New Faces with a Wealth of Experience
Temperzone’s new residential sales team will have the responsibility for growing the Hitachi brand’s presence in the domestic market. To get the job done, we’ll be relying on an outstanding team built on the principal that "there’s no substitute for experience". In this issue of Temperzone News we meet three new members and talk to them about the future of Temperzone’s Residential Partner Program.
Simon Langstaff, NSW
Simon is typical of the people we’re looking for to join the Temperzone team. He’s spent his entire working life in the air conditioning industry. He started his career in a hands-on trade role, completing his apprenticeship as a sheet metal worker with a cooling tower manufacturer.
Ten years ago he successfully made the transition into sales – and he’s never regretted the move. Simon sees the Residential Partner Program as the key to setting up a network of outstanding and knowledgeable Hitachi dealerships. "We will be looking for quality, not quantity," says Simon, "with the objective of building a loyal customer base." He believes that loyal dealers will be an essential factor in building the Hitachi brand in Australia, adding that the concept is already showing its potential.
"The program gives people a strong alternative to purchasing through retail outlets."
Away from Temperzone, Simon is a family man with an 18-month old son. A keen fisherman and 4WD club member, he’s looking forward to the day when his young son will be able to join him in his hobbies.
Greg Liolios, Victoria
Greg has recently joined the Temperzone team from Fujitsu General. His long career in the industry commenced after he completed a mechanical engineering course specialising in air conditioning in 1985. After fifteen years with just two employers, Greg decided to take some ‘time out’ from the industry, gaining Microsoft Certification and working in the IT industry for six years – a time which, says Greg, gave him the benefit of a broader perspective on business life. "But I never lost contact with some good friends I made in the air conditioning business," says Greg, "and when a phone call came from a former colleague about Temperzone’s plans, I realised I wanted to be part of it."
Greg sees the Residential Partner Program as a vital stage in Temperzone’s evolution as the company goes forward with a two brand strategy.
"These are exciting times... ...We’re taking the program to the market and offering it to new and existing clients. It’s been very professionally put together - and we’re getting good results from both groups as a result".
After working at Temperzone all week, weekends can often see Greg working his second job – that of ‘weekend taxi driver’ as he ferries his son and daughter to their weekend sporting activities. He still plays social badminton, enjoys walking and playing tennis with his wife & kids to maintain his fitness – always a challenge when kids take over your weekends.
Peter Boxall, Queensland
Pete Boxall’s another man to bring vast air conditioning industry experience to the Temperzone team. After completing his apprenticeship in the electrical trade, Pete looked for an opportunity to use his knowledge in a sales role. An offer to join Email became Pete’s introduction to the air conditioning industry – and he’s now been in the business for more than 40 years! Working at Sales and State Manager level for several high profile air conditioning companies, Pete says he has always had the greatest respect for Temperzone and is looking forward to the opportunities offered by his new role.
"Getting a network of strong Hitachi dealerships up and running is an exciting project," says Pete. "The Residential Partner Program is the right direction for the company to take."
"Temperzone needed an enhanced residential range, and it would be hard to find a better product than Hitachi – it complements the existing Temperzone product lineup so well."
Pete believes that Temperzone’s distribution and product backup prowess will give the Hitachi brand the profile and sales growth it needs to fulfill its true potential in the Australian marketplace.
When Temperzone News contacted Pete Boxall, he’d just flown in from Dubai where he’d been visiting his son who currently works in the Emirates. In fact, Pete’s credentials as a family man are as impressive as his air conditioning experience – with 3 adult children and 11 grandchildren, who could say otherwise?
