SUN Automation Group® is a global industry leader providing corrugated box plants with innovative equipment for feeding, printing and converting. The wide range of products are proven solutions for increasing production, efficiency, and profitability. With 24/7 on-site technical support, SUN Automation is known for its exceptional service. Headquartered outside of Baltimore, MD, SUN Automation has services centers around the globe. To keep up to date with SUN Automation’s innovations and news, visit www.sunautomation.com or follow the company on twitter @SUN_Automation.

Lankhorst is the European market leader in thick walled plastic products for ground and marina constructions, storage systems for steel industries, offshore oil and gas exploration (€ 60 mln Net sales in 2011). Our customer base: building and civil engineering contracting firms, governing bodies of cities and counties.As Sales Director, reporting to the Managing Director, I was a Member of the Management Team and as such responsible for company strategy and priorities. I developed and coordinated the execution of the commercial strategy and managed the international sales, marketing and customer service professionals (12 fte). I led innovation teams with cross-functional professionals. I was also P&L responsible for the business unit Lankhorst Recycled Products B.V., including all sales, marketing, new business development and production planning activities.My key achievements at Lankhorst were:• we exceeded budgeted sales by 10% and improved margin in 2011;• a successful strategic reorientation including more emphasis on projects and direct sales;• the initiation and launch of a new product application with annual sales potential of € 7 mln;• the implementation of a coaching program (team and individual);• the development and implementation of a sales KPI reporting system.

Huhtamaki is a global leader in paper-based food packaging with 11 plants, € 233 mln Net sales & € 22 mln EBIT in 2010. Its customer base consists of food producers, packers and retailers.As BD Manager, reporting to the Divisional Sales Director, I was responsible for global new product sales and profit growth through technology and packaging innovation and entry into new market segments. To achieve these goals I developed and coordinated the execution of marketing strategy plans. We set up partnerships with food producers, packers and retailers to develop new packaging solutions. We also identified and translated important trends towards possible new packaging solutions. I led new product development teams with cross-functional professionals.In this role at Huhtamaki I:• established solid international contacts with senior decision makers in the food and retail industry;• trained and coached regional S&M teams to use the Huthwaite “SPIN” selling technique to ensure that market opportunities are fully captured;• initiated and successfully launched 5 new product/market combinations through technology and process innovation;• reached new products sales of € 55 mln since 2008;• implemented “Design for Six Sigma” methodology for innovation.

This subsidiary of Huhtamaki is global leader in machinery and process technology for the production of paper-based packaging. Its customer base: manufacturers and converters of paper and corrugated cardboard, recycling companies, food producers and packers.After my promotion to Commercial Manager I became member of the MT, reporting to the Managing Director, responsible for achieving company’s budgeted sales and margin targets. I played a key role in defining the company strategy and policy. My sales team consisted of 3 fte, whom I managed, trained and developed. We created and implemented the commercial strategy, and developed key account management plans. In my capacity as Commercial Manager I negotiated multi-million euro machine contracts with the paper and cardboard industry, food producers and packers at executive level and conducted market feasibility studies for new Huhtamaki plants.Key achievements in this period: • annual sales increased from € 7 mln to € 22 mln in 2006;• we won the largest contract in the company’s history (sales value € 8 mln); • and became the world’s largest supplier of machinery for paper-based packaging with customers in more than 50 countries;• I set up the sales team and improved the professional approach by training, coaching, introduction of CRM system, Create Customer Value planning and Total Cost of Ownership focus;• instituted new procedures to keep abreast of market trends and developments;• I initiated our own development and successfully launched two new machine lines;• and conducted feasibility studies that resulted in JV companies in India, Malaysia, Egypt, and our own Huhtamaki plant in Russia.

As Export Manager I conducted market research to identify business opportunities for machine sales worldwide, developed and implemented export marketing plans and established and managed a worldwide agent network. We acquired new accounts in the food and packaging industry worldwide and expanded the existing customer base. I also prepared machine supply proposals and contracts and coordinated machine projects internally and monitored progress.My key achievements as Export Manager:• I conducted market field research in almost 40 different countries (Asia, Middle East, Africa, North America and Eastern Europe);• I trained and supported agents and their staff on commercial and technical matters (including joint customer visits);• together with our agents I formulated and implemented annual activity plans;• I expanded our customer base from 8 to 25 countries worldwide;• and the bottom line: increased annual sales from € 2 mln to € 7 mln;

Emmein is a manufacturer of office and project furniture.I was given responsibility for achieving the budgeted revenues in Belgium, reporting to the General Manager. To this end I developed and executed a commercial plan for the Belgium market, managing and motivating 2 sales representatives. We established and developed the dealer network in Belgium, and conducted product trainings for that sales force of dealers. I also organised promotional activities with them. All this resulted in the acquisition of large projects in close cooperation with our dealers. In this period I:• established a well-trained network of 22 dealers in Belgium;• increased annual sales from € 200k to € 2.3 mln;• and initiated and launched a special furniture line for the Belgium market.