2nd September 2006

Freud Tooling boosts sales team for growth in 2007

Key appointments and consultative focus provide new proposition for industry

Freud Tooling, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of woodworking tools, today announced the appointment of two new sales managers that will support the businesses’ move to a consultative and a solutions-driven approach for customers.  This is Freud’s new proposition for the woodworking and power tool market, and an example of Freud’s desire to build unparalleled relationships with customers, based on a fundamental understanding of what the end-user wants.  The company has also appointed a training and technical manager and two further area sales managers, which provides the company with UK-wide coverage.

Ashley Tasker has joined Freud’s as a sales manager for the industrial division, and Paul Holmes has become the businesses’ new national sales manager.  With qualifications and experience in mechanical engineering and marketing, Tasker spent six years at Vacu-Lug as sales and marketing manager where he was responsible for the complete reorganisation of its external sales force based on customer and market segmentation.  Tasker’s understanding of all channels to market, differing sales cycles from a distribution and wholesale perspective and his tooling and machining expertise will enable him to drive the industrial side of the business based on a detailed knowledge of business needs.

Prior to joining Freud Tooling, Paul Holmes worked for a specialist sales consultancy company, Linear Consulting, providing services to some of the world’s biggest brand names, including Chevron Texaco, BASF and Vodafone. He has also held senior general and sales management positions in the telecommunications and logistics industries.  Holmes’ will bring a different perspective to Freud’s sales team based on his experience of industries and markets outside tooling. He is also highly skilled in consulting, which will act as a driving force for the company’s new sales proposition and consultative sell.

Commenting on the new appointments, Derek Thomas, managing director, Freud Tooling said:

“These new appointments directly reflect Freud Tooling’s commitment to its customers; understanding their business and what the end user wants must be the main focus of our sales drive, and in building better and long-term relationships with our customers.  A consultative approach is not a sales technique, it is a way of conducting business that must drive the whole organisation. That is the challenge for Freud, and I believe with Ashley and Paul, we have the track record, skill set and ability to take this proposition to market and deliver a service to our customers that is unrivalled in this industry.”