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About Us
Compac: leading the world in accurate, high speed packhouse technology for the produce industry.
It all began over 30 years ago with a prototype built in the garage of a student flat.
A visionary young man, completing a Masters degree in electrical engineering foresaw a gap in the rapidly expanding kiwifruit market in New Zealand.
He identified that the industry lacked a fruit sorting machine that combined mechanical, electrical and optical technologies, that would be faster and more accurate than conventional fruit grading machines available at the time. So he decided to build one.
That young man was Hamish Kennedy, the founder of Compac.
Hamish was the son of a kiwifruit orchardist and what he was about to build in the basement of his friend's house would revolutionize accurate, high speed sorting machines for the fresh produce market - turning a part-time project into a global business.
Leading the way in the future of packhouse technology.
Compac quickly grew from the leading provider of kiwifruit sorting equipment to a world class, global business that sets the benchmark for advancements in technology across the produce industry. Compac’s team exceeds more than 700 people globally and provide packhouse solutions for customers in more than 40 countries.
Compac's technical superiority and market success lies in matching superior engineering and design concepts with the differing needs of our customers around the world. Our packhouse solutions set the industry standard for others to follow and our drive for continued technical innovation and successful customer partnerships is what will continue to set us apart from the rest.
Meet our global leaders
Geoff Furniss
CEO │ Head of TOMRA Fresh Food
Geoff began as CEO of BBC Technologies in 2005 during which time he extended the company’s global reach to more than 36 countries. In January 2020, he was appointed CEO │ Head of TOMRA Fresh Food to lead the unification of two great teams, Compac and BBC Technologies. Geoff brings with him a determination to continue pushing the limitations of ag tech innovation and further extend the TOMRA Fresh Food product offering. A New Zealand native, Geoff resides in Cambridge with his wife and children and continues to co-chair his family’s blueberry farm.
Stian Andersen
VP, Head of Finance and Administration
Over my career I have developed a broad experience in finance leadership, specialising in insight, change management, controlling and risk management. I have been fortunate to have held senior and lead positions in numerous business and finance change projects including M&A, structural reorganisations and ERP implementations, and I aim to foster the same passion for change within the finance team here at Compac. I am also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants England & Wales.
Sebastian Stoof
VP, Head of Product
Sebastian comes with an mechanical engineering background and has held various positions in project management and product management within the automotive industry and the industry automation segment before joining Compac. His last position was Head of Global Product Management at SICK, a leading global sensor technology company from Germany, where he was responsible for a global product portfolio, the implementation of regional growth strategies and international business development. At Compac, Sebastian is responsible for product management and marketing and will bring in his expertise to further enhance Compac's global solution portfolio of cutting-edge sorting technology - always with a highly customer-centric approach focussed on adding value to our customers operations with innovative high-performance solutions and digital services.
Even Rekdal
Chief Operations Officer
Even joins Compac from TOMRA Collection Solutions where he was formally Vice President, Supply Chain in Germany. Graduating with a Masters degree in Engineering Design, Even started his career in product development, service and operations. Even has more than 14 years’ service with TOMRA, and prior to his most recent role, Even was based in China for five years where he was the China Country Manager for TOMRA. He established and built their business organization and operations there including the establishment of the China procurement function for TOMRA. As Chief Operations Officer, Even will be accountable for the optimisation of our Global Operations, our Supply Chain and our quality and new product introduction systems and processes.
Josh Hook
VP People & Organisation
As a passionate, intrepid and curious global citizen with kiwi roots, Josh brings 20 years’ experience in the Food services industry. Josh heads up our passionate business partnering People & Organization team as the Global VP for Compac Sorting and BBC Technologies. Driven by an innate sense of helping, Josh enables people to be at their best. He primarily focuses on coaching and supporting teams to understand their direction and providing tools and guidance to stretch them out of their comfort zone, to achieve things they may not have considered or deemed possible.
Nigel Beach
Research and Development Manager
Nigel started with Compac in 1996 coming from a background in software engineering. He developed the original Compac InVison software, revolutionizing the way we sort produce today and continues at the forefront of Compac innovations as Research and Development Manager.
Paul Slupecki
VP, Head of Global Sales
Joining Compac in 2019 Paul brings with him proven leadership skills and business acumen, combined with a strong track record of developing new markets, sales channels and distribution networks. Prior to joining Compac Paul held several critical management positions at FOSS, including Vice President of Sales & Marketing for South East Asia & Pacific. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Paul is responsible for developing and driving Compac’s international sales strategy, with a focus on building and maintaining strong customer relationships and strategic partnerships.
An award-winning business
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2006 - 2010
Winner
Business success from science and technology Foundation for Research Science and Technology
Winner
Research & Development Bayer Innovators Awards
Supreme winner
New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards with both Hi-Tech Exporter of the Year and Hi-Tech Company of the Year
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2012
Supreme winner
New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards with both Hi-Tech Exporter of the Year and Hi-Tech Company of the Year
Winner
New Zealand Export Awards Deal of the Year
Winner
Compac founder, Hamish Kennedy named as Engineering Entrepreneur of the Year
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2014 - 2015
Winner
ISHS Horticulture Innovation Award
Winner
Compac Founder, Hamish Kennedy named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year - Technology category winner
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2017
Winner
New Zealand Hi-Tech Award for Best Hi-Tech Solution for the Agritech Sector
Winner
PMA-Produce Plus Marketer of the Year Award for the 'Spectrim launch' Campaign
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2019 - 2020
Winner
KiwiNet Awards; PwC Commercial Impact Award at the 2019
Winner
New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards; NZTE Most Innovative Hi-Tech Solution for the Agritech Sector Award
