One new face and one ‘old’

Andreas Gotmark

What is your background?

“I was born and raised in Värnamo. After upper secondary school I chose to study political science because I’d always been interested in social issues. With just six months left of the four-year course I decided it was not for me after all and by pure chance I ended up in Axelent's customer service at 24 years of age. I’ve been at Axelent ever since, but in several different positions.

After two years in customer service I moved to the USA and built up Axelent's business there together with Magnus Lundberg. Three years later I was back in Sweden and Axelent Engineering, but after only three months I was given the task of running the sales operations at Axelent GmbH, so I packed my bags again and moved to Stuttgart. I served as short-term acting MD and when Harald Steidle was appointed MD I moved back to Sweden to manage the wire tray sales. A year later, in 2014, I became MD of Axelent Wire Tray and now, in 2016, I’m Sales Manager at Axelent AB.”

What are your greatest strengths as a leader?

“I like to think I’m responsive and explicit. I always try to be there for my colleagues whenever they need coaching or to discuss ideas. I encourage personal responsibility and don't believe you need to control everything from the top down.”

What does a normal working day look like?

“I try to answer questions, solve problems and serve as a sounding board for our internal sales team and our sales reps. I plan for the future, keep an eye on the figures and follow up.”

What is the most inspiring thing about your job?

“The fact that Axelent is always progressing and on the move. They’re not frightened to invest or use unconventional ways to achieve their goals.”

Why would you recommend Axelent to people looking for machine and warehouse safety solutions?

“Because we are very customer-oriented and know all about safety. We’re also speedy and responsive and understand the customer's needs.”

Dragan Urosevic

What is your background?

“My parents are from former Yugoslavia and came to Sweden in the late 1960s. I was seven at the time. My dad got a job at Orrefors as a glassblower and we found ourselves in Gullaskruv. His contract expired after two years and we moved to Hallstahammar in Västmanland provence then later to Västerås where I still live.

To some my background may appear motley, but sales and marketing has run through my veins my entire career. On completing an electronics course at the ASEA School of Industry, I studied Marketing and Sales at IHM Business School. One of my first jobs was sales manager at Avis in Västerås county, which taught me a great deal about customer satisfaction and expectation.

After this I worked at a travel agency called Ticket where I sold tickets to the Middle East via Outokumpu, at Sandvik Powdermet AS as a sales engineer and at Calesco as a marketing manager. My most recent job was key account manager at Componenta Wirsbo.

I’ve been selling Axelent machine guards since November. I’m based in Västerås and cover the Mälaren Valley and the rest of Sweden northwards. I take my passion for sales and marketing with me everywhere I go.”

What are your greatest strengths in sales?

“I’ve experienced many different industries and cultures. This has given me good perception. I’ve met a wide range of personalities over the years, which has made me astute at reading people and understanding their needs.”

What is the most inspiring thing about your job?

The best thing is that no day is like any other and I get the chance to deepen my business relationships with a variety of people. I find being a company ambassador and representing the brand rather exciting.

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself?

My partner and I have lived together for 27 years and we have a son who is 20. Sport has played a big part in my life and I’ve played both football and handball. The latter at a relatively high level. I’m a qualified football coach.