Family - Setra

24 | Setra Family News
Setra Family News | 25
Interview with Angela Titzrath-Grimm:
“We want to do more
than simply satisfy our customers.
We want to delight them!”
Since 1 July 2011, Angela Titzrath-Grimm has been Head of Marketing, Sales and Aftersales at
Daimler Buses. SetraFamily met with Ms Titzrath-Grimm to look back at her first half year with EvoBus.
Ms Titzrath-Grimm, what fascinated you
most about your new position?
I especially looked forward to working with
our exciting coach and bus products and
our very attractive brands, while being able
to apply my international experience. With
regard to Setra, I am really looking forward
to working within the legendary Setra family
and to pursuing the excellent relationships
we have with our customers.
What exactly are your responsibilities?
My sales team and I continuously analyse
the markets together with our customers
and our regional sales representatives. We
identify trends and then develop appropriate
strategies and measures for our customers
and markets. Our global strength
helps us in a big way. This really is an exciting
challenge!
What are your specific objectives?
Well, to answer your question in detail, I
would need much more time than this interview
allows. But, as Head of Sales, my objectives
are to strengthen the business, to
work on building up internationalisation and
to continue driving Daimler’s success along
with my management colleagues.
And how will you achieve this objective?
I work with a great team, and together, we are
committed to reaching our goals. The focus is
very much on the outside, on the markets. We
don’t want to spend time focusing on ourselves,
but rather on being a good partner to
our coach and bus operators.
From an economic point of view, you
didn’t choose the best time to start
your new job. Is the impact of the
financial crisis in Europe still being felt?
In Europe, having just overcome the crisis,
we are seeing a sort of catalyst effect: the
number of European bus operators with
transnational large fleets is lowering, while
the few bus operators are becoming larger.
This is resulting in a concentration of
purchase volumes, and we are experiencing
an increasing desire for international
contracts. This is a current development for
which we are not only well prepared, but we
are already dealing with it very successfully.
What role does Setra play in the EvoBus
brand framework?
Of course, the Setra brand is an essential
component of the EvoBus brand strategy.
With our big vehicle brands, we have proven
that our two-brand strategy is a very successful
business model. The Setra brand
has a long heritage. One that carries many
positive values, while bringing together
long-standing expertise with top quality.
This is something we very much want to
build on and drive forward. And in fact, this
is what building brands and markets is all
about.
What is especially important to you
personally?
I see my personal mandate as being to continue
developing our international presence
and growing around the globe, so that we
can best support our customers in “internationalising”
their business. Dealing with our
customers directly and building close partnerships
are vital to me.
How do you see Setra developing in the
future?
Setra also needs to grow, and we have every
reason to be optimistic. Setra’s excellent
brand values – as expertise leader in the
“Best in Class” segment – represent the
best possible platform for future growth,
both in traditional and new markets. As a
global coach and bus manufacturer, delivering
sustainable products and a unique spectrum
of services, we not only want to satisfy
our customers – we want to delight them!
New tasks and responsibilities:
The evolution of Setra Sales
As part of a Sales development process at Setra, tasks and responsibilities have been reorganised.
Those who will most benefit from the changes are our customers. At the same time, with the new
sales structure, Setra has created a platform to enable us to successfully and actively develop the
brand in the future. SetraFamily has highlighted key changes for readers.
S
ince July 2011, Setra Sales has
been reorganised into two new
vehicle departments – national
Sales and Sales for export markets. The
latter will be coordinated in close collaboration
with subsidiaries and local distributors.
Moreover, effective immediately, a new
department will complete the Sales area,
addressing the following functions: business
development, lifecycle management,
sales control as well as the Customer-
Center and DesignCenter. Pre-owned Sales
has not undergone any changes.
BUS/MSG – Germany
For national Sales, both previously separate
departments – one for private customers in
Germany, and the other responsible for
public authorities’ special issues – have
been brought together into a single department
under the leadership of Heinz Friedrich.
Through consolidation of both German
businesses, German customers will now be
able to capitalise on even more employee
expertise and know-how.
BUS/MSE – Export
The existing export department has also
evolved, bearing in mind significant growth
levels in export markets. Along with the
previous department’s areas of focus,
market strategy focusing on sustainable
positioning with even more strongly targeted
implementation of customer and market
requirements will also be key. The BUS/
MSE department will be headed up by
Christoph Hofmann and Michael Frey.
From left to right: Michael Frey, Heinz Friedrich, Angelika Kittl, Christoph Hofmann
BUS/MSD Business Development
and CustomerCenter
Business development and lifecycle management
functions, sales control as well as
the CustomerCenter and DesignCenter, will
be brought together within the Business
Development & CustomerCenter department.
This will ensure the Setra brand’s
long-term positioning and ongoing development
in its competitive environment. At the
same time, operative Sales will be relieved
of some of its duties, enabling us to
strengthen customer support. The department
will be headed up by Angelika Kittl.