BERENDSEN’S POWER PEOPLE

With an extensive background in open-cut and underground mining, Ben Johnson brings unparalleled expertise and leadership to his role as Chief Executive of Berendsen Fluid Power. Beginning his career as a Fitter/Machinist, Ben honed his skills working across diverse mining operations in Queensland before transitioning to the fluid power industry, where he has built a remarkable career spanning more than two decades.

Ben joined Berendsen Fluid Power in 1998, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in workshop operations before broadening his expertise as a Workshop Supervisor at Meadow Industries. Returning to Berendsen in 2007, Ben quickly rose through the ranks, leveraging his technical knowledge and leadership skills to drive growth and success.

As General Manager of the Newcastle region, Ben managed all aspects of branch operations, from team leadership to strategic planning, ensuring the delivery of exceptional hydraulic solutions to clients across key industries. Under his leadership, the Newcastle region flourished, earning a reputation for operational excellence and outstanding customer service.

Following his outstanding performance as General Manager of the Newcastle region, Ben stepped into the role of Chief Executive, succeeding outgoing CEO James Leach. He now leads Berendsen Fluid Power nationally, bringing his deep understanding of hydraulic systems, his mining background and his commitment to quality, efficiency and client satisfaction to the whole business, ensuring Berendsen remains a trusted name in the hydraulic industry.

With a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology Sydney and a diverse career spanning maintenance, production, and operations management, Matt Dornan brings a strong mix of technical expertise and commercial insight to his role as General Manager for NSW, SA, and VIC.

Matt began his career in the waste and recycling industry, gaining hands-on experience across Australia’s East Coast and New Zealand. This exposure gave him a deep understanding of the financial and operational pressures businesses face and the ability to develop practical, results-driven solutions.

Since joining Berendsen in 2011 as a Service Manager in Melbourne, Matt has steadily progressed through leadership roles, including Melbourne Branch Manager and later Sydney Branch Manager. His expertise in crane cylinder repairs, tunnelling and infrastructure projects, and waste and recycling equipment has been instrumental in helping Berendsen deliver highly specialised hydraulic solutions.

With a strong focus on efficiency, problem-solving, and customer service, Matt continues to drive growth and innovation, ensuring Berendsen remains a trusted leader in hydraulic services across multiple industries.

David Poulton joined Berendsen as branch manager for the Perth operation in 2016, bringing with him extensive experience in engineering and manufacturing from the aerospace and motorsport industries. His leadership has been a driving force in the success of the Perth branch, elevating its reputation as a trusted provider of hydraulic solutions in Western Australia.

Under David’s guidance, the branch has experienced significant growth, with its team expanding to 25 skilled professionals. He has also overseen major equipment upgrades and the expansion of the branch’s capabilities to better meet customer needs. These improvements have enhanced the quality of services provided and reduced repair times, ensuring the branch continues to deliver exceptional solutions with efficiency and precision.

In addition, initiatives such as the service exchange cylinder program, introduced during David’s tenure, have been integral to meeting customer needs efficiently while maintaining the high standards that define Berendsen’s brand. These innovations have solidified the company’s reputation for reliability and technical excellence, helping to position the branch as a leader in hydraulic cylinder repair and fluid power services.

David’s appointment as General Manager for Western Australia in 2024 is a reflection of his exceptional leadership and strategic vision. Now overseeing multiple sites, he continues to lead the company’s efforts to expand its capabilities, drive growth, and deliver unparalleled value to its customers across the region.

With over 25 years of experience in engineering and industrial management, Alan Appleby is a highly skilled leader at the helm of Berendsen Fluid Power’s Wollongong branch. His career spans diverse roles in industrial trades and management, giving him a unique perspective on the needs of customers in New South Wales’ steel and coal mining industries.

Beginning his journey with Berendsen Fluid Power as a Workshop Technician in 2002, over the years, he has taken on key roles including Workshop Supervisor, Business Development Engineer, and Workshop Manager, steadily building a deep understanding of the business and the hydraulic industry.

