This year’s OFPANZ Conference and Trade Show was held in sunny Nelson at the Rutherford Hotel. About 100 participants attended, which included various suppliers and fabricators from the Technical Textile Industry.
Our team members Matthew Allan and Tim Newman were both in attendance, as the sales managers responsible for Leister Hot Air Tools, Eyeleting Solutions and various consumables, such as Keder, Keder Core and Industrial Fabrics.
This year we took the opportunity to showcase the new Leister Seamtek W-900 AT Wedge welder. We demonstrated its latest wedge technology which can create flat, precise seams even when welding curves. As expected, the machine was of great interest to those in attendance.
As part of the demonstration, Matt welded up some drybags made of PVC material with an image of the Seamtek Machine. These bags were given away to those attending the show. Welding the bags demonstrated the machine’s ability to weld circles on the base, straight seams, and the ability of the machine to make adjustments by the touch of a pedal for welding the thicker strapping on the top.
The conference was a great occasion and a chance to reconnect with a number of people in the industry. There were several workshops to attend, and many business-related providers spoke on various topics for those running small businesses. The ability to discuss all things related to the industry was inciteful.
After the Trade Show on Friday evening, a casual dinner was held at the Pic Peanut Butter Factory, and as is custom, it was a chance to dress up. Matt and Tim got in on the action, though the welding seams on Tim’s steed were obviously not completed on a Seamtek, as the size of his horse slowly diminished as the night wore on.
The Pic Peanut Butter factory tour was interesting, and hearing Pic Pucou’s story about how he has developed his business from what was a roaster made out of a concrete mixer and a benchtop grinder, to what it is today was inspirational. Matt won’t look at his concrete mixer the same again.
On Saturday evening, an awards dinner and presentation were held for the industry. There was a large range of categories and a large number of entries. The projects and designs were unique for their required purpose, while the range of designs showed the real skill that all those in this industry possess.
Carr New Zealand has been a long-term supporter of the Apprentice of the Year Award, with us again providing a tool to be given to the well-deserving recipient. Last year it was clear that apprentices work in different types of businesses and finding the right prize was important to us. This year the Triac AT Fabrication Kit and the Solano AT were offered to the apprentices to choose from, so the winner had a tool that would be right for them.
This year it was the Triac AT Fabrication Kit, chosen by the winner Tessa Paaymans from Napier Upholstery. Congratulations, Tessa, on being named Apprentice of the Year for the second time in two years! You are proving tough to beat!
A special thanks also to Amanda Newport, from OFPANZ, who worked tirelessly to organise the whole conference. A great event, as always!