Leftbrain is a powerful platform.
It uncovers the merchandising blind spots for manufacturers of FMCG products which are distributed through independent retail channels.
• Know which SKUs are moving. Prevent ‘out of stock’.
• Get daily updates or information in real time.
• Prevent stock losses from appliance malfunction and improve operational efficiencies through automated technical service calls.
• Enforce standards through merchandising audits completed in real-time during visits by field staff or distribution partners.
Improve customer experience.
Lift brand presence.
Monitor appliances vital to maintaining product integrity.
The system includes AI-enabled cameras for SKU recognition and sensors discretely fitted to your appliances, mobile field apps for merchandising audits and appliance service technicians, and a management dashboard for managers to administer and report.
Retail
Response
Leftbrain reports every sale from your appliance, without human intervention or access to POS/EFTPOS data.
RESULT:
REAL TIME sales figures monitoring without visiting stores. Compiled, compared and analysed – and can be AUTOMATICALLY acted upon according to your business rules.
SALES & MARKETING
LIVE feedback on campaigns and
customer engagement from REAL TIME
sales figures by SKU, region, store type
or time interval.
ACTIONS
With REAL TIME results you can see what
is working, and adjust your campaigns
accordingly.
RESULTS
Successful, repeatable campaigns based
on facts, not guesswork.
.
.
.
OPERATIONS
Receive REAL TIME sales figures, planogram
compliance and stock levels by SKU, region, store
type or time interval.
ACTIONS
Optimise your supply and delivery chain.
Keep freezers fully stocked and planogram-compliant at all times.
RESULTS
Increase sales by automatically
eliminating “Out-of-Stock” instances.
Fully-stocked, planogram-compliant freezers
mean better customer experience, a better
reflection of your brand and more sales.
Lower costs with an optimised supply and
delivery chain.
PARTNER ENGAGEMENT
STRATEGICALLY ENGAGE with your distribution
and retail partners. Re-imagine relationships
to save cost, incentivise partners, and improve
customer experience.
ACTIONS
Establish a partner programme to incentivise
your partners to perform merchandising tasks.
Access real data and images collected from the
market to inform your partner discussions and
reward.
RESULTS
Benefits for all: cost savings for FMCG
manufacturer, incentivised strategic
partnerships, and every day improved customer experience.
Appliance
Management
Report on the health of your chest freezers.
RESULT:
AUTOMATICALLY alert technicians to faults before they become critical and cost you lost sales, lost stock, expensive parts or failed appliances.
ASSET MANAGEMENT
Sensors and cameras report on the appliance – temperature, ice build-up, door open status, GPS status.
ACTIONS
Automated alerts sent directly to technicians with fault details, parts required and resolution information.
RESULTS
Appliances are always running efficiently.
Extend asset lifetimes with timely servicing.
Down-time and spoilt stock costs are minimised.
Lower costs by eliminating traditional call centres.
Know where your appliances are, at all times.
Leftbrain.
The world’s most advanced RETAIL RESPONSE and APPLIANCE MANAGEMENT system for FMCG.
While you are meeting the challenges of today, you’ll also be preparing for the future. The data collected by Leftbrain will be invaluable for future AI opportunities.
ANALYTICS
Merge all data over time to uncover correlations that could be used to save further costs or to further boost sales.
Meet the Team
Robert Darroch
Robert Darroch has over 35 years’ experience in the FMCG sector and his company Future Products Group (FPG) is recognised as a world leader in designing innovative food and beverage merchandising solutions for blue chip clients including McDonalds, 7Eleven, BP and Ikea.
Robert and the FPG team are obsessed with solving complex problems by engaging with their clients to understand their key challenges and help them identify strategic opportunities. FPG helps clients increase revenue, save money, or implement strategic step changes in their business to prepare for the future. Many FPG clients have been with the company for over 25 years. That loyalty and trust is built on strong foundations.
Robert Darroch
Founder
Robert Darroch has over 35 years’ experience in the FMCG sector and his company Future Products Group (FPG) is recognised as a world leader in designing innovative food and beverage merchandising solutions for blue chip clients including McDonalds, 7Eleven, BP...
Craig Harding
As CEO, Craig gets to work with customers, engineers, designers and developers as he guides the team through development and commercialisation of the Leftbrain platform to resolve customer pain points and demonstrate the significant value that can be delivered.
