Following the appointment of a dedicated export director, van specialist LDV has further strengthened its team with the appointment of a dedicated commercial manager for the Benelux region.

Henk Kruit joins LDV having previously worked as a commercial manager and trainer for DAF in Holland and as a commercial director for a DAF and Mercedes Benz dealer in the region.

As part of his remit, Henk will be responsible for establishing a dealer network in the Benelux region during 2007. In the second half of this year, Henk will also support LDV’s entry into the German market. In 2007, LDV plan to appoint at least 12 dealers in Holland, with eight more in Belgium and Luxembourg.

Henk’s initial focus is to recruit a dedicated Benelux team to cover technical support and administration, although dealers will work directly with the factory on order scheduling and deliveries. This lean format replicates the organisation that LDV has already established in France, and will be repeated in the other European regions that LDV is looking to enter. In total, LDV’s objective is to establish 75 European dealers in 2007/08. The company says that Spain, France and Germany will be key growth markets during the next 12 months.

Speaking of his new role, Henk said: “This is an exciting time to be part of the LDV team. In the UK the team is focused on bringing more models to market and our job in export is to bring this growing award-winning MAXUS product range to customers in key European markets.”

Henk reports to export director, Robert Drewery. Robert said: “A solid export strategy has always been part of LDV’s long-term business plan since the company was acquired by GAZ Group last summer. Along with the appointment of Henk, interviews are now well underway to find dedicated commercial teams for Spain, France and Germany.”

In his spare time, Henk is a korfball referee. One of the only sports played in mixed teams of men and women, the sport’s main characteristics encompass all-round skills, team play, controlled physical contact and gender co-operation.

ENDS

Released on behalf of LDV by Connect PR. For further information call Steve Miller on 0121 322 3089 or email smiller@ldv.com.

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