The path from demand to a new product

Informed about everything

“As product manager, you are responsible for the product range”, Wouter begins to tell us. “Obviously, we know nearly everything about our products. After all, we have to know what we are talking about. However, our aim in the first place is to have our product range as complete as possible. Everything that the end-user needs, we want to have available or to construct it. We make sure that the product range grows according to the market demand, Furthermore, we work on improving and developing products, because we want to stay ahead of the market demand.”

“We are always busy figuring out how we can make our products even safer, more effective and more efficient.”

Robert Dingerink

Productmanager

“As a top brand, we deliver quality and safety at the highest level”, adds Robert. “People can trust us on this and that’s what we want to maintain. That is why we are always busy figuring out how we can make our products as safe, effective and efficient as possible. That naturally demands in-depth knowledge of all products; and we certainly have lots of products. We have an enormous assortment of access equipment.”

Together for the best equipment

Being familiar with the ins and outs of the entire product range is a hefty assignment for one person. Nearly impossible for one individual, which is why Altrex works with four product managers, each one responsible for his own product category. Wouter is responsible for ladders and stepladders/stairs, Robert for scaffolds and two other colleagues are experts in the area of scaffolds and suspended platforms for export. “This division is truly needed”, Wouter tells us. “Each product group requires specific knowledge and attention. Moreover, this way we have room for cross-pollination: we all exchange knowledge with each other. That way, we combine this knowledge in a new product and jointly we elevate the entire assortment to a higher level.”

How do improvements and innovations come about? That is possible in many ways and via various tracks. “We keep a keen eye on what is happening around us, both in the market and in the area of norms, legislation and regulations. And above all we listen very closely to our customers. They know what they encounter at work and what they need in order to work smarter, faster and safer.”

“And lets not forget that innovating is a joint effort”, Wouter tells us. “We work with all our Altrex colleagues on achieving even better and smarter access equipment. Each person within his expertise: engineers, dealer advisers, technical service department and the office staff. Each colleague hears about other issues and has his own knowledge and expertise, which contributes to solid innovations. It is really a question of combining each other’s knowledge and above all, keeping your eyes and ears open. It starts mainly by listening to the needs of the end-user.”