Dawn Aerospace is building spaceplanes and in-space propulsion systems from the South Island of New Zealand—but it didn’t start that way. In this keynote, Charlie North shares the journey from a humble backyard shed to global impact, reflecting on the deeper truths of manufacturing. It’s not about hype or heroics, but people, process, and purpose. This is a call to action for New Zealand industry: aim high, build well, and back ourselves.
Charlie’s role at Dawn Aerospace, is to oversee the end-to-end supply chain for satellite propulsion products across multiple international sites. His focus is on ensuring a smooth flow of materials and information throughout the business by integrating problem-solving technology and solutions. Previously Charlie worked at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare where he gained a strong foundation in high-tech manufacturing within a highly regulated industry. Charlie is practical and well rounded, staying closely connected to frontline operations. He enjoys going from idea to reality by helping teams to bridge the gap between ‘engineering and design’ and ‘hands-on production’. Manufacturing to Charlie, is a cornerstone of value creation and prosperity delivering extraordinary outcomes for individuals, companies, and nations that choose to do it well.