INDUSTRY NEWS
Colette Engelbrecht continues to carve her way in the forklift industry Having started as an IT assistant, Colette Engelbrecht has over the years risen through the ranks to become the new sales manager for Goscor Lift Truck Company’s Johannesburg branch. Her success is a testament to women finding success in material handling, a sector that is working hard to address the traditional gender imbalance. The materials handling industry has a long history of being a maledominated field. However, women like Collette Engelbrecht, the newly appointed sales manager of GLTC’s Johannesburg branch, are changing this stereotype by finding success in the forklift industry. In her new role, she oversees new equipment sales for all of GLTC’s world-class brands – Bendi,
Crown, Doosan and DEC. She is largely responsible for ensuring the achievement of market share targets and sales growth, as well as the development and implementation of sales strategies and processes. She is also tasked with the responsibility of driving customer service in line with the company’s value proposition. Engelbrecht’s journey in the forklift industry started in IT as an assistant while she was still studying computer programming. Over the years, she has held several management roles in different departments of the business, including stock, parts, systems, accounts, rental, marketing, and operations. However, her longest role has been in sales, where she has amassed a wealth of experience, leading to her recent promotion.
Collette Engelbrecht
“I have extensive experience in material handling and an excellent understanding of the business model,” she says. “To be able to sell, one needs to understand
the business as a whole, working closely with all departments. I also enjoy working with a wide range of different customers and thrive in finding solutions to their challenges.” Commenting on the apparent need for diversity in the materials handling sector, Engelbrecht says businesses and industry organisations should make a concerted effort to increase the number of women joining and succeeding in the industry – in every discipline from equipment sales to project management; supply chain management to warehouse logistics. “I have been in many situations where I am the only female in big groups or business meetings but having the confidence to speak up and being prepared has helped me earn a lot of respect,” she says. “I had to put in a lot of hard work to get to where I am today. I do everything with great passion and enthusiasm.” When it comes to her management style, Engelbrecht believes the
INDUSTRY NEWS
success of any leader hinges on the commitment and motivation of their team. “I think it’s important to support your team and work closely with them. Communication is important to keep the team informed. I have over the years learned the importance of having a strong team around you and the significance of creating a great working environment for each of them. I believe in having respect for the team and treating everyone fairly.” For other women thinking about a career in materials handling, Engelbrecht says opportunities to grow and succeed abound. “It’s important to stay focused – always work hard and do the right thing. Be open to learning and continuously improve and develop your skills. As the adage goes, experience is the best teacher, and it’s so important to acquire as much experience as you can” she says. “Always dream big! Set a personal goal for yourself to achieve. Planning is important in everything you take on and be consistent in what you do. Don’t limit yourselves because of your gender, if you have the support and resources available you can do anything you set your mind to. Don’t be scared to speak up and stand up for yourself,” concludes Engelbrecht.
Goscor Lift Truck Company, +27 (0) 10 594 4339, lifttrucks@goscor.co.za, www.goscorlifttrucks.co.za
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