Sam Cole has been appointed as the new Benelux sales manager at logistics service provider Group-GTS. In recent years, Cole was mainly active at Antwerp-based groupage specialist ECU Worldwide.
The family company Group-GTS from Tessenderlo – which is headed by CEO Ben Geybels – offers a wide range of national and international container transport, specialising in refrigerated transport (pharmaceuticals and food) especially on the long corridors (Ruhr area/upper Rhine area/ Alsace/northern France). Their daily operations also include FTL (Full Truck Load) and LTL (Less than Truckload) services with covered trucks to and from the Benelux, France and Germany and most European countries. In 2023, Group-GTS will blow out 40 candles.
Gensets
In the newly created position as sales manager Benelux, Sam Cole is mainly active as a connecting figure between the company, customers (freight forwarders) and service providers such as shipping companies further down the logistics chain. “During my first week, I received mainly internal training to get to know Group-GTS’ various sites and services. Shortly afterwards, I immediately got the chance to go to Berlin for the international fruit and vegetable fair Fruit Logistica, where Port of Antwerp-Bruges was present with a stand,” he says. “It was the first time we were present as a co-stallholder to promote, among other things, our services in refrigerated transport with gensets (or generator set, which is used to provide power to the refrigerated container when there is no power from shore ed.) within Europe. We have invested heavily in that in recent years.”
Warehousing
Group-GTS also offers warehousing and storage services and has sites in Kallo, Tessenderlo and Geel. The warehouse in Kallo at Kaai 1602 came into Group-GTS’ hands in 2016 following the integration of Van Aerde. With it, Group-GTS aims to be a partner for (inter)national players for cross-docking and storage of palletised goods. “We handle carts, project cargo and steel there, among other things,” he says. “Our warehouse in Kallo – 30,000 m2 covered and 40,000 m2 outdoors – is centrally located on the Deurganck dock on the Left Bank, from where we mainly provide services to shipping companies and forwarding agents.”
Well-known in the port
His extensive network comes in handy. Cole worked for German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd from 2015 to 2017, where he was active as sales executive for reefers & specials. After this, he joined groupage specialist ECU Worldwide as sales and marketing manager. In total, he has more than 20 years of maritime experience. “Within the port, I have always worked for shipping companies and forwarders and therefore know very well what their needs are,” he says. “As sales manager Benelux at Group-GTS, I strive to put the company even more on the map within Port of Antwerp-Bruges. Group-GTS puts in strong operational performances and is very well known in De Kempen, but not yet so much within the port area.”
I like talking to people and getting to know new people
“When I started talking to CEO Ben Geybels about his mission and the company’s vision, I could relate to it very well,” he continues. “When I was asked to join the group as sales manager, I didn’t hesitate. Group-GTS offers a nice combination of adventure and comfort. I can learn about trucking and warehousing and delve further into them while maintaining my existing customer network. I also get a lot of freedom in my work. I like talking to people and getting to know new people. I am therefore happy that in my new job I can get back on the road more.”
Gun factor
What are the characteristics of a good sales manager? “A high favour factor is very important,” he says. “Customer relationships should not be one-sided either. You also have to grant your customers and partners something. In addition, a good sales manager must also have enough patience.”
Fast Eddy
Cole said goodbye to his colleagues at ECU Worldwide, where he enjoyed working for many years, in an original way. “I like to dress myself up. For instance, I was always the first one at work to show up to provide the atmosphere in a special outfit. You shouldn’t always take yourself and life seriously,” he says.
“The theme for my farewell party was to dress up in a character or object starting with the first letter of your name,” he continues. “That was fantastic. I myself dressed up as ‘Fast Eddy’ (one of Chris Van den Durpel’s most famous characters ed.).”
