About Us | History | Staff Profiles | tickles

The greatest of products and the greatest of companies are about excellent people. We’re very proud to have such a fabulous team, let us introduce you to everyone:

Brian Bennett, Managing Director (Auckland)
Known to many people through his extensive background at most levels within process control and instrumentation, Brian began his working life as an electrician, completed an engineering degree, among other roles worked in project and sales management and lectured in science at Poly Tech - along with many recent years in general management. Every bit the engineer (we mean this in the nicest way!).

Brian lives up to a well earned reputation for wide knowledge of the industry, integrity and being a true pleasure to work with. A great rapport builder, this is surely Brian’s greatest talent.

Will answer his phone any time of the day, every day of the week! Once upon a time used to boat and golf (distant memories), and used to garden (still out there on the very occasional day, but has quit mowing lawns!).

Anne Capon, Director, Operations (Auckland)
Anne is a ChCh hospital trained nurse (back in the old, old days) with a BA from Canterbury University (literature) and has a broad working background in various sectors (primarily in health and property). Her responsibilities are HR, marketing, foreign exchange and credit control (.....and looking after the animal menagerie; yet another passionate animal lover in our team).

Born in Fiji to Kiwi parents, Anne grew up mostly in the South Island (a Mainlander at heart.... hankering after the quiet and beautiful south...except in the winter!). Crickey - in our whole team, just 2 of us were born in NZ (which is about par for the course we reckon). A sporty sort in her younger days (netball, volleyball, sky diving), all the dog walking is more than enough these days! Loves design, gardens (nowadays mostly looking at them, that is....) and reading (such a luxury).

Peter Docherty, Support Engineering Manager (Christchurch)
Inherited from Scotland (but a true Kiwi and ardent Crusaders and All Blacks supporter); possessed the very good taste to marry a Kiwi.

Peter has an impressive 28 year background as a design engineer in Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning. Our immense luck that he joined this team in 2001. Peter is meticulous, which is why he is the support engineering manager! In addition to his support engineering role Peter manages our quotation system and the incredible array of information required for our database – no small feat, let us assure you!

A bookworm with a very dry sense of humour (watch out for that!), a very keen golfer (should be single figure but gets away with 14!) and lover of fine wines!

Marian Evans, Admin & Accounts Manager (Auckland)
Born in the Cape in South Africa, Marian also lived in Johannesburg, George (a town half way between Cape Town & Port Elizabeth) and then again in Cape Town (moving back in 1990 with her three teenaged children). In November 2007 with her younger daughter, son-in-law, baby granddaughter (and the 2 family dogs, of course!), Marian moved to NZ. Prompted to move by the high crime rate and dangerous climate, all sought the relative peace here in NZ. Marian's son, elder daughter and 2 of her 3 grandchildren remain in South Africa.

Marian has worked many years in various areas of accounting and is a real stickler for getting things right – with never a piece of paper out of place on her desk! Every time Brian thinks of a new report to ask if Marian can create, the surprise is how fast she can produce it!

Having settled into her home unit in the Eastern Bays and being a seasoned home renovator and gardener, Marian is never short of work - be it painting, laying block paths or sewing curtains (and little dog Chelsea helps too, of course....). Prompted by her son, a professional wild life specialist and avid bird watcher (a great animal lover, like his mother) Marian fits in a little bird watching too (and a lot of bird feeding, it turns out!). Being an active and devoted grandmother keeps life even busier. Also a keen reader and jigsaw junkie (Marian's only vice, we think...).

Dayele Hobson, Specialist Sales Engineer (Christchurch)
Beginning his career as an Electrician, Dayele moved into instrumentation in 1969, completed an NZCE (electronics) in 1970, and has been in the industry ever since. Having joined Streat Control in 1990, Dayele is the longest serving member of the company and a terrifically dedicated member of the team. He is extremely conversant with our extensive product range and is Product Specialist for Krohne’s vast family of flow and level measurement.

Dayele’s working knowledge of industrial process control and instrumentation equipment is very impressive – matched by his commitment to customer service. Dayele works throughout the South Island and also specializes with some key pulp and paper clients in the North Island.

Keen on sailing and camping and a very dedicated family man (another fab grandad), Dayele is very committed to Christian work and values.

Jan Karsten, Sales Engineer (Auckland)
Jan joined Streat Control in January 2009. His extensive instrumentation background (instrumentation trade training at the gold and platinum mines in South Africa and 20 years altogether in Process Control) enabled him to hit the ground running. And he's been running ever since!

Born in Johannesburg, Jan is another South African who moved to NZ (arrived January 2008) seeking a better, safer life and future for his children. Jan hasn't looked back, absorbs all he can around him, fits in terrifically well anywhere/everywhere - and tackles everything with much gusto.

