CEO Interview with Jason De Silveira | Reinventing the Way People, Machines and Businesses Work Together Globally

• Can you introduce yourself and your organisation?

My name is Jason De Silveira, and I am the founder and CEO of Nexxis, a leading provider of advanced inspection equipment solutions. At Nexxis, we go beyond offering top-quality equipment for rent, lease, or purchase. We are a solutions-driven company that helps our customers make smarter and more profitable business decisions.

Our core focus is on supplying a wide range of cutting-edge inspection, testing, and measuring equipment for various applications across industries such as oil and gas, mining, manufacturing, and infrastructure. We understand that industrial projects are dynamic, and our flexible adaptability gives our customers a distinct competitive advantage.

But our commitment doesn’t stop at providing equipment. We support our customers every step of the way. That’s why we offer comprehensive training on all our products, either at our offices or on-site, to ensure our customers maximise the benefits of their investment. We also have a team of highly skilled and field-trained technicians available support, reducing project downtime and keeping operations running smoothly.

At Nexxis, we keep up with rapidly evolving technological developments, bringing the most advanced equipment to our customers. We continuously expand our range to ensure we have the right solutions to meet their specific needs. Our solutions-driven approach, flexible financing options, expert advice, and access to the latest global technologies set us apart from other technical equipment companies.

We are here to help our customers make more profitable business decisions, achieve better outcomes for their clients, and be at the forefront of innovation in their industries.

 

• How has your organisation adapted to the changing needs and requirements of the industry over time, and what challenges have you faced in doing so?

At Nexxis, staying ahead of industry changes are key pillars of our success. We understand that the needs and requirements of our customers are constantly evolving, driven by advancements in technology, market demands, and regulatory changes. As a result, we have adapted our organisation to meet these challenges head-on.

One of the primary ways we have adapted is through our unique and unrivalled Global Collaboration Network. By establishing partnerships with leading technology manufacturers for RVI, NDT equipment, and robotics, we ensure our clients have direct and faster access to the latest technologies and equipment. This network allows us to integrate and modify solutions according to our clients’ specific requirements, delivering the right outcomes.

Furthermore, we have embraced a hybrid approach that maximises our ability to solve complex assignments across various industries.

Overall, our organisation remains committed to innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We actively seek to understand the evolving needs of our industry and develop solutions that help our customers navigate and thrive in a rapidly changing landscape. By addressing challenges head-on and leveraging our expertise, partnerships, and commitment to excellence, we can adapt and deliver value to our clients.

 

• In your opinion, what sets your organisation apart from other NDT companies in the market, and what makes you the best choice for clients looking for NDT services?

At Nexxis, we pride ourselves on being more than just a technical equipment supplier or NDT company. What sets us apart is our comprehensive and solutions-driven approach that goes beyond renting and selling equipment. We are dedicated to helping our clients make smarter and more profitable business decisions.

Our unique Global Collaboration Network is a key differentiator. Through partnerships with leading technology manufacturers, universities, research institutes, and organisations, we have direct access to the latest technologies and equipment. This allows us to provide our clients with innovative and customised solutions, integrating and modifying equipment as needed to deliver the right outcomes.

When clients choose Nexxis as their technical equipment supplier, they enter into a partnership that aims to achieve better outcomes for their business and their clients. We offer flexible contract options, ensuring clients have the most advanced equipment and access to skilled and experienced technical support.

Our forward-thinking approach and commitment to innovation make us the best choice for clients looking for NDT services. We keep up with evolving technological developments and bring the most advanced equipment to the market. Our range of products is continually expanding to ensure we have the right equipment to suit the specific needs of our clients across various industries.

While not only offering a range of supplier products, we also develop the latest in inspection technologies in-house. Utilising our experience and skilled team of engineers we have an expansive range of crawlers, cameras and inspection equipment owned and built right here in Perth, Australia.

We strive to be the best choice for clients looking for NDT services by delivering exceptional solutions, reducing downtime, and helping our clients achieve their business goals.

 

• Can you describe some of the most challenging NDT projects your organisation has worked on, and how did you successfully overcome these challenges?

One of the most challenging NDT projects we have worked on is the development and deployment of the offshore caisson cleaning and inspection tool (CCAIT system) in collaboration with Woodside Energy and other industry partners. This project presented several unique challenges that required innovative solutions and close collaboration.

