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Platform on sun and daylight control, shutters, patio covers and closures
On October 1, 2020, Karen Pichal (45) will start as the new Benelux sales manager at sun protection manufacturer Harol in Diest. She will take over the torch from Marc Van den Berg, who will be able to concentrate full-time on his position as commercial director. Karen herself started at Harol 3 years ago as customer service manager.
To sustain the current growth and anticipate the rising demand for sun protection, the workforce at Harol increased by as much as 10% last summer. Internally, there are also some shifts. For example, Karen Pichal will become the new Benelux sales manager. She will be succeeded in her current position of customer service manager by Inge Baetens. With 20 years at Hyundai Heavy Industries in the same position, Inge is also an experienced executive. Marc Van den Berg, who took up the position of sales manager ad interim, will become full-time commercial director again.
Three years ago, after 18 years as a customer service manager at Trespa International in the Netherlands, Karen made the move to Harol. "After all those years, I was ready for a new challenge, but I was looking for one within the construction sector. At Harol I found the elements that make the difference for me: a family character with short lines of communication and decision making, a flat structure, a respectful pleasant atmosphere. And very important: a clear vision for the future. All this also now gives me the confidence to go full steam ahead for the new job, even if it will look very different."
Yet the shift from indoor to outdoor service will undoubtedly require quite an adjustment. At Harol, they see that as an asset. Ceo Annick Draelants: "In customer service, Karen has achieved a lot, such as the deployment of flexible teams in which they now work. Karen is also enormously strong in sensing customer needs and she is taking that to her new role. Her experience of inside sales with its specific challenges is indispensable for an organization like Harol, where by nature we put the customer first and want to serve ever better."
Whether Karen herself already has ideas of how she wants to realize that, what emphases she herself would like to place? "With my acquired information and knowledge, I want to improve and optimize processes and systems where I can. But in the end it's mainly about people. The customer must always benefit. And our own people too, of course. Processes, systems, people: those three things must click together perfectly."
The construction industry is traditionally subject to strong fluctuations. As for the future, Pichal sees plenty of room for growth in the Benelux. "We may well be ambitious and aim for growth, including in new construction. Architects and specifiers are increasingly integrating solar shading into their designs as a must. This evolution can no longer be reversed, given increasingly hot summers and better-insulated houses. In addition, retaining current customers and dealers is obviously just as important," Karen concludes.
Harol is a Belgian family company, founded in 1946, that develops innovative total solutions with a focus on living comfort, energy savings, design and safety. Its complete range makes Harol one of the leading manufacturers of roller shutters, sun protection, gates and outdoor living in Europe. Today, we can find Harol in the Webbekom industrial park (Diest). Harol exports to more than 30 countries. The company employs some 280 highly experienced and driven employees. Thanks to a strong network of exclusive distributors and experienced installers, the customer is always assured of fast delivery and professional installation.
