The AFI team is comprised of automation, software, IT, instrumentation engineers and industrial electricians all with extensive experience and a range of backgrounds in industry.
Alastair Cook
Director / Automation Engineer
Alastair graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Technology (Honours), majoring in Automation and Engineering, from Massey University, Palmerston North.
Alastair spent the following twenty years developing and commissioning control systems of all makes, models and sizes – and is now regarded as a national leader in water and wastewater control systems. He founded AFI in 2007 and now manages a team of specialist automation engineers.
On top of his expertise in control systems, Alastair has proven skills in project management, consultation, process design, instrumentation, electrical design and fault-finding, network / IT design and implementation.
Callum Murton
Automation Engineer
Callum graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), majoring in Mechatronics, from Massey University, Wellington.
Callum’s experience includes the design, development, and implementation of many large scale PLC and SCADA projects, including the development of site-wide programming standards, and the authoring of functional specifications and supporting documentation.
Before becoming an engineer, Callum graduated with a Bachelor of Design, majoring in Visual Communication, from Victoria University, Wellington, and worked as a graphic designer for seven years. This amalgamation of training provides the perfect backdrop for developing intuitive, user-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing SCADA systems.
Alex Smith
Automation Engineer
Alex graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Engineering Technology, majoring in Electrical and Mechatronics, from the Wellington Institute of Technology.
Alex has honed his skills in the automation and control system industry – designing, developing, and commissioning control systems in a range of environments.
Alex possesses a range of skills in IT, networking, and electrical design. He has proved to be very capable at adapting to and excelling in new environments – able to efficiently and reliably resolve the task at hand.
Phill Mckenna
IT / Automation Engineer
Phill has extensive experience in SCADA architecture, network designs and implementation, co-ordination, and correspondence with IT staff, and integrating SCADA with 3rd-party software and systems.
Before joining the AFI team, Phill was a Technology Infrastructure Manager at KCDC. He designed, installed, and maintained their SCADA (Intouch / System Platform), RTUs (QTech), entire WAN/LAN/radio network, and everything in between.
Highly competent in a range of software including Microsoft Windows Server, Hyper-V, VMWare and Virtualbox Virtual Environments, Phill holds several industry certifications including MTCNA, MTCWE, CAS, CAS-Q and CASE.
Phill is ITIL v3 certified and undertook Bachelor of Information Technology studies from The Open Polytechnic.
Sylvain Farcy
Automation Engineer
Sylvain is the all-rounder of the AFI team. He tackles any task with enthusiasm until it is completed to the highest level of quality.
Sylvain has worked as an automation engineer and project manager for over eighteen years, specialising in industrial design, programming, documentation (writing user and technical procedures and electrical wiring schematics), troubleshooting and training. Ten of those years have been in New Zealand working in a range of industrial environments from the deep south to the far north on nearly every make and model of automation equipment that has been released.
Nick Martin
Automation Engineer
Nick graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Engineering, majoring in Automation and Controls, from Massey University. Following that he received a scholarship to complete a Master’s in Technology.
After his post graduate studies, Nick spent 20 years working in the industry including roles as an automation engineer for NZ Aluminium Smelters at Tiwai Point and AIC Solutions in the UK. This was followed by work as an automation engineer and then team leader for RCR Energy Systems and automation manager at Windsor Engineering.
Nick has a particular interest in quality systems and ensuring that the work we do at AFI is of a reliably high quality and that best practices are consistently followed. This allows the AFI team to unfailingly deliver world-class solutions.
Kyle Duncalf
Automation Engineer
Kyle graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Engineering Technology, majoring in Mechatronics, from the Wellington Institute of Technology.
Kyle joined the AFI team after leaving his role as a control system engineer at Wellington Water in search of more challenging opportunities.
Kyle possesses a range of skills with SCADA and has seven years’ experience in water/wastewater automation across treatment plants and telemetry systems. This includes InTouch / System Platform, Citect, Aspex, Datran, FactoryTalk View, Allen Bradley PLCs, automation protocols (DeviceNet, EtherNet/IP, IO-Link), RTUs (ADR Riley & QTech), and networking (LAN & radio).
