An Interview with Clelio Tonelli, Managing Director of HAVER & BOECKER Australia

Logo of HAVER & BOECKER Australia

For January’s edition of InTouch, Haver & Boecker Australia’s Managing Director and WAGBA committee member Clelio Tonelli has graciously set aside some time for a short interview with InTouch.

HAVER & BOECKER Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of HAVER & BOECKER Germany, founded in 1887. Today HAVER & BOECKER is a leading global developer and manufacturer of high performance processing and packing technologies, additionally offering direct access to OEM technology from seven group members: HAVER & TYLER, HAVER & BOECKER, IBAU-Hamburg, Feige Filling, Sommer, BEHN + BATES and Newtec Bag Palletizing. With over 130 years of experience in supplying innovative solutions worldwide for processing and storage, mixing, petetizing, packing the company works closely with clients from various industries–ranging from minerals and food, to chemicals and building materials– to optimise their operations of processing bulk materials. As part of the company’s mission to bring new approaches and technologies to market that set new benchmarks in efficiency and productivity, HAVER & BOECKER provides solutions to deliver quality, weight accuracy, and user-friendly operation that benefits both clients and the manufacturer.

As a family-managed, midsize company with headquarters in Oelde, Westphalia in Germany, HAVER & BOECKER operates worldwide. Within more than 50 subsidiaries it employs some 3000 people and some 150 representatives on five continents.

Could you fill me in on the story behind the motivation of Haver & Boecker to join WAGBA?

To be honest, I wasn’t here when we first opened the company [in WA], so I’m not sure what the main reason was for Haver & Boecker to join WAGBA. However, knowing my boss, he would always try to look for high quality German contacts wherever he goes. So, I believe the main motivation was to build a supportive network made of German and Australian business contacts. This combination ensures retaining German contacts – Haver & Boecker is a company headquartered in Germany – and also supports finding contacts within the local Australian market.

What was the deciding factor for the company to join?

We were looking for other companies [in Australia] with German roots in order to exchange the experience of conducting business in WA. We also want to let all know about Haver & Boecker and become a possible partner for the local industry. As all our contacts are very special to us, I find it unfortunate that we, or at least myself, didn’t get to spend much time together with customers and partners and to get to know them better. But we are improving this step by step. That’s why I think it is important for us to be engaged with WAGBA and continue to network as much as possible.

As to why I joined the committee – I would say this was triggered by an invitation from WAGBA, to which I said, “Why not? If I can help somehow, I will.” When I first arrived in Perth in 2018, I did not participate in any of WAGBA’s meetings or events. I left this to our German colleagues, and only started to learn about WAGBA step by step in 2019. Then I became part of the board, and this was an opportunity that gave me more time to look carefully towards WAGBA as an entity, as a friendship association and also as an opportunity to share with our colleagues what we should do.

How long has it been since H&B joined the association, and how has your membership impacted the way the company conducts its business in WA?

Our membership leads back to when HAVER & Boecker Australia was founded in 2012. Our team members, especially those from Germany, much appreciated the opportunity of being in touch with their native culture during organised events. More importantly the social events provide great contacts of business and private nature. This impact the way we conduct our business as I think this networking is a gradually ongoing process which will never stop. We will always find something new, something different, new entities, new friends, new people to work with – it is a continuous process.

"As far as I can see, we will always be part of WAGBA, we will continue supporting WAGBA. It’s our company’s direction and it’s also my direction."

What has been the most memorable event since you joined WAGBA?

The 35-year anniversary held at the WA museum Boola Bardip in November 2021 was a very memorable event.

What is the most memorable partnership or connection that evolved from being a member of WAGBA, whether within or outside the association?

There are a number of examples I can think off. The introduction of WAGBA to the German Consul Dr. Garbriele Maluga has been helpful. This was mainly during the covid pandemic. We had a few issues with one of our sales technicians. He and his wife had to return to Germany and Dr. Maluga helped us and gave us some directions and suggestions. It was not so easy at the time, especially looking for flights to go back to Germany. She has been a key support – to my surprise – because I personally didn’t know her all that well at the time, even though she was a good support to resolve the matter.

Where do you see the relationship with WAGBA going and is there any aspect of this membership you would like to improve in the future?

The dinner functions are always excellent. In addinton we may promote an “open bar type of event” where we can walk through people, mingle and share notes. Obviously the format, subject and venue must fit to another. That said, I believe that WAGBA - due to its many initiatives - has become a part of Haver & Boecker’s identity here in Australia. As far as I can see, we will always be part of WAGBA, we will continue supporting WAGBA. It’s our company’s direction and it’s also my direction.

Are there any future plans for Haver & Boecker and WAGBA that you are looking forward to working on?

We would like to continue this journey together and are looking forward to great events and meeting new people, creating business contacts, and developing friendships. While I don’t have any specific suggestions regarding this in general, we should definitely continue doing what we do, and go with the flow as much as possible. The opportunity will present itself as we move on.

Thank you to Clelio Tonelli, Managing Director of Haver & Boecker Australia for sharing his experience with the West Australian - German Business Association.