Cimcorp appoints new regional director

Recently appointed as Regional Director for Australia and New Zealand, Simon Hester is eager to spread the word about Cimcorp’s unique approach to distribution centre automation.

Having led two large container terminal automation projects – one as a customer and the other as a supplier – he sees many analogies between moving the ‘big boxes’ and smaller ones in distribution centres. “There are similarities in the technology,” he explains, “and safety and testing are paramount in both. Planning and managing the transition from the project phase to operations and maintenance is a key success factor.”

With a varied career including roles in the logistics, rail, telecommunications, public health and non-profit sectors in both Australia and the UK, Simon describes his professional niche as “where engineering interfaces with ICT and mechatronics, with a side of safety engineering and organisational change management”.

The business case for automation is strong

The Australian grocery trade is characterised by major supermarket chains. The benefits of automation include better employee ergonomics, less waste and higher quality produce, so the business case for automation in distribution centres in the region is strong.

“Cimcorp has a unique approach to efficient packing of pallets with a mixture of grocery products, and I look forward to sharing this story with prospective clients,” says Simon. “The decision to invest in automation is a big one, and the initial project is generally followed by more than a decade of maintenance, optimisation and changes. Establishing trust and long-term, win-win partnerships is essential. By establishing a permanent presence locally in the region, Cimcorp is demonstrating its commitment to building a sustainable business in the Oceania region.”

Simon’s plans include setting up a reference site and building a mixed team of local employees, experts from HQ and local partner organisations. He hopes to support the sales team in exploring opportunities with all the supermarket chains in the major cities in Australia and New Zealand.

Common direction and achievable waypoints

Simon’s background has prepared him for the lessons the new role as Regional Director is bound to bring. “Having moved into new industries before, I’ve always found the steep learning curve both challenging and exciting,” he says. “Once I’ve got the basics, I’ve found many opportunities to leverage my experience from other industries.”

His philosophy of leading a sustainable business includes finding the right people, setting a common goal and direction, and moving forward via achievable waypoints. “Leadership is about taking the team or organisation to a new paradigm. This involves a vision, a strategy and tactical steps. I prefer a collaborative approach and having the whole team contribute to the strategy.”

When he’s not working, Simon enjoys spending time with his family, camping and cycling around Sydney.The post Cimcorp appoints new regional director first appeared on Warehouse & Logistics News.