EIS - News

10 Year recognition

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:53:00 +1300

A decade of correct choices has paid off for EIS, which has achieved the milestone of 10 years without a Lost Time Injury (LTI), an extremely rare occurrence in their sector.

The team of 45, who deliver industrial projects across New Zealand, have been committed to improving health and safety for the last decade. According to EIS CEO, Dean Addie, one of the secrets to their success has been an uncompromising attitude towards health, safety and the environment. “When we started down this track, we decided to adopt the attitude that all injuries are preventable, and that zero incidents are in fact achievable, and we’ve been able to prove just that”.

Local Health and Safety Inspector for the Department of Labour, Terry Keene, described the milestone as a “massive achievement that the team at EIS can be very proud of”.

Lesley Haines, Deputy Chief Executive of the Labour Group at the Department of Labour, Wellington, presented EIS CEO Dean Addie with a plaque and a certificate to acknowledge their major accomplishment.

All EIS team members have been offered fully subsidised health care in recognition of their top achievement, which has capped off a great year for the company, who also won a national Health and Safety award in August.

Local firms to profit from EIS energy efficiency services

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:00:00 +1200

There's a growing interest in energy efficiency out there in the business world, and this was clearly evidenced at a recent EIS event, when 25 people came out in wintery conditions to learn how their business could profit from energy efficiency.

As energy prices continue to rise at an alarming rate, businesses who have been wearing the costs are now looking for ways to stop wasting energy, and start saving money. With this in mind, EIS recently hosted a Southland Chamber of Commerce 'Business After 5' event, to give local business people a hands-on experience of energy efficiency.

The presentation (click here to download), to a room full of diverse business interests, explained EIS's new energy efficiency services, like energy audits, tariff analysis and thermographic surveys, and also the Powersaver Plus programme. Guests heard how this programme accesses EECA grants to give eligible businesses a financial kick-start of 1/3 towards an energy audit and towards investing in the audit's energy-saving recommendations.

Those in attendance learned that data collated nationally is now showing that a typical business can save 20% or more on their annual energy costs. This data also shows that energy audits are worth every cent, as every dollar spent on an energy audit results in $7.50 in savings identified.

Guests were also given a first-hand demonstration of some energy-saving devices and diagnostic tools, such as the thermographic camera, which was able to identify hot and cold spots around the building, clearly showing where insulation needed to be installed.

For more information on our energy efficiency services and EECA funding, visit http://powersaver-plus.eisenergy.co.nz/ or phone 03 214 2046 and request a quotation.

Community Temperature Rising

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 08:45:00 +1200

Gore Pakeke Lions president Ken Scott, EIS installation manager Daryl Cook and Gore District Mayor Tracy Hicks celebrate the installation of a temperature reader in Gore CBD. EIS donated time and material to the project. Mr Hicks praised the project saying it was good to see community groups and businesses working together as a team to achieve their goal.

EIS WINS NATIONAL SAFETY AWARD

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 14:41:00 +1200

HSE Manager Phil Botting with the award in hand

The recent tragic explosion in an Auckland water main is a huge reminder of the need to be proactive with workplace safety, according to Johnny Mauchline, Operations Manager of EIS, a recent winner at the New Zealand Health and Safety Awards.

EIS won the Transfield Services Best Health and Safety Initiative by a Small Business at the national awards held recently in Auckland.

“Safety is not about a knee jerk reaction to a problem that’s happened but forestalling potential problems and taking initiative,” said Mr Mauchline.

Management at EIS had gradually become aware that there was a potential problem when switching high current electrical apparatus.

An arc flash can occur when a fault condition creates a high temperature explosion of superheated gas and molten metal which can cause serious injury or may be fatal.

EIS HSE manager Phil Botting found the best way to create awareness was to design a package involving an educational PowerPoint, supply of arc flash safety equipment, and a procedure to be followed on all jobs. That initiative is the basis of their national safety award.

“Our team operate within a variety of work environments and health and safety standards can vary, so we have to take responsibility and set our own guidelines and standards to protect ourselves and the companies we work for,” said Mr Botting.

EIS Energy grants for business

Tue, 17 May 2011 08:24:00 +1200

South Island business sector energised by $100,000 efficiency fund

South Island businesses are set to benefit to the tune of $100,000 worth of grants towards improving energy efficiency, after the Government announced last week that a Southland-based consortium has been successful in winning a slice of the $1.46m ‘Energising Business’ funding programme.

Local technology firm, EIS, and sustainable business specialist, FutureGenz, collaborated on a bid earlier this year as “EIS Energy”, to provide a one-stop-shop of energy efficiency services targeting key areas, such as electricity, petrol, diesel, gas and wood use.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) Chief Executive, Mike Underhill, said the programme was specifically designed to help small to medium businesses improve their energy use. “The potential savings can be substantial, and often come with minimal payback. This is a great opportunity for companies to improve their bottom line, and get a competitive edge, with assistance from the experts. I’d urge Southland companies to look hard at the benefits, and take part.”

