Jandals in Japan®

Steve Saunders tells the full behind-the-scenes story of how Robotics Plus went from a PhD project at Massey University to a globally operating autonomous vehicle and robotic packing company, attracting investment from Yamaha Motor in 2017 and a full acquisition by Yamaha Agriculture in 2025. This is part one of a two-part series. Part two features Nolan Paul, CEO of Yamaha Agriculture.
Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan
Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne
Visit ON Consulting for in depth articles in Japanese and English
If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.
In this episode you’ll hear:
How Steve Saunders went from growing up on a dairy farm in the Waikato to co-founding Robotics Plus and many other ventures
Why choosing corporate investment from Yamaha over venture capital was the critical decision
The inside story of how Steve led investments into Robotics Plus, by Yamaha, to a full acquisition, and why building trust through consistent face-to-face contact was everything.
Practical advice for Kiwi entrepreneurs going global with their startup

About Steve
Steve Saunders (Ngāti Ranginui) is a New Zealand serial entrepreneur with more than 35 years’ experience across the horticultural and food sectors, startups, and investments, having built many successful horticultural businesses. He is the co-founder of Robotics Plus – the Tauranga-based agritech company acquired by Japan’s Yamaha Motor Company in 2025 to form the foundation of Yamaha Agriculture, Inc. He is now the Senior Vice President, Business Development & Strategy at Yamaha Agriculture.
Steve brings extensive leadership and investment experience, global grower connections and financial expertise. From co-founding Gro-Link to launching GroPlus and PollenPlus, he is also a founding shareholder and director of Rockit Global Limited (Rockit Apples). He was also one of the founders of Mount Pack & Cool, one of the largest and most technologically advanced kiwifruit packhouses in the Bay of Plenty. He co-founded the Newnham Park Innovation Centre, a hub for export-focused businesses in the Bay of Plenty, and served for 13 years on the board of Priority One, the economic development organisation for the Western Bay of Plenty.
A long-time champion of Māori investment in agriculture and innovation, Steve has served on the Federation of Māori Authorities advisory board and was named Te Tohu Kairangi mō te Kaiārahi Pakihi / Outstanding Māori Business Leader in 2022.
Steve is also a sought-after mentor, known for generously sharing his time, knowledge and networks to support others on their journey. He is a long-time supporter of the Young Innovator Awards, helping inspire and encourage the next generation of innovators and business leaders.
His contribution to New Zealand’s exporting success and to developing others was recognised with the ExportNZ Bay of Plenty Export Awards Services to Exporting Award in 2025.
Links
Robotics Plus: https://www.roboticsplus.co.nz/
Yamaha Agriculture: https://yamaha-agriculture.com/news-media/robotics-plus-joins-yamaha-agriculture/
Connect with Jayne and Catherine
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan

Liam Sceats is 20 years old, a New Zealand Grand Prix champion, and a racing driver who describes himself first as a startup founder. In this episode, Liam shares candid stories about his visits to Japan to race, giving insights to the motor racing world in Japan which is becoming an increasingly popular destination for racers. Jayne and Catherine also weigh in with some of their best advice and the reminder that arriving in Japan means leaving your ego behind, no matter how well known you are at home.
Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan
Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne
Visit ON Consulting for in depth articles in Japanese and English
If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.
In this episode you’ll hear:
Why Liam Sceats approaches his racing career like a startup founder
How Liam built one of the strongest relationships of his racing career with a Japanese engineer who didn’t speak English
Practical tips for Kiwis building business relationships remotely in Japan
Why international drivers are increasingly focusing on Japan for long-term professional racing careers.

About Liam
Liam Sceats is a 20 year old Kiwi racing driver and New Zealand Grand Prix Champion. Competing in the Lamborghini Asia series, Liam raced at Fuji Speedway in Japan and scored two podium finishes in 2026.
Off the race track, Liam is building a business around his racing career. With a focus on fundraising, partnerships, brand building, and premium corporate hospitality experiences, he is taking a business-first approach to progressing in one of the world’s most brutal sporting environments, being the world of Motorsport.
As a young Kiwi chasing opportunities across Asia, Liam is passionate about building genuine long-term relationships in Japan and the wider region.
Connect with Liam
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-sceats-86276021a/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liamsceatsmotorsport
Instagram: http://instagram.com/liamsceats
Website: https://liamsceats.com/

