In this day and age, one of the most important steps towards becoming an innovative citizen is by having access to large amounts of information. Today, the smartest way to do that is through technology. In New Zealand, the prime contributor and provider of technology to people of all ages is PB Tech.

Access to technology is essential for innovation, as it helps to bridge the gap between creativity and productivity. With technological advancements such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, it’s becoming increasingly easy to create and develop new solutions to existing problems. Innovation is also an important part of any economy, as it helps spur economic growth and can open up job opportunities for people who are interested in the field. This will not only give people the chance to become innovative, but also provide a level of economic security that would otherwise be unavailable.

How PB tech NZ is helping the next gen innovators

PB Tech was founded in New Zealand in 1993, and started as a small company that bulk bought tech pieces for other local companies. Today, they are one of the largest NZ tech providers, with several stores across the country and over 600 members of staff. The founders, Pat Huo and Brenda Yu, are even featured on the NBR List of New Zealand’s top Wealth Creators.

The company provides consumers, businesses, and government agencies with access to the latest equipment, software, and support services. They are committed to helping customers find the best value for their money by providing customers with a wide range of products, from gaming consoles to smart home devices and components for building custom PCs. PB Tech also offers a variety of services such as repairs, warranty claims, installation, and recycling. For businesses, PB Tech provides tailored solutions such as managed services and cloud-based storage.

How many stores does PB Tech have? PB tech Hornby, and more.

Over the years, PB Tech has built their IT empire not just in one or two cities. As of 2023, the company has 18 physical stores listed on their webpage. The majority of their stores are located in Auckland, including a store at the Auckland Airport for easy access to tech while travelling as well as at home. Some of their stores:

• PB tech hamilton NZ
• PB tech hornby
• PB tech tauranga
• PB tech glenfield
• PB tech queen street

Apart from their physical stores, PB Tech also features an impressive websites, through which customers can receive immediate help, support, as well as research and order items.

Building a better world together

Access to technology is essential for innovation, especially amongst younger generations. It helps bridge the gap between creativity and productivity, allowing young people to explore new possibilities while also giving them the tools they need to turn their ideas into reality. By providing access to technology, we are helping to ensure that our future will be filled with even greater possibilities. Not only could this lead to improved economic growth, but it could also help usher in a new era of creativity and problem-solving amongst younger generations. Technology provides us with an opportunity to make the world we live in today even better than before.

New Zealand has always been a country that nurtures creativity and ingenuity among its people. People who think outside the box are appreciated and celebrated here.

A nation rich in innovative history, its impact can be traced among every part of human civilization, from agriculture to medicine, engineering to technology, and pretty much any other sectors you can think of.

New Zealanders have been at the forefront of many important innovations that have changed and shaped humanity into what it is today.

Today, we’re going to take a look at some important innovations from New Zealand, and some prominent Kiwi figures who inspire innovators all around the globe.

Some Important Innovations from New Zealand That Changed the World

Let’s talk about several fields where the contribution of Kiwi innovators changed the world and continues to do so.

Shaping the World of Medicine

New Zealand-born scientists Maurice Wilkins, John Kendrew, and Max Perutz were awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology, or Medicine, for their work on the structure of biological macromolecules, specifically nucleic acids.

Their research laid the foundation for modern molecular biology and genetic research, which has led to new treatments and therapies for many diseases. Today’s medicine wouldn’t be possible without their contribution.

Pioneering Renewable Energy and Fighting Climate Change

New Zealand is one of the world’s leading producers of geothermal energy, which is generated by harnessing the energy spewed by Mother Earth. It’s one of a few countries that generates more than 15% of its total electricity from geothermal energy sources.

A New Zealand-based company, Fluid Design, has developed a new type of wind turbine that is more efficient and can be made at a lower cost than traditional turbines. This can potentially make wind power plants more affordable and accessible.

The New Zealand-based company LanzaTech has developed a breakthrough process for converting carbon-rich gases into ethanol and other valuable chemicals.

These ideas can help humankind in its fight against climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Innovative Ideas in the World of Transportation

Bruce Leslie McLaren, a Kiwi engineer, and innovator, is still remembered today for his contribution to car technology. And his name has stayed with the automotive and sports-racing brand, McLaren, the most successful team in Formula One championship history.

Bill Hamilton, a New Zealand engineer, developed the Hamilton Jet, a propulsion system that is widely used today in high-speed boats and other watercraft. This innovation has led to faster and more efficient water transportation, having a significant impact on industries such as tourism and shipping.

Gibbs Amphibians, an automotive brand from New Zealand, is the current leader in high-speed amphibious vehicles in the market.

