certification that would allow their products to be exported globally. Having been recognised as a testing facility for Hong Kong, Singapore and the Middle East through multi-lateral agreements, the laboratory has also entered into privately negotiated Memorandums of Understanding with global partners to facilitate world-wide acceptance of its IANZ accredited test reports. "The laboratory also provides a product development service, assisting designers and engineers to develop a conceptual idea into an operational product through the early detection of compliance problems. This greatly speeds up the time to market," Mr Toohey said. "Our new facilities provide a development area that is separate from the compliance testing areas. It is also staffed by a separate team of product development engineers to avoid any conflicts of interest associated with the product's development and final compliance testing," he said. Previously part of the PDL Group of companies, Underwriters Laboratories was purchased by Manuel Shimasaki and Matt Toohey in April this year. Underwriters is an internationally accredited laboratory offering independent product testing and certification services to consultants, end-users, designers and manufacturers of electrical and electronic products in various technology fields. The laboratory's services include electrical and electronic testing and certification, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing, environmental testing, energy meter certification, calibration, precision dimensional and volumetric measurement, a consultancy service for approvals of electrical and electronic products and CE marking. Underwriters Laboratories also has EMC open area test site at Birdlings Flat in Banks Peninsula. For more information contact:
|
|
|
© Copyright 2001 Underwriters Laboratories Ltd | Tel: +64-3-339-1670 Fax: +64
3-339-1671
|
