Full Name: John Michael Haarhoff
Position: MD of Demag, a Terex brand
Main Activity of the Company: Crane manufacture and service
Date and Place of Birth: April 18, 1975, Durban
Education: MCom (business management), BSc (mechanical engineering)
First Job: Maintenance planner, BMW SA
Career History Prior to Current Position: MD, Frigoglass SA
Size of First Pay Packet: R4 500 a month
First Job with Present Group: MD
Value of Assets under Your Control: About R360-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 169
Management Style: Passionate, strategic, process-driven
Personal Best Achievement: Having two great children and an amazing wife
Professional Best Achievement: Turning around the offline production area and, as a result, achieving cost reductions of R30-miilion a year, with all operational measures improving by more than 70%
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Oliver Zipse, BMW
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Barack Obama
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Alan Palmer
Philosophy of Life: Work hard, do today what can be done today, but seek balance
Biggest Ever Opportunity: South Africa working to a common goal/plan
Biggest Ever Disappointment: The Sharks losing the Super 15 final
Hope for the Future: That South Africa lives up to its potential
Favourite Reading: Crime and espionage novels
Favourite TV Programme: Rugby broadcasts
Favourite Food/Drink: Typical South African farev (red meat on the braai) as well as Italian/a good red wine.
Favourite Music: Rock, and my favourite band is REM
Favourite Sport: Rugby
Favourite Website: News24
Hobbies: Touch rugby and golf; I am also a do-it-yourself enthusiast
Car: BMW 320d
Pets: Two cats
Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who do not do what they say they will
Favourite Other South African Company: SAB
Favourite Foreign Company: 3M, Google
Married: To Karen, since November 6, 2010
Children: John Jnr, four-and-a-half; Kayla, 3
Clubs: Country Club Johannesburg