IMELCO #2022 Convention
SEPTEMBER 28-30th / Dubrovnik, Croatia
Speakers
Panel discussion participants
IMELCO members
Ahlsell
Karolina Hagberg Chinell, Chief Procurement Officer, Ahlsell Group
Karolina has held the role of Chief Procurement Officer within the Ahlsell Group since 2018. She is part of the Ahlsell Group executive management team, with group responsibility for supplier relations, negotiations, category management, private label development, and sourcing indirect goods and services.
With a Bachelor of Science focused on Economics and Business Administration from Stockholm University, and a demonstrated history of working in the retail industry, she has strong academic and business credentials. Skilled in negotiation, Karolina’s previous experience encompasses Food & Beverage, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), P&L Management, and Sales Management, having held senior positions within Coop Sverige AB, Wasabröd AB, and ICA.
ANEW
Simon Barkes, Business Owner, current Chair of ETIM International
Having tried his hand at accountancy, after leaving University, Simon joined the army for 3 1/2 years, serving mostly in Germany. He then joined the family electrical wholesale business, with which he has been for 38 years. During that time, Simon has been a board member of the UK’s Electrical Distributors Association, and their representative to the EUEW. He has served as President of both organizations for a time.
As a member of UK buying group ANEW, Simon represents their interests to the IMELCO Group, for which he has also served as President. More recently Simon has been involved with the adoption, in the UK, of the ETIM standard.
Gemcell
Simon Baynes, Chief Executive Officer of CNW Electrical Wholesale
Simon Baynes is the Chief Executive Officer of CNW Electrical Wholesale, Australia’s premier independent electrical wholesaler. An electrician by trade, Simon has worked for CNW for the past 19 years and is credited with starting the first CNW branch in Perth, Western Australia in 2003, as well as playing an integral part in growing the WA business to what it is today. In 2016, Simon took on the position of CEO, relocating his family to Brisbane, Queensland, where CNW originated in 1952 and where our Support Office still operates today. CNW is the foundation business of the BGW Group of Companies which also comprises of a diverse range of businesses across multiple sectors, including Plumbing Wholesale, Switchboard Manufacture, Security Technology and Cable Management & Supply.
Gemcell
Anton Middendorp, Director of the Middendorp Group
Anton Middendorp is a Director of the Middendorp Group incorporating Middy’s Electrical which operates Australia’s largest independent network of electrical wholesale branches started in 1928. As part of the third generation of the family, Anton has been in the business for over 30 years. In addition to their 110 electrical wholesale branches other Group activities comprise security/CCTV, automation, data communications, energy efficiency, infrastructure, and property. Anton holds tertiary a degree in business/marketing and post graduate qualifications in finance & investment.
Gemcell
Craig Grammer, Chief Executive & Executive Director, J. A. Russell Ltd
Craig is Chief Executive & Executive Director of J. A. Russell Ltd, the undisputed leader in New Zealand’s electrical market. Founded in 1951, the company has 700 staff across 78 branches nationwide. J. A. Russell Ltd is Gemcell’s sole New Zealand member. Craig has been a Director on Gemcell’s Board since 2019 and holds the role of Chairman, Director or Non Executive Director with multiple other companies. Craig is married for 13 years and has three children.
IMARK
Steve Blazer, Owner of Blazer Electric Supply
Steve is the owner of Blazer Electric Supply, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. The business was started in 1984 and then sold to Westburne Supply, Montreal, Canada, in 1999. Shortly after that, Rexel purchased the Westburne electrical locations. In 2009, Steve and his brother started Blazer Electric Supply “2.0”, which currently has outlets in Colorado Springs and Pueblo. The company serves all markets but with an emphasis on commercial contractors. Steve has served on the board of Directors for NAED, IMARK, and the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Steve is married to Carolyn and together they have two daughters. One of them works in the business and her husband is the company’s Human Resources Manager.
MITEGRO
Michael Anders, Group Manager, Zander Group
Michael holds responsibility for the areas sales, digital services, and purchasing within Zander Group, a German wholesale group with over one hundred outlets. Zander Group offers an extensive range of products in the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC sectors. During his career, Michael has held various leadership roles, with a focus on import and export, wholesale, business consultancy, and manufacturing for the construction sector. A particular focus of his is the digitalization of business and its significance for future business models. Since 2018, Michael has been a Supervisory Board Member of MITEGRO, an IMELCO member.
SOCODA
Pauline Mispoulet, Chief Executive Officer of SOCODA
Pauline has dedicated her career to helping SMEs and family owned companies grow in the field of construction. She began her professional life as a business lawyer in a consortium of construction companies. Moving through various operational roles, she took over the presidency seven years later, developing the company over the following 15 years. In 2019, Pauline joined SOCODA as CEO to undertake the transformation of the group in the face of the technological, economic, societal, and environmental challenges of professional distribution. In parallel, she has accompanied creators and buyers of businesses for 15 years in all sectors of activity, and is an independent director in two industrial companies. Finally, and almost above all, Pauline has two children, aged 22 and 20, who are for her the most wonderful realization to have on earth, with love and humility.
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