Leo P Schuler

I have been leading projects in planning, specification and commercialisation of emerging products. Strategic consulting, including technical design, business plan & sales strategy development.

Optical instrument designed to measure soil properties by collecting near infrared signatures in the crop fields. With my team of five, I refined and ruggedized the highly sensitive microelectronic prototype sensor, allowing it to be used conveniently in handheld instruments. I was responsible for project administration, budget planning and report generation under time constraints. I protected the investment in this technology by means of appropriate IP management and through internal efficiency gains.

I set up this company with the aim to make my customers’ lives easier. I managed the introduction of new and unique products to New Zealand, both wholesale and retail. The robotic lawnmower products keep lawns trimmed to perfection, relieving the home owner of a time consuming chore. With a team of three staff I served this highly lucrative niche market and held a market share of around 70%. To improve the technology of the products I consulted closely with the manufacturer on a continuous basis.

With a team of three I took an idea all the way from conception to the “investment ready” stage. We designed and built the first prototype of a novel training aid for electronics and software students. After completing the business plan, including detailed market research and financials, I presented the project to an investor panel. In preparation for this project I worked through a condensed MBA at The University of Canterbury Master of Engineering Management Programme.

Managing a team of six I was responsible for the development of near infrared spectroscopy instruments with application programming, hardware and mechanical development, and to commission and maintain them in the field. Another important part of my role consisted of consulting work in New Zealand and overseas. For various clients I performed feasibility studies and prepared/reviewed tenders. With my specific input and recommendations I helped the clients make critical decisions.

Fluka Chemie, a member of the Sigma Aldrich group faced the threat of losing its accreditation status according to new tougher FDA and GMP standards. We proposed and implemented an all new groundbreaking control system with batch control server, logging and long term archiving all critical values down to the individual batch. I specified and implemented one of the first large scale Soft-PLC applications in Europe. In the medical field I performed the acceptance testing of a newly developed respirator.

Research in nanoengineering, especially material sciences/functional coatings. Developing zinc oxide as functional coating for small wireless sensing applications. Interest in Biomimetics/Bionics and Biotech.

Research in the multidsiciplinary area of small wireless sensing applications for the textile industry.