Prominent Innovators from New Zealand Who Shaped the World as It Is

Here are some prominent New Zealanders whose creativity and important innovations shaped the world as it is.

Colin Murdoch

Murdoch, pharmacist and inventor, owner of 46 patents, used to wake up from dreams with innovative ideas floating in his mind. He is best known for inventing the disposable hypodermic syringe, the plastic disposable dropper, and the child-resistant safety cap, among many other useful things.

Before, syringes were made of glass and had to be sterilised after each use, which was time-consuming and ineffective. Murdoch’s disposable syringe greatly reduced the risk of infection and is still used worldwide.

Murdoch also invented the plastic dropper and the child-resistant safety cap, commonly used everywhere today.

Sir Ernest Rutherford

One of the most prominent nuclear physicists in history, Sir Ernest Rutherford, won the Nobel Prize in 1908 for his work on the disintegration of the elements and the chemistry of radioactive substances. He discovered the nucleus of atoms, among other important scientific innovations.

His works laid the foundation for today’s nuclear physics, and the nuclear energy tech stands on his groundwork.

Richard Pearse

He is credited for building and flying one of the world’s first aeroplanes. He pioneered aviation and propelled it into the future, leaving his mark on history.

Sir Peter Jackson

Last but not least, Sir Peter Jackson, known to the world as a master filmmaker of the twenty-first century, enriched and transformed filmmaking with his innovative use of visual effects technologies. What he achieved with the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies set a new standard for special effects and motion capture and changed the film industry forever.

A Note Before We End…

From the early days of Richard Pearse and his aeroplane to the latest technology developed by RocketLab and Robotic Skies, New Zealanders have shown that their ingenuity and creativity are not limited by the relatively small size of their population.

With a supportive environment for startups, a focus on science and technology, and a community that inspires and encourages creative thinkers, New Zealand is set to continue to be a leader in innovation and a source of important contributions to the world.

While innovation is a nice word, it might feel daunting to begin implementing actual innovative strategies in your business. In this article, we’ll help you understand why these types of strategies can help you, as well as why New Zealand is the perfect place to do so. 

What is innovation? 

At its core, innovation is the concept of trying something new. The very best innovations are not just new for the sake of being new, but are presented as the solution to a problem. This can take the form of a new product, a new business model or process, or even a small change in how you run business meetings. In other words, it’s a way of breaking barriers and changing the status quo. By doing so, it creates value. 

But more than just the product, service, or other outcomes that are often associated with the word innovation, the concept is just as much about having an innovative outlook. If you tackle issues and projects at work with the attitude that something new and meaningful is possible, and that change is part of the process, that allows for a freer business model which can be more resilient and healthy.  

Why should we care about innovation? 

All around the world, businesses are changing their budgets and calendars in order to focus on innovation. But does innovation actually matter? And even if it does, why should we care about it? 

There has been a large range of studies on the effect of innovation on businesses and markets, both from the perspective of revenue and general financial health. Overall, the studies show that there is a large range of positive impacts from implementing innovative strategies. For example, innovative businesses are more resilient. The Boston Consultancy Group found that the global top 50 businesses were able to recover a lot faster during the pandemic, where they outperformed the 2020 market by 17 percentage points.  

There is also the case of increased competitive advantage and business growth. Companies with a clear focus on innovation will attract workers with a strong affinity for development. Attracting stronger workers will lead the company towards a stronger goal orientation which will most likely increase efficiency and productivity, thus leading to business growth. 

Related to the previous point, companies that do not focus on innovation will soon lag behind. Not only has innovation become an “it”-word in global literature and seminars, but a study by BCG also found that 75 per cent of global companies list innovation as one of their top three priorities. As the concept of innovation grows in popularity, businesses that fall behind in prioritizing it risk losing out on the market to those who do.  

How can you implement innovative strategies in your business? 

So, what can you do to bring more innovation to your company or project? There are several good innovation strategies out there, but we will mention a few here. 

• Set a clear goal. The first step to bringing everyone on board the innovation train is to create a common goal. Perhaps it’s a value goal, such as working to create valuable solutions rather than focusing on material goals. Perhaps the goal is more hands-on for reaching a certain solution or even becoming nominated for an innovation award.  

• Interdisciplinary processes. Innovation happens when people work together. Therefore, bring diverse sectors to your project evaluations. Bring different groups, both from within the company and external members (such as customers or supply chain partners), together to evaluate and brainstorm projects. This will also build a sense of overarching purpose, rather than individual and isolated group efforts. 