During his 25+ year career, Craig has led a variety of complex projects including: customisation of ERP systems, research and new product development, design of manufacturing systems, and resolving international supply chain logistics, experiences from all of which are now being put to good use for Leftbrain.
Having worked for global manufacturers of electronics including Philips, ABB and Ericsson Communications, Craig is experienced with evaluating and implementing cutting edge technologies. He holds a B.Tech in Engineering and Automation from Massey University and an NZCE (Dip) in Electrical Engineering.
Craig Harding
Chief Executive Officer
As CEO, Craig gets to work with customers, engineers, designers and developers as he guides the team through development and commercialisation of the Leftbrain platform to resolve customer pain points and demonstrate the significant value that can be delivered.
Jared Vaughan
While Robert is the innovator and visionary behind Leftbrain, Jared is responsible for the numbers and providing strategic perspective. Jared has worked with FPG for over 25 years. His first role was as Financial Controller and today he’s the General Manager and Robert Darroch’s right-hand man.
Jared’s experience includes project management, concept development, and financial analysis. For Leftbrain, he operates at both strategic and operational levels – a complex balancing act where experience and big picture thinking are essential.
“I’m an accountant by trade, so I’m risk averse he says. “Robert always sees the glass as half full, so it’s important that I bring some objectivity to the table. However, I was sold on the possibilities for Leftbrain from the start.
We realised early on that the technology and the platform could be used in any cabinet or appliance in different retail environments. The market validation process has therefore helped us to identify gaps in the market where Leftbrain has real competitive advantages?’
Jared holds a Bachelor of Business Studies majoring in Accountancy from Massey University and has over 30 years’ accounting and operations management experience.
Jared Vaughan
CFO
While Robert is the innovator and visionary behind Leftbrain, Jared is responsible for the numbers and providing strategic perspective. Jared has worked with FPG for over 25 years. His first role was as Financial Controller and today he’s the General...
Andrew Butel
With degrees in accounting and computer science, Andrew has over 20 years’ experience of working with startups, and has been involved in all aspects of the software development lifecycle.
Previously, Andrew was a Product Manager and Developer with Xero, the accounting software giant that launched in New Zealand before disrupting the accounting industry worldwide. He has since established his own company, Endgame, helping businesses to grow using technology including SaaS and cloud platform solutions.
Andrew Butel
Technology Advisor
With degrees in accounting and computer science, Andrew has over 20 years’ experience of working with startups, and has been involved in all aspects of the software development lifecycle.
Andrew Cox
Over 20 years of industry experience building technology that helps and delights end users. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Science majoring in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Philosophy.
Andrew Cox
CTO Platform and Image Recognition
Over 20 years of industry experience building technology that helps and delights end users. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Science majoring in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Philosophy.
Terry Southern
Terry has exceptional experience and insights in bringing new electronic hardware to commercial reality and it is this experience that Terry brings to Leftbrain. As co-founder and CEO, Terry oversees Beta Solutions ensuring that it remains the product design and consultancy partner of choice for local and international clients looking to develop leading edge electronic hardware and embedded software designs.
Terry gets to work with a great many companies looking for technical and commercial expertise. He brings commercial savvy to his role as well as a solid engineering background. This has given Terry a unique ability to chart a successful course.. for new technology projects.
Terry is based in Palmerston North, New Zealand and holds a degree from Massey University: B. Eng Hons (Mechatronics)
Terry Southern
Technology Advisor
Terry has exceptional experience and insights in bringing new electronic hardware to commercial reality and it is this experience that Terry brings to Leftbrain. As co-founder and CEO, Terry oversees Beta Solutions ensuring that it remains the product design and...
Matthew van der Werff
Matthew leads the electronics and firmware design teams for the Leftbrain Smart Cameras. He is a very hands-on CTO with current skills in FPGA design, electronics, embedded firmware and programming.
Due to the experience that Matthew and the team have demonstrated for many years, Matthew’s company, Beta Solutions, is recognised by the
New Zealand government as an “Approved Research Provider”.
Matthew van der Werff
CTO Firmware
Matthew leads the electronics and firmware design teams for the Leftbrain Smart Cameras. He is a very hands-on CTO with current skills in FPGA design, electronics, embedded firmware and programming.
