"Changing markets demand changes ..." 

Florian Lude, 35, has been Sales Director at HEROSE since 1 October 2019. vc spoke to the native Hamburger about his first 100 days in Bad Oldesloe, his plans and hobbies.

vc: What is your conclusion after the first 100 days?

Florian Lude: My main concern during this period was to get to know my sales colleagues, the products and the processes that take place in the company. From the first day onwards I was impressed by the professionalism displayed in the company. I also found it stimulating to work as a global market leader which is also a family run business. Here the short distances and the harmonious working atmosphere are the best prerequisites for efficient working. I also found that you feel even more responsibility towards a family-run company than towards anonymous shareholders.

vc: How do you plan to align sales at HEROSE in the next few years?

Lude: As good as it has gone so far with us – changing markets and customers place high demands on companies and their agility; these require adjustments. The nice thing is that at HEROSE we have all the means and requirements to continue to be successful. The adjustments will affect the organisation of sales as well as the sales-related areas of product management, marketing and customer service. The aim is to harmonise and standardise products, services and processes within the HEROSE GROUP. And finally the international aspect: In order for us to continue growing worldwide, we have to further internationalise our sales team. Whether in Thailand or Chile – it would be ideal if customers worldwide received technical and commercial answers to our products in their normal business hours and in their language.

vc: Which markets will play an important role in the next few years?

Lude: The focus continues to be on Asia and North and South America.

vc: After the long working days – how do you relax?

Lude: I was and still am a HSV fan with a season ticket. Even if it has not always been a pleasure in recent years – the Volksparkstadion is almost my second home.

International career

Florian Lude started his professional career at Jungheinrich in Hamburg. After completing a dual degree in business administration, he went to Thailand in 2009 and later to Singapore. In addition to local projects, his main responsibilities  were regional, with the focus on India and Southeast Asia. After moving to the Hamburg company Hauni in Singapore, Lude returned to Germany in 2015 and moved to Jenoptik Advanced Systems in Wedel, where, as Sales Director he had been responsible for the global sales activities of his business unit from 2017 to 2019.