As Branch Manager, Alan leads one of Berendsen’s most established and well-respected branches. Under his guidance, the Wollongong team continues to deliver exceptional hydraulic solutions, with a strong focus on meeting the specialised requirements of local industries. His leadership has been instrumental in driving operational improvements and ensuring the branch remains a trusted partner for clients in the region.

Alan’s focus on high-quality service has helped the Wollongong branch further solidify its reputation as a leader in hydraulic systems and support, making it an invaluable resource for the industries it serves.

Alex Bojko has been at the helm of Berendsen Fluid Power’s Adelaide branch since 2015, steering operations across South Australia and parts of the Northern Territory. With over 30 years of industry experience and a mechanical and production management background, Alex brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role.

Originally from the UK, Alex made the move to Australia in 2002, continuing a career in industrial management and materials handling. His extensive background has equipped him with the skills to lead a dynamic team, ensuring operational excellence and delivering outstanding results for Berendsen’s customers.

Under Alex’s leadership, the Adelaide branch has undergone significant growth, becoming a benchmark for performance and efficiency. Known for his commitment to client relationship management, Alex has cultivated a culture of responsive service that has solidified the branch’s reputation as a highly respected hydraulic service provider in the region.

With his focus on meeting customer needs and driving team success, Alex ensures Berendsen Fluid Power Adelaide consistently delivers on its promise: “Every second counts.”

Alex is proud to lead a team that excels in providing tailored hydraulic solutions to a diverse range of clients, cementing Berendsen’s position as a trusted partner in the industry.

For the past decade, Ashleigh Sullivan has been the driving force behind Berendsen Fluid Power’s Melbourne branch, overseeing operations that serve all of Victoria and Tasmania. With a strong sales background in the hydraulics and pneumatics industry, including key roles at Danfoss Power Solutions and other leading companies, Ashleigh brings deep expertise and industry knowledge to the role.

As Branch Manager, Ashleigh takes charge of all aspects of the branch’s activities, from team management and client relations to ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. His leadership has been instrumental in transforming the branch into an efficient, high-performance operation that delivers exceptional service to critical industries such as manufacturing, waste management, metal processing, water systems, and hydraulic system builds.

Under Ashleigh’s guidance, the Melbourne branch has achieved sustained growth and developed a reputation for technical excellence. Known for its expertise in hydraulic repairs and custom hydraulic system design and manufacturing, the branch is now recognised as a trusted partner for clients with complex and critical hydraulic needs.

Ashleigh’s commitment to service excellence and operational precision ensures that Berendsen’s Melbourne branch remains a standout performer in the industry, consistently delivering solutions that meet and exceed customer expectations.

With decades of experience in engineering and fluid power, Peter Clements brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to his role as Branch Manager of Berendsen Fluid Power Brisbane. Having worked across design, sales, and regional management in both local and international markets, Peter’s career has equipped him with a deep understanding of hydraulics and precision motion control systems.

Since assuming the role at Berendsen Fluid Power, Peter has focused on leading a highly skilled team that delivers exceptional sales, technical support, field service, and factory repair solutions to industries across Queensland. His extensive expertise and strategic approach have been instrumental in ensuring the efficient operation of the Brisbane branch while maintaining the highest standards of service and technical excellence.

Under Peter’s leadership, the Berendsen Brisbane continues to strengthen its reputation as a trusted partner for hydraulic solutions, meeting the diverse needs of clients across industrial, aerospace, and defence sectors. Through his guidance, the branch remains committed to innovation, quality, and delivering value to customers in an ever-evolving industry.

With more than two decades in the industrial automation and hydraulics industry, Mark Bowman brings a strong mix of service leadership, business development and commercial expertise to his role as Branch Manager of Berendsen Fluid Power Richlands.

