About Us
Our History
“Lana” in Lanaco is Latin for “wool”, reflecting our deep connection to nature
Founded in 2011 by Auckland engineer Nick Davenport, Lanaco set out to create sustainable air filtration from New Zealand wool.
From early work in industrial filters to global recognition for breathable, high performance masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, our history is rich in innovation and resilience.
Lanaco has now returned to its core mission to lead the shift towards high performance, sustainable filtration solutions.
Our Philosophy
Making natural possible in air filtration
Our ethos focuses on creating high-performance filters with the smallest possible environmental footprint. We are committed to a future where we achieve more with less, leveraging the inherent efficiency of natural materials.
Our Values
At Lanaco, we believe that a strong cohesive team is built on shared values. These principles guide everything we do from innovation to customer care.
+ Integrity
+ Collaboration
+ Curiosity
+ Discipline
+ Commitment
+ Customer Focused
+ Integrity
+ Collaboration
+ Curiosity
+ Discipline
+ Commitment
+ Customer Focused
Our People
At Lanaco, we foster a safe and inclusive work environment where every team member feels valued, respected and empowered to thrive.
Nick Davenport (NZCE Mech Eng, Dip BIA, MBA)
Founder and CEO
Nick is a materials applications engineer who founded Lanaco following many successful years heading up materials company Nexus Foams Ltd. Nick has 30 years experience in product innovation and entrepreneurialism with fibre and polymer materials for industrial applications.
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Founder and CEO
Nick is a materials applications engineer who founded Lanaco following many successful years heading up materials company Nexus Foams Ltd. Nick has 30 years experience in product innovation and entrepreneurialism with fibre and polymer materials for industrial applications.
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Dr. Andrew West (BSc Hons PhD DBA)
Chairman of the Board
Dr. West is experienced in commercialising deep science businesses, following an extensive career in executive government and academic roles. He has co-founded, invested in, and governed high technology start-ups and public roles, especially those with a clean, green technology specialisation, such as Lanaco, GNS Science, NZQA, Aquafortus and Synthase Biotech.
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Chairman of the Board
Dr. West is experienced in commercialising deep science businesses, following an extensive career in executive government and academic roles. He has co-founded, invested in, and governed high technology start-ups and public roles, especially those with a clean, green technology specialisation, such as Lanaco, GNS Science, NZQA, Aquafortus and Synthase Biotech.
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Hansol Cha (M Eng Hons)
Chief Business Development Officer
Hansol has a Chemical Engineering educational background and brings years of technical sales experience into his role, specialising in R&D and deep tech commercialisation in public and private sectors. He leverages his strong networks to achieve top results.
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Chief Business Development Officer
Hansol has a Chemical Engineering educational background and brings years of technical sales experience into his role, specialising in R&D and deep tech commercialisation in public and private sectors. He leverages his strong networks to achieve top results.
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Tony Moffat
Chief QHSE Officer
Tony has more than 30 years of experience in leadership roles in agri-business with companies of the calibre of Livestock Improvement Corporation, Seales Winslow and Lincoln University. Tony has valuable experience in operations, procurement and logistics.
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Chief QHSE Officer
Tony has more than 30 years of experience in leadership roles in agri-business with companies of the calibre of Livestock Improvement Corporation, Seales Winslow and Lincoln University. Tony has valuable experience in operations, procurement and logistics.
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Sonja Doo (BE Hons)
Chief Operations Officer
With her materials engineering based background, Sonja brings together the scientific findings of Lanaco technology to create and enhance products and processes. She manages the highly capable production team and works with R&D to consistently expand our capabilities.
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Chief Operations Officer
With her materials engineering based background, Sonja brings together the scientific findings of Lanaco technology to create and enhance products and processes. She manages the highly capable production team and works with R&D to consistently expand our capabilities.
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Valentine Chan (MSc Hons Chemistry)
Chief Scientific Officer
Valentine uses the chemistry of new materials to develop and improve Lanaco's natural and sustainable filter media materials. He wrote a Master's thesis on wool technology at the MacDiarmid Institute and Victoria University of Wellington, with experience in food, paint and wet wipes industries.
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Chief Scientific Officer
Valentine uses the chemistry of new materials to develop and improve Lanaco's natural and sustainable filter media materials. He wrote a Master's thesis on wool technology at the MacDiarmid Institute and Victoria University of Wellington, with experience in food, paint and wet wipes industries.
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Mark Gilmour (BE Hons)
Production & Development Engineer
Mark has a background in Mechanical Engineering, having worked with aerospace and vehicle systems previously. He has a strong background in SolidWorks, CAD, mechanical product design and product management. Mark also serves in the New Zealand Defence Force.
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Production & Development Engineer
Mark has a background in Mechanical Engineering, having worked with aerospace and vehicle systems previously. He has a strong background in SolidWorks, CAD, mechanical product design and product management. Mark also serves in the New Zealand Defence Force.
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Andy Ramsden
Director at Ovis Global
Andy has been a key part of Lanaco’s wool breeding objectives, fibre supply chain quality and supplier relations. Through the Astino® Breeding Programme, Andy brings a lifetime of successful sheep breeding. He also provides a mutually clear pathway of communications between producer, processor, scientist, manufacturer and end-user.
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Director at Ovis Global
Andy has been a key part of Lanaco’s wool breeding objectives, fibre supply chain quality and supplier relations. Through the Astino® Breeding Programme, Andy brings a lifetime of successful sheep breeding. He also provides a mutually clear pathway of communications between producer, processor, scientist, manufacturer and end-user.
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