Management of Häfele Australia

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

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.