From April 16-17 in 2004, Beckhoff invited its sales staff and distribution partners to its second International Sales Meeting (ISM), which took place in traditional ambience in Marienfeld, Germany. A total of 125 participants from 35 partner companies and subsidiaries attended the event with 47 countries represented. The ISM was established as a response to the rapid growth in exports and the expansion of the Beckhoff global distribution network. The comprehensive agenda, which included 27 presentations, gave sales staff an opportunity to learn about new products and solutions and to exchange their own information and ideas. Contributions from the partner companies and Beckhoff subsidiaries along with special segments relating to sales proved to be insightful for country-specific business considerations.
In addition, managing director Hans Beckhoff welcomed the following companies as new members of the Beckhoff family: Kastiva (Bulgaria), IAS Industrial Automation Systems (Greece), Nicmehr (Iran), Prolog (Israel), KMecs (Japan), Bresimar (Portugal), Controrg (Hungary), and the recently established Beckhoff agencies in Russia and Lithuania. The large number of new partnerships and branches reflects the expansion efforts and the increasing significance of the global export business for Beckhoff.
The German sales staff and the international partner companies and subsidiaries were briefed on the 2004 Hanover Fair and the Light + Building fair that ran concurrently in Frankfurt through information about Beckhoff products and innovations. Both trade fairs were characterized by a significant increase in international attendees.
Kai Ristau, export manager at Beckhoff, is very satisfied with the success of the event. “The International Sales Meeting has almost become an institution for Beckhoff,” said Ristau. “The expansion of our distribution network with an increased focus on Southern and Eastern Europe and on the Asian markets makes it essential that we continue to meet like this every two years. A close relationship with our distribution partners and the head office in Germany is very important to us. Ultimately, even well-prepared electronic and print information sources are no substitute for the direct exchange of experience and information that comes with personal contact. Feedback from participants confirms that with the ISM we have created a Beckhoff forum for trans-national dialog."
