NZ Innovation & Export Podcast

What happens when your biggest innovation is also the reason people think your product looks weird?Julz Christy, Co-owner and Director of Aarn Packs, talks about the challenges of selling something radically different, the realities of influencer marketing, and why growing a successful business doesn't always mean growing as fast as possible.Aarn Packs has challenged conventional backpack design, earned international recognition and built a loyal following across New Zealand and Australia. Now the team is taking on the US and UK markets, discovering that what worked at home doesn't always work overseas.Timestamp:0:00 Introduction1:16 Meet Julz Christy from Aarn Packs2:50 Why they reduced their product range to grow4:37 The inventor behind Aarn Packs8:22 The science and design behind the backpacks13:12 Winning international recognition14:36 Buying the business and making partnerships work20:18 Taking Aarn Packs into the US and UK22:05 Why they had to change their marketing24:10 How demonstrations build word of mouth25:55 Lessons from influencer marketing31:40 Manufacturing and funding business growth34:17 What's next for Aarn PacksShow Notes:www.tryfirstshake.comFirstShake - Turn free-product requests into salesFollow Aarn Packs here:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AarnPacksInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/aarnpacksTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@aarnpacksYouTube - www.youtube.com/@aarnpacksofficialWebsite - https://www.aarnpacks.comFollow Further Faster here:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/furtherfasternzInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/furtherfasternzTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@furtherfasternzYouTube - www.youtube.com/@furtherfasternzWebsite - https://www.furtherfaster.co.nzThis Podcast is brought to you by Duoplus – The Digital Marketing Agency for businesses focused on growth. Find out more here: https://www.duoplus.nzFollow: NZ Innovation & Export Podcast:Website - https://www.duoplus.nz/podcastFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastTik-Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nzinnovationandexportYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@NZInnovationExportPodcastSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4OJb33uLpmSecvkYVdSKC5Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nz-innovation-export-podcast/id1883810064

How do you build a $100 million-plus engineering business by solving problems others consider impossible? Bruce Carden, Managing Director of TRT, explores the innovations behind the company’s heavy transport and crane solutions, its expansion into Australia, and the challenges of introducing technology years before customers are ready to adopt it.From world-first engineering solutions to family business succession, Bruce shares lessons from nearly six decades of TRT history and what it takes to build a business for the long term.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction2:53 TRT's History and Family Legacy4:58 Innovation in Heavy Transport Technology11:02 Quick Connect: From Days to Minutes13:03 The Challenge of Innovating Too Early18:06 TractionAir and the Australian Road Train Market24:00 Building Safer Pick and Carry Cranes26:29 TRT's Culture of Solving Impossible Problems28:24 Defence Engineering and World-First Solutions35:00 Family Ownership and Business Succession37:45 Expanding from New Zealand into Australia44:52 The Value of Independent Governance48:15 Marketing, Margins and Profitable Growth52:04 Business Resilience Through Innovation53:18 How to Contact TRTFollow TRT here:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/trtltdInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/trt_madepossibleLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/tidd-ross-todd-ltdYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@trt_tiddWebsite - https://www.trt.co.nzThis Podcast is brought to you by Duoplus – The Digital Marketing Agency for businesses focused on growth. Find out more here: https://www.duoplus.nzFollow: NZ Innovation & Export Podcast:Website - https://www.duoplus.nz/podcastFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastTik-Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nzinnovationandexportYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@NZInnovationExportPodcastSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4OJb33uLpmSecvkYVdSKC5Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nz-innovation-export-podcast/id1883810064

