Taking over sales responsibilities, service and local support of the Swiss region is Martin's German sales staff headed by Peter Kroul working together with the Martin headquarters customer care department. Switzerland's French-speaking western region will be supported by Martin's French team.
The move, a part of Martin's larger European sales reorganisation, is aimed at greater operational efficiencies while creating a stronger, more uniform approach to the market. "The change is a natural progression in our plans to regionalise parts of our distribution set-up within EMEA in order to serve and support our end customers in the most optimal way," commented Villads Thomsen, vice president EMEA.
"In adjusting to market changes, this new direct market approach in Switzerland will provide greater efficiencies, allowing us to serve our loyal customers more effectively and raise the level of service provided," Thomsen continues. "As our customers grow and cross borders, we must be able to serve and support them irrespective of borders. Our German and French teams have proved very professional and competent over the years, and along with their close proximity to the Swiss market I am confident we will be able to develop the region further and grow with our customers."
The European optimization includes other moves aimed at greater operational efficiencies such as regionalisation of back-office functions and a recently launched B2B e-commerce platform, Martin E-Shop. The E-Shop gives Martin subsidiary customers and distributors the possibility to order select Martin Professional lighting and smoke products as well as spare parts online. Implemented sequentially throughout 2009, the Martin E-Shop already serves markets in Scandinavia and the UK as well as Martin's worldwide distributors. It is expected to be launched in the German, Austrian and Swiss markets in October of this year.
(Jim Evans)
