Director, James N Kirby Foundation
MAICD
Michael Kirby addressed graduates from the Faculty of Engineering and IT at Great Hall, City campus, Thursday 14 May 2009, 5.30pm.
About the speaker
Michael Kirby is Director of James N Kirby Foundation and Director of the family business assets, including Hungerford Hill Wines. He is also a Director of Pildra Investments Pty Ltd (formerly James N Kirby Holdings Pty Limited), a diversified private investment company. He is a founding member of the Industry Advisory Network at the Faculty of Engineering at UTS.
Michael Kirby started work in 1974 as an apprentice fitter machinist and toolmaker with James N Kirby Pty Ltd, a multi-faceted group of manufacturing and engineering companies.
He went on to hold various senior management roles within the Kirby group, specifically Kirby Engineering, including Projects Engineering Manager, International Sales and Marketing Manager, and a Director of Kirby USA Inc.
Michael is now working as a consultant and a director with The Global Ideas Group Pty Ltd, a seed incubator company that translates new ideas into reality; and with Kirby International Pty Limited, an investment banking business that takes fully-researched and developed technologies into global markets. Michael's role is in the commercialisation of the technologies using his extensive engineering experience and industrial contacts.
Among his many affiliations, Michael is a member of the Institute of Company Directors, a member of the Centre for Family Business, and a past company representative of Austrade's 'Top Exporters Club'.
Speech
Deputy Chancellor Watkins, V C Prof Milbourne, Presiding Dean of Engineering and Information Technology Brooks, Members of Council, Faculty Staff, Distinguished Guests, Friends Partners, Families of the Graduates and Graduates …
A hearty Congratulation to you on successfully completing your studies and graduating today.
It's an honour and privilege for me to talk to you and my talk today is themed 'Realisations' and the realisations that have shaped my engineering career.
Today makes the beginning of the next phase in your career. For some this may be maintaining or confirming current employment. For others it will mark the beginning of new unspecified possibilities.
The VC read out a bit about me and yes I grew up working in a large family owned engineering enterprise which offered a safe and defined career path …
A path formed after I realised I did not have a pass make sufficient to gain entry into engineering at University.
Thus I completed an apprenticeship in fitting and machining, then through toolmaking, mechanical engineering, business management an ultimately to a mini MBA. Some 14 years of formal tertiary education, but I think it is the years I've spent since our engineering business was sold in 1999 that defined me as an engineer. Where I realised I had to stand on my own two feet and gain respect from non family piers.
Engineering has since opened doors to me being involved in a number of start-up new technology companies. New technologies involving first principal research and a seemingly never ending process of development and redevelopment. Not all my involvement has resulted in making a difference or money.
As a matter of fact only one has hit real pay dirt … so in reality I've been working for my children because the lead times are generally long and just maybe some will achieve in their lifetimes.
I've invested my time travelling extensively following up commercialisation opportunities in China, Korea, Germany, UK and the US often being renumerated only in shares not cash.
Some of the technologies include:
- Low UV absorbing construction Glass;
- Carbon composite plastic pipes,
- Self Levelling automotive suspension systems
- Micro hydraulic control valves
- Heart pumps & Stints
- Water purification and effluent classification and heating
- Bio sterilisation devices &
- Water and sports ball valves
It was this last most unlikely technology which now realising the dreams of the investors, of which I am but one name on the patents. This technology offers a low energy non return, back flow prevention, valve for the domestic household water industry. Some 20million individual values are installed globally per year.
The key is its simplicity, reducing the number of components from 8 to 3 and offering water resistance saving of over 50%. Meaning our licensees can offer values up to 50% smaller in physical size. Thus providing; lower energy, lower manufacturing and lower material costs. These will hopefully be in the USA and Australian Markets later this year.
Whilst turning dreams into reality is great and I could describe the numerous other new technologies that have been shaping by life. There is so mush more that is important … so this evening I'd like to explore a few other 'realisations';-
What defines us as engineers … Why make a difference? Why make a change? Why are new ideas and methods actually better … Is it all about money? Productivity and Efficiency? ROI? … Yes but … I don't think that all … I believe it about harnessing our future limited and finite resources, making thing easier and simpler and more appropriate for us all, making our employers business more competitive whilst being socially responsible for sustainability.
We should all Question why we do we thing this way, or why is it so!! Research new ways, new techniques … where possible incorporate the knowledge age … IT is reshaping the world … The need to stay connected i.e. Connectivity is a new buzz word I hear at our newly reshaped IAN Industry Advisory Network … which as you knows now incorporates Business leaders of IT corporations.
The IAN has and will continue to lead the way in connecting this institution with Industry and seeks to maintain and improve the 'Practice Based' education and research that set UTS apart for other institutions. Being a active member of the IAN has not only allowed me to attempt to 'make at difference at UTS but its been a two way benefit to me as well
From the brief you also heard I'm also a director of the JNK Foundation … This Foundation was formed in 1966 from the generosity of the late James N Kirby the founder of our family business.
He stated in business in 1923 after completing an apprenticeship, he purchased his employers motor mechanic shop at age 23. At his death in 1971 the business employed directly some 3000 engineers and trades people and some 3000 more indirectly at joint venture or associated companies. When he formed the Kirby Foundation it was his desire to 'Plough something back' that set him apart … and I'm happy to report that the foundation has done exactly that with to-date many millions$ has been donated to the 3 Pillars of Social, Medical and Educational
The Kirby Foundation has contributed too many of the major Australian Universities and UTS has been served well … My foundation directors and my self are immensely proud of the achievements and contributions, the Kirby Chair of Megatronic Engineering, and the Kevin Kirby Suit is making to Australian engineering and society
Now what of the future? Unlike all the doom and gloom the media portray. I have a positive view of the future whilst being a realistic enough to acknowledge that some really bad financial decisions have been made …
My wise 'old man' (father) once told me … we never come out of a recession with the same goods and services that we went in with … I guess it's like a purge or cleansing of a hydraulic system. I'm hoping the same will happen this time around.
We heard this weeks budget the Multi $Billions of dollars to be invested in Road Rail and Port Infrastructure, Clean Energy including the 4 x flagship Solar Energy projects. The high Speed broadband initiatives and the Innovations strategies for University R & D. all offer us engineers an opportunity to use our skills and creativity to; ' Make a Difference' …
We need to size the day and work together to reshape and make a better world.
You have chosen a career and profession that offers much …
I wish you all well and thank you again for allowing me the opportunity to share some thoughts.