Broadfoot, who started with Ampcontrol as chief engineer in 1991, will step down from his executive positions and the Ampcontrol boards at the end of June 2010.

Ampcontrol’s group manager of the electronics division, Rod Henderson, will fill the role of chief executive in the interim.

The process to replace Broadfoot will begin immediately with interests from both internal and external candidates to be considered.

During Broadfoot’s time at the helm of the Ampcontrol group of companies, turnover doubled and employee numbers increased from 250 in 2002 to more than 800 today.

“Alan’s undeniable contribution to this growth has been integral to the group’s ongoing success,” Ampcontrol chairman Bob Humphris said.

“The growth has been defined by Alan’s strategic direction in the resource sector, his commitment to continuous product innovation, research and development and new technologies.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Alan for his vision and contribution in cementing Ampcontrol as a leader in its markets and wish him every success in his future endeavours, in both his private and business interests.”

Broadfoot drove expansion into international markets and, in the past three years, Ampcontrol acquired businesses in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Russia and Hong Kong. The company now has 24 operations across the world.

Ampcontrol backed the resurgence of the South African mining industry with the purchase of a local manufacturing operation in March.

After investing in a South African business in 2008, Ampcontrol fast-tracked its growth plans in the country with the acquisition of local transformer and mini substation manufacturer Magnalec.

With a 4000 square metre manufacturing facility, Magnalec supplies to the metalliferous mining sector as well as designing and manufacturing a specialist range of reactors, wire-wound resistors and custom transformers for the coal mining, industrial and power utility sectors.