Key Technology announces the promotion of Bret Larreau to the new position of Manager of Business Development.

Larreau is responsible for building new business alliances and developing acquisition opportunities that will expand Key's range of customer product solutions within the food and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries.

"The appointment of Bret to this new position illustrates Key's commitment to developing new business opportunities that add value to customers while helping Key grow and diversify," said Louie Vintro, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Global Operations at Key Technology.

"Bret is ideally suited to manage our business development activities. His deep understanding of our industries and what our customers need will help him extend our technology strategically into new arenas."

Larreau has been with Key Technology for eight years and brings 25 years of automated food processing equipment experience to his position. Prior to this promotion, he was the Product Marketing Manager responsible for Key's optical sorters.

Before joining Key, he was a Senior Project Manager for Integrated Packaging Systems and prior to that, he worked in engineering, manufacturing management, sales support management and product management for DSI/Stein, part of FMC FoodTech. He holds a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering from Washington State University.

"It's exciting to make this shift, leveraging my experience in the industry and recent market development activities, to focus on finding new opportunities to improve customers' operations and grow Key's business," noted Larreau.

"We've got the resources and the personnel to make new partnerships, acquisitions, and licensing a high priority, while continuing to work closely with existing partners on ongoing projects."