Jan tells us he's a keen ultra marathon runner (we don't know what an 'ultra' marathon runner is, but we believe him!). Jan also plays golf, and indoor netball and......will try anything we reckon! With partner Glynis, 4 boys and one puppy between them, family life is very focal and very busy and full. Family activities include trips to the movies, taking in the sights of their new home town and country.....and they're all jigsaw junkies too!

Vijay Ravikumar, Trainee Support Engineer/ Internal Sales Engineer (Auckland)
Vijay is a self-confessed 'fun loving' lad, blessed with a cheeky and wicked sense of humour. Definitely one of those young chaps who could get into a lot of trouble....but who's friendly, cheerful nature seems to always keep him out of it! Most frequent expression: "you won't believe what happened.....".

Vijay was born and grew up in India, has lived in the USA for 3 years and has been living in NZ now for 3 years. His parents and grandparents live in India, his mother's twin brother and family live here in NZ.

Vijay has a diploma in Electrical Engineering from Manukau Institute of Technology and has a passion for.......chemistry! Being the new 'youngster' in the company (pushes Alex out by a country mile – Vijay had his 21st birthday in October 2008, in his first year with us) he likes all the usual 'young' things: travelling, making new friends (best described as a social bunny) and listening to heavy metal music (we're not so sure about the 'music' part of that...).

Being a cricket fanatic (what's rugby?), there's only one Master/Role Model as far as Vijay is concerned: Sachin Tendulkar ("please make sure you mention Sachin somewhere!"). Sachin Tendulkar!
He's fun, he lives alone, he cooks and he's available (if you pass the Auntie Sandie, Auntie Marian & Auntie Anne test). Give us a call!

Alex Tang, Sales Engineer (Auckland)
Alex is a very easygoing, bright and cheerful personality (and no longer our only 'youngster', thankfully!). Having visited NZ twice before moving here in April 2007, Alex has settled easily into a NZ lifestyle - and feels just like an 'old' part of the team already!

Alex grew up in KL in Malaysia. He studied in Singapore and England, completing a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons, with Upper 2nd Class in Control & Computer Engineering) at Westminster University. Alex has 15 years experience in instrumentation in a range of industries, specializing in water and wastewater.

Married with 3 daughters, Alex is a very 'outnumbered', busy family man - though with 7 siblings himself, this may seem quiet! In his 'free' time, Alex enjoys music and travel - so will love getting about the North Island in his new role!

Sandie (just call me 'gorgeous') Whale, Order Expediter (AUCKLAND)
Sandie is at the 'hub' of our accounts & admin, responsible for order entry and expedition, inventory,
invoicing, +++. Sandie is part time, generally here Tuesday to Friday between 9am and 3pm.

One of that rare breed - born and raised in Auckland - Sandie's a typical Kiwi in having lived 10 years in other parts of the world (England and Greece we can grasp, but Iceland and Israel?). Proud mum of a (beautiful) daughter, Sandie's a very family focused woman. A sun and sea enthusiast, exercise enthusiast ("...dancing, walking and 'small' triathlons.."!) keen appreciator of the Arts, and ardent animal lover make Sandie, well, just 'enthusiastic'!

Unlike the rest of we coffee addicts, Sandie doesn't partake of tea or coffee ('cold water' break just doesn't have the same ring as 'coffee' break, we reckon).....but quite likes the occasional G & T (not for morning tea, of course!) and, is a serious chocoholic!
NB: Very cheeky too!

Ying Zhang, Trainee Support Engineer/Internal Sales Engineer (Christchurch)
Born in the south of China, Ying is an only child. Ying lived her first 23 yrs with her parents in JiangMen, a medium size, busy and noisy city (with very hot summers and warm winters) in GuangDong province. Definitely worlds apart from New Zealand, and Christchurch especially. While it's nearly 2 years since Ying saw her father, she talks with him on the phone (even if just very briefly) every day.

Study has always been a major part of Ying's life, both in China & NZ. Ying has 3 degrees: in computers, electronics and electrical engineering. Everything to do with computers is interesting as far as Ying is concerned! We were surprised to find Ying plays guitar and bass (we have yet to hear this). Unlike Vijay though, Ying doesn't like heavy metal (phew!).

Along with learning her new role here, Ying is working hard on improving her English Language skills. Key to all this learning is to keep asking questions and to NOT say 'yes', until she understands (prompting Peter to say she likes to argue!). Can handle a very good banter, which is just as well in the ChCh office.....

Keen on sports (from the side line), Ying is thoughtful, cheerful and lovely to be around.