1198

ON THE MOVE SOEDE NAMED TO HEAD BAL SEAL ENGINEERING’S EMEA REGION: NEW GM WILL OVERSEE FINANCIAL, STRATEGIC SALES OPERATIONS Bal Seal Engineering, Inc. has announced the appointment of Jan Soede to the position of general manager, EMEA. In his new role, Soede will be responsible for the oversight of the company’s financial operations and strategic sales activities for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He will work from the company’s European headquarters in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Soede, who holds an M.S. in aerospace engineering from the Delft University of Technology, previously served as deputy vice president of marketing for a Swiss German global access and security company. Prior to this, he worked as managing director for a European manufacturer of data and energy transmission systems,

and as sales director for a global distributor of aerospace and defense components. As Bal Seal Engineering’s new general manager EMEA, Soede will play a key role in supporting sales of the company’s custom- engineered seals, springs, and electrical contacts to existing and new customers in the region. He will also lead efforts to identify new applications, markets, and segments in which the company’s Bal Spring canted coil spring and Bal Seal spring-energized sealing technology can help engineers improve equipment performance and reliability. “We have a reputation for creating solutions that help advance technology and give customers a competitive edge in mission critical systems,” Soede says. “And while this is well-known in the U.S., I think we are more of a behind-the-scenes champion in Europe. It will be my goal to ensure that our value is

more widely communicated and understood in Europe and beyond.” Commenting on Soede’s appointment, Bal Seal Engineering Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing Gary Stoffer says he is “thrilled” to have the new general manager on board. “I’m confident that Jan’s technical background and rich industry experience will fuel our company’s growth in the European region,” Stoffer says. “Given his engineering study and practice, he knows the challenges designers face, because he has lived them first-hand. And he knows how our products can be applied to solve them.” Bal Seal Engineering, Inc. is a leading global provider of custom-engineered sealing, connecting, conducting, and EMI/RFI shielding and grounding solutions.

TZL: What’s your preferred strategy for growth, M&A or organic? Give us a synopsis of how your firm effected growth in the recent past? RM: We have executed several acquisitions over the years, most of them relatively small. Generally, most of our growth has been organic where we have either moved into new areas or expanded offices regionally. Our most signifi- cant growth has come from strategic hires. These strategic hires bring in revenue, additional staff, and, most recently, new service lines that can eventually be built upon. TZL: What’s the greatest challenge presented by growth? RM: Our greatest challenge has been maintaining the com- pany culture. With such a diverse geographic presence, the personalities and lifestyles of our staff vary throughout the country. Trying to make all employees feel like they are part of one company, working for the same common goals is a challenge. The implementation of a video-conferencing sys- tem has proven to be effective in bringing people together who may never meet face to face. TZL: What’s your prediction for 2017 and or the next five years? RM: I’m anticipating 2017 will be a very good year for the company, partially based on a healthy 2016 and also be- cause we recently picked up two new divisions: one in oil and gas and a new UAS service. These services bring a new dimension to our existing services and we feel will bring a lot of opportunities into the company in both the federal and law enforcement markets. The economy is trending in a positive way and I expect that to continue. “Our most significant growth has come from strategic hires. These strategic hires bring in revenue, additional staff, and most recently, new service lines that can eventually be built upon.”

CONFERENCE CALL, from page 7

two, full-time recruiters who bring numerous candidates to us. The number one way we acquire top talent is through references from existing employees and clients. We have made many strategic hires through friendship/professional relationships within our existing staff. We also like to keep our employees happy with good health and retirement ben- efits, personal and professional development opportunities, a mentorship program, group activities, and a comfortable workplace. We also pride ourselves on our internal culture and provide employees with everything they need to excel. TZL: What’s the key benefit you give your employees? Flex schedule, incentive compensation, 401(k), etc.? RM: Our health benefit package is better than most of our competitors and as an added benefit, we offer a program that pays for health care deductibles. Our 401(k) is very good in terms of the industry average. Probably the most significant differential in our benefits is incentive compen- sation. Our bonuses tend to be typically larger for all staff than our competitors. “The number one way we acquire top talent is through references from existing employees and clients. We have made many strategic hires through friendship/ professional relationships within our existing staff.”

TZL: How do you raise capital?

RM: Through our traditional banking partner, between our line of credit for normal fluctuation of cash flow and an equipment line. With our equipment line we usually rely on three-year repayment plans for these purchases.

THE ZWEIG LETTER May 1, 2017, ISSUE 1198

Made with FlippingBook Annual report