Meet Alexander Gelis

Career | 7 july 2020 9:09 AM
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“Once your blood is black it is difficult not to love the brand and the company”

Meet Alexander Gelis, Hiab’s V​ice President, Sales & Product Management, in our Loader Cranes, Light & Medium Crane division. Alexander started his career at Cargotec with MacGregor as a Spare Parts Engineer back in 2004. From there he moved on to work with production and material planning followed by a position as Head of Spare Parts and Technical Services. His career at Hiab, on the other hand, started in 2012:

“When I started at Hiab I was involved in the first PMO (Project Management Office). Soon after the execution and the finalisation of the project, I was in charge of importers and dealers in the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe for all HIAB products under different management structures. During 2018, I was in charge of the sales and product management of Truck Mounted Forklifts followed by a position where I was in charge of Hiab’s sales offices in the North Central European region. For the last two years, I have been working as the Sales and Product Management for HIAB Loader Cranes for the light and medium products. I have been blessed with the opportunity to work in such different positions in this organisation; from the hands-on experience of installing equipment within Services, production, supply chain, production planning, sales, product management and marketing.”

Alexander is responsible for a large area of our business and therefore his work involves constant communication and follow ups with his colleagues in different countries. Typically, his work week consists of multiple online hangout meetings with different people as well as his day to day work. His work also includes travel to customers and different Hiab offices: “As a company Hiab has many departments, regions and business lines. Collaboration and good communication skills are essential and a must.”

Alexander thinks that the best part of his job is simply to meet customers all over the world and to see Hiab’s products and services in action. He also underlines that at Hiab you really have a chance to influence your work and the business: “At Hiab, everybody can make a difference. This is a very dynamic company, where you get to make the changes and have a hands-on influence in the company and direct interaction with the customers. On top of that we make cool products. Once your blood is black, as we say here at Hiab referring to our “black” cranes, it is difficult not to love the brand and the company.”

“Myself, I try to be inspirational and go all in. It makes my job worthwhile everytime I see a Hiab crane behind the cab, knowing that we really help others reach their full potential.”