In 1998, a friend persuaded inventor David White to turn his passion for robotics into a business. With funding from a mutual acquaintance, David set out to design a single machine that could cut foam, cement, steel, fibre-glass, aluminium and timbers with the upmost precision. David had a vision for his company, Advanced Robotic Technology (ART), to manufacture world class, computer numerical controlled cutting machines. But persuading manufacturers to change their minds about production processes that have been used for generations was challenging. David was asking people to make substantial investments and change their working practices. His strategy was to take the time to really understand his customers’ businesses, often identifying manufacturing issues the customer did not even realise they had themselves. David then developed custom-designed solutions to address these issues and improve profitability. His new machines and processes enabled manufacturers to reduce production time and waste, lower costs and increase profits – customers reported yields of up to ten times the efficiency of older techniques. Eventually, ART won the prestigious AMTIL Advanced Manufacturing Innovator of the Year award. Today, ART supplies machines to manufacturers in the US, Europe, Malaysia and Russia and is developing distribution relationships in the US and Taiwan. The business has its own consumable sales company and recently acquired a New Zealand-based tool machine manufacturer, giving ART access to further international customers and a new range of automation products. From the beginning, David has ensured that funds invested in the company have been repaid and the company has grown without external funding. This has created a steady, sustainable growth curve that continues to deliver improved profitability. Most of all, David is proud to offer stable employment to his employees. His next goal is to build his services department into a profitable business unit. | 
