Motor maker Regal to increase sales in Russia and CIS significantly
16/01/2014 Rotor (UK) Limited / Regal Beloit UK
Plans being laid to significantly increase motor sales to Central and Eastern Europe within a year are to be headed up by Lucie Hodkova from Regal's UK headquarters in Wellingborough.Regal is a leading manufacturer of electric motors and related products, such as generators, gear units and switchgear, serving an expansive array of markets from heavy industry to high technology. Like its markets, Regal's manufacturing and service facilities are located worldwide.
Ms Hodkova joined the organisation in 2002 and has held a number of increasingly senior sales' roles over the years. Prior to that she earned a degree in international relations from Coventry University and speaks English, German, Russian, Czech and Mandarin.
"Regal already has sales equivalent to several million pounds a year in Central and Eastern Europe - or if you prefer Russia and the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States - former Soviet republics)," says Lucie. "So this is a big push with tough targets."
This is a vast geographic area and naturally embraces many different cultures. For instance, the Baltic States are almost Scandinavian in their outlook, while other regions are more Russian or Slavic in nature.
"The Baltic people prefer to do business on the phone, while Russians like to deal face-to-face," she says. "We have to understand these nuances and adapt our approach to each situation, whilst always adhering to the Regal Code of Conduct."
Summarising the economic situation, Ms Hodkova says that like Western Europe, the region slowed down during the global recession but is now coming out of that period with strong signs of growth.
"There is still rebuilding of infrastructure, energy and transport; primary industries like mining and chemicals remain a key part of the economy, while high tech sectors such as electronics, petrochemical and pharmaceuticals are becoming increasingly established."
Regal mainly addresses the markets in these regions through distributors, but has direct relations with a few of the larger OEMs. "This helps us through the local cultural differences and makes sure we are up to speed on issues like standards and certifications - we have recently been approved by the influential Russian Rivers Register, for instance."
Ms Hodkova will remain based in the UK, but will work with a team of engineers and specialists in the Netherlands. Simultaneously, the UK and Ireland sales' team is being enlarged and strengthened.
She expects to travel regularly to the region, setting up new distributors, meeting end-users and gathering local knowledge. She says: "I love travel, practising my languages and I see business development as an exciting adventure that it is a privilege to be part of."
For more information, please contact:
Lucie Hodkova
Regal UK/ Rotor (UK) Limited
Unit 8
16 Everitt Close
Denington Industrial Estate
Wellingborough
NN8 2QF
Tel: +44 (0)1933 230900
Fax: +44(0)1933 220069
Email: lucie.hodkova@rotor.co.uk
Web: www.rotor.co.uk
Print this articleShare article:
Process and Control Today are not responsible for the content of submitted or externally produced articles and images. Click here to email us about any errors or omissions contained within this article.