Three Sides of the Same Problem: Gary Finke, CleanTeQ Aromatrix

Solving odour problems for major infrastructure projects isn’t glamorous, but getting it wrong makes life miserable for nearby communities. Gary Finke has spent 35 years making sure that doesn’t happen. 

Gary is managing director of CleanTeQ Aromatrix, which designs and builds air and odour control systems for major infrastructure projects across Australia and overseas. A chartered chemical engineer, he has worked all three sides of the same problem: inside a water authority, inside a design consultancy, and now running the company that builds the fix. He became sole owner of Aromatrix in 2019 and was named APAC Entrepreneur of the Year for Air Quality Management in 2025. 

In this episode, Gary talks about buying the business from its overseas owners, why a genuine problem-solving mindset beats a sales pitch, and how odour control evolved from an afterthought into a primary design consideration. It’s a look at building a successful niche business while staying true to your values.