Textron Golf, Turf and Specialty Products International, the Ipswich-based manufacturer of turf care equipment, compact street sweepers and utility and industrial vehicles, announce with immediate effect a major strengthening of their sales and marketing teams.
Garry O’Neill joins the company as sales director for Europe and Africa. Previously with Toyota (GB) PLC, the wholly owned distributor for Toyota vehicles in the UK, he held a number of positions, latterly in a strategic role responsible for product, pricing, marketing and distribution for light commercial vehicles. Prior to his employment with Toyota, Garry was responsible for two motor dealerships within the Lex Retail group. He holds a BA in Accounting from Glasgow College and is CIMA qualified.
Former sales director Peter Bell, a well-respected figure throughout the industry sectors, becomes marketing director, international with overall responsibility for all promotional activity, together with distribution development, product management and sales planning.
Neil Woodfin is appointed to the new position of customer services director, international with full responsibility for after sales support including service, parts and training.
All the above positions report directly to managing director, Harold Pinto, who comments, “I am delighted to announce these very important changes to the senior management team here at Textron. We have been fortunate to secure the services of Garry O’Neill who, I know, will bring dynamism to the sales operation. With an extensive sales and marketing background in both the turf and cleaning sectors, Peter Bell will spearhead out drive for new product development and promotion to the market place. And finally, Neil Woodfin will galvanise the recently assembled team in after sales to ensure that we achieve our stated goal of becoming a world class, industry leading Service Parts organisation.”
He concluded, “These strategic appointments are a demonstration of our commitment to maintaining our leadership in the world wide golf, turf and industrial vehicle markets and our growing presence in the sweeper industry. They reflect the need for a dynamic, yet focused approach to all aspects of the business, going forward.”
Other appointments resulting from the senior management changes include
Ian Loveys who joins the company as national accounts manager from Bosch Power Tools. He replaces Richard Bishop, who after 32 years with the company, leaves with the best wishes of everyone in the Sales and Marketing team, to further his career within the turf care industry.
Conor O’Neill has been appointed regional sales manager for southern Europe, Middle East and South Africa. He joins Textron from H.E. Daniels on Teeside where he spent 4 years as a product specialist and export sales manager. He graduated from the University of Ulster with a BA Hons degree in Business Studies and Spanish.
Guy Vicente is appointed managing director of Textron’s subsidiary, Ransomes Jacobsen SA, based at Cugnaux in south-west France. A mechanical engineering graduate, he comes with a proven commercial background in industrial engineering having held posts at director level with several leading French and Swedish-owned companies.
Textron Turf Care www.textronturf.com
–