Shigeto Saito visits Covertec's structure in Te Aroha

"The biggest limitation of polyethylene on structures is flex but you have taken out those factors," said Mark Dolan from W Wiggins New Zealand’s oldest private company at 140 years.

Mark accompanied by Shigeto Saito, Australasian Sales Manger of Hagihara Association Inc flew out from Japan to look at New Zealand's first Covertec International structure and launch their new product Maxspan onto the market.

Hagihara have been in the marketplace for 44 years and have had an 18 year association with W Wiggins as sole distributor in New Zealand. The company produces and exports the highest quality extruded polyethylene in the world to USA, Singapore, Europe and Australia.

Hagihara in Japan have three divisions, Engineering, Chemicals and Manufacturing. The newly developed Maxspan was designed for wide span structures and tests have exceeded expectations.

"Maxspan has the highest burst strength of any flexible membrane on the market today," said Mr Saito.

With 40% thicker coating, better UV resistance and 60% stronger Hagihara's exclusive double tape technology has resulted in a superior product for large structures enabling the supplier to offer double the warranty to the client.

Marinol Ison, Production Manager of Fabritechnics currently fabricates the covers for Covertec’s structures and was impressed with Hagihara’s new line.

"We are always looking to provide the customer with the best product fit for purpose and I look forward to working with this polyethylene fabric in the near future."