Industry Leaders, Ministers, and Community Gather for a Milestone Event

WAGBA members and friends were delighted to be invited to celebrate the grand opening of HOSCH International’s new headquarters and training centre in Osborne Park on 11th July 2025. The event brought together more than 150 guests from across the mining industry, including ministers, mining professionals, WAGBA members, suppliers, and contractors. Guests enjoyed a relaxed cocktail-style celebration with live DJ music, German beer, gourmet food, and plenty of networking opportunities throughout the afternoon.

The official ceremony commenced with an Acknowledgement of Country from Sonja Volhejn, Managing Director of HOSCH Australia. Her speech reflected on her own journey in the mining sector and highlighted the vision behind the new facility — a place to foster practical learning, support the next generation of mining professionals, and encourage deeper understanding of conveyor systems across the industry. She emphasised HOSCH’s commitment to combining theoretical and hands-on training, and the importance of system-wide thinking to advance mining industry skill levels.

Ansgar Frieling, Managing Director of HOSCH Germany, followed with remarks on the global direction of the HOSCH Group. He spoke of the significance of the Australian market and praised the Perth team’s dedication and drive for innovation.

The audience then heard from Hon. David Michael MLA, who congratulated HOSCH on its investment in Western Australia and emphasised the importance of local capability and training in building a strong future for the state’s mining sector.

Hon. Tjorn Sibma MLC spoke about the contribution of German-based companies like HOSCH in driving innovation and industry growth across WA.
Stephan W. Kirsch, President of WAGBA, reflected on WAGBA’s history and its mission to strengthen ties between Germany and Western Australia — particularly through technical collaboration, innovation, and professional networking.

The speeches concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that officially marked the opening of the new premises and was met with enthusiastic applause.

Throughout the event, guests were invited to tour the new office, warehouse, and purpose-built training centre. The training centre was a highlight of the day, featuring live demonstrations and technical displays presented by HOSCH’s team and several of their valued equipment partners. These included solutions for belt presses, rollers, sensor technology, and scraper systems — all focused on practical challenges faced by operators in bulk material handling.

The day concluded in HOSCH’s outdoor BBQ area, where guests contributed to the interactive “Wall of Wishes” mural and received gift bags as a token of appreciation. The energy remained high well into the evening, with strong engagement from both local and international attendees.

The grand opening of HOSCH’s new facility was a resounding success — a celebration of industry collaboration, technical excellence, and the company’s ongoing commitment to improving safety, efficiency, and training in mining operations across Western Australia. WAGBA extends its heartfelt congratulations to the HOSCH team and looks forward to supporting their continued growth and innovation in the years to come.