Another inspirational success in design, development and manufacturing
Auckland-based KANDO Innovation, headed by Keith Blenkinsopp, is a New Zealand manufacturing company that inspires innovation and success through world-leading design and technology. This has led to major export sales in the competitive international markets of America and Europe.
KANDO Innovation began with the drive and objective of making New Zealand and international markets safer, more efficient, and more confident, leading to a safer workplace by developing and implementing the latest technology. Leveraging the latest in engineering, automation, machining, vision technologies and more, the idea was to maximise competitive advantage whilst meeting the challenges of safety, skilled labour shortages and minimising downtime and wastage in the industry.
Advanced Okuma CNC machines and robotics today play an essential part in this strategy, with the first Okuma machine purchased in 2019 and now with an additional four machines following the Okuma Monozukuri philosophy in “The Art of Making Things Better”. KANDO’s Managing Director Keith Blenkinsopp commented, “The investment in Okuma is always the first we look at due to design, unparalleled service, robustness, precision and user-friendly programming.”
KANDO Innovation is the home of the Guardian Bandsaw and the world’s first and only automated mussel opener, each developed with engineers working closely with industry leaders on innovative ways to automate and improve repetitive manual and potentially dangerous processes. The Guardian Bandsaws are manufactured in various sizes to meet the market demand in the meat industry and supermarket butcheries. These machines incorporate world-leading safety technology to keep workers safe.
Today, the company employs more than eighty personnel, plus ten in the USA, and has an in-house design team of twenty covering disciplines such as software, mechanical, electrical, and industrial design. KANDO has a positive approach to training, with five apprentices under training in machining, fabrication, and assembly operations.
The latest innovation from the KANDO design team is a meat membrane skinner designed for the meat industry. It incorporates world-leading safety vision technology and is about to be released. The industry will welcome this advanced machine due to its safety features and innovative technology.
With exports already a significant part of its manufacturing output, KANDO Innovation is poised for further major expansion. It has geared up to be ready for the rapid uptake of its tested and proven Guardian Brand Bandsaws and the latest membrane skinner machine, with advanced orders from the USA and new markets opening up in Europe.
“Once we build and install the systems and technologies for our clients, the same team that was first engaged with the customer to capture and incorporate the lessons for success are involved in the installation, training and ongoing service and support,” said Keith Blenkinsopp.
Newly appointed Okuma New Zealand Manager Karl Medley said, “This is a proud and innovative Okuma machining shop that will be a pleasure to work closely with in further developments following the amazing work of my predecessor.”