Michael Thomson
Automation Engineer
Michael graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Engineering Technology, majoring in Mechatronics, from the Wellington Institute of Technology.
Michael joined the AFI team in search of more challenging opportunities after leaving his role as a successful process control & systems engineer at Whittaker’s.
Michael is registered as an electrical engineer with EWRB. He has a range of skills with SCADA (InTouch / System Platform, FactoryTalk View), Allen Bradley and Schneider PLCs.
Michael has six years’ industrial experience working at Whittaker’s and supporting factories with AFI.
Cameron Jones
Automation Engineer
Cameron graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), majoring in Electronics and Computer Systems, from Massey University, Palmerston North. He worked for six years as an electronics and automation engineer before joining the AFI team.
Cameron has experience programming PLCs and RTUs, as well as several industry-leading SCADA systems.
Jesse Chalmers
Automation Engineer
Jesse started with AFI in 2022 and contributes a wealth of knowledge from his experience in the marine industry.
Jesse graduated in 2011 with a Diploma in Engineering, majoring in Electrotechnology.
He then began his electrical apprenticeship whilst developing a variety of electrical, electronic and automation skills in the marine sector. Over this ten-year period, he successfully installed, commissioned and repaired a variety of systems and equipment. He now provides support to our valued customers across a range of platforms.
Riaan Le Roux
Automation Engineer
Riaan earned his National Diploma in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Process Control and Instrumentation from Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa in 2002.
With over two decades of experience in industry automation, Riaan has worked extensively in the power generation, water, and wastewater sectors. His roles have included serving as a Control and Instrumentation Project Engineer, Control System Technical Specialist and Project Lead Engineer at ABB South Africa, and Electrical & SCADA Engineer at Veolia Water Services ANZ.
In 2024, Riaan joined AFI. His expertise encompasses a diverse skill set, particularly in SCADA systems (including ABB 800xA, InTouch/System Platform, and FactoryTalk View), ABB AC870P & AC800M DCSs, Allen Bradley PLCs, and Schneider PLCs.
Riaan is proficient in various software applications such as Microsoft Windows Server, Hyper-V, VMWare Environments, and is more than competent in Industrial Networking, Process Instrumentation, Project Management, and Project Documentation.
Zak Turner
Automation Engineer
Zak is pursuing a Bachelor of Science majoring in Computer Science at Massey University, graduating in 2025.
With proficiency in C++ and a strong understanding of programming logic and electrical systems, Zak is a valuable addition to the AFI team.
His eight years of experience as an electrician in commercial and industrial settings provide a solid foundation for developing efficient and reliable automation systems.
Erica Hanlon
Office Administrator
Erica provides support to the director and team, using her proficiency in accounts and administration to manage the behind the scenes, day-to-day operation of AFI.
With experience in both small and large businesses, Erica enjoys the variety offered by working in financial management, communications, payroll, and general office administration.
Having worked in dairy, retail, health, education, and construction organisations she uses her broad range of skills to support the AFI team to a consistently high level.
Matthew Law
Automation Engineer
Matthew graduated in 2019 with a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Electronic Systems Engineering from Glasgow Caledonian University, followed by an MSc in Automotive Engineering from Cranfield University in 2020.
Matthew brings a wide range of skills, knowledge and ingenuity to AFI, having been an integral part of growing an agricultural start-up to an international market leader. Alongside involvement in Quality Management and Research & Development, he focused on Control and Automation, developing the functionality of PLC controlled robotic cells.
A keen learner, Matthew is excited to develop new skills and competencies with AFI.
Jack Murray
Automation Engineer
Jack graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Canterbury in Christchurch.
He joined the AFI team shortly after completing his degree to pursue his interest in Automation Engineering. With a strong foundation across multiple engineering disciplines, Jack brings a broad and adaptable skill set developed through his Mechatronics studies.
AFI is a leading provider of industrial automation in NZ. We offer practical, robust solutions to a wide range of novel manufacturing and process control challenges.
CONTACT
Phone: (+64) 4 589 8652
Email: info@afi.co.nz
North Island: PO Box 33 348, Wellington Mail Centre, Lower Hutt 5045
Otago: Level 1, NMA Building, 49 Water Street, Dunedin 9016
Southland: 320 Dee Street, Avenal, Invercargill 9810