About Us
Designed by

Guardian Bandsaw has been designed by the team at KANDO. We are experts in building Smart Machines. We partner with industry leaders to create products that leverage technology to redefine what is possible.
We support our customers to set the benchmark in their industry from initial feasibility analysis and concept development through to installation and service.
Our People

Keith Blenkinsopp
Managing Director
Keith has over 25 years’ experience in automation covering a wide range of industries. He is passionate about working with clients to understand their needs and delivering innovative solutions that drive progress through advanced automation. Keith has an NZCE in Mechanical Engineering.

Shaun Hurd
General Manager Operations
With a PhD in Physics and Electronic Engineering, Shaun is an expert at machine learning for meat robotics systems. With thirteen years of experience in this industry, Shaun oversees and develops our software and control systems. When he’s not working, he heads outdoors to cycle and kayak.

Michael Stansfield
Chief Financial Officer
Michael holds both a BBus (Accountancy) and a BEngTech (Networks & Communications) and is a Chartered Accountant. Michael has over 35 years’ experience working in the Telco, poultry, and various manufacturing industries in New Zealand. As CFO of Kando, he is responsible for managing the finance function and business risk. Outside of work, Michael likes to home renovate, scale model and has a passion for Italian cars.

Ken Rogers
Vice President
Ken has a strong international marketing and primary industry background with a degree in agricultural science, as well as international sales and marketing experience gained while working for Fonterra. Returning to New Zealand Ken joined Pernod Ricard as Production Director and most recently Ken was a shareholder and Managing Director of Superb Herb an innovative horticultural business.
Ken is a keen sportsman having played rugby into his 40’s but more recently, concentrating on snowboarding, scuba diving and fishing.“

Mike FitzGerald
Marketing and Development Manager

Nicholas Blenkinsopp
Business Development Manager USA
With degrees in Property and Finance (BCOM,BPROP) from the University of Auckland. Nicholas operates out of the Guardian Omaha office. Nicholas is focused on providing the right Guardian solution to customers. A keen surfer who’s working on his golf swing due to a lack of waves in Omaha.

Joseph Dumaran
Production Manager

Shaun Judd
Project Manager

Nicholas Hildreth
Principle Software Engineer
Guardian bandsaw: Redefining Safety
The journey to creating the next generation band saw began in 2015. Our aim was to develop a product with reliable performance, customer-focused support, and uncompromising safety features. Our answer: Guardian Bandsaw was developed in partnership with New Zealand’s meat processing industry.
We designed and developed a unique vision detection system coupled with the manufacture of a purpose-built stainless-steel band saw. Rather than tweaking an existing commercial band saw, The Guardian Bandsaw was designed from the ground-up, enabling us to incorporate specific and innovative features from working closely with the meat processing industry.
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