Robert Hermans, MD of Lisman Asia since 2013

Lisman Forklifts Asia, part of the Lisman Forklifts Group, is looking for a new Managing Director (MD).

Incorporated in 2012 and located near Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia, Lisman Forklifts Asia has rapidly established itself as the hub of high quality European and Japanese used forklifts in the heart of Southeast Asia. With more than 300 units stored under one roof in a bonded warehouse of 5000 m2, Lisman Asia is a highly appreciated partner for used material handling professionals located in the region.

Robert Hermans, MD of Lisman Asia since 2013, decided to end his adventure next September and has taken this occasion to look back and tell us about his experience with Lisman in Southeast Asia.

Could you tell us about your main reasons to move to Asia?
My main reason to move to Malaysia was the interesting job opportunity with Lisman of course! Being offered this position means taking a responsibility for what the company is based on: a healthy P&L; and managing all the different aspects and processes that contribute to that. Besides that, it is an interesting region to live and work in, and experience gained here has made a valuable lifetime impression on both me and my family.

How has it been to work with Lisman?
What I appreciate about family-owned companies is the long-term view on business, which results also in an enduring commitment from the management to the staff and to the customers. In particular, Lisman is a well-run family company, with high quality standards and a healthy financial backbone. The companies of the Lisman Forklifts Group are mid-sized (Lisman Europe) and small (Lisman Asia), but with a strong international presence and a high level of professionality they often outmatch larger companies.

What can you name as your biggest achievement of the past 3 years?
It is hard to identify my biggest achievement, but I take some pride in the following goals we have accomplished: reaching profitability as a new company in its second business year, successfully creating a high performing team in Malaysia and doubling of the share of export to overseas countries.

Further expansion of the customer network is the main focus for the new MD of Lisman Asia. Southeast Asia is one of the most vibrant markets in the world with a high level of untapped potential. You must identify, contact and win over each new customer. By doing so, Lisman Asia has been growing from the little sister of Lisman Europe to an established company no forklift professional in Asia can ignore!

Are you the candidate we are looking for to replace Mr. Hermans as MD of Lisman Asia?
Check out the complete job description on our website;

Or get in touch with Mr. Backers, send an email, for more information.