Mike Rickard Bio
Mike Rickard
Gold Coast, Australia.
Mike has had a lifelong passion for automation in the manufacturing industry. He has tertiary qualifications in industrial electronics, engineering and mechanical design, microprocessor based software programming, CAD CAM systems and fifteen years experience as owner/managing director of a successful engineering company which designs and manufactures complex automated machines for both the pharmaceutical and automotive industries. This company has clients throughout Australia and overseas, including Robert Bosch, Siemens, Toyota, Ford, GMH, Astra Zeneca, Pfizer and ITW.
In 2001, Mike restructured the management of this Melbourne-based business and established a new company to design and manufacture shaping machines for the shaping industry. This Gold Coast based company has successfully designed and manufactured over 30 APS3000 and Aku Shaper shaping machines for local and overseas shapers.
Mike's company is now working with the APS3000 software developers, Jimmy and Ralph Freese to build a superior steel-framed shaping machine with a world class controller system to provide shapers with a even more reliable and accurate system. The Aku Shaper is a new design with patent applications for Australia, the US and Europe.
With over six years experience in designing and manufacturing a variety of shaping systems, Mike has a unique and detailed knowledge of these systems. He has also completed many machine installations and provided technical support on site or by phone to customers around the world.
As a surfer, Mike has a keen interest in continuing to improve and develop the Aku Shaper and he is now happily relocated on the Gold Coast with his wife and three children.