Subscribe to the newsletter
Name: Edwin Ruppert
Age: 50 years old
Job Title: Area Sales Manager at Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen
How long have you been working for Damen?
“I started in 2011 as Sales Manager for Ship Repair at what was then still called ‘Scheldepoort’. In that first year, the newly acquired Damen ship repair yards were still competing with each other, which of course is pretty crazy. Therefore, in 2012 the logical decision was made to let the sales teams of all the yards work together under one umbrella. A sales network was created that had to sell for every yard; each salesperson got his own sales area. I have always represented the UK and Ireland, and recently this has included USA and Canada too. I enjoy working in these regions.”
What does your job entail?
“As salesman for the ship repair sector, you do business with shipping companies, ship owners, management agencies, or a combination of these. A management agency provides maintenance and repair for the shipping company or owner. As a salesman, you maintain contact with these customers, try to build and expand a network, and of course, aim to bring projects to our shipyards. This can be anything from a tugboat to an oil tanker and everything in between.
Projects vary from periodic maintenance, repairs of (steel) damage or (de)mobilisations to the conversion of ships. You name it, Damen does it! Damen Shiprepair and Conversion runs eleven repair yards; the majority are located in Northwest Europe, but we also have yards in Curacao and Romania. Since the size of the yards, the facilities and also the expertise varies a lot per yard, it is important to know what the customer needs, so you can guide them to the right yard.”
Edwin and his wife Katerina with their three daughters (from left): Anne-Lynn, Lana and Iris.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
“Working for a large number of shipyards at home and abroad. In addition, travelling and visiting customers is always fun. Because the projects are so diverse and involve different seagoing vessels: rigs, barges, pontoons, etc., it is never boring, and everything remains a challenge. Of course, the euphoria helps when the sales are going well.”
What can we wake you up for at night?
“A (really) good souvlaki gyros. My wife is Greek, and this is surely the family’s favourite (holiday) snack. But you can also wake me up for an important sports match on TV, like a good football or boxing match.”
Finish the sentence: I am only really satisfied, when…
“When the client and yard are satisfied when a project has gone well and been delivered on time.”
This or that?
Coffee/Tea
I can’t start the day without having a cup of coffee first. Without it I am nowhere, I am afraid!
Morning person/Evening person
Definitely an evening person, I always have trouble getting up, but a 6-year-old daughter helps a lot.
Beach holiday/City trip
Greece, the Peloponnese, where you can go to a different beach every day.
Book/Movie
Depends a bit on the moment, but I love reading an exciting English thriller.
Sea/Woods
Both of them! Originally, I come from the east of the country in a wooded area, so that will always be nostalgic. Nowadays, I like to walk from my home in Vlissingen to the boulevard and the beach.