Syft Technologies announces that Bill Luff has been appointed to its board of directors, replacing the retiring director Wally Stone
"Bill brings considerable experience in strategy and business planning to the Board," says Stephen Collins, board chairman.
"Although we are saddened to lose Wally, who has resigned due to his other commitments, Bill has for a long time shown a considerable interest in Syft, and I believe the board will greatly benefit from his enthusiasm, encouragement and his multi-national business acumen".
"Bill is fascinated and convinced by Syft's technology, and we are very fortunate and delighted that he is keen to help make a difference to the organisation." The increased number of chairmanships held by Stone contributed to his decision to retire from the board of Syft.
He says: "I have enjoyed my time with Syft; it has some very talented people driving innovative technology in a very competitive global market.
"It was a real privilege to serve on the board".
Luff's appointment complements Syft's expansion strategy into Europe.
For the 20 years prior to returning to New Zealand in 1996 for family reasons, he had held a number of senior management positions at BP Group companies, both in NZ and overseas; the last of which was head of strategic planning and control for BP's global refining and marketing operations.
After working at Tasman Energy as CEO from 1997 to 1999, Luff now works as a business consultant and is director of a number of companies including Network Tasman, the Lyttelton Port Company, ContainerScan , the Living Health Group , Wairau Trout , Waimea Nurseries, and his own company, Luff Trading.
"There is no question about the performance of Syft's technology - I am convinced it is a major breakthrough," says Luff.
"However, new and complex technology like this needs sophisticated marketing resource on the ground to help customers understand how they can take full advantage of it.
"Syft's key focus is to establish marketing networks that have the ability to present well defined business solutions to potential customers.
"This is a major challenge for many organisations in New Zealand, and Syft is doing extremely well in this regard.
"My aim is to help add value to the board and management initiatives and to encourage further export success for the company".
Luff, 55, holds a post graduate honours degree in political science and has attended courses at the Harvard Business School and Oxford University.
He has three adult children.
Syft's Voice100's technology platform uses Sift-MS, or selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry, to instantly and accurately detect minute traces of VOCs.
The product can be used for a wide variety of commercial applications, including environmental monitoring, food and flavour research, indoor air quality, fumigant detection, homeland security, petroleum exploration and medical and diagnostics research.
Through a range of funding, including grants, private investors, and Canterprise (the commercial arm of the University), Syft has grown into a company that is now able to compete on an international scale.
The company was recently awarded the Deal of the Year Award by Export New Zealand for the sale of five Voice100s to the Australian Customs Service (ACS).
The instruments were installed in Australian ports to monitor fumigant levels in cargo containers, creating a significantly safer work environment.
Syft Technologies and its Benelux distribution partner Interscience BVA are pursuing similar opportunities for the Voice100 and are currently in discussions with a number of European ports.
