Kristof Bolle, 33, started his materials handling career with TVH Forklift Parts NV almost 10 years ago.

He speaks four languages and as OEM & e-commerce manager, established a project that introduced TVH's Quick Source to forklift parts customers.

Bolle says he applied for his first TVH position because he was attracted to the combination of technical and language skills required.
"I was previously in a commercial function and speak German fluently," says the Belgian who also speaks English, Dutch, French and "a little bit of Spanish".

While working as sales advisor for the German market, Bolle started the e-commerce project that introduced Quick Source, an online software that enables customers to carry out and monitor all transactions with TVH. Customers can make inquiries and order online, look up part numbers with truck data or with part specifications, and view invoices and backorders. It is used by over 75% of TVH customers today.

"The first version, introduced in 2000, had only 10 users and was called TVH Quick Price.

"We developed the software fully in-house with our own resources," Bolle says.

Bolle says a coming software upgrade will see the addition of 19 new features, including "print and overview invoices", "direct backorder link" and "expected and estimated lead time" functions, and three new language versions (Romanian, Czech and Polish).

He is enthusiastic about the Internet's potential for businesses.

"It makes you available as a company 24/7. Communication with customers is faster, easier and with fewer mistakes. It creates a stronger bond with customers. It reduces our workload as customers take over some tasks like order input, printing invoices online, getting a picture of a part, checking availability, and identification of parts with our look-up system."

Five years ago, TVH started negotiations with Nacco Materials Handling Group for the supply of all makes (non-Hyster and non-Yale) parts. TVH appointed Bolle to co-ordinate the project and he then became responsible for all relations with OEMs for the aftermarket programs.

The OEM & e-commerce manager says he enjoys the challenges and opportunities his job brings. He shares his work philosophy with Forkliftaction.com News readers: "Work hard, have integrity and respect for others, practice what you preach, and oh, don't forget to have fun doing your job."

A book which has inspired Bolle is Jim Collins' Good to Great.
"It teaches you that good is not enough but always strive for more and try to excel in what you do best."

Kristof Bolle relaxes by playing soccer and going for late-night runs. He also enjoys riding his bicycle with his six-year-old son.