Full Name: Bodo Friedrich-Wilhelm Fabry
Position: MD of GEA Process Engineering
Main Activity of the Company: GEA Process Engineering develops, designs and sells production plants for the dairy, beverage, brewery, food, pharmaceutical and chemicals industries. The company is a world leader in liquid and powder process engineering
Date and Place of Birth: September 24, 1967, Minden, Germany
Education: I studied process engineering and environmental science at Technische Fachhochschule Berlin, graduating in 1996
First Job: Diesel mechanic
Career History Prior to Current Position: I joined GEA in South Africa as process engineer, becoming engineering manager in 2001 and MD of GEA Process Engineering in 2007
Size of First Pay Packet: DM350
First Job with Present Group: Process engineer
Value of Assets under Your Control: R10-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 32
Management Style: Open-door and manage by objectives
Personal Best Achievement: My family
Professional Best Achievement: Having a chance to contribute to society and positively influencing those around me
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife and children
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My father, who taught me to be honest from a very young age
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Angela Merkel
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Mainly South African entrepreneurs, who make a difference to our society
Philosophy of Life: Live and let five (German saying – Leben und leben lassen)
Biggest Ever Opportunity: An offer to join GEA in 1996 as an engineer. I had no experience, no work permit and no permanent residence permit at that point
Biggest Ever Disappointment: My philosophy is: Build a bridge and get over it
Hope for the Future: Happiness
Favourite Reading: Deon Meyer, Toni Park and Wilbur Smith
Favourite TV Programme: Top Gear
Favourite Food/Drink: Currywurst und pommes
Favourite Music: German rock
Favourite Sport: Formula One
Favourite Website: My Subs
Hobbies: Motorbiking and camping
Car: Mecedes-Benz Vito
Pets: Five dogs
Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who think they know it all
Favourite Other South African Company: South African Breweries
Favourite Foreign Company: Apple
Married: To Gaynor
Children: CJ, 12; KT, 11
Clubs: None