A conveyor belt devotee who crossed the aisle
Bart Fox didn’t begin his career inside Kinder’s four walls. In fact, for half a decade he worked on the buyer’s side, running conveyor systems for a Tier 1 mining company. His first contact with Kinder came the way most relationships in bulk‑materials handling do: through performance on the ground.
“I found the Kinder solutions outperformed similar products in the market and solved some of the site’s bulk handling issues,” Bart recalls.
Those early wins planted a seed. “When an opportunity presented itself to join a high-performing team that solved materials handling issues across the globe, I jumped at the chance.” In 2023, Bart joined Kinder, and two years later, he’s stepping into a new challenge as Business Development Manager.
A territory measured in time zones, not postcodes
Covering many locations means Bart spends more time travelling than behind a desk.
“I look after all of Kinder’s clients in QLD and the NT, which has given me an opportunity to see plenty of mine sites.”
That workload might overwhelm some, but Bart thrives on the blend of autonomy and technical challenge.
“Kinder is small enough to be agile but big enough to make a difference. Everyone knows each other, which means help is only a phone call away, and the help you get comes from genuine experts.”
Turning accepted pain into forgotten history
One of Bart’s career highlights centres around a problem that others had accepted as normal. A crushing company was replacing belts every six to eight weeks, writing it off as tough duty.
Bart applied Kinder’s approach: diagnose first, recommend later. Working with the internal engineering team, he traced the failure back to a design mismatch.
“Once we got to the root cause, I was able to recommend a solution, and the belt lasted nearly 12 months.”
The results were powerful: six times the belt life, significant maintenance savings, and many hours of production regained. For Bart, that outcome represents more than technical success – it embodies Kinder’s value.
“Innovation is our motivation! There are other companies offering similar services, but Kinder’s ability to find the root cause and engineer a solution is next level.”
Learning curves and safety nets
Transitioning from pure engineering into technical sales was “a steep learning curve,” Bart admits, but he never felt alone.
“Kinder works to their people’s strengths rather than making them fit a mould.”
Formal upskilling through targeted courses and on-the-job mentoring has deepened Bart’s understanding of both the technical and commercial sides of the business.
“The mentoring from long-standing Kinder team members has been refreshing, it’s been great learning from some of the best in the business.”
That deliberate investment in people has culminated in Bart’s promotion, combining technical expertise with business development responsibility.
A culture that runs on curiosity and camaraderie
Bart credits the company’s culture with much of his success.
“There’s a diverse range of people with different skills and experiences. The supportive, synergistic environment has allowed me to lean on colleagues when needed, and to give back when I can.”
For Bart, trust is the foundation of innovation.
“You can’t build a company like Kinder has without a real passion for what you do.”
Advice for future Kinderians
When asked for advice, Bart points to the importance of knowing your purpose.
“Understand your ‘why.’ Once you have that figured out, everything becomes clearer. And if Kinder’s vision and values align with yours, go for it!”
He highlights Kinder’s vision “to design, source and deliver innovative products to our clients, and to be the go-to partner for expert engineering solutions” as a strong alignment point for new recruits.
Looking ahead: the next phase
As Kinder enters its fifth decade, the company’s pipeline of projects stretches across Australia and into international markets. Bart’s new role places him at the heart of its future growth – leading conversations with clients, shaping technical solutions, and helping drive the business forward.
“It opens up a whole new challenge,” he says, eyes firmly on the horizon.
Why Bart’s story matters
Kinder’s 40-year milestone is a celebration of people like Bart – those who notice better ways of doing things, ask “why not,” and join the team behind the innovations.
His journey captures the spirit that has defined Kinder since 1985: curiosity, practical ingenuity, and a culture built on passion and collaboration.
Because when innovation is your motivation, the journey never really ends, and that’s exactly how Bart likes it.