Connect with Jayne and Catherine
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan

Peri Drysdale is Founder of the internationally renowned sustainable fashion brand Untouched World. From growing up on a sheep farm in the Rakaia Gorge to becoming a registered nurse, and then launching a global wool business with just $200 in the bank, Peri's journey is nothing short of remarkable. Discover how she broke into Japan's notoriously difficult department store market, the power of persistence, and why being a foreign woman in Japanese business turned from a double negative into a surprising advantage.
Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan
If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.
In this episode you’ll hear:
How Peri started a global wool business with $200 in the bank
The jaw-dropping story of how Peri got her products into prestigious Japanese retailers
The "two minuses make a plus" philosophy
Peri’s Essential lessons for doing business in Japan

About Peri
Peri was born in Christchurch with a first career as a nurse before starting a small home-based knitwear business while raising her young family.
Over the decades, that cottage industry evolved into the internationally recognised brand Untouched World, known for its innovative natural fibres and commitment to environmentally responsible fashion.
The company exports globally including Japan and has earned international recognition for its leadership in sustainability.
Alongside building her business, Peri founded the Untouched World Foundation,and her contributions to business, exports, and sustainability have been widely recognised, including induction into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame and numerous national awards.
Links
Untouched World: https://www.untouchedworld.com/en-int
Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne
Connect with Jayne and Catherine
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan

Kanako Inomata is the Head of Marketing APAC for Zespri International, one of the world's most recognised fresh produce brands. Working remotely from her hometown in Aizu, Fukushima, she leads marketing strategy across Japan, Korea, Singapore, Australia, Vietnam, and beyond.
Kanako reveals the fascinating story behind the Kiwi Brothers characters, which have become so iconic in Japan that they've been rolled out globally across Europe, the Americas, and even back to New Zealand. Whether you're interested in brand building, cross-cultural marketing, or living a purpose-driven career, Kanako's wisdom will resonate.
Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan
If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.
In this episode you’ll hear:
What drew Kanako to move her career to a kiwifruit company from New Zealand
How Kanako and her team created the now-iconic Kiwi Brothers characters (and now their little sister “Ruby”)
The importance of being consumer centric marketing
Kanako’s experience working remotely from Fukushima and leading teams across APAC

About Kanako
An international marketing leader with extensive experience across Consumer, Shopper and Digital marketing. Starting her career at Unilever in Japan, her international marketing experience expanded into South Africa, and now extends across all of Asia Pacific
where she leads a multinational marketing team of Japan, Korea, Singapore, Australia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and India at Zespri International. Representing one of the world’s biggest fresh produce brands, Kanako has led the Zespri marketing team to receive regional recognition including Tangrams Strategy & Effectiveness Awards etc.
Kanako is a talented consumer driven marketer with a strong sense of accountability and business acumen. She is passionate about developing her team’s capability, and contributing positively to society so she can leave the world in a better place.
Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne
Connect with Jayne and Catherine
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan

Glen Argyle left Invercargill for what he thought would be a two or three-year teaching stint in Osaka. Twenty-eight years later, he is currently the CEO of Baxter Japan, one of the world's leading pharmaceutical and medical device companies. His journey from JET program teacher to pharmaceutical industry leader is a masterclass in cultural adaptation, patience, and authentic leadership. Whether you're considering a move to Japan, leading a team here, or exploring business opportunities, Glen's wisdom will resonate deeply.
Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan
If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.
In this episode you’ll hear:
How Glen Argyle went from teaching English on the JET program to becoming CEO of Baxter Japan
The best decision of Glen's career, and how learning to adapt communication styles, was essential to his success
The critical importance of supply consistency, relationship building, and earning trust in the Japanese market
How the inverted pyramid leadership model and values-based decision making can drive cultural change in Japan

About Glen
Glen Argyle was born and raised in Invercargill, New Zealand and studied in Dunedin at University of Otago. Following graduation, Glen moved to Osaka expecting to stay only three years and has now spent more than 28 years living and working in Japan. During his career Glen has worked in a range of healthcare leadership roles, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices and service organizations. Passionate about people and empowering teams through servant leadership, Glen tries to bring his Kiwi roots to his leadership style. Glen is currently CEO of Baxter Japan.
Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne
Connect with Jayne and Catherine
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan