A Kiwi Original

Des takes us through the history of Arrow Uniforms along with the changes and challenges faced along the way and the advantages of being a New Zealand company.

Show notes:

00:58     Facing challenges as a business

04:00     Processes and customization

06:55     The impact of uniforms in the workplace

09:25     Product quality

11:54     The extent of technology use in the business

16:19     Trend changes

19:25     Building a team and a business

25:16     Processes and determining the right garment for the client

29:49     Sustainability in the business

34:27     Being New Zealand Made

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.akiwioriginal.com

Launched in 2020, SafeStack Academy is an online cyber security and privacy education platform made by SafeStack.

In this episode, we talk all things software and cyber security with Safestack founder Laura Bell.

Show notes:

01:02     Introducing digital security to small businesses

02:15     Expanding beyond anti-virus software

04:03     Psychology of social engineers

05:55     Development of secure code

08:40     The future of software development in New Zealand

11:54     academy.safestack.io

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.akiwioriginal.com

Pizzas got us through lockdown 2020... as thankfully Turkish Bread were an essential business meaning they could keep supplying supermarkets pizza bases. There's more to the origin story of how Ken Vaughan founded Turkish Bread.In this episode you'll learn: - the origin story of Turkish Bread.- why machines aren't the answer when it comes to making delicious pizza bases, garlic breads and naans.- they're innovation with cauliflower based pizzas (which I can personally vouch for their deliciousness). - how they became New Zealand's largest supplier of pizza bases.

When Hugo and I left, we were laden down with free products... and Ken shared two pizza making tips. 1. Coat the edges with a little oil to crisp it up. 2. Always use a pizza stone!#akiwioriginal

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.akiwioriginal.com

CSP Pacific in Onehunga make steel lighting columns out of the best of New Zealand steel which get installed throughout New Zealand. You know the street lights you see outside your house? That gets made by CSP Pacific.

In this episode, Neil Watson shares his backstory of running his own business in the UK and then switching to Fletchers when he began working in New Zealand. Neil shares the opportunities that Fletchers provides, the enthusiasm and willingness to learn that's needed and what's on the go right now.

We also touch on the impact of slower shipping lines and how CSP Pacific are benefiting by manufacturing local.

Lets's take a listen.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.akiwioriginal.com

In 1980, MAGIQ software was founded...it started with three brothers who had an inkling about the potential of computers to help solve difficult problems.

Over the next 30 years, they developed and grew their business and software product.

"We decided that these companies really needed some packaged software. Our theme was to alight upon something that would be difficult for others to do."

Now, their local government software is used in Australia, the US and in New Zealand...

…and it all started before most New Zealanders had even touched a personal computer.

One of the Art Deco buildings in Napier, New Zealand that the Benson brothers have lovingly restored.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.akiwioriginal.com

Phill Jones has been hand-making cajon box drums from his workshop in Hastings since 2009.

“The cajon is very versatile and a good way of getting in to music, especially if you love tapping on things. You can transfer that on to this instrument quite easily. I’m a musician myself and I want to build a really good version of this instrument. I didn’t want to compromise.”

In our chat, we discuss the handmaking process and what inspires Phill to make this unique Peruvian instrument in New Zealand. People love the sound of Phill's drums.

They have been used by bands across Aotearoa and in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra… but more than that… you can get one and bring it out after the BBQ to have a sing along and tap on the drums.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.akiwioriginal.com

Delicious food at the end of an epic day of adventuring in New Zealand’s wilderness is what Back Country Cuisine promises and delivers on.

"My focus has been to make the packet look as good on the outside as the meal looks on the inside." Tony Caudwell.

In this episode you'll learn about:

- considerations when rebranding a product.

- introduction of new products to a range.

- how Covid has improved demand in Australia and the United States.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.akiwioriginal.com

B.J Carter are builders…started by Brian Carter in the early 1960's, that got into manufacturing wool insulation for a warmer Kiwi homes.

Ceiling, under-floor and wall insulation are their specialty products and if you’re in the Southland region, they’ll install it too without the need for renovation.

In this episode you’ll learn about the 100% natural wool ceiling insulation, Envirowool and what R rating you should insulate your home in.

Show notes:

01:24     The advantages of using Envirowool

07:22     Early Challenges

08:29     The science of heat loss and insulation

17:36     A competitive market

21:56     BJ Carter is primarily a construction business

22:47     Encouraging interest in a building career

25:44     The immediacy of the housing market

28:18     Taking pride in Southland

Show summary:

James talks about his company BJ Carter Builders and Insulators, their unique natural product Envirowool, the science of insulation, and the advantages of running a business out of Southland.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.akiwioriginal.com

The ideal cup is more than the coffee or tea you love. It’s also about what happens to the cup after you’ve enjoyed your tasty beverage. IdealCup is driven be being better for the environment for coffee shops and cafes around New Zealand.

"It was a hobby or pipe dream but Nick persevered, and he was determined that he was going to develop something that was going to change the face of reuse in the coffee industry. After three years, he said 'I think I've got it."

The back story - Stephanie Fry had run her own coffee shop so knew firsthand how many single use coffee cups they were sending to landfill. Her husband Nick did the numbers for single use coffee cups for the whole of New Zealand and found the scale quite shocking.

They decided to do something about it. Learn what happens next in this episode.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.akiwioriginal.com

I have a candid chat with Glen Herud who put it all on the line for Happy Cow Milk.

In this episode you'll learn:

- the business model to bring milk distribution back to the farm gate and increase margins and control for the farmer.

- the miniaturisation technology that will eliminate the need for farmers to truck milk to a processor by creating a 'milk factory in a box'.

- Glen's business journey to date and his refreshing honesty about it.

Glen Herud is a visionary when it comes to the future of milk supply globally. His milk 'factory in a box' innovation is the latest in the trend towards dispersion of technology and away from centralised solutions.

In the case of milk, Glen is solving the problem of 'how do we make it so farmers around the world can sell to their local customers?'

Distribution, bottling, pasteurisation, loading and unloading and washing everything are necessary yet expensive activities in milk production. In the 20th century this was solved with centralised model. In the 21st century, Glen believes are distributed solution closer to the farm gate will prevail.

I love how open Glen is about his mission, the failures along the way and the exciting point that Glen’s gotten the business too now.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.akiwioriginal.com