23 January 2012
In China and the Far East cities are growing rapidly. And growing cities mean construction of new buildings, both domestic and commercial as a result of the rapid urbanisation. The application of dynamic valves has become a trend in the buildings the same way it has happened in Europe with focus on energy savings and optimization of energy systems.
Regional General Sales Manager Derek Lai is situated in the Shanghai office. He is optimistic about the future after Frese has established a sales organisation in the region. The company is getting closer to both the customers and suppliers to ensure that better services will be delivered.
- Shanghai is a major commercial and financial window of China. The city is located centrally in the country. We have an excellent basis for our sales activities and promotion campaigns, and as we are in one of the most dynamic cities in the world, we expect the annual growth of the terminal sales to the HVAC market to exceed 15 percent, he says.
Frese’s sales focus is mainly on areas like commercial buildings, hotels and the OEM sector. The competition is hard for the family-owned company, and Frese is fighting hard in the competition among heavy international players.
- We have very strong products. Not only the best featured Alpha flow limiters, but also our new designed PIBCV like the new OPTIMA Compact. And we have already succeeded in getting these products’ specifications in into several prestigious projects in the region, says Derek Lai.
Among a number of reference projects Derek mentions the Nokia Headquarter Office Building in Beijing, the Zhongshan Plaza (office building) and The Kerry Centre (a commercial complex) in Shanghai. He also mentions the Mandarin Oriental Hotel (in Hong Kong/Taiwan/Jakarta), and office towers for the Midea Group headquarter in South China.
- Every day is a new challenge for my colleagues and me. We are optimistic about the future and expect to double or even triple the turnover of the company in the coming years. We constantly seek new opportunities, says Derek Lai.
Frese China now has about 12 employees and many more under recruitment.
Photo: Regional General Sales Manager Derek Lai with Marketing Assistant Amy Tian (left) and Sales Engineer Allen L (right) in front of Frese’s Shanghai office.
21 June 2012
The board demands on the new Managing Director (CEO) are clear: The Frese Group, which under a new structure consists of Frese A/S, Frese Metal A/S and Frese Holding ApS, shall grow on both earnings and development. This requires an experienced manager. 52 year-old René Barington has in his career filled leading positions within telephone, medical and prepress trades - recently as Managing Director at Glunz and Jensen in Ringsted.
René Barington used the first months in his new position to get to know the new workplace. He has experienced that there are many exciting projects going on in The Frese Group, which will develop the business in the next few years.
- I have met dynamic and dedicated employees both in Denmark and in foreign countries, where our products are widely marketed. Good results were achieved in 2011, and we have started well in 2012. It looks promising, says René Barington.
He mentions that especially the valve company has high inventiveness in terms of plans and ideas about new products extending beyond the present product range of Frese A/S. The customers have much to look forward to.
It is somehow different working as a CEO in a family-owned company, where the owners are active in the different functions of the company and at the same time are members of the board. René Barington do, however, think that these conditions function well in the daily business. In the next few years under consideration of the culture and proud traditions characterizing Frese, he will focus on continuing the ambitious growth and development strategy prepared by the board.
- Our customers in both our companies will continuously experience Frese as a strong partner who supply the right products and solutions. We are an active business partner and it can be trusted that we always make deliveries as promised – now and in the future, says René Barington.
He describes the first months as a learning process and makes no secret of the fact that changes will be implemented in the future, i.a. operation must be optimized by co-ordinating the two Frese-companies in some areas. But one thing at a time. It will happen gradually and as things come naturally.
- Customers and business partners are always welcome to contact me, if they have ideas for creating even better mutual results, says René Barington.