External Investors & Advisors
Chris Wong
Chris has a deep and up-to-date understanding of the FMCG sector and expertise in strategy, process and technology. As a management consultant for Accenture and Andersen Consulting, Chris has worked on business transformation projects in the financial services and telecommunications sectors.
Previously he was the Director of Strategy and Business Development for FPG before setting up PAVÉ, a business that transforms
the way FMCG companies go to market.
Chris Wong
Strategic Advisor
Chris has a deep and up-to-date understanding of the FMCG...
Craig Cotton
Craig has held senior executive and governance roles across Australasia and Asia with Coca-Cola and Asahi. His strengths include managing complexity at scale across sales, marketing, finance and commercial operations, and leadership of customer success teams across multiple markets with large international customers. He has been a founder, investor and advisor to start up and early-stage businesses across FMCG, Horticulture, SaaS and PaaS. Craig is an investor and the Chief Commercial Officer for SkillsVR where he is focusing on scaling up North America and the UK.
Craig Cotton
Strategic Advisor
Craig has held senior executive and governance roles across Australasia...
Grant Watson
Grant has a strong history of consumer and food service operations and manufacturing, with experience across key global markets making him ideal to oversee Leftbrain’s Corporate Relations.
Grant joined Fonterra (the biggest company in New Zealand and the world’s fifth largest dairy company) in 2010 to turn around its struggling milk business. As Managing Director of the Tip Top ice cream business he made significant improvements across the business, delivering record profits.
Grant Watson
Leftbrain Corporate Relations & Strategic Advisor
Grant has a strong history of consumer and food service,...
Hamish Whyte
Hamish’s customer-centric attitude has enabled him to grow his world-class business from a small New Zealand-run company 30 years ago, to the present day Resero Group, which owns three leading design, manufacturing and distribution businesses, providing product and consulting services to the education, healthcare, hospitality and public sectors in Australia,
New Zealand, Asia and other international markets.
As well as a deep knowledge of customer thinking, Hamish has a strong innovation and product lens which is proven by his success. He has always maintained key aspirations around investing in people, building great teams, increasing capability, and retaining a strong organisational culture; and he is often sought after for his professional and personal advice throughout his global networks.
Hamish Whyte
Strategic Advisor
Hamish’s customer-centric attitude has enabled him to grow his world-class...
Peter Wogan
Peter’s experience includes 25 years in marketing leadership, people leadership, strategy development, and governance. Much of this experience has been in tech sectors.
Earlier in his career, Peter held marketing director roles for several companies including Compaq Computers and Hewlett-Packard. He went on to establish his own company, Top Box, focusing on leadership and strategy development. Peter has a strong passion for start-ups, and from his engagement with SMEs, he was able to formulate a toolkit to help owners and managers navigate the many challenges of establishing and growing their business.
Today, Peter is also a Director and co-owner of Fresh Perspective where he draws on a range of processes to help business owners address a range of issues – everything from owner clarity and alignment, to Governance,
to People Structure and Competency.
Drawing on this experience, Peter is Chair of Leftbrain, helping to guide the company’s strategy as it moves into early stage commercialisation.
Peter Wogan
Strategic Advisor
Peter’s experience includes 25 years in marketing leadership, people leadership,...
Wayne Norrie
Wayne Norrie has more than 30 years’ international experience in technology and finance.
Wayne is a chartered fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Directors and a member of Kea’s World Class New Zealand network. He is a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management and has a long standing, strong association with New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE), the government department charged with helping New Zealand exporters grow bigger and faster. He has championed several initiatives at NZTE including the NZTE Beachhead program and the NZTE Better by Governance programme.
He has assisted many companies to implement high-quality Governance and has mentored many business leaders to fulfil their true potential. Wayne was awarded the 2016 IDC Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Technology Sector, and the 2016 AUT Leadership Award for contribution to business. In 2021, he was inducted into the New Zealand Hi-Tech Hall of Fame with the Flying Kiwi award.
Reflecting his passion for governance, Wayne is chair for tech companies including Now Networks Ltd., Sportsground.com (a cloud provider for sports organisations); and Resero Ltd. Wayne is an independent, informal advisor to the Board of Leftbrain.
Wayne Norrie
Informal Advisor to the Board
Wayne Norrie has more than 30 years’ international experience in...