NZ: Compac opens centre of excellence
Hamish Kennedy, who 30 years ago built a fruit sorting machine in his parents' garage and went on to found the company known as Compac, says the technology business is now in play in 40 countries around the world.
Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller and general manger Compac north Craig Hart performed the ribbon cutting-ceremony, declaring the new Papamoa facility officially open.
Its 32 staff, including 10 service technicians, are focused on the kiwifruit and avocado industries, and the facility replaces Compac's previous premises in Te Puke, which it has rapidly outgrown.
Hamish told the 100 guests at the Papamoa opening that he credits the kiwifruit industry for the “birth” of the company, as his interest began when his parents converted a dairy farm at Kerikeri to a kiwifruit orchard.
“However, I didn't want to be an orchardist, but was more interested in engineering,” adds Hamish, who completed his university degree, built the first Compac fruit sorting machine and trialled it in his parent's packhouse.
From those modest beginnings, and with a drive to provide the best technology and customer service possible, he built a company which today dominates fruit handling in the New Zealand kiwifruit industry.
They are also a major player internationally, with 90 per cent of its business off-shore, including in China and the USA.
Source: sunlive.co.nz
