INSPIRED BY KIWI INNOVATION
EKanoo racing's world record-breaking Porsche 911 Turbo tuned by ESMotor. It did the 1/4 mile in 8.99 sec at 160mph using a Dodson Motorsport PDK clutch. For the average person a car is an object, a mode of transport, something to be used, admired but not modified. For motor enthusiasts (a unique subset of society) - a car is more like a child, something to be developed, a passion, a project, a piece of ‘you’ the owner.
Much like how parents will spend thousands of dollars to fulfill their child's potential, the multi-million dollar aftermarket car modification industry is based on a simple question, "How can we make it better?” Dodson Motorsport has established itself as a world leader in the production of dual clutch transmission systems by providing answers to that very question. Based in Auckland’s Grow North Innovation District in Wairau Valley on the North Shore, Dodson Motorsport was founded in 2000 by automotive engineer Glenn Cupit and Harry Dodson of Dodson Autospares. Having built a name for themselves in motorsport tuning, fabrication and development, the company now offers a wide range of transmission upgrades for high performance and high-end vehicles. The company is now one of New Zealand’s top exporters. With a global network of over 200 dealers in 50 countries, enthusiasts can access performance parts worldwide. Dodson’s patented components are renowned for handling higher horsepower and torque, reducing heat, and improving grip and reliability. “As the car manufacturers rolled out dual clutches more than ten years ago, Dodson found unique ways to redesign and modify the transmission," says Dodson Motorsport General Manager, Steven Parker. “We concentrated on high strength and high performance and developed a niche market. We were not driven by reducing cost but providing the best possible outcome.” One may wonder how you improve on parts that have been meticulously designed by large car companies? Where do you begin to redesign and upgrade? Design Process When designing aftermarket parts, Dodson engineers start by focusing on the weakest points and providing strengthening to withstand higher loads. Through careful analysis, designers can modify the structure and select manufacturing processes and materials to cope with high performance loads. Products are prototyped and then undergo meticulous testing before being released to the market. The end result is that car owners can push their vehicles to the limits and utilise the extra power developed from aftermarket modifications. To promote their products, Dodson sponsors some of the fastest cars in the world including the fastest BMW FX8, Porshce PDK, Nissan GT-R and MK7 VW Golf drag racing cars. Their products are regularly tested in track and time trial racing environments as well, to ensure reliability and durability. Dodson’s accolades and achievements are growing. In their quest to further develop manufacturing technologies, the company has partnered with Auckland University of Technology’s Faculty of Engineering to develop advanced induction hardening methods for complex steel parts. Dodson has been awarded a three to five year Callaghan Growth Grant for Research and Development. It’s recently been named a Finalist in Westpac Business Awards 2016 and 2017 – International Trade. The New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) has also provided backing recently to promote Dodson in the 2017 PRI (Performance Racing Industry) trade show in Indianapolis, Indiana. Where to next Having upgraded the clutch systems on a range of high performance vehicles including Nissan, Mitsubishi, VW, Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Porsche and Lamborghini, Parker is confident about the company’s future; “We are releasing more products, we have a design pipeline running for the next five years and we are diversifying into other brands of vehicles and new markets.” In the race to push limits in performance and innovation, Dodson Motorsport is only just gearing up.
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Shore Junction will foster youth innovation and cater to high school and tertiary learners, including students that don’t necessarily fit into the traditional school mould.
In an ever-changing world that’s complicated and at times confusing, as a young person the pressure to make the right decisions and succeed can be overwhelming. Shore Junction is being designed and developed in direct response to the needs and challenges of today’s youth. It’s an exciting new project that really gets young people and will measurably improve their wellbeing. Shore Junction was initially conceptualised and developed by YOUnite which is the local youth board for Devonport-Takapuna. Construction is currently underway to transform the former Takapuna RSA into ‘two levels of amazing’. It is set to open in January 2019. The centre will cater to high school and tertiary learners, including students that don’t necessarily fit into the traditional school mould. The aim is to provide a space where creativity and self-expression is celebrated and everyone is accepted. Students are encouraged to try new things and meet new people. Shore Junction will provide technical facilities, integrated courses and events that encourage young people to successfully transition to further education, enterprise and employment. It will allow them to develop the critical skills, connections and networks to innovate and succeed in a modern economy. Community Director, Melanie Barr explains, “My personal objectives are to ensure that Shore Junction creates a positive imprint on the community and provides a safe environment for students to create, collaborate, innovate and learn.” The Shore Junction community is made up of individuals, businesses, youth, parents, schools and government representatives all working towards a supportive and youth-friendly community. “Takapuna has so much going on, the whole North Shore does. We are spoilt by the number of engineering and tech companies based in Takapuna, the business expertise available on our front door and the atmosphere of the community is always positive and upbeat,” says Barr. Pioneering tomorrow’s generation of change-makers, Shore Junction is set to become another important player in the Grow North Innovation District ecosystem. An ecosystem that will foster talent, validate ideas and take them to the global market quickly. BEP Marine designs and manufactures an extensive range of high quality electrical components for the harsh marine and mobile automotive markets. Performance and reliability are critical to withstanding the most extreme and unforgiving conditions at sea and on land. Technology has and continues to transform our outdoor experiences. As the need for safer and more extreme pursuits on land and at sea increases, so does the demand for reliable high-quality electrical solutions that support this ever amounting technology and its functions. Leading the charge with their award-winning range of electrical solutions is BEP Marine Ltd. BEP Marine was founded in 1995. Its headquarters are located in Albany in the Grow North Innovation District. BEP and CZone brand products have become a New Zealand success story and the go-to power management and digital switching solutions across the globe. BEP Marine is owned by Power Products LLC, a global manufacturer and supplier of electrical products for construction and maintenance, recreational marine and specialty vehicles, industrial power, and transportation – global sister brands Including Ancor, Blue Sea Systems, Marinco, Mastervolt and more. BEP Marine designs and manufactures an extensive range of high quality electrical components for the harsh marine and mobile automotive markets under the BEP and CZone brands. For BEP’s range of power management products, performance and reliability are critical to withstanding the most extreme and unforgiving conditions at sea and on land. BEP has been a quality brand in the market for over two decades, trusted by industry leading boat builders and the product of choice for electrical installers. CZone’s digital switching solution offers leading innovation in simplifying control and monitoring for complete onboard electrical systems and integrated products. With one touch CZone's intelligent management simplifies operation by combining multiple circuits through Mode selection, offers effortless Monitoring oversight of key systems and components while retaining advanced Control of specific circuits and functions. Following on from the ongoing success of CZone digital switching innovations, BEP Marine continues to engineer innovative products that simplify the installation of electrical systems and provide value to their customers. Products that are user friendly, reduce assembly time and save space. Their product line has expanded to include a broad range of circuit protection, batteries and battery management, power distribution panels, monitors and digital switching technology. With a global sales and a support network that stretches across the APAC, EMEA and the Americas, all technical, support and installation queries can be resolved quickly and successfully to ensure the customers remain confident in the product and problem free. BEP and CZone have been stacking up the accolades, most recently with the Boating Industry recently naming the CZone's Combination Output Interface (COI) one of the top 50 products of 2017. Building on the BEP legacy, BEP Marine and the wider Power Products company will continue to leverage new technology and innovate new products that are technically excellent and commercially competitive. |
AuthorsGrow North articles are written by CEOs that call the Grow North Innovation District home. Edited by Kel Marsh. A free service. See more Innovative Kiwi stories
March 2019
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