• Innovative friendly leadership. Innovation is about taking risks. This also means that the company needs to be a space where employees feel supported when trying new ideas. Therefore, the leadership needs to be supportive and encourage experimentation without penalizing it.  

Incorporating Innovation New Zealand NZ 

New Zealand is one of the top countries in the world that have managed to promote innovation and growth in its national economic strategy. It is among the top freest economies in the world, so it is easy to start a business as well as promote innovations NZ in the Oceanian state. Building on these market foundations, there are also innovation funding programs such as the NZIB that aid innovative Kiwi start-up companies. 

There is also a social foundation for innovation in the country. The most innovative companies tend to be the most diverse. New Zealand almost always stands out in global diversity and equality rankings, thus providing fertile grounds for innovative ideas and cooperation to sprout.  

As we’ve mentioned in a different article, New Zealand not only makes it easy to be innovative but is also very good at celebrating it. There are plenty of innovation awards New Zealand where both large and small companies can compete and be recognized. The wide array of NZ innovation awards is also a clever part of a larger innovation promotion strategy, as research has found that these types of events also help improve the public’s perception of the public sector.  

There are some links in the manufacturing of goods that are more essential than others. One of these is that of sealing technologies. The New Zealand market for industrial seals has grown exponentially, and there are several innovative technologies and developments that keep driving the industry towards a greener and more efficient future, including seal innovations nz.  

What do we mean by the seal industry?

Seals can be found in machines as large as airplanes and as small as sensitive medical equipment. Their main function is to prevent leakage, retain lubrication, block contamination, and hold pressure. In other words, seals help optimize performance and increased its process reliability. They can used in both static and rotary systems.  

There are a large range of seals on the market, including but not limited to: O-rings, hydraulic seals, rotary seals, pneumatic seals, mechanical seals, etc. There are also industry specific seals, as the products are used in a large range of operating areas. 

The innovative technology applied in the seal industry has helped the market grow and expand their operations. With the help of industrial seals, companies have been able to create more sustainable and long-lasting machine processes, as the seals prevent wear and tear from weather, temperatures, corrosion, and more.    

Since its beginning, the sealing industry has grown exponentially, and the growth does not seem to slow. In 2021 the global sealing industry was worth around 11.8 billion USD. According to market experts, the industry is set to grow another 6 billion USD by 2029, creating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7 per cent.  

Innovative Seal Technologies  

The birth of the sealing market was innovative in itself, and the pioneering mindset and research on the topic keeps going on high gears. Technological advancements are in motion every single day, and the seal imports and exports will expand further as they begin to be implemented into the industry. 

3D Printing 

One of the innovative techniques that have improved the industry so far is the implementation of three-dimensional printing technology. Prior to the idea of 3D printing, seals were produced by injection or compression molding, where seals were sculpted by producing lots of waste. With the help of 3D printing, seals are now only produced with the accurate amount of material for each seal, thus saving manufacturers both time and money.  

Furthermore, the technology has sped up the process of creating seal prototypes, which can be key in research and development of new techniques, shapes, and sizes. By doing so, it expands the flexibility of the already agile industry. 

FFKM, PTFE and Nanotechnology Materials 

Other researchers have looked at how the materials used can be more sustainable. As a result, materials such as FFKM and PTFE have been developed. PTFE stands for polytetrafluoroethylene and is more commonly known as Teflon. The material has shown resistance to temperature, corrosion, and electricity, making it a good and durable sealant.  

FFKM produces similar characteristics to the PTFE but has shown potential for more extreme situations. For example, they have been adopted in aerospace manufacturing where temperatures can fall as low as 200 degrees Celsius.  

Some have also discussed the potential use of nanotechnology and their self-healing properties in the sealing industry. These features, though they still haven’t gained ground, might help make seals even more versatile and flexible.  

NZ Branch Leader: Seal Innovations (SIL) 

One of the largest innovators within this field is the Australia-New Zealand joint company Seal Innovations (SIL). The company has combined several branches within the sealing industry in order to become a premium supplier of high-quality sealing equipment to its customers. The company imports seal and gasket supplies from both local and global manufacturers in order to continue their long running history of seal innovations nz.  

The SIL team stands on three branch pillars: Seal Imports, NAK, and Alliance Seal, the latter of which formed after combining Sealcom, Interseal, and Specialised Gaskets. In combining these three power houses, SIL has been able to build up a breadth of operations and seal and gasket product range unlike most companies in the branch.  

Conclusion

The sealing industry maintains an innovative mindset in producing durable business tech solutions. Both global and local seal manufacturers are working hard towards adopting new innovative technologies in order to create even better wear-and-tear protection.