Mr Underhill said around 10 providers around the country have been contracted to deliver Energising Business from a field of 28 applicants. “The providers, including EIS Energy, showed a good depth of skills and experience and understanding of business needs.”

EIS Energy spokesperson, and FutureGenz Managing Director, Carolyn Dean, said the group was thrilled to win their bid for funding, which would essentially offer businesses 3 bites at the cherry – a subsidised initial energy audit, financial help with implementing the actions identified, and then the benefit of ongoing energy savings.

Nathan Surendran, EIS Energy Lead Auditor, said that any business with an annual energy spend under $300,000 was eligible to apply for the programme, although EECA had identified tourism and food production, including dairy, as key sectors.

A limited number of places are available on the funded programme, which would provide up to 1/3 of the audit and implementation costs for projects with a payback of 18-36 months, with EECA having the final say over which businesses were approved.

Interested businesses can register their interest in joining by contacting EIS Energy on enquiries@eisenergy.co.nz

Media Enquiries: Carolyn Dean, phone 021 812 554 or 03 2170 546. Email, CarolynD@eisenergy.co.nz

Programme/ Technical Enquiries: Nathan Surendran, phone 027 555 8715 or 03 2142 046. Email, NathanS@eisenergy.co.nz

link.eisenergy.co.nz/powersaver_information Further information: link.eisenergy.co.nz/powersaver_information or www.eecabusiness.govt.nz/energisingbusiness

EIS - Weidmuller partnership

Mon, 16 May 2011 19:51:00 +1200

Peter Gillespie from Cuthbert Stewart and Dean Addie of EIS celebrate their partnership last week – a Southland success story.

Weidmuller is a world leader in power, data and signal conditioning products. Cuthbert Stewart is a NZ distributor and EIS is a Southland based technology company. Their paths have crossed because they all share the same ethos of understanding the client’s needs and providing the best solution for the client every time.

The partnership agreement covers all of the South Island excluding Canterbury, extending the reach of EIS and its Southland style service values.

A local can do approach backed by an International powerhouse in power, data and signal conditioning. Now that’s the Southland spirit of business!

EIS and Tasman. A Partnership by Preference.

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:35:00 +1200

Delivering specialised consultancy, projects and maintenance services to clients is part of the EIS commitment to open honest business relationships.

EIS offers highly engineeed solutions to solve critical issues for clients.

With over 15 years experience servicing the industrial and commercial process control and electrical sectors EIS are now committed to bring this successful business model to the Tasman region.

EIS Team Leader Leonard Wiegersma has moved to Nelson with his family to set up the first stage of the operations.

Disability enterprise provides solution

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:56:00 +1300

SDE workshop manager Aaron Harpur and EIS electrical inspector Brett Pearce

EIS were recently awarded a NZAS project to upgrade 11kV electrical supplies to the Tiwai Wharf. A necessary component of the job is to ensure electrical integrity of the cable support systems. This entails the earth bonding between each support. A total of 180 earth straps were required. As part of EIS commitment to local community sustainability EIS contacted Southland Disability Enterprises (SDE) to engage this work. SDE provided the skills and EIS provided the materials, tools and training. SDE workshop manager, Aaron Harpur designed and manufactured a jig to ensure best safe work practice was followed. Using Southland Disability Enterprises EIS were able to provide our client with a cost effective product and also provide benefit to a local enterprise.

The outcome was a win win for all parties and a testimony to the benefits of working within the local community.

EIS Challenge Trophy

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:03:00 +1300

The annual EIS Challenge Trophy was held recently at the Ten pin Bowling Cenetre in Invercargill. The EIS team competed in an individual best total over 4 games tournament. Each year a new event is chosen. Last year was skeet shooting, next year archery.

Picture - Winner electrical team leader Aaron Stevenson (Left) receives the EIS Challenge Trophy from senior electrical engineer Charlie Turner.

Compact Machine Solutions

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:09:00 +1300

EIS engineers undertook a hands-on lab developed by Rockwell Automation. This lab provided information and training for individuals who are:

Mechanical & Controls engineers designing integrated functional safety.
Machine users looking to improve an existing machine with integrated functional safety.
System Integrators providing functional safety who wish to add value to their clients during the design phase.

Picture : EIS electrical engineer Mandeep Gill hands-on using Compact GuardLogix. This unit is a fully functioning ControlLogix® processor with SIL 3 safety features that helps ensure safety control.

Demystyfying Machine Safety

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 15:41:00 +1300

EIS presented a Machine Safety Seminar to 26 key Southland clients at the Ascot Hotel, Invercargill. Chris Leahy, TUV FS Eng who is a member of the Australian Standards Committee for Machine Safe Guarding gave a comprehensive overview of standards and obligations of machine risk analysis to demystify the regulations and simplify the process to ensure working conditions are safe so far as reasonably practicable. Sponsored by NHP the seminar was a great sucess with positive feedback from all concerned.

