EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Danfoss
has big plans!
By Ilana Koegelenberg
The Danfoss team connected with its customers and partners at an evening event in
Johannesburg on 24 April 2017 to talk about the company’s long-term vision — particularly
concerning its investment into southern Africa.
T
he function was well attended
and Danfoss had various members
of its international management
complement at the event too, mingling
with guests both before and after
the formalities.
The international team shared a variety
of presentations to bring customers up
to speed with Danfoss and what the
company can offer — from drives to the
new heating division it was launching
locally and even a look at its online order
management system.
One of the reasons for the event was
for Danfoss to get to know the local
industry and its role players a bit better.
“Customer loyalty is very important to us
and we want to provide a best-in-industry
customer experience,” explained Emrah
Sahin, head of customer service and
business excellence (Turkey, Middle East,
and Africa region). “We want to share our
new strategy and project lines with our
customers, while also showing them the
projects we are involved in.”
That is why Danfoss has been having
this customer event in all the regions since
the beginning of the year, talking about
not only its successes but the challenges in
the market as well. “It’s important for us to
be in South Africa, because even though
the economy is unstable, the potential is
huge,” said Sahin.
Various new product improvements
have been made, with extra investment
in its new customer services facilities. The
company now offers 24-hour service in five
languages. Logistics facilities have also
been enhanced to improve product lead
times to South Africa.
Danfoss wants to grow its local staff
complement and enter the other markets
it occupies globally — not just HVAC&R.
That is why it is busy launching its Power
Solutions division locally and building up its
heating division as mentioned.
The year 2016 was a good year for
Danfoss, as the company showed solid
growth in South Africa. “We are satisfied
with the company’s performance and we
are committed to invest into this market,”
said Kjell Stroem, senior vice-president
global sales: Danfoss A/S. “Africa might
be challenging and unpredictable, but
we are not thinking of the short term,” said
Stroem “We are thinking ahead and this is
definitely a market we want to be in.”
The company is also focusing heavily
on training. “We’ve got the knowledge;
the challenge is getting the knowledge
out into the field,” said Stroem. There
is a heavy focus on the digital side of
things these days. That is why Danfoss has
invested several resources into its online
e-learning platform and training initiatives
around the country, including a university
engagement project. “The future is in apps
COLD LINK AFRICA • July | August 2017
and technology and we have to keep
up with the next generation of installers,
changing the way we do things to make it
easier for them to get the info they need,”
explained Stroem. “We need to get more
young people excited about getting into
the industry, especially women.”
The three keywords the company are
focusing on are ‘faster’, ‘easier’, and
‘relevant’, summing up Danfoss’ vision for
the future.
After the formal presentations,
dinner followed. CLA
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
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