The incredible combination of events that saw Javier settle in Tasmania

Javier Herbon grew up in a small Argentinian country town, 1500 kilometres from the sea. It’s a long way from Tasmanian life by the water and a thriving maritime-centric career.

Javier’s childhood friends still like to tease him about growing up far from salty waters and diving head first into the maritime world. But, Javier is one who understands that life can sometimes be random and present exciting tangents.

Though his father offered Javier the family business, he encouraged his only son to get out and see the world first. So, he applied for an exchange program and was successful in being granted a scholarship to complete his high school studies in Tokyo, Japan.

“As part of the exchange, my parents received a student to live with them for a year,” explains Javier. “This girl took my bedroom, my class desk and settled in with all my friends. She was from a tiny town called Ouse in Tasmania. Though I never got to meet her, I heard lots about this blonde-haired girl named Alice who loved being with my family. Today, she is my wife.”

In a serendipitous turn of events, five years after her exchange, Alice returned to Argentina to visit her ‘adopted family.’ ‘At the time, Javier was completing his degree in Political Science and International Relations at the Universidad Catolica de Cordoba in Argentina. The two met, sparks flew, but each had to get back to their lives and Alice returned to the University of Tasmania.

Through Japan’s Ministry for Education, Javier was able to complete his degree and conduct postgraduate research at Tokyo’s Sophia University, studying international business and market entry strategies. Though it was meant to be for two years, his stay stretched to seven. He had maintained contact with Alice and when he couldn’t afford to return to Argentina for Christmas, he accepted her invitation to an Australian Christmas closer by.

“We fell in love, got married and were living in Argentina when Alice fell pregnant with our first child,” smiles Javier. “She wanted to be closer to her family so we returned to Australia. Alice was working as a Corporate Lawyer in Sydney, but I had to be honest with her. I said, darling, I love Tassie more than any place in the world. I don’t want to live in Sydney.”

Tasmanian life fell into place with Javier gaining employment with renowned shipbuilding company, Incat not long after they permanently moved in 2007. Javier had no experience with the maritime industry but Incat had secured two sizeable jobs with a Japanese customer and Javier had the business acumen and experience to manage this relationship. During his time with Incat, Javier wanted to formalise his education in the field, gaining a Masters in Business Administration specialising in Maritime and Logistics from the Australian Maritime College (AMC) in Launceston.

“I quickly became passionate about the ship building industry. I got in touch with the business that I own today, CBG Systems, which in 2010 was a small team with only one customer  providing marine insulation. We’ve since grown to more than 60 staff as we continue to develop niche technologies for export to the world. We provide not only engineering solutions for ships but camouflage for army vehicles, antennas for tactical communication and more.”

CBG Systems is based in Derwent Park and has three core lines of business; manufacturing marine lightweight structural fire protection systems, camouflage systems for army vehicles and Moonraker Antennas. The innovative systems are recognised for their excellence, and used by several defence forces and governments including the US Navy and Australian Defence Force.

“My time at AMC was a game changer. The lecturers, many from international backgrounds, are some of the best,” says Javier. “The college is a huge asset for Tasmania and through the alumni community I am kept informed and connected with the latest industry developments.”

Moonraker Antennas was an existing Tasmanian business acquired by CBG Systems. At the time, the business focussed on the likes of Sydney to Hobart super yacht antennas. Today, CBG Systems have developed antennas for much larger vessels including navy ships – antennas that are fit for purpose to facilitate tactical communications between friendly nations with sales to countries including the US, UK, France and Italy.

“We love concentrating on niche areas of engineering and put all our efforts on being the best in the world, fostering and growing that specific technology. We have strong capability in fire insulation in the marine environment, and provide antennas also to airports, radio and television stations. Our mobile camouflage systems are purely for army defence projects and though we often feel distant from the rest of the world, we pride ourselves on having international customers whose needs can only be fulfilled by products manufactured here in Tasmania.”

CBG Systems have a talented team including mechanical and chemical engineers, radio communications engineers and tradespeople to manufacture products. The company is dedicated to upskilling those without formal qualifications, and are committed to incentivising young Tasmanians to stay on the island and secure traineeships and world-class career opportunities.

“We do 100% of our manufacturing right here in Tasmania and our team get so excited when we innovate, grow and challenge ourselves,” says Javier, “I might be in a tanker one day and the next we’re in the Middle East in a Saudi Arabian desert testing a vehicle’s camouflage capability or seeing our panels installed on the most advanced navy ships in the world. It’s incredible what our team is capable of.”

When Javier is not dreaming up his next prototype, he’s spending time with his family. Whether it’s working in the garden or taking his wife and two young girls up the east coast, this is where Javier’s heart lies.

“We’re very lucky to have an old Tasmanian shack that’s been passed through generations of Alice’s family. It’s unpretentious, run down and just right. We play table games, have a drink, enjoy views out to Maria Island and it doesn’t matter how much sand is on our feet. This is our happy place.”

Are you interested in making a move? Make it Tasmania.

Find out more about CBG Solutions.

For information on starting a business in Tasmania look through our stories or visit Business Tasmania.

Top image: CBG Systems
We pride ourselves on having international customers whose needs can only be fulfilled by products manufactured here in Tasmania
Javier Harbon
We pride ourselves on having international customers whose needs can only be fulfilled by products manufactured here in Tasmania
Javier Harbon