Earthquake Engineering Technology Business Cluster Incorporated

Earthquake Engineering New Zealand (EENZ)

Back

Background Information on Membership

A consequence of Wellington's unique geological situation is that it has become the New Zealand centre of the earthquake engineering technology sector.

New Zealand is recognised as a world leader in earthquake engineering, with practical examples of internationally innovative technology such as seismic isolation dampers, as well as engineering consultancy, advice and education.

The aim of the cluster is to build on this reputation to generate business applications of these skills.

In November 1998, the Earthquake Engineering Technology business cluster became an incorporated society at an official launching by Wellington Mayor Mark Blumsky. It has subsequently been actively marketig the services of cluster members for specific project opportunities in a number of countries including Turkey, India and elsewhere.

What are the benefits?

Being part of this joint offshore focused business initiative provides an easy way to be part of the action to attract off shore work for New Zealand Earthquake Engineering Technology businesses.

As an example, it can make it easier for individual businesses to network and collaborate together to pitch for major offshore Project work, as well as use these business networks and joint marketing promotional initiatives such as the Earthquake Engineering Technology web site to complement their own prospecting and proposals.

How can you and your business participate?

There are three membership options.

Limited Liability Members are typically New Zealand small to medium sized businesses, who gain benefits from networking and from being part of joint marketing initiatives. These are businesses who appreciate the value of working in loose knit flexible ways with other businesses so as to best complement their own skills and resources with those of other businesses. They recognise the value of business relationships as a way of strengthening and growing their business.

Full Company Members are typically New Zealand companies and organisations who are happy to support the growth of the cluster for the greater good of all the businesses involved, and recognise that a strong Earthquake Engineering Technology business cluster supports their business providing them with long term benefits. These businesses appreciate the value of strategic alliances with other businesses, including the positive value gained from working with creative smaller businesses. Full Company Members may also be in a position to offer quality assurance and project management services to the cluster.

Individual Members are typically New Zealanders working overseas who want to keep involved and network with the businesses back in New Zealand, as well as supportive individuals in New Zealand who are not part of businesses and organisations that are members.

(Note that this business cluster was incorporated in 1998 and has administration support provided by Positively Wellington Business, the Wellington Regional Economic Development Trust. The organisers of the cluster reserve the right to decline an application.)

How long will the initial Membership fee be useful for?

Memberships are for the current financial year. The above membership fees are for the 2004/2005 financial year, with a review and setting of the membership fees for the 2005/2006 financial year due at tha AGM due to be held in May/June 2005.

What is the procedure for paying Membership fees?

On completion and acceptance of the member application form (a copy is on the web site, or we can email you one), you will be sent an invoice and will also be added to the web site.

What are the initial marketing initiatives?

The initial marketing initiative was the establishment of a promotional Earthquake Engineering Technology web site that establishes an initial international joint identity for this business cluster and the individual businesses and other organisations involved.

The web site provides an easy and economical way to ensure it is easy to keep up to date with ongoing "news and events" and find useful other business network contacts and information.

This has been followed by a series of marketing initiatives both to raise the aeareness of key decision makers and opinion leaders within New Zealand ad in particular to target specific project opportunities overseas. Major collaborative marketing and joint bid processes are underway in Turkey and in India, as well as a Wellington Tianjin Earthquake Mitigation Initiative in China, the building of relationships with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank, and other initiatives elsewhere.

Earthquake Engineering Technology Business Cluster Executive:

The governance of the cluster is operated through an executive with ongoing support from Council supported Wellington Regional Economic Development Trust ("Absolutely Positively Wellington"). Regular bi-monthly Executive and Members' Meetings are held to plan and implement marketing and other initiatives.

The Cluster Chairman is David Hopkins of David Hopkins Consulting Ltd (phone +64 4 384 3903 and email dhcl@xtra.co.nz).

Who is helping to support this business cluster initiative?

This initiative is sponsored by the Wellington, Hutt, upper Hutt and Porirua City Councils with the advisory assistance from New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE), as part of the Wellington Business Clusters Project (Positively Wellington Business).

For further information contact:

Positively Wellington Business Professional Service Manager Tui Te Hau
tui@positivelywellingtonbusiness.co.nz
phone: +64 4 494 2552

or

Cluster Facilitator Graeme Carroll
CarrollGould@compuserve.com
phone: +64 4 470 5554, +64 21 435 401