Mark spent over 20 years with Bosch Rexroth Australia, beginning as Queensland Service Manager in 2003. In that role he led the external service team with a focus on high-quality service delivery, represented the business at global conferences and meetings, and helped manage operational change through company mergers, including personnel, structural and facility transitions.

From 2008 to 2024, Mark led business development for Bosch Rexroth’s service division, growing service and sales across Queensland and nationally. His work included leading growth of the Energy Cylinder business, contributing to defence initiatives, negotiating service agreements and contracts, and heading a collaborative project with Germany focused on the energy cylinder installed base across the ASEAN region. This saw him working throughout Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore, delivering workshops, training and targeted growth campaigns.

Mark joined the Questas Group in 2025 as Business Development Manager for Queensland before stepping into the Branch Manager role at Richlands. Known for his customer-focused, commercially minded approach and trust-based relationships, he is focused on strengthening the branch’s service capability and growing its presence across the Brisbane region.

With over 20 years of experience in the mining industry, Michael Holmes is a highly skilled leader with deep expertise in manufacturing, repair, and equipment overhauls. His career has spanned hands-on technical roles, supervisory positions, and senior leadership, giving him a well-rounded perspective on the industry’s challenges and opportunities.

Michael began his career with a four-year apprenticeship at Waratah Engineering, a specialist in underground mining equipment. He spent a decade at Waratah, including time as Workshop Supervisor, before further refining his skills at Bucyrus and Caterpillar. He then spent seven years with Temmco as an Onsite Machinist and Service Fitter, working across national and international power stations and mine sites.

Joining Berendsen Fluid Power in 2018 as Machine Shop Manager, Michael quickly made an impact and was later appointed Branch Manager of the Newcastle operations. His leadership is backed by a strong technical foundation, with certifications in Fitting and Machining (Cert III), CNC Machining (Cert IV), and Competitive Manufacturing (Cert IV), along with training in Frontline Management.

Michael’s depth of experience and commitment to operational excellence have been instrumental in strengthening Berendsen’s capabilities in Newcastle, ensuring the branch continues to deliver high-quality solutions to the mining and industrial sectors.

Michael Groger brings extensive technical, leadership and customer-facing experience to his role as Branch Manager of Berendsen Fluid Power’s Wetherill Park branch. His background spans mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and control systems, combined with a strong track record in team leadership, project management and customer relationship management.

Michael began his career with Liebherr as an apprentice, progressing through a range of hands-on and technical roles before ultimately becoming Technical Manager. He later worked as Crane SME and Construction and Commissioning Lead on a major offshore crane replacement project, leading key decommissioning, installation and commissioning activities.

Joining Berendsen Fluid Power in September 2025 as Service Manager at Wetherill Park, Michael was subsequently appointed Branch Manager. His technical foundation is complemented by a Master of Business Administration, along with qualifications in leadership, business administration and mechanical engineering.

Passionate about developing people, strengthening customer relationships and continually finding better ways of working, Michael is focused on building on the strong capability already within Wetherill Park and supporting the branch through its next stage of growth.

With extensive experience managing workshop operations and leading diverse teams across the heavy equipment and mining sectors, Steve Millar brings strong operational leadership to his role as Branch Manager of Berendsen Fluid Power’s Bundaberg branch.

Steve has held a series of Maintenance Superintendent, Maintenance Supervisor and Equipment Maintenance Manager roles on major mine sites throughout Queensland, consistently delivering strong safety outcomes, cost control, incident investigation and client relationship management. Most recently, he served as Service Manager at Komatsu Australia’s Emerald Branch, managing a service team of around 50 people while overseeing project management, budgets and customer equipment across mine sites.

His leadership style, built on clear communication, a positive team culture and best-practice processes, keeps productivity high without compromising on safety or quality. Steve holds a current QLD HR licence and has a solid background in mechanical and electrical systems, with a hands-on approach to mentoring teams and supporting their professional development.

Steve’s breadth of operational and leadership experience positions him well to lead the Bundaberg branch into its next stage of growth, delivering high-quality hydraulic solutions to customers across the region.