What happens to soft plastic, food and beverage cartons and other packaging that is difficult to recycle?Paul Charteris founder of saveBOARD explains how the company turns this waste into high-performance building materials used throughout New Zealand and Australia.Paul shares the difficult journey of raising around $5 million to establish the New Zealand operation, overcoming resistance to a new construction product, expanding into Australia, and building sustainability into a commercially competitive business model.It’s a practical story about innovation, persistence, circular manufacturing, and creating demand for something that did not previously exist.Timestamp:0:00 Introduction1:08 The saveBOARD Story4:10 Raising the Capital7:31 From Startup to 1,000+ Installations9:01 What Waste Goes Into the Boards?15:54 Building the Product Range20:37 Getting the Construction Industry On Board24:46 Why Sustainability Alone Isn't Enough26:36 The Unusual Feedstock Business Model28:46 Measuring Carbon Impact34:03 Understanding the Circular Economy36:10 Why Circularity Needs More Demand40:57 Expanding Into Australia43:46 Paul's Vision for 204045:44 What Consumers Can Do48:02 Connecting With saveBOARDFollow saveBOARD here:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/saveboardanzInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/saveboardanzLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/save-boardYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@saveboardWebsite - https://www.saveboard.nzThis Podcast is brought to you by Duoplus – The Digital Marketing Agency for businesses focused on growth. Find out more here: https://www.duoplus.nzFollow: NZ Innovation & Export Podcast:Website - https://www.duoplus.nz/podcastFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastTik-Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nzinnovationandexportYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@NZInnovationExportPodcastSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4OJb33uLpmSecvkYVdSKC5Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nz-innovation-export-podcast/id1883810064

What if one of the most labour-intensive parts of building a house could be digitised and largely automated? Chris Staal from EC8 explains how his Hamilton team developed its own measuring technology, software, robotics and delivery systems to pre-cut plasterboard before it reaches site. From roughly 50 measuring-tool prototypes to robotic heads crashing into each other and a rubber mat solving a stubborn dust problem, this episode is a practical look at what real-world innovation actually takes.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction1:19 Automating Plasterboard5:30 How the Startup Began11:00 Building the Measurement System17:46 Solving Production Speed21:27 Unexpected Engineering Breakthroughs26:08 Building the Software Platform28:07 The Logistics Challenge30:54 What Builders Think34:33 Patents and Protecting the Technology35:46 EC8's Business Model39:18 Turning EC8 Into a Technology Platform40:48 International Expansion43:11 Funding Hardware Innovation46:07 Lessons From Five Years of R&D47:53 What Keeps a Founder Going49:50 Contacting EC8Follow EC8 here:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ec8743Website - https://ec8.co.nz/This Podcast is brought to you by Duoplus – The Digital Marketing Agency for businesses focused on growth. Find out more here: https://www.duoplus.nzFollow: NZ Innovation & Export Podcast:Website - https://www.duoplus.nz/podcastFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastTik-Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nzinnovationandexportYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@NZInnovationExportPodcastSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4OJb33uLpmSecvkYVdSKC5Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nz-innovation-export-podcast/id1883810064

Intellectual property can be far more than a defensive legal tool. IP strategist Kate Wilson from James & Wells explains how innovative New Zealand businesses can use patents, trademarks, designs, competitive intelligence and collaboration to build an edge in global markets.Kate shares stories involving acquisitions, competitor research, overseas manufacturing, employee risk and some expensive IP mistakes, along with practical advice for businesses developing products, technology or other innovations they do not want competitors copying.Show Notes:Kate Wilson's bookThe Hidden Mechanics of IP: Demystifying Intellectual PropertyBuy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FF44XKDV/Timestamps:0:00 Introduction1:20 What an IP strategist does3:49 Kate Wilson's path into intellectual property8:07 The IP strategy behind a major acquisition14:14 What intellectual property really includes16:09 How much IP protection is worth paying for20:04 Kate's three cogs of IP24:01 Freedom to operate and avoiding costly mistakes29:45 Why NZ exporters need protection at home32:44 Creating an IP-conscious business38:26 How Zespri protects its varieties40:14 Patent trolls and strategic patent use43:56 Why patent titles are deliberately vague45:21 Protecting IP when manufacturing in China47:07 Kate's key takeawayFollow James & Wells here:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/james-&-wells-ip/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jameswellsintellectualprop4184Website - https://www.jamesandwells.com/This Podcast is brought to you by Duoplus – The Digital Marketing Agency for businesses focused on growth. Find out more here: https://www.duoplus.nzFollow: NZ Innovation & Export Podcast:Website - https://www.duoplus.nz/podcastFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastTik-Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nzinnovationandexportYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@NZInnovationExportPodcastSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4OJb33uLpmSecvkYVdSKC5Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nz-innovation-export-podcast/id1883810064

