NZ Intel chief quits

5:00 pm - By CHRIS BARTON

The worldwide technology market slowdown has claimed a high profile local casualty with Intel deciding not to replace its New Zealand general manager, Scott Gilmour who is leaving to pursue a consultancy business.

In early March Intel said it would shed 5000 employees worldwide in the next nine months, largely through attrition.

The world's largest microprocessor manufacturer also announced its first-quarter revenues would slump as much as 25 per cent from the prior quarter as the economic slowdown that is dampening demand for personal computers, has spread to networking, communications and server components.

The attrition effect means the New Zealand subsidiary's sales and marketing staff of three will now report to Australia. The move does not affect the 80 staff working for the New Zealand division of computer telephony manufacturer Dialogic which Intel acquired in July 2000 for $1,936 million ($US780 million).

Mr Gilmour who was appointed general manager in June 1997 has been with the Intel for 12 years holding a variety of senior posts in the United States including field sales support, product management and new channel development.

He has mixed emotions about the move: "No other company could have given me the breadth of opportunity and rewards I've had here, so there is tremendous sadness to be leaving that. But equally I'm pumped up about what I'm about to do."

He plans to offer consultancy services to technology-based startup companies and will be continuing his involvement with Unitec's Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and its high tech incubator.

He said the career move was partly a lifestyle decision related to staying with his family in New Zealand. But it also stemmed from seeing the breadth of startup possibilities here.

"What I've seen is a boatload of ideas, great technology and outstanding people. But what's been lacking is the commercial ability to take advantage of that opportunity to develop and market it."

Mr Gilmour, who was born in Wellington, bred in Invercargill and gained a Bachelor of Commerce at Otago University, also hopes to draw on his won experience with startups - both here and in the United States.

After completing an executive MBA in Portland, Oregon in 1989, Mr Gilmour set about raising $310,000 ($US125,000) to start ABC Technologies. The Portland company had grand plans - to realise $49.6 million ($US20 million) in sales with in five years and have an initial public offering (IPO).

That did not quite happen but the company is still going and although it has not gone public, it will show about $75 million ($US30 million) in revenue this year.

"I understand long and patient investing" he said.

While at Intel Mr Gilmour also gave assistance to local graphics software company Right Hemisphere and seen it grow from a staff of 5 to 15 in less than year. He is also enthusiastic about the first intake of 34 people to Unitec's Master of Business Innovation & Entrepreneurship course.

"They're people full of energy and enthusiasm. They're all aspiring tall poppies. There's no typical kiwi reticence there."