Published on the 21/11/2013 | Written by Newsdesk

Bill Buckley of BSL, which supplies the machinery used in the manufacture of more than 90 percent of the world’s silicon chips amongst other things, has been honoured by his native New Zealand…

Bill Buckley has been acknowledged for his achievements in engineering, business and export and as the founder of Buckley Systems Limited (BSL) – the world’s leading supplier of precision electromagnets.

Twenty years ago Buckley saw the opportunity in electromagnets, which are used in the manufacture of silicon chips, flat-panel screens, high-end medical machinery and particle accelerators. Today BSL supplies machinery used in the manufacture of more than 90 percent of the world’s silicon chips. Today the company employs more than 300 people and is a global technology leader exporting its products to customers around the world from its headquarters in Auckland, New Zealand.

The Flying Kiwi award, administered by the NZ Hi-Tech Trust and sponsored by Tait Communications, recognises its recipients’ lifetime of achievement in the technology industry. Previous Flying Kiwis include Sir Woolf Fisher and Maurice Paykel of Fisher & Paykel fame, Rod Drury founder of Xero, and Sir Angus Tait of Tait Communications.

Speaking at the event, NZ Hi-Tech Trust chairman, Wayne Norrie said, “Bill Buckley’s achievements, like those of all our Flying Kiwis, are nothing short of incredible. His philosophy on business and life is truly one to admire. Bill says:”

“It’s no good doing what anyone can do. You have to go after the stuff that is too complicated for the average engineer so you can be Johnny on the spot when the demand hits.”

“That’s a philosophy he has followed, and continues to follow, with great passion, commitment and drive. It’s led him to create a company at the very forefront of technology innovation globally. Today, BSL is building products that are powering the innovations of tomorrow in areas such as computing and healthcare from right here in New Zealand.”

In his humble and, at times, emotional acceptance speech, Buckley recognised the relationships, both personal and professional, that have helped him and his company to succeed, including the time his wife put her house on the market and the day Fletchers put up a bond for a make-or-break Taiwanese deal that would hold BSL’s assessors at bay during the GFC. He also recalled his start in life as a farm boy dreaming about building the biggest things he could – beginning with ships before he took an early interest in nuclear physics, and his curiosity and passion drove him to establish his first company.

James Kyd, chief marketing officer of Tait Communications, sponsors of the Flying Kiwi Award, said, “Like all our Flying Kiwis, Bill is humble, and unassuming, and outside of people in this industry, few New Zealanders would be aware of his fantastic achievements.”

During the course of his career to date, Buckley has won many awards including:

• Twice being named New Zealand Trade Exporter of the Year
• Receiving the Ernst & Young New Zealand Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2011
• Being a finalist for New Zealander of the Year in 2013
• Receiving the NZ Order of Merit in 2013 for his services to technology, business and motorsport.

Members of The Hi-Tech Hall of Fame:

• 2013 Bill Buckley
• 2012 Sir Ken Stevens
• 2011 Brent Robinson
• 2010 Paul Hargreaves
• 2009 Selwyn Pellett
• 2009 Rod Drury
• 2008 Dennis Chapman
• 2008 Ian Taylor
• 2008 Sir Gil Simpson
• 2007 Trevor Eagle
• 2007 Sir William Gallagher
• 2006 Sir Peter Maire
• 2005 Sir Woolf Fisher and Maurice Paykel
• 2004 Neville Jordan
• 2003 Sir Angus Tait