Duane Daubenton

With close to 20 years of hands-on experience, I am a highly skilled Senior Automation Technician specializing in fault finding, troubleshooting, and system setup across agricultural operations in South Africa & the SADC region. Known for my creative problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and strong work ethic, I have built a reputation for being personally requested to resolve complex technical issues on farms throughout Southern Africa. My extensive field experience, combined with a deep understanding of automation systems, allows me to deliver reliable, efficient solutions in high-pressure environments

Senior Automation Technician at Netafim (2019-01 – Present)

• Assembly of Automation irrigation dosing units
• Controllers in cabinets with protection devices
• Radio units
• Troubleshoot Controller hardware
• Generally assist dealers over the phone
• Assist end-users (farmers) over the phone
• Travel to site if necessary
• Train dealers – in office, at dealers' premises, on-site
• Design and create electrical/layout drawings for new machines
• Assist with R & D for new devices
• Support the team
• Sites worked on: Greenfuels (Zimbabwe), Patrysberg (Citrusdaal), Diepgat (Citrusdaal), Vensterhoek (Potensie), Klipstoot (Potensie), Various Other Farms
• Employee of the Year for Netafim 2024
• Runner up Employee of the Year for Netafim 2023

Technologist Department at Process Tanks (2017-01 – 2019-12)

• Design, Manufacture & Maintain production equipment for various companies
• This includes all aspects of the manufacturing of machines, ie: Mechanical design, electrical design, functionality and fault finding on PLC's & automated machinery
• Build relationships and maintain them with clients
• Bring in new clients
• Creating quotes and sourcing components for new builds & maintenance purposes
• Manage multiple jobs successfully
• Problem solve and resolve issues quickly in the FMCG industry
• Ensure all machinery is running smoothly
• Perform Planned Preventative Maintenance for multiple companies
• Installing and setting drives, calibrating equipment & instrumentation
• Help team members

Electrical/Automation Technician at Devcotech Electrical (2016-01 – 2017-12)

• Allocating of staff to various jobs needed to be done
• Checking Installations / Validating I/O lists
• Measuring out and running cable to instrumentation and panels
• Planning cable routes
• Wiring Instrumentation and Panels
• Testing COMS, ethernet, profibus, RS485 and addressing instrumentation
• Report any technical problems to the Installation Manager
• Help the team members

Electrical/Automation Technician at Business Connexion (2013-01 – 2016-12)

• Maintaining the Job schedule and updating accordingly
• Allocating of staff to various jobs needed to be done
• Moving cable/pipe drums from the container to the site/area where it is needed and back
• Finding out the route for the pipe/cable from the correct panel to the correct instrument
• Pulling in the cable/pipe as neat as possible
• Label both ends of the cable/pipe with the correct cable number or (Instrument number) as per drawing
• Cable tie the cables/pipes pulled from the instrument to the respective panel
• Connect the cable to the instrument using the required Boot lace
• In the panel, neatly run the cable to the correct slot on the board and prep the cable if it is not already connected
• Test all cabling and or wiring then to terminate as per drawing
• Cut all excess cable tie pieces off to the correct length
• Update any drawings if required
• Report any technical problems to the Installation Manager
• Help the team members

Electrical/Automation Technician at Quad Automation (2009-01 – 2013-12)

• Installing cable tray
• Install cables and terminate
• PLC replacement. Remove old PLC and install new PLC
• Drawings
• Planning and site supervision
• Assist with commissioning
• Manage project at Nestle Purina
• Sa Maltsters – Allen Bradley interface. Water meter installation. Power meter installation
• PPC De Hoek – PLC upgrades. Siemens S5 to S7
• ABI Johannesburg – New PLC installation. Siemens S7
• Fine Chemicals – ABB DCS. Instrument installation contract. Site supervisor
• Nestle Purina – Allen Bradley PLC. Instrument and electrical contract. Site manager
• Afrox Mossel bay – PLC upgrade S7. Instrument installation contract
• Afrox Pmb – PLC upgrade S7. Instrumentation installation contract

Red Seal Electrical Trade Test – Nomanzi Trade College (2024-01 – 2024-12)

Mechatronics – False Bay College (2009-01 – 2009-12)

Millwright – False Bay College (2009-01 – 2009-12)

Level 2 in Fitting – False Bay College (2009-01 – 2009-12)

N3 in Electrical – False Bay College (2005-01 – 2005-12)

N2 in Electrical – False Bay College (2005-01 – 2005-12)

Matric – Progress College (2000-01 – 2000-12)