New project for Rankin Harper

Press, 29 June 1983, Page 22

New project for Rankin Harper

Wellington reporter Rankin Harper, Ltd, a small Christchurch firm specialising in the manufacture of machines designed by research groups, is about to begin work on a new project. It will begin work today on production of a dough mixer immediately the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Shearer, licenses the firm to use the Crown copyright, and to produce and market it. The mixer was designed by D.S.I.R. for use in the

Wheat Research Institute’s laboratory, but the baking industry called for its commercial manufacture, and Rankin Harper got the job. The firm expects to make at first six units, with a price tag of $25,000 and to later sell another six. It is also looking to markets in Australia. Rankin Harper has already made a prototype. Dr Shearer will formally license the firm today, and royalties will be paid to the Government. The firm has made and

marketed three other items designed by research groups: an electronic device for weighing and grading sheep carcases, of which four are now installed in freezing works; equipment for fusing, printing and patching garments, of which 57 have been sold, and which won the 1973 Designmark award; and a gall extraction unit, installed in New Zealand and Australian freezing works, of which 30 have been sold. Gall extracted and exported to France has earned New Zealand SIM a year.