Dutch pro lighting sales and technical specialist Jeroen van Aalst has joined the Robe International sales team as Key Account Manager, where he will be energising and coordinating sales in several markets including The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Slovenia, Malta, Turkey, Israel, and South Africa.
Aalst will work closely with the Robe distributors in all these regions, overseeing and supporting their initiatives, coordinating information, ensuring all communications channels are fluid and fully functional, assisting in client relations, and exploring new ideas and markets with their teams.
Already an established industry figure across The Netherlands, Aalst formed many relationships working long-term for the dynamic sales, distribution, installation, and project management company, Controllux, which is also Robe’s Benelux distributor. He enjoys the intricacies of nurturing relationships and the buzz of being a deal-maker.
Aalst commented: “After 23 fantastic years with Controllux, I wanted new challenges, and this is a perfect solution. I will still be dealing with some of my excellent colleagues in The Netherlands in this new Robe role … alongside my talented existing – plus some new – co-workers at Robe.”
“I am hugely excited to continue working with such great people and an innovative and market-leading lighting brand.”
Robe lighting s.r.o. CEO Josef Valchar stated: “It’s brilliant to welcome Jeroen onboard our diverse international team! We will enjoy his energy and enthusiasm for our brand, his human and people-focused approach to business, his technical acumen, and his qualities we value highly that align with our future vision and strategies.”
Controllux’s Marc Frijters noted that he is “happy and very proud” that Aalst has seized the opportunity to join the Robe international team with whom he already enjoyed a close working relationship.
“It is a little sad that he’s leaving us after so many years of loyal duty, but as Robe account manager for The Netherlands, we and our customers will receive even more dedicated attention from him,” concluded Frijters.
Benelux has consistently been among Robe’s top-performing European markets. For a relatively compact country in terms of land mass, there is a huge amount of activity in theatre, TV, live events and productions and much creativity. Robe is strong in The Netherlands’ rental company network which has a great reputation for excellence, and the country has a proliferation of theatres, live music, and multi-purpose performance venues.
Aalst looks forward to growing this and all his other markets.
“I will be embracing eight vastly different cultures, learning all their special requirements and taking care that Robe stays in touch and at the sharp end of all involved in the success of the sales and support structures in each one.”
