Standards key to winning lucrative Australian contracts

Electrical equipment company Jackson Electrical has

grown substantially over 36 years and its products

have featured widely on major projects in the

Australian oil, gas, and coal industries.

The Auckland-based company specialises in

designing, manufacturing, and supplying electrical

equipment for use on large construction sites.

Managing Director, Jim Jackson and General

Manager, Terry Daly both place a huge importance on

the use of Standards as it allows them entry into those

lucrative Australian markets.

Terry says one of the reasons the company does so

well is because it reacts to situations very quickly and

can show compliance with the regulations.

‘The Standards part of it plays a huge role in Australia.’

Jim adds that some Australian sites are very trade

group oriented.

‘Employers demand a product in accordance with

Standards that ensure their staff safety, that works

well, and demonstrates compliance with industry

requirements. We’ve done that for 30 plus years now

and it’s been beneficial to our company. We’ve raised

the bar on construction site power reticulation in New

Zealand and Australia and we continue to do that.

Without joint Australian/New Zealand Standards there

would be a bunch of cowboys at work.’

Some of the more important Standards for Jackson

Electrical include AS/NZS 3190 Approval and test

specification – Residual current devices (current-

operated earth-leakage devices) for safety switches,

a declared article in New Zealand, and the IEC 60309

series Plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for industrial

Every day Standards and standardisation make a difference in the lives of New Zealanders.

Standards solutions help to keep our homes, buildings, playgrounds, and health services safe.

They can also be used to protect our environment and to improve the quality of goods and services.

Employers demand a product in accordance with Standards that ensure their staff safety, that works well, and demonstrates compliance with industry requirements Jim Jackson, Managing Director, Jackson Electrical

purposes which is now a commonly used European Standard. Also commonly used is AS/NZS 3112 Approval and test specification – Plugs and socket-

outlets which specifies a special type of flat pin socket outlet, modified by AS/NZS 3012 Electrical

installations – Construction and demolition sites, which has a particular requirement for construction sites in Australia. All these Standards have to comply with a rigorous regime of tests and requirements such as for fire ratings, metal contact surfaces, weatherproofing, and endurance testing.

While the Australian market is important, Jackson Electrical also has a presence in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Fiji, and here at home; being the manufacturer they can build to their clients’ specifications.

In New Zealand, the company has been involved in the transport industry working on major tunnel projects, including Manapouri, the Puhoi Motorway Tunnel in Auckland, and the Britomart Transport Centre. Other spin-offs include tooling for America’s Cup yacht masts as well as designing and manufacturing complex control systems for super yachts. Those control systems have to comply with the Lloyds Register of Shipping, which has a whole series of Standards that must be adhered to for insurance and safety reasons.

Standards are extremely important to Jackson Electrical, so much so that Terry is actively involved with various committees formulating the Standards through Standards New Zealand and Standards Australia. He believes Standards play a crucial role in what they do and that supporting Standards is the way of the future.

‘Standards protect our company, protect our clients, and offer reassurance that the products we supply are safe and fit for purpose.’

Without joint Australian/New Zealand Standards there would be a bunch of

cowboys at work Jim Jackson, Managing Director, Jackson Electrical

SECTOR

ELECTRICAL

KEY BENEFITS OF STANDARDS

• KEEP PEOPLE SAFE AND PREVENT ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES

• SHOW COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS

• EASIER ACCESS TO OVERSEAS MARKETS

Standards New Zealand is New Zealand’s leading developer of Standards and Standards-

based solutions. Standards New Zealand is the operating arm of the Standards Council, an

autonomous Crown entity operating under the Standards Act 1988.

0800 782 632 | enquiries@standards.co.nz | www.standards.co.nz

APRIL 2013