| Previous | Image 1 of 3 | Next |
 |
| Otago Polytechnic Product Development Centre manager Campbell Booth with resin objects created in the centre's 3D computer printer. Photos by Peter McIntosh. |
If Campbell Booth has his way, Dunedin will soon forge a
reputation as a leading centre of innovation and design.
And he expects the Polytechnic Product Development Centre he
manages will play a major role in that.
The centre provides the specialised equipment and the trained
staff to enable people to refine the design of new products
and take them to the prototype stage.
Mr Booth, who was appointed about 18 months ago, said while
it had been a "challenging" first full year for the centre,
he was confident everything was in place for big things this
year.
"We've been through the establishment phase to the staff
training phase and final commissioning.
We have a steady flow of work . . . and we're [already]
building a portfolio of runs on the board.
"We are expecting major growth.
"I'm very confident about that.
"The response to what we have to offer has been overwhelming
from a community which is keen to get on and do things."
Last year had been more difficult than expected, as the
recession struck about the time the centre was accepting its
first clients.
The downturn resulted in businesses concentrating on their
day-to-day operations rather than the development of new
products.
The Government's decision to reduce the tax credit available
to New Zealand companies carrying out research and
development was also "an unexpected blow", Mr Booth said.
"This has been a challenging period.
"But certainly, there is an opportunity and as a good a
reason as any now for companies to come up with new products
and new solutions to solve these challenges."
Mr Booth said the centre, with its combination of the latest
technology and staff passionate about turning ideas into
realities, was "a gift to the region".
