Network monitoring technology company Endace has set up its $5 million manufacturing business in Christchurch, after investigating options throughout the Asia Pacific region.
Launched 10 years ago from a research project at the University of Waikato, Endace produces a range of products that monitor, measure and secure high speed networks.
Prime Minister John Key took the first product - a DAG network monitoring card - produced in this country off the assembly line in Christchurch today.
Endace founder and chairman Ian Graham said the move to manufacture in New Zealand made good commercial sense.
"Bringing our manufacturing to New Zealand means that it's closer to our Auckland headquarters and our Hamilton product development hub," Dr Graham said.
"For us, this means better quality control, greater production flexibility and vastly improved communications."
Christchurch had world class technology companies and a skilled work-force, so partnering with GPC Electronics for Endace's contract manufacturing was a natural choice.
GPC general manager Robert Wallis said the contract provided a guaranteed volume of work through GPC's Christchurch manufacturing facility and would result in additional job opportunities at all levels, from production staff to professional engineers.
"Secondly, it supports a critical mass for the industry in Christchurch and New Zealand. This helps both GPC Electronics and the electronics manufacturing industry," Mr Wallis said.
Endace said the Christchurch production involved highly technical manufacturing of circuit boards with as many as 1100 individual components in a board the size of a hand.
