Syft Technologies: Scaling Sustainably Through People-First Transformation
Client: Syft Technologies | Industry: Deep Tech Manufacturing (MassSpectrometry Instruments) | Size: ~100 Employees
The Company
Syft Technologies, founded in Christchurch in 2002 out of University of Canterbury research, is a global leader in real-time trace gas analysis using SIFT-MS. Strong of 100 staff across six countries, Syft’s instruments deliver rapid, chromatography-free detection of volatile compounds down to parts-per-trillion, serving industries from semiconductors and pharmaceuticals to food and fragrances.
Recognised internationally, Syft’s Tracer platform won a Pittcon Today Excellence Award and was named in The Analytical Scientist’s Innovation Awards 2023, with its AMC Explorer again featured in the 2024 Innovation Awards as the world’s first fully mobile, real-time analyser.
The Challenge
In 2022, Syft Technologies faced a sharp revenue decline, creating a gap between income and costs. This led to a necessary organisational restructure amid leadership changes, including the Chief People Officer’s departure. The company urgently needed expert guidance to secure its future and enable sustainable growth.
Our Approach
Since late 2022, Humankind has partnered closely with Syft Technologies, acting as a fractional Chief People Officer and trusted advisor to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team. The work has included strategic advice, hands-on delivery, and shaping Syft’s people, structure, and ways of working.
Our partnership has evolved through three key phases:
01 - Restructuring for Stability
Led cost-aligning restructures, supported tough decisions with empathy, and managed communications to maintain trust.
02 - Leadership Capability & Culture
Embedded in leadership to shift toward growth, co-defined high-performance behaviours needed for success, and supported successful transitions of young talents into key leadership positions.
03 - Ways of Working & Strategic Enablement
Refined organisational structure for growth, implemented quarterly goal reviews, built HR systems, and shaped strategic market positioning.
The Outcome
- Impressive double-digit year-on-year revenue growth.
- Deep employee engagement: 91% trust in leadership, 91% would recommend Syft.
- Minimal regretted departures and strong talent retention.
- SLT now operates as a cohesive, high-performing team.
- Positioned for global growth with teams across Asia, US, and Europe.
Why This Partnership Matters to Humankind
This partnership showcases Humankind’s ability to deliver impact in complex environments, guiding Syft through crisis, transformation, and renewal.
Through vision, strategy, leadership, and organisational design, we’ve helped Syft transform and thrive.