The first challenge was the remote inspection of caissons, which are vertical carbon steel pipes up to 70 metres long and 1.2 metres wide, housing critical equipment on offshore platforms. Traditional inspection methods were costly, time-consuming, and posed safety risks to human inspectors. We had to design a system that could safely and effectively inspect the inside of the caissons while providing high-quality data for analysis.

To overcome this challenge, we developed a human-sized robot that could be remotely controlled from a safe location on the offshore platform. The robot was equipped with wheels to navigate and position itself within the caisson, and probe arms to enable ultrasound inspection. High-definition cameras streamed real-time video back to skilled technicians, who used the data to define the forward plan for maintenance and repairs.

Another significant challenge was the tight timeline for development and deployment. The entire project, from design to deployment, had to be completed in less than 12 months. This required a high level of coordination and collaboration among the project team, which consisted of engineers, technicians, and subject matter experts from various companies.

We worked with our partners to fabricate, test, and validate the robotic system, ensuring its performance and usability met the project requirements.

Despite the added complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic, we remained committed to pushing the boundaries of robotics and advanced manufacturing.

This challenging project not only showcased our technical capabilities but also demonstrated the strength of Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector in developing and deploying cutting-edge robotic technology. The success of the CCAIT system highlighted the value of local collaboration, job creation, and the advancement of robotics on a global scale.

 

• What is your go-to-market strategy with respect to Nexxis’ products?

Our go-to-market strategy at Nexxis is centred around delivering exceptional value to our clients and establishing long-term partnerships based on trust and innovation. We aim to position ourselves as the preferred choice for clients seeking advanced NDT and robotics solutions by leveraging our unique strength.

One key aspect of our strategy is focusing on the needs and requirements of our target industries. We understand that each industry has specific challenges and demands, and we tailor our products and services to address those needs. Our extensive range of leading-edge inspection, testing, and measuring equipment is designed to cater to a variety of applications across industries such as oil and gas, power generation, manufacturing, and more.

Another critical component of our go-to-market strategy is building strong relationships with our clients. We prioritise open communication and collaboration to gain a deep understanding of our client’s pain points and working closely with them to identify the best solutions and provide comprehensive support throughout their journey.

We emphasise the importance of education and training in our go-to-market strategy. We offer comprehensive training on all our products, ensuring that our clients maximise the benefits of their investments. By empowering our clients with the knowledge and skills to effectively use our equipment, we not only differentiate ourselves from competitors but also contribute to their success.

Furthermore, we actively engage in industry events, conferences, and exhibitions to showcase our products, network with key stakeholders, and stay abreast of the latest industry trends globally.

 

• In what ways does your organisation stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and advancements in the NDT industry, and how do you incorporate these advancements into your services?

We recognize that technology is constantly evolving, and we are committed to being at the forefront of innovation to deliver the most advanced and effective solutions to our clients.

We actively follow industry publications, attend conferences, and engage with industry experts to stay informed about emerging technologies, new methodologies, and best practices.

When we identify a new technology that aligns with our vision and can bring added value to our clients, we work closely with our engineering and R&D teams to assess its feasibility and integration potential.

Once we are satisfied with the performance and reliability of a new technology, we incorporate it into our service offerings. This may involve integrating new equipment into our rental fleet, updating our training programs to cover the latest techniques, or adapting our inspection methodologies to leverage the advancements.

 

• Can you describe a time when your organisation had to make a difficult decision, and how did you ultimately resolve the issue?

One of the most significant and challenging decisions we had to make as an organisation was whether to invest in the development of our own technology and equipment rather than relying on existing solutions available in the market. We recognized a gap where we could provide unique value by offering our proprietary products.

At the time, we were renting, leasing, and selling equipment from other manufacturers to meet the needs of our clients. While this allowed us to provide services, we saw limitations in terms of customisation, control over product features, and the ability to differentiate ourselves in the market. We believed that developing our own technology would enable us to offer innovative solutions tailored specifically to our client’s requirements.

This obviously comes with significant risks and challenges but we decided to move forward with the development of our technology as we recognized the value it would bring to our clients, the competitive advantage it would provide, and the opportunity to position ourselves as a leader in the industry.

