Company brings work back to NZ

A world-leading technology company launched out of a research project at Waikato University is bringing its manufacturing business home from overseas.

To Christchurch.

Endace, the Kiwi network monitoring technology company, is bringing its $5 million manufacturing business back to New Zealand. Its product development hub is still based in Hamilton.

The company was launched 10 years ago from a research project at Waikato University.

It now produces a range of products that monitor, measure and secure high-speed networks.

Prime Minster John Key was expected to today watch the first product, a network monitoring card, roll off the assembly line in Christchurch.

Endace founder and chairman Dr Ian Graham said the move to manufacture in New Zealand made commercial sense, following a thorough investigation of options throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

He said the company's product development hub would still be based in Hamilton, its headquarters in Auckland.

"For us, this means better quality control, greater production flexibility and vastly improved communications. We're delighted to be manufacturing here and to help prove that New Zealand can be a competitive place to build hi-tech products."

He said the company had chosen to partner with Christchurch-based GPC Electronics, and Christchurch offered world-class technology companies and a skilled work-force.

Robert Wallis, general manager of GPC Electronics, said the contract provided a guaranteed volume of work through the Christchurch manufacturing facility which would result in more jobs at all levels, from production staff to professional engineers.

"This helps both GPC Electronics and the electronics manufacturing industry in New Zealand remain competitive by maintaining and developing the entire infrastructure required in a fast-moving technology industry."

The Christchurch production involves manufacturing circuit boards with as many as 1100 individual components in a board the size of your hand.

These include high-value programmable silicon chips, some with as many as 1152 contact points contained within a square package the size of a postage stamp, requiring placement accuracy measured in micrometres.

Endace spends more than 20 per cent of its revenue on research and development.

- © Fairfax NZ News