New Regional Sales Manager for Central and Eastern Europe
Stefan Ammer wants to expand regional customer base for a. hartrodt.
Since January 1, 2024, Stefan Ammer has been supporting regional growth targets as Regional Sales Manager Central and Eastern Europe at a. hartrodt in Vienna. In the newly created position, the 33-year-old plans to strengthen cooperation between the ten local sales representatives in Austria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary: "Our aim is to act together as a region in order to fully exploit the growth potential". Customers benefit from "one point of contact for the entire region". Stefan Ammer reports to Sebastian Endt, Regional Managing Director Central and Eastern Europe in Prague.
"Understanding when things are different to what I am used to"
Born in Vienna, he has been working in international freight forwarding for 14 years and has constantly honed his sales skills. Most recently, he spent four years abroad in Johannesburg (South Africa), where he got to know "a completely different culture" and perfected his English: "I am adaptable and understand when things are different to what I am used to." The different countries in Central and Eastern Europe fascinate him.
New focus on Food & Beverage and air freight
"We need to expand our own regional customer base," says the Regional Sales Manager, outlining the strategy. To date, many customers have been purchasing in Central and Eastern Europe – primarily automotive and electronic parts. "In future, we will focus more on Food & Beverage," says Stefan Ammer. He cites beer (ingredients), milk, fruit juices and energy drinks as examples. He also wants to develop air freight into an equally strong pillar alongside sea freight. Stefan Ammer's location at Vienna International Airport is ideal for this. He currently rates the economic conditions in the region as "difficult" due to the war in Ukraine.
Stefan Ammer started his career in an owner-managed freight forwarding company in Germany, where he learned to appreciate "value, consistency and short decision-making processes". These points are important to him, explaining why he chose the Hamburg-based family business a. hartrodt.