Franke UK has significantly restructured its sales organisation, moving from five sales territories to eight and also hiring three new area sales managers. The change has resulted in what sales director Chris Gallagher called: “the most robust ‘boots on the ground’ team we have ever had”.
The company said that creating smaller geographical areas will allow for increased customer focus, allowing it to increase support for independent kitchen retailers and build stronger partnerships.
Amanda Sinfield will now be responsible for the South and South-West region, joining Franke with with extensive kitchen industry experience. She previously worked for distributor Waterline for almost 29 years where she held the role of regional sales manager for South and West Wales.
“I have lived and breathed this industry for nearly three decades and am very familiar with the Franke brand,” Sinfield said. “After the upheaval of the last year, I feel in my happy place here and am looking forward to making a difference to the customers in my area.”
Meanwhile, Danielle Palliser will now cover the North region for Franke, which spans from Newcastle and Carlisle to Yorkshire and Northern Merseyside. She brings several years’ experience from working with appliance distributor CDA.
Palliser said: “I have always covered the North and have built up strong relationships and a good customer base. I’m excited to be bringing the Franke brand to them and sharing the ethos of how their products are designed to enhance wellbeing and lifestyle.”
Finally, Chantelle Louw will now be responsible for looking after the Home Counties and North London. She has 18 years of experience across the KBB industry in South Africa and the UK, working across worktops, premium appliances, sinks and taps, with experience spanning both retail and specification channels.
“I’m delighted to be joining Franke and becoming part of a business that is recognised throughout the industry for quality, innovation and customer focus,” Louw said. “Having worked across a number of sectors within the KBB market, I look forward to supporting our customers, strengthening relationships and contributing to the company’s continued growth and success.”
Chris Gallagher, Franke UK’s sales director also commented: “While technology develops at pace and enhances our lives, in sales, people buy from people and relationships are at the heart of business. To put a greater focus on this, we have re-shaped our sales territories, appointed three new Area Sales Managers to a team of eight, and have two National Sales Managers responsible for the North and South regions.”
Gallagher concluded: “This is the most robust ‘boots on the ground’ team we have ever had, and we are all focused on investing quality time with customers to support them and help their business thrive in what continues to be a challenging market.”
Franke UK also recently announced it was increasing its focus on hob extractors, adding six new models this year alone as it looks to increase its share of the UK market.