EIS Wins Schneider Electric Ute

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:56:00 +1300

EIS and 15 other contractors were invited by Schneider Electric to attend an adventure weekend in Rotorua.

As part of the events there was a draw for a Ford Ranger Wildtrack 4WD Ute. EIS team Leader Leo Shirley won the draw!

Picture : EIS Electrical Inspector Brett Pearce tests out the Rangers capabilities and gives it toes up!

Engineering excellence

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +1200

As finalists in the ECANZ 2010 National Excellence Awards, EIS have been selected as one of the final three entries in the NHP Industrial Automation Award category.

The EIS entry is for Blue Sky Meats Rendering Plant. Mechanical engineered by Keith Engineering Australia and automation design and installation by EIS.

The winner will be announced at a black tie dinner to be held at the Hyatt Hotel in Auckland on October 13th.

EIS will be hosting Blue Sky Meats Mike Harrison and will be represented on the night by Brent Webster, Engineering Manager and Alan Bathurst, Project Systems Manager.

EIS awarded Fonterra contract

Tue, 18 May 2010 14:44:00 +1200

EIS has been awarded a contract by Tetrapak Ltd to manage the electrical installation at Fonterra Stirling of the 2010 milk treatment upgrades.

Fonterra Stirling is upgrading its milk treatment / pasteuriser room in the form of four 'new technology' separators and associated equipment. This has required the upgrade of the electrical supply to this part of the plant plus the rebuilding of the motor control centre. In addition, new MCC and PLC panels and new transformers have been installed and many variable frequency drives and soft starters upgraded.

EIS' proven record of quality workmanship and our history of working with Tetrapak and Fonterra across several sites has allowed us to competitively bid on this project with the full confidence of Fonterra and Tetrapak that we will get the job done on time and on budget.

Going to the Games

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:27:00 +1200

Huge congratulations to local swimmer Natalie Wiegersma who has been selected to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi later this year.

Natalie, the sister of EIS team leader Lenny Wiegersma, was well inside the qualifying time for the 200m and 400m individual medley events at April's national swimming championships in Auckland. She broke her own national record for the 200m medley in the process.

EIS has been sponsoring Natalie for a number of years by supporting her travel and training expenses, and it's fantastic to see 'one of our own' achieving so much. She's the first Southland swimmer to represent NZ at the Games for 20 years.

Well done Natalie - we'll be cheering you all the way to Delhi and beyond!

Safety milestone

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:13:00 +1200

Our recent HSE quarterly meeting marked a real health and safety milestone - eight years without a single LTI (Lost Time Incident) at EIS.

Project Manager Jan Labuschagne cooked up a tasty fried breakfast for the team to celebrate.

EIS awarded NZAS contract

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:06:00 +1200

EIS has been awarded a contract by New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Ltd (NZAS) to manage electrical installation at its new SCL crushing plant at Tiwai Point, Bluff.

SCLs, or spent cathode liners, are a by-product of the aluminium smelting process that were previously treated as waste. The new plant will crush the liners to aggregate that can be value added to other materials such as concrete.

"This is an excellent example of how industrial processes can be made more sustainable and we're delighted to be part of the project," said Dean Addie, CEO of EIS. "The install will take two to three months to complete and marks another stage in our ongoing relationship with Rio Tinto."

EIS attains environmental gold standard

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:57:00 +1300

EIS has achieved the prestigious Enviro-Mark NZ Gold certification for environmental management.

HSE co-ordinator, Phil Botting said the award reflected the company's ongoing commitment to sustainability. "We already held Bronze certification but wanted to keep up the momentum in terms of improving our environmental performance.

"Attaining Gold certification after an independent audit means we are certainly heading in the right direction. The policies we continue to introduce bring both environmental and cost savings that we are in turn able to pass onto our clients," he said.

Gold certification means that EIS:
- has developed, implemented and tested an environmental emergency plan
- has formalised the roles and responsibilities for people working for and on behalf of the organisation
- has set objectives and targets for driving continual improvements and has programmes detailed to meet those targets
- has identified and evaluated the significant environmental aspects and impacts of its activities, products and services
- has produced an environmental policy statement
- is fully compliant with New Zealand's most common and widely applicable health and safety and environmental legislation.

Enviro-Mark certification is provided by Landcare Research - a trusted Crown Research Institute.

We wish a prosperous new year to all our clients.

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:28:00 +1300

EIS is again focusing on quality and results for our clients this year. As part of our commitment to continuous improvement we will be introducing a web based client survey system. This will enable our clients to feedback Key Performance Indicators on a project to project basis. This information is then assessed by the Operations Manager and used to address any issues that we can improve on or feedback to our team.

New website launched

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:48:00 +1300

To reflect our continued growth and development, we have launched a new website to provide a more comprehensive profile of the company and the work we carry out.

Projects and news updates will be added all the time, so please check in from time to time and see what we've been up to. The Resources section will feature useful documents and manuals for our customers to download, plus links to other websites of interest.

If you have any feedback on the website or any aspect of our service, please let one of our team know.