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18 MTR January/February 2011 Byron Dawe is one of the original founders of Rutter Technologies and has over 30 years diverse experience in the marine technology business. Dawe is a founding member of the International Electrotechnical Commission, Technical Committee 80, Working Group 11, which has been responsible for the development of the testing standard for voyage data recorders. He is also active in the International Maritime Organization and has participated in the development of the VDR and S-VDR performance standards through this organization. MTR recently spend some time with Dawe to discuss Rutter and the evolution of the subsea technology industry. You helped found Rutter Technologies; what was the impetus to create this company? While working at a non-governmental organization and tasked to find opportunities for Canadian companies, I came across the opportunity for voyage data recorders (VDRs) or Black box for ships and recognized that a cou- ple of companies had all the technologies in place to sup- ply VDRs. These two small companies, Sigma Engineering and Consolidated Technologies, decided to take advantage of the emerging market opportunity, and I was offered to help run the business in manufacturing and marketing VDRs. How is the company most different from when you helped create it? How is it still the same? The company has grown considerably. Rutter Technologies was acquired by another group early in its lifecycle, because of its potential opportunity and because the company needed the capital to grow. Rutter Inc. has now grown into a diversified, publicly traded company on the Canadian Toronto Stock Exchange. Our radar signal processing technology, which we acquired a few years back, has been sold into multiple markets, including secu- rity, ice navigation, oil spill detection, and even bird track- ing markets. We are still a recognized leader in the VDR business, with approximately 4,000 systems being sold over the last 10 years, and still deliver a lot of VDRs. How did you initially take an interest in the maritime industry? I’ve always been involved in the marine industry from the research and development perspective since early days in the university. I did a lot of work on the problems with ice management of the east coast of Canada and in the Canadian Arctic. I also did a lot of work for the United States and Canadian Coast Guards on Search and Rescue (SAR) detection technologies for SAR applications. I guess the maritime industry was kind of in my blood, and that’s why I ended up in the business. How would you describe your management style? I treat our people with respect, and we work as a team. I try to keep the team informed and insist on quality in our products as well as on bringing a professional approach to the business. Please provide a brief overview of Rutter Technologies and its position in the marketplace? Rutter Technologies is growing to be a significant player in the commercial marine industry worldwide. We have captured a substantial market share in the VDR business. Five Minutes With ... Rutter’s President, Business Development and Innovation Byron Dawe
