Space Trailblazer Space Factory Tours - in partnership with Advanced Manufacturing Aotearoa

Are you interested in positioning your business into the rapidly growing Space Sector?

Experience an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour where you'll engage directly with the brilliant engineers, visionary scientists, and pioneering entrepreneurs at the forefront of space technology. Explore cutting-edge facilities, witness groundbreaking innovations, and gain unparalleled insights into the advancements that are propelling the global space industry.   This is your chance to connect with the minds shaping New Zealand’s space sector and to understand what’s involved in supplying the space sector, i.e. time, audits, quality standards, security, export controls. 

Places limited to 18 participants.

Tour Leaders:

• Jess Covich – CEO, Space Trailblazer (Space Trailblazer was founded off the back of the Callaghan Arohia Trailblazer Seed Grant to pioneer commercial space opportunities for the New Zealand space industry. Our mission now is to guide clients through new markets, integrating expertise with global opportunities. Through our teams industry analyses and global networks, we are bridging sectors to drive innovation in space.
• Catherine Lye – CEO, Advanced Manufacturing Aotearoa

2-Day Tour price:

$899.00 plus GST (plus $60.00 booking fee)

(Registration includes transport, lunch and merchandise (including a very special limited-edition bottle of Whisky by Eltom Whiskey at Outset Ventures)

NB:  To be eligible for the Tour you must be a New Zealand or Australian Resident.  If not, then please state your country of citizenship.  Passports will be required at Inmarsat.

For more information - contact Catherine Lye info@amanz.nz 

Day 1 – Space Manufacturing Factory Tour Schedule

PYRAMID ENGINEERING - join us for an exclusive tour of Pyramid Engineering, a premier family-owned business that spans three generations of passion and innovation. As a trailblazer in high-precision CNC engineering for the space sector, Pyramid Engineering has earned a global reputation for its unmatched expertise and craftsmanship. Experience the dedication of their skilled team and see the state-of-the-art tooling equipment that drives their success in delivering cutting-edge solutions for space projects around the world.

C-TECH LTD - join us on a tour of C-Tech, New Zealand's leading manufacturer of advanced space composites. Renowned for its cutting-edge engineering and manufacturing excellence, C-Tech has established itself as a key player in the space and yachting industries. Discover how C-Tech's expertise in people, technology, and processes drives the production of high-performance composites for a wide range of applications. Witness firsthand the significant role of advanced materials science and its potential to shape the future of space exploration and competitive sailing.

ADEPT LTD - explore the world of Adept Ltd, a distinguished manufacturer founded by Murray Fenton in 1969, specializing in space-grade and medical-grade plastic injection moulding. Their extensive facilities showcase a commitment to innovation and quality craftsmanship, serving the precise demands of the space industry.

Adept Ltd excels in in-house tooling manufacturing, allowing them to create intricate plastic moulds with precision. By continuously investing in advanced tooling and robotics, they stay ahead of the curve, meeting the evolving needs of the global space sector.

With a workforce that spans generations, the company fosters a strong collaborative culture and prioritises professional development. With over five decades of expertise, Adept Ltd has earned its reputation as a trusted partner in the space industry, consistently delivering to exacting standards and cultivating long-term client relationships. 

NAUTECH- Nautech stands at the forefront of space manufacturing, renowned for its cutting-edge electronic solutions tailored for the space industry. With state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to excellence, Nautech specialises in designing and producing high-reliability electronic components that meet the rigorous demands of space applications. Their advanced manufacturing processes, coupled with a highly skilled team, ensure precision and quality at every step. As a trusted partner in the space sector, Nautech plays a crucial role in powering the technologies that drive exploration and innovation beyond our planet.

Day 2 – Space Manufacturing Facility Tour Schedule

INMARSAT - Discover Inmarsat, a global leader in delivering extensive networks for critical applications in space, telecommunications, and marine communication. Established in London in 1979, Inmarsat's New Zealand operations are headquartered in Rosedale, where the country's strategic location plays a vital role in supporting space ground stations. This enhances Inmarsat's ability to provide essential data worldwide. Access to the Rosedale site is strictly limited to authorized personnel, ensuring the highest levels of security and operational integrity.

NZ’s DEFENCE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CENTRE - located at the Navy base in Devonport, is dedicated to enhancing the nation’s capabilities through rigorous research, testing, and implementation of advanced solutions in areas such as space operations and cybersecurity. This secure facility serves as a central hub for innovation, where cutting-edge technologies are developed and refined. Experts at the Centre work tirelessly to ensure that New Zealand stays at the forefront of defense technology, tackling both current and emerging challenges in an increasingly complex security environment.

MAINFREIGHT AIR & OCEAN - a renowned New Zealand company founded by Sir Don Braid in 1978, has become a trailblazer in the logistics and warehousing industry. Under Braid's visionary leadership, Mainfreight has evolved into one of the world's most respected providers of 4PL logistics solutions. The company has set a benchmark for the industry by prioritising its people, proving that a people-centric approach can drive exceptional business outcomes—a value that aligns closely with New Zealand’s manufacturing sector.

For over a decade, Mainfreight has delivered top-tier services to the space industry, partnering with some of the biggest names in the field to manage the import and export of critical space equipment. Their state-of-the-art facilities, located at their Ocean and Air headquarters at Auckland Airport, are meticulously designed to meet the needs of the space sector. These facilities feature restricted access areas, temperature-controlled environments, and advanced processing capabilities, ensuring the highest levels of security and efficiency in handling complex logistics for space operations.

OUTSET VENTURES - a leading force in nurturing New Zealand's brightest innovators, particularly in an era where global challenges like decarbonisation, clean energy, and healthcare demand urgent solutions. Outset Ventures is dedicated to driving deep tech advancements that create meaningful change, perfectly aligning with the critical need for technological innovation in these areas.

With a proven track record in deep tech, Outset Ventures excels at identifying and securing the most promising market opportunities. Their portfolio includes notable success stories like Rocket Lab and Lanzatech—start-ups that have achieved international prominence and are now publicly listed in the US. Numerous other ventures are also in development, all focused on creating transformative solutions with the potential to change the world.

The facilities at Outset Ventures are second to none, designed to attract top-tier companies and visionary founders. With state-of-the-art laboratories and bespoke private spaces, their infrastructure is tailored to support early-stage ventures and enable scalable growth.

A unique highlight of Outset Ventures is the Eltom Distillery, where groundbreaking processes are being developed to turn water into whisky in just 6 to 7 days, achieving flavour profiles that typically require 30 years of aging.