A Dunedin robotics and automation company doing business with global titans Boeing and Pepsi has secured nearly $50 million in new contracts over the past six weeks.<\/p>\n
Scott Technology reported a net profit after tax of $4.5m and group revenue of $128m \u2014 up 4% and 5%, respectively, from the previous period \u2014 for the first half of the 2026 financial year, in an announcement to the New Zealand stock exchange yesterday.<\/p>\n
The company, whose head office is in Kaikorai Valley Rd, also stated it had secured new contracts across Australia, Europe and the United States.<\/p>\n
They included a lamb primal order for a large Australian meat processor, an appliance order from a global whiteware manufacturer in the US and automated guided vehicle contracts “with a leading US aerospace manufacturer” and “a global leader in wine and spirits”.<\/p>\n
Speaking to the\u00a0Otago Daily Times\u00a0shortly after yesterday\u2019s announcement, chief executive Mike Christman said the company had been awarded a total of about $49m in new contracts over the past four-to-six weeks.<\/p>\n
He confirmed the wine and spirits contract was with California-based wine producer and distributor Gallo.<\/p>\n
“We\u2019ve seen some great wins over the last couple of weeks in MHL [materials handling and logistics], the Leap [automated lamb cutting] system for an Australian company, another great win with Gallo and Boeing and Essity,” Mr Christman said.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s also driving us to accelerate our beef prototype systems in terms of getting those ready for a commercialised approach.”<\/p>\n
Scott Technology had worked with Boeing before, he said.<\/p>\n
For companies the likes of Gallo, Danone and Farm Frites, it was now expanding into new regions. Farm Frites in Australia was a new install.<\/p>\n
“That really is a new market that we\u2019re tapping into.”<\/p>\n
An appendix to the announcement stated that as well as Farm Frites, Danone and Essity, key materials handling projects included with customers PepsiCo, EMPWR and Bakker.<\/p>\n
Mr Christman said the half-year results reflected the foundations Scott Technology had laid as part of its five-year strategy to target $530m in revenue by 2030.<\/p>\n
He was delighted with the progress made over the past year, particularly growth in the company\u2019s forward work from $165m to $177m.<\/p>\n
“That is a fantastic effort from everybody and I really feel it shows that the strategy is working.<\/p>\n
“For me, this last year has been about embedding everything. Now I think we can start to accelerate.”<\/p>\n
Asked about the effects of the Iran war and the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, Mr Christman said they were seeing increased demand for automation, such as from PepsiCo.<\/p>\n
“Although we\u2019re keeping our finger on the pulse and actually focused on what\u2019s happening, we\u2019re not seeing the negative impact of that at the moment. That may come.<\/p>\n
“We have the ability to manufacture globally … I wouldn\u2019t say we\u2019re shielded from it, but we can make strategic decisions to protect ourselves.”<\/p>\n
Scott Technology\u2019s announcement said customers\u2019 forward investment plans could be affected “if global volatility persists”, but mitigating actions were in place to reduce risk.<\/p>\n