Diversity and innovative thinking are the characteristics that identified the leadership personalities at Häfele Australia. Allow us to introduce our company management.
Peter Farrugia
Managing Director
Peter Farrugia joined Häfele in 1986 in customer service. He worked in various roles, then established Häfele New Zealand subsidiary in 1990. After serving as MD at Häfele New Zealand, in 1998 Peter then transferred to Australia as Managing Director.
Areas of responsibility
Marketing
Sales
Product range management
Purchasing
Logistics (Jointly with the Finance Director)
Debbie Burrows
Finance Director
Debbie Burrows joined Häfele in 1993 as the Company Accountant. She was appointed to her current role as Finance Director in March 2021.
Areas of responsibility
Finance, and Accounts Department
PLC (HR) Department
Legal Affairs and Statutory Obligations
Sean Vadala
Chief Business Officer
Sean Vadala joined Häfele in 2001. With a Diploma of Management, Sean has worked in many roles within the company. More recently serving as the State Manager - WA for 10 years, Sean is currently the Chief Business Officer having been appointed in 2022.
Areas of responsibility
Assisting the Managing Director with all elements of the company operation.
Andrew Gray
General Manager – Supply Chain
Andrew Gray joined Häfele in 1983 when the Company was less than a year old, starting in Customer Service and progressing through Account Management, General Manager Sales and Marketing before taking the position of General Manager – Supply Chain in 2019.
Areas of responsibility
Procurement
Category Management
Shipping
Responsible for the overall management of all product development
Provide strategic guidance and direction to the Category Management and Procurement Department
Paul Bucknall
General Manager - Operational Excellence
Paul Bucknall joined Häfele in 1989. Paul has worked in various roles within the company, more recently in Purchasing, Systems Integration, Warehouse Management and Logistics. He now holds the position of General Manager - Operational Excellence.
Areas of responsibility
National Warehouse Management
Operations
Chris Du
General Manager - Digital and Technology
Chris Du joined Häfele in 2006. Chris has worked in various roles within the company, more recently as Project Manager for global roll-out of Business Software(SAP) in Asia.He has now held the position of General Manager Digital and Technology since 2020.
Areas of responsibility
Information Technology
Digitalisation
eCommerce
Data Management
Business Process Improvement
Chris Cousins
Head of Sales - Trade
Chris Cousins joined Häfele in 1999.Chris Cousins has worked in various roles within the company, more recently as the Regional Manager for Northern NSW.He has now held the position of National Sales Manager – trade since January 2020.
Areas of responsibility
Sales Management of National Trade Team
Co-ordinating of Sales Activities
Key Account Management
Strategic Product Focus
Joe Clarke
Head of Sales - Resellers
Joe Clarke joined Häfele in 2005.Joe has worked in various roles within the company, starting in Customer Service and progressing to Account Management through both Trade and Resellers. He has now held his current role since 2019.
Areas of responsibility
Sales Management of National Resellers Team
Co-ordinating of Sales Activities
Key Account Management
Strategic Product Focus
Simon Clark
Head of Sales - Projects
Simon Clark joined Häfele in 1990 as a Store person in the WA warehouse. He has worked in various roles including Sales Management & Product Management. At the end of 2013, Simon accepted the role of National Sales Manager – Architectural Hardware.
Areas of responsibility
Sales Management of National Projects Team
Co-ordinating of Sales Activities
Key Account Management
Strategic Product Focus
Gary Cahoon
Head of Marketing
Gary Cahoon joined Hafele in 1989 as a Sales Representative. Gary has held various roles within the company, State manager VIC, TAS, ACT and SA, National Projects Manager and recently Head of Marketing.
Areas of responsibility
Direction, Development & Strategy of all Marketing & Advertising
Sales Management of Kesseböhmer
Fiona Klenner
Head of Customer Experience
Fiona joined Häfele in January 1997 as an Accounts Receivable Assistant. As of January 2023, she has been appointed to the Head of Customer Experience with several departments under her control.
Areas of responsibility
Customer Service Department
Customer Care - Credits & Returns Department
After Sales Support - Warranties Department
Stefanie Kaestner
National PLC Manager
Stefanie Kaestner joined Häfele in 1991 as a bi-lingual secretary. Having worked in various supporting roles to Management including PA to the Managing Director, Stefanie took on the development of the Human Resources Department in 2007.
Areas of responsibility
Personnel and Industrial Relations Matters
HR Policies, Practices and Procedures
Recruitment
Payroll and Remuneration
Training / E-Learning
Jonathan Choong
Accountant
Jonathan Choong joined Häfele in 2015. He has worked in various roles in Accounts and Finance. He was appointed to his current role as Accountant in March 2021.
Areas of responsibility
Financial and Management Reporting.
Statutory Obligations.
Investigations and reconciliations to ensure integrity and accuracy of the company's financial data.