Presidents Report April 2017

May 15, 2017

 

Dear Members,

In my March monthly report I provided an update on an iconic New Zealand company, T&G (Turners and Growers), celebrating 120 years in business. Well, this month I’m delighted to tell you about another member and Corporate Knight Sponsor of the NZTCC – Enviroplaz (with subsidiaries Plazrok & Plaztuff), whose success showcases Kiwi ingenuity at its best!

The company has entered into a formal commercial agreement with Siam Concrete in Thailand and founding director Peter Barrow has met with Thai Ambassador to NZ, Maris Sangiampongsa, who sees the business as an opportunity to strengthen business ties between the two countries.

"We basically see Plaztuff and Plazrok as a global technology with the local market having been our testing ground, our proving ground, as part of the journey to get us on a global march," says Mr Barrow.

Kiwi Company turns Plastic Waste into High-Quality Concrete

Plazrok, the brainchild of South Auckland-based Enviroplaz, is unique in that it can transform absolutely any type of plastic into a rock-like substance that forms the aggregate of concrete.

"We don't take the labels off, we don't have to disassemble it or take any of the other components off it, we can use it in its entirety," says Enviroplaz founding director Peter Barrow.

"We don't even need to clean it - the process we put it through does everything for us." What's more, concrete companies would not have to change their processes at all in order to use Plazrok in their product.

Yet they would end up with concrete that is 10 to 40 percent lighter than usual, which spells big savings.
 
Enviroplaz director Stephen Swart (left) and founding director Peter Barrow at their factory in Manukau / Auckland / New Zealand.
 
Membership Drive
 
The Chamber’s membership drive continues to gather momentum. It is encouraging to see the diversity of our new members which I’m sure will also lead to additional membership through a wider and broader networking audience.
 
Lest We Forget
 
April 25 brings commemoration of ANZAC Day by Kiwis around the world, whatever their circumstances. I had the pleasure of attending this year’s services at Kanchanaburi – both the Dawn Service at Hellfire Pass and the main service at the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. In keeping with tradition and as a mark of respect, on behalf of the NZTCC I laid a wreath in recognition of the sacrifice of all ANZACs who made the ultimate sacrifice.
 
 
ASEAN New Zealand Business Council
 
The ASEAN New Zealand Business Council (ANZBC) is moving ahead with phase one of the ‘ASEAN NZ Regional Network’ (ANZRN). In essence this is a regional network comprising all 10 ASEAN countries which will ultimately link all chambers into a regional network to benefit NZ businesses and Kiwis doing business in the ASEAN region. This initiative will also provide added assistance for NZTCC members who travel and do business in any of the 10 ASEAN countries, providing them (through a grouped calendar) with a list of upcoming events in ASEAN countries that may be of interest to them.
 
Phase One, which has already gone live, includes an ANZBC web page displaying the ANZRN link and web page links for ASEAN business groups, Chambers of Commerce and a regional calendar http://asean.org.nz/asean/asean-regional-business-network/. Further updates will be provided in our May report.
 
Membership Loyalty and Rewards Program
 
We are progressing this program steadily, and are in advanced discussions with Central Group about establishing a membership loyalty and rewards program. This would cover Centara / “The1 Card” / Family Mart / Tops as well as discounts at all department stores within Central Group. We are hoping to finalize this in May, with members able to access privileges from June. We’ll be able to update everyone, and hopefully confirm our partnership with Central Group, in our May newsletter.

Taste of New Zealand

The Taste of New Zealand food & beverage promotion is happening at Central Food Hall & Tops Supermarkets for the next 2-4 weeks (varies by store).  Enjoy fresh new-season apples, kiwifruit, persimmons, plus a wide range of packaged goods such as muesli, olive oils, honey, Griffins biscuits, plus waters, beers & wine.

Pacific Cross Healthcare Insurance

Don’t forget that Pacific Cross is a valued member of NZTCC and is offering all financial members tailored health insurance discounts with worldwide cover - contact details on the Pacific Cross website
www.pacificcrosshealth.com  

Home and Away

NZTE has re-launched its website, featuring content about exporting & doing business in Thailand: 
MFAT has launched trade services for exporters:
New Zealand has a new Minister of Foreign Affairs: 
Wednesday 24 May 2017 - Corporate Knight Event

Keep this day free - a flyer will be circulated next week
New NZTCC Members

A warm welcome to our new members who have joined NZTCC in April and also our new Corporate Knight Sponsors!

Corporate Knight Sponsors

•    Baldwin Boyle Group
•    ISB (International School Bangkok)
•    Koz Design

General Members

•    GDT Technologies
•    Power Volt
•    Anantara Hotels
•    Kiwi Resource & Protection
•    Silver Fern Holdings

A correction from last month’s new members; Universal Food Public Co Ltd is a new member and not United Food Company as reported.
 
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