What started with a panel beater building a better horse float for his daughter has grown into a specialty vehicle manufacturer approaching 100 staff. Alyssa Wade, Managing Director of Wade Group, shares how the family business moved from luxury equine coaches into motorsport transporters, prisoner vehicles and the national New Zealand Police contract, while building new technology and expanding into Australia. It is a story about succession, manufacturing, calculated growth and continually finding new problems worth solving. Timestamps:0:00 The Wade Group Story1:11 Specialty Vehicles Explained5:46 How the Family Business Started9:47 Stepping Into Leadership16:19 The Decision That Changed the Business17:05 Winning the NZ Police Contract21:46 5,500 Police Vehicles and Counting25:03 Surviving the Tough Years27:04 Expanding Into Australia32:15 The Next Export Opportunity34:02 Building for Future Growth35:56 Culture and High Standards39:15 What's Next for Wade GroupFollow Wade Group here:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wadeequinecoachesInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/wadegroupYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wadeequinenzLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wade-groupWebsite - https://wadegroupltd.comThis Podcast is brought to you by Duoplus – The Digital Marketing Agency for businesses focused on growth. Find out more here: https://www.duoplus.nzFollow: NZ Innovation & Export Podcast:Website - https://www.duoplus.nz/podcastFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastTik-Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nzinnovationandexportYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@NZInnovationExportPodcastSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4OJb33uLpmSecvkYVdSKC5Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nz-innovation-export-podcast/id1883810064

What does it take for a Hamilton software company to win major healthcare contracts across New Zealand, Australia and the Middle East? Ross Wilson, founder of CBS, shares how the company grew from running hospital costing calculations on a laptop to supporting hundreds of hospitals.Ross explains why cracking Australia took around a decade, how proof-of-concept projects help win enterprise clients, the unexpected realities of doing business in the UAE, and why relationships remain at the centre of CBS’s international growth.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction1:07 Meet Ross Wilson and CBS3:05 How CBS Started5:21 The 10-Year Push Into Australia8:42 CBS's Competitive Advantage10:28 How Enterprise Sales Really Work12:02 Finding Millions in Missing Funding13:53 Helping Hospitals Make Better Decisions17:38 Expanding Into the UAE18:42 The Challenges of Doing Business in the UAE22:35 Why Relationships Matter26:42 How NZTE Helped CBS Grow30:35 What's Next for CBS31:43 Connect With Ross and CBSFollow CBS here:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cbsnzLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cbsnzYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@cbsnz2327Website - https://www.cbsnz.comThis Podcast is brought to you by Duoplus – The Digital Marketing Agency for businesses focused on growth. Find out more here: https://www.duoplus.nzFollow: NZ Innovation & Export Podcast:Website - https://www.duoplus.nz/podcastFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastTik-Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nzinnovationandexportYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@NZInnovationExportPodcastSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4OJb33uLpmSecvkYVdSKC5Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nz-innovation-export-podcast/id1883810064

New Zealand is one of only a small number of countries with commercial aircraft design and manufacturing capability, and NZAero is keeping that expertise alive from its Hamilton factory.CEO Stephen Burrows joins Josh Moore to discuss the company's remarkable aviation history, why aircraft sales alone cannot provide a stable business model, the importance of global relationships, and how NZAero is exploring the next generation of flight through hydrogen-electric technology.Timestamps:0:00 New Zealand-Made Aircraft1:17 Meet Stephen Burrows of NZAero3:49 Preserving Aircraft Manufacturing in New Zealand7:59 70 Years of Aircraft Innovation15:20 Who Buys NZAero Aircraft?19:00 Building a Sustainable Aviation Business26:10 The $200 Million Cost of New Aircraft Development28:33 Exporting to 55 Countries30:09 Lessons From Global Exporting34:04 Building the Next Generation of Engineers38:48 Cliff Tait's World-Record Flight41:28 The Future of NZAero41:48 Hydrogen-Electric Aircraft44:03 Next Episode PreviewFollow NZAero here:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NZAeroInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/nzaero_officialYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@NZAero_Website - https://www.nzaero.comThis Podcast is brought to you by Duoplus – The Digital Marketing Agency for businesses focused on growth. Find out more here: https://www.duoplus.nzFollow: NZ Innovation & Export Podcast:Website - https://www.duoplus.nz/podcastFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastTik-Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nzinnovationandexportYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@NZInnovationExportPodcastSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4OJb33uLpmSecvkYVdSKC5Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nz-innovation-export-podcast/id1883810064

