About us

David Platfoot (Manager UK)

David Platfoot started his career in construction in the United Kingdom, having obtained a BSc in Construction Management. His career developed in Marketing and Business Development for International construction projects in the Middle East, the Far East, Africa and Europe, which included a 2 year secondment to the Sultanate of Oman to establish a local presence for a major UK construction company.

Andrew Banks (Program Manager)

Andrew Banks is a Mechanical Engineer, who began his career in maintenance and manufacturing in the Food Industry. Since then he has been involved in SAP IT as a Supply Chain System Designer implementing IT Systems throughout Australia and New Zealand. He is the Program Manager of the Technology arm of Covaris, and is also involved in implementation and development of Asset Management Systems.…

Dr Bob Platfoot - Managing Director

Bob Platfoot is a Mechanical Engineer, who originally trained in the Australian power station industry and then joined the University of NSW as an academic specialising in mechanical design and maintenance engineering. He is the Managing Director of the company and leads the strategic asset management program as well as working in the
other core service programs.

His primary expertise is in maintenance engineering, high level company assets management strategy, and life assessment.

Dr. Seyed A. Safi - Program Manager - Services

Seyed Safi is a Mechanical Engineer. His original research was in aerodynamic and structural engineering. Recently he is working on various projects in Maintenance Systems. He is responsible for implementing maintenance systems at a number of sites and is the maintenance procedures document manager for the company.

He is the Program Manager - Services,working in the core Covaris service programs.

Mr Peter Durrant, DipEng, MBA, OFIEAust - Program Manager-West

Peter has considerable experience in project management, general management, business development and organisational improvement. Commencing his career as an electronic technician in the RAN, Peter rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander as Electrical Engineer in submarines.

Management and administrative qualifications and experience gained while serving in the Navy supported a successful transition to Project Manager with ADI Limited in Exmouth, WMC Limited in Leinster and General Manager – WA for ASC Pty Limited. As a former senior naval officer involved in tactical warfare, Peter is a strategic thinker and has an analytical mind.

Peter is currently heading up the Covaris offices in Western Australia.

Mr Steve Butel - Program Manager- Risk and Asset Management

Steve Butel is a Mechanical Engineer with a Graduate Diploma of Technology Management. His background is in maintenance and project management predominately in the food industry with some exposure to medium to heavy industries including printing and glass manufacturing as well as rail. Having also worked as a Risk Engineer for a leading risk management consultancy operating in the areas of safety and asset risk, he brings a further depth of expertise to the Covaris team.

Steven heads up the Covaris Risk and Asset Management Division

Mr Michael Smith - Program Manager-North.

Michael comes from a trade background and began his career in maintenance on the Melbourne water front before moving into the food industry. Michael has been involved in SAP Plant Maintenance and Purchase to Payment implementations and upgrades, as the key end user throughout Australia and New Zealand. Michael has practical, hands on experience in personnel performance management, change management, inventory management, purchasing and maintenance management system implementations.