Hi-tech displays awe visitors
They say innovation is changing the way we do business and this was professionally demonstrated by the Tulloch site at National Fieldays.
Some things have changed: the lake beneath the main pavilion was filled in to create new stand space, and a new one has been constructed at the north end of the site where the tractor pull used to be. The tractor pull is now on the eastern side of the site next to the river and now sits in an amphitheatre with its heavy metal fans looking down.
Talking to the exhibitors, the other big change noted was the general theme of covering one’s backside with the implementation of new health and safety rules as required by WorkSafe NZ.
During the set-up phase, nearly 5000 people were inducted into safety on site and given blindingly obvious instructions – not to stand under machines, fall off ladders or poke fingers into electrical sockets. Of course hi–viz vests were haute-couture, to prevent you from any of these eventualities. One day the nanny state will start teaching common sense in schools.
Catching up with lots of old faces on the machinery lines revealed a hint of trepidation at the start of the event: the news of the low dairy payout, a beat-up on TV news of Fonterra layoffs, and the live sheep exports from Timaru on the first night. However, as the event progressed, reports coming back suggested there was life beyond milk powder, which gave rise to good enquiries and generated some orders.
Again, the Innovations Awards area was a hive of activity and showcased that particular brand of New Zealander who spotted a problem, thought out and built a prototype and then put it up for scrutiny amongst their peers. They certainly are a different breed from the rest of us – who see a problem, call a tradesman and then moan about the bill.
Some things don’t change, however: the set-up days when all access is through gate 2 only and results in a big traffic jam in the middle of the site; the machinery distributors who insist on getting a few extra machines on the site when they know they shouldn’t and the resultant knocked shins.
Compound this with the majority of food stalls selling food that would make fast food outlets cringe – no butter on the rolls (come on Fonterra) and the only accompaniment being Watties red… wow, ever heard of English mustard or horseradish sauce?
Oh and of course, the weather – it’s wet…it’s dry… it’s windy, but you know that’s what makes Fieldays. And we’ll all be back again in 2016.