How does a Hamilton software company end up working with multinational technology businesses and developing immersive training systems for the NZ Defence Force?Company-X CEO Jeremy Hughes explains how complementary co-founders, Kiwi problem solving and a focus on difficult problems shaped the company’s growth.Jeremy shares why simulation technology presents an export opportunity, what New Zealand businesses need before entering overseas markets, and the experience that convinced him technology should play a greater role in New Zealand’s economic future.Timestamps:0:00 Introducing Jeremy Hughes and Company-X1:16 What Company-X Does5:40 Building the Business with a Co-Founder8:47 Rapid Growth and International Clients14:34 Award-Winning Defence Simulations17:49 Virtual Reality Helicopter Training20:01 New Technology and Export Opportunities23:20 Intellectual Property and Recurring Revenue25:09 Why New Zealand Needs More Technology Exports31:44 Growing the Team and Protecting Culture35:28 Moving from Technical Work to CEO38:57 How NZTE Helped Company-X Export41:41 Advice for New Zealand Exporters44:08 What Comes Next for Company-XShow Notes:Sir Paul Callaghan's impactful speech on Mapping our Future, from Strategy NZ 2011 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhCAyIllnXY Follow Company-X here:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/company.x.ltdYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@company-x-ltdLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/company-x-ltdWebsite - https://companyx.comThis Podcast is brought to you by Duoplus – The Digital Marketing Agency for businesses focused on growth. Find out more here: https://www.duoplus.nzFollow: NZ Innovation & Export Podcast:Website - https://www.duoplus.nz/podcastFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastTik-Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nzinnovationandexportYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@NZInnovationExportPodcastSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4OJb33uLpmSecvkYVdSKC5Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nz-innovation-export-podcast/id1883810064

What if one of milk’s most valuable ingredients is found in only a tiny concentration, but can deliver significant health benefits? Quantec co-founder Rod Claycomb explains how an unsuccessful on-farm technology project led to the discovery of IDP, a high-value milk protein ingredient now used in supplements, skincare and other health products.Rod shares the pivots, failed ideas, export lessons, and commercial decisions behind a business earning more than 95% of its revenue offshore.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction1:05 Turning Milk Into Health Ingredients3:20 The Discovery Behind IDP6:36 How Quantec Began10:45 Knowing When To Pivot16:06 When To Stop Or Keep Investing18:06 Patents, Brands And Intellectual Property20:54 Proving IDP With Finished Products24:17 How Quantec Entered Mexico27:53 Building An Export Business In China30:29 Why Every Business Needs An Export32:21 All Good Ventures And Social Enterprise36:08 Stepping Down From The CEO Role40:29 Investing Heavily In Innovation42:02 New Zealand’s Export Opportunity46:59 What Comes Next For QuantecFollow Quantec here:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/quantec-limitedYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@QuantecLtdWebsite - https://www.quantec.co.nzFollow All Good Ventures here:Website - https://www.allgood.venturesFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/allgoodventuresInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/allgoodventuresLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/all-good-venturesThis Podcast is brought to you by Duoplus – The Digital Marketing Agency for businesses focused on growth.Find out more here: https://www.duoplus.nzFollow: NZ Innovation & Export Podcast:Website - https://www.duoplus.nz/podcastFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/nzinnovationexportpodcastTik-Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nzinnovationandexportYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@NZInnovationExportPodcastSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4OJb33uLpmSecvkYVdSKC5Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nz-innovation-export-podcast/id1883810064