George Pappas has been promoted as the new managing director for Australia and New Zealand at Linde Material Handling Australia. He is executive director for KION ITS Rest of Asia Pacific Countries (RAPAC). Forkliftaction News asked Pappas about his achievements to date.

FLA: Prior to this appointment, what has been your biggest achievement?

GP: During my prior role as head of sales and service, (my biggest achievement was) bringing together our sales, service and marketing operations to contribute in transforming our company from a niche to mainstream participant in our local markets. It’s really been about sustainable growth by meeting customer needs and objectives.

FLA: What excites you most about the materials handling industry?

GP: Change is real and constant in our industry, from automation to electrification and the increase in prevalence of Li-ion to huge leaps forward in active safety systems. Being part of a company that pushes those boundaries forward keeps us challenged - although at the heart of the excitement is seeing a customer’s satisfaction when concepts are turned into reality and their business changes and improves because of new technology applied.  

FLA: What is the most significant change you have seen in the industry in your time?

GP: There are really three significant changes: automation, safety systems and environmental awareness. Customers have become far more demanding and have very high expectations and needs. Unsafe, low productivity, dirty or inefficient products and solutions are rarely accepted just because they cost less.  

FLA: What is the biggest opportunity that you see in your new role?

GP: To bring our great technologies aimed at improving safety and efficiency to even more customers. My opportunity is to continue to lead, build and grow our wonderfully dedicated team of people who have the passion to learn and do more in pursuit of improving our customers’ performance.

FLA: Can you share one piece of information about yourself which would surprise our readers?

GP: Perhaps not as surprising as one might think considering what I do, I am a science and science fiction fanatic, particularly in the field of theoretical physics. Looking at the really big picture and asking the big questions keeps one grounded while still offering a chance to be truly awe-inspired at the universe we live in.