Stuart Howe Email & Phone Number

Melbourne, Vic, Au

Dandenong South, Victoria, Au

General Manager of Sales, Product and Marketing for Hitachi Global Air Power, part of the Hitachi Group. Senior leadership Team member responsible for the strategic direction and execution of delivering innovative product programs relevant to customer and market requirements followed with sustainable sales growth and profitability for the business. Budgeting & financial management linked to business planning and aligned to the overall HGAP group strategy.

General Manager of Sales for HELLA Australia Pty Ltd, part of the HELLA Global Group. Responsibilities include: Leadership, strategic direction and execution delivering sustainable sales growth and profitability for the business. Budgeting & financial management linked to business planning and aligned to the overall HELLA group strategy.

We are delighted to be introducing the HELLA Gutmann Solutions diagnostic and ADAS calibration program to the Australian market. This professional program offers solutions for the Automotive Aftermarket Repair Workshops, Body & Paint, Auto Glass and the Specialist Wheel, Tyre and Suspension sectors. We will unveil the program at AAAE April 4 - 6 with live ADAS calibration demonstrations and commencing from May 2019. More information to follow soon.

Appointed to develop and implement new strategies to drive revenue and efficiency growth into the two Bosch Company Owned and operated “Bosch Car Service” whilst delivering bottom line improvements. Opened a 3rd BCS in the South of China and delivered on the business and financial objectives. Set competence standards which can be adopted into the BCS Franchise strategy for greater China. Exceeded business plan targets in 2016 and 2017 through strong leadership, government / industry cooperation, customer service improvements and successful marketing campaigns for customer acquisition and retention.Strategy: Defined the short and long-term strategy to ensure business growth and meet the financial requirements which were achieved with revenue growth of 26% CAGR and cost reductions of 11% through efficiency and productivity enhancements. The successful strategy included deep analysis of Chinese mobility driver requirements, government strategy / initiatives and incorporating the vehicle technical advancements and future servicing requirements for EVLeadership: Continually refined market tactics to ensure continual improvement for business activities to achieve key objectives. Developed the maturity and productivity levels of the leadership group through transparency, clarity and high-level communication whilst overcoming cultural differences.

Appointed to redefine and drive the growth strategy for the Oceania Bosch Car Service Franchise operations covering Australia and New Zealand. Numerically grew the number of Bosch Car Service partners whilst further developing the “value add proposition” to ensure a high-quality network of automotive aftermarket repairs representing the Bosch brand to the required standards. Grew the sales of Bosch automotive parts and equipment into the BCS by 70% in the 1st half of 2015.Strategy: Redefined and executed the acquisition plan to grow the BCS network by 27% in 2015 whilst delivering higher competence standards via the new Bosch Service Excellence training program with 100% participation from Franchise partnersNegotiation: Successfully brokered new parts supply agreements with tier 1 suppliers including preferential pricing, rebates and target-based incentives for specialised equipment.Vision / Project Management: Developed and presented a “partnership” proposal to Supercheap for utilisation of the BCS network as a preferred supplier for the fitment of retail parts sold by Supercheap. Proposal was accepted at Board level with successful trial commenced in Brisbane during 2015. This was then extended to include “vehicle diagnostics” performed by BCS for Supercheap customers and has since expanded into a JV operation called Auto Crew launching in 2018.

I was appointed to this new position to develop and drive growth strategies with the key clients of GPC AP, Hellaby Holdings and Penske Automotive at the Executive and Board levels. I developed strategies leveraging the Bosch brand strength and product USP’s aligned with tailored support packages where all parties could grow revenue and increase gross margin with targeted product lines and in some cases exclusivity.Strategy: Defined a short and long-term strategy for each customer group identifying revenue and profit growth opportunities delivering incremental sales of +7% in 2014 for the Bosch group.Client Management: Successfully developed a much closer working relationship and level of trust across all key decision-making levels making doing business and identifying opportunities much easier for stakeholders.

Appointed to this key role to further enhance the After-Sales Service offering to key OEM and Aftermarket customers by raising the technical and training standards and introducing new technologies for improved customer cooperation and quicker support. Successfully restructured the After-Sales team and developed the competence levels around technologies of electronics, diesel and gasoline fuel injection, chassis and braking, safety systems and hybrid/EV. Increased training participation by 43% and revenues by 32% with the introduction of web-based training in 2009. Introduced remote diagnostics in 2010 for “market leading” customer support and delivered CSI improvements.Change & Innovation: Successfully restructured team and developed competence / skills in key business growth sectors. Introduced technology to further enhance the customer service value package whilst reducing “downtime” greatly improved customer satisfaction levels.Associate Development: Developed and introduced a structured development and intercompany cooperation program for key positions which was extremely well received and recognised in the 2013 Associate Survey with the highest results across the Bosch Automotive Sector globally.

Professional After-Sales Management

Advanced Diploma, Business Administration And Management, General