Next Generation starts at Kinder & Co.

SEAN KINDER, Sales Engineer NSW/ACT and Eastern Victoria at Kinder & Co, who started work in the family business in June 2013.

Q&A PROFILE: SEAN KINDER

1. When you were 10 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?
   I recall that I wanted to be a professional tennis player because Pat Rafter was my role model; as well as being a successful tennis player (he won the US open around that time), he came across as being a really genuine guy and didn’t seek publicity. Unlike some of his peers.
2. What is your current role and where are you based?
   My job title is Sales Engineer, and my focus is to service customers in NSW and West and North Victoria. I don’t literally “sell” conveyor products, but my job is to problem-solve conveyor issues. As a people person, I really enjoy the fact that I’m out of the office most of the time, helping site and maintenance crews improve the functionality of their conveyors. I’ve grown up with the products, and my technical knowledge has been developed through my university studies. I’ve got a double degree in Mechanical Engineering and Business.
3. What did you do in your work life before officially joining the family business?
   Whilst I was studying at Uni, I worked with the Construction Material Processors Association (CMPA) as a document officer, upgrading CMPA’s technical manuals. The CMPA represents a broad spectrum of material processing businesses engaged in the extracting and processing of hard rock, gravel, sand, cement, clay, lime, soil, gypsum or recycling. It was a very valuable introduction to the industry as a whole.
4. What do you hope to achieve in your career?
   Offering better solutions not just better products. I wouldn’t last five minutes in this business if I was just pushing products. Customers are too savvy and want smart long-lasting solutions, not just quick fixes.
5. What do you predict to be the biggest challenge/ greatest change to the bulk materials handling industry/conveying sector in the next 10-15 years?
   I’m very new to the industry but through my general awareness and knowledge I can predict that, like in most industries, there will be greater emphasis on corporate social responsibilities around environmental issues. OH&S will also continue to increase as a business objective.
6. What would you describe as the scariest/funniest conveyor experience you have ever had?
   I don’t want to tell tales, but whilst on a site visit recently I was asked to climb a stockpile to access a conveyor. In all seriousness, this industry is very physical and personal safety must always come first.
7. Can you name one person from the quarrying industry you would like to invite to dinner?
   This a tricky question because I’m meeting fascinating people every day. Everyone has great stories to tell and I’m a very good listener.
8. What’s your favourite pastime away from work?
   I enjoy rock climbing when I’m not at work. I like to travel and before I started at Kinder & Co I backpacked around Europe for 4 weeks. And I’m also a break-dancer – that’s my party trick!!!!
9. If you had a spare $1 million how would you spend it?
   The first thing I would do is pay-off my student loan. A double degree comes with a hefty price tag! Then I would buy my father and mother, Neil and Christine Kinder, a well earned holiday – they’re passionate work ethic inspires me so much.
10. What’s the best/worst aspect about working in a family business?
    It’s all good. I have a very strong relationship with my parents so I consider myself very lucky to be starting a career in this industry.
11. What advice do you have for someone who may be considering bulk materials handling/quarrying as a career?
    Prepare to get dirty!

For over 27 years, Kinder & Co has been a leading and nationally recognised supplier of conveyor products and bulk materials handling solutions. They hold a stock inventory of approximately 4000 common conveyor hardware items and offer a quick turnaround commitment to customers in the ore, quarried products, grain, sugar, and salt and coal industries.

For further information please contact Christine Kinder, Marketing Manager on 03 9587 9244.

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