Pepijn Deckers, Komatsu's RegionalGeneral Manager for New Caledonia, was recently honoured with Komatsu Ltd's 2015Presidential Award in the Construction &Mining Equipment Marketing Division for his efforts in building the company's brand and customer base in the region.
Pepijn began working for Komatsu in August 2008, as its Regional Service Manager, and in 2011 was appointed New Caledonia Regional General Manager.
Over that time, he has worked hard with customersto establish Komatsu's brand managementfundamentals, and building customer relationships,as well as upgrading operations and improvingservice and support levels.
As a result, Komatsu has seen significant growth inmarket share in the region, including a more than400% increase in the units sold in the year to April 2014, and a total market share now of 65%.
Machine sales have included a 3 xPC2000-8 mining excavator and an 3 x HD1500-7 dump truck the first-ever 150 tonne capacity truck sold in New Caledonia achievements he attributes to having a strong team in working with him.
"We are delighted that all our machine deliverieshave been on time and to the required quality standards, allowing them to immediately startworking productively for our customers," said Pepijn.
"This increased sales volume has now established Komatsu as the dominant player on the island andhas secured income through maintenance contracts for the next seven years."
"I'm proud to be able to manage an exceptional team within an exceptional company"
In order to support Komatsu's sales operations inNew Caledonia, Pepijn has also worked to build the company's aftermarket business, through a number of initiatives. These include:Partnering with a training organisation in New Caledonia to increase Komatsu technician's skills and capabilitiesSeconding employees from Komatsu in Australia and NZ to both meet assembly demands and share technical knowledge.Working with Komatsu in Australia to build technical capability through having technicians attend training courses at the company's KTEC facility in QueenslandEstablishing an exchange program fortechnicians to undergo training through TAFE in Australia.
"While I am honoured to have received this award, I really don't regard it as a 'personal' achievement but rather one that relates to every employee in New Caledonia," said Pepijn.
"It's a perfect example of how everyone within Komatsu works so well together make us a successin New Caledonia, with input and assistance from our operations not only inAustralia, Indonesia and Japan, and not forgettingthe Global Vale key account manager based inGermany," he said.
"I'm proud to be able to manage an exceptional team within an exceptional company."
Komatsu Australia Managing Director and CEOSean Taylor has congratulated Pepijn on hisrecent achievement.
"Over the past few years, Komatsu has really beenput on the map in New Caledonia, and this is inlarge part due to the efforts of Pepijn and histeam there," said Sean.
"It's also a great example of close-knit our operations across Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia are, giving us the uniqueability to harness the skills, expertise, passionand enthusiasm of our people throughout theentire region to deliver the best-possible results for our customers."