This decision to invest in our technology has proven to be a pivotal moment for our organisation as it has allowed us to differentiate ourselves in the market, offer tailored solutions to our clients, and establish ourselves as a leading provider in the NDT industry.

Today, we are proud to offer a range of proprietary technology and equipment that has transformed the way inspections are performed across industries. Tools like Magneto, PowerTrain, Snowcat & Panther mean we can offer truly customised solutions to our clients.

 

• How does your organisation measure success, and what metrics do you use to evaluate your performance?

At Nexxis, we measure success by the impact we have on our client’s businesses and the overall growth and reputation of our organisation. Success is not just about financial performance but also about the value we deliver to our clients, the satisfaction of our employees, and our contribution to the industry.

One of the key metrics we use to evaluate our performance is customer satisfaction as well as the success of our projects. We closely monitor project timelines, budget adherence, and the quality of our deliverables.

In addition, we assess our performance based on the growth and profitability of our organisation. We track key financial indicators which provide insights into the overall health and sustainability of our business.

Employee satisfaction and engagement are vital for achieving long-term success.

Lastly, we monitor our industry reputation and market position. We assess how well we are perceived by our clients, industry peers, and competitors.

By evaluating these metrics and continuously striving for improvement, we ensure that we are delivering value to our clients, fostering a positive work environment for our employees, and driving the growth and success of our organisation.

 

• How do you plan to scale Nexxis?

At Nexxis, our scaling plan revolves around three key elements: innovation, strategic partnerships, and expanding our global reach. By focusing on these areas, we aim to extend our impact and solidify our position as a leader in the NDT industry.

We will continue investing in research and development to enhance our existing product offerings and develop new, cutting-edge solutions. By staying at the forefront of technological advancements, we can provide our clients with the most advanced equipment and services available, addressing their evolving needs and challenges.

By collaborating with industry leaders, technology providers, and research institutions, we can leverage their expertise, access new markets, and expand our service offerings. These partnerships enable us to enhance our capabilities, access new customer segments, and tap into diverse knowledge networks. We will actively seek out opportunities to forge mutually beneficial collaborations that enable us to deliver comprehensive solutions and value-added services to our clients.

Expanding our global reach is another key component of our scaling strategy. We will focus on entering new markets and strengthening our presence in existing ones. By having a strong global footprint, we can provide localised support, adapt to regional requirements, and tap into new business opportunities.

To support our scaling efforts, we will also continue investing in talent acquisition and development. We recognise that our people are our greatest asset, and we will attract and retain top talent with the right skills and expertise to drive our growth.

 

• How do you see the NDT industry evolving in the future, and what steps is your organisation taking to prepare for these changes?

As technology continues to advance and industries become more complex, the demand for more efficient, accurate, and automated NDT solutions will continue to grow. At Nexxis, we are committed to staying ahead of these changes and positioning ourselves as a leader in the industry.

One of the significant developments we anticipate is the increasing adoption of robotics and automation in NDT processes. This shift will bring about significant improvements in inspection speed, accuracy, and safety. To prepare for this future, we have been investing in the development and integration of robotics and automation technologies into our product portfolio.

Data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) will also play a crucial role in the future of NDT. The ability to collect and analyse large volumes of inspection data will provide valuable insights, enabling predictive maintenance and more informed decision-making. We are actively exploring software and machine learning techniques to enhance our data analysis capabilities and provide our clients with actionable insights.

By staying at the forefront of industry trends and embracing innovation, we are well-positioned to lead the way and provide our clients with future-ready NDT solutions.

 

• Finally, what advice would you give to someone who is considering a career in NDT, and what qualities do you believe are necessary for success in this field?

I would recommend embracing a curious and detail-oriented mindset, cultivating a passion for problem-solving, and be prepared for continuous learning and development.

Continuous learning is a fundamental aspect of a career in NDT. The industry is constantly evolving, with new technologies and techniques emerging regularly. Staying updated with the latest advancements and continuously upgrading your skills and knowledge will be essential to thrive in this field. Pursuing certifications, attending industry conferences, and participating in training programs are excellent ways to stay current and enhance your expertise.

By embodying these qualities and continuously developing your knowledge and skills, you can build a rewarding and fulfilling career in the NDT industry.

Contact us to find out more about our range of robots or any of our other inspection products, or request a quote online.

You may also be interested in the Inspenet Interview with Jason De Silveira.