Hino exec reshuffle sees brand, customer service elevated

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Commercial vehicle manufacturer, Hino Australia, has promoted its brand and marketing leader and elevated customer support as part of an executive reshuffle aimed at improving customer focus across the organisation.

The new structure, effective 1 January, sees Hino president and chief operating officer, Sam Suda, step up into the role of president and CEO, supported by two new vice-presidents. These are VP brand and franchise development, Bill Gillespie, who was formerly GM of brand; and VP product support, Greg Bleasal, who was previously GM for supply chain.

Gillespie has been overseeing brand at the business for the last seven years. His previous roles include sales and marketing with Kia Motors Australia, as well as general management at Nissan Motor Company and Peugeot Automobiles Australia. The brand and franchise development division encompasses sales, supply chain, franchise development, product strategy, marketing and bus departments, all of which Hino highlighted as areas of significant focus recently. 

Bleasal’s promotion, meanwhile, is being pitched as a decided move to bring all customer support into one division and lift customer focus across the business. His expanded responsibilities include IT alongside customer experience, parts sales, parts supply chain, service and technical support and national training departments. Bleasal has been with Hino for 25 years and was a founding member of the Australian team.

“It’s a time of great growth in Hino and these new appointments are designed to offer strong leadership across the brand and within our company as we move into 2021 and beyond,” said Suda in a statement. “As Hino Australia transforms from a truck company to a customer solutions business, these changes will provide our customers with the support they require while ensuring we continue to develop the capacity and capabilities of our team and the network.

“Outstanding leadership by Bill and Greg has been instrumental in Hino becoming one of Australia’s leading truck brands during a period of tremendous change, including during the global COVID-19 situation.”

Hino has also created two general management roles around customer management. These include general manager of sales and supply chain, a role now held by Brian Wright, and general manager of service and customer support, filled by Gus Belanszky. Both are again existing Hino Australia employees.

“These new roles support the ongoing innovation drive within Hino and transition us from just a truck company to a customer solutions company,” Suda said. “Hino is celebrating 55 years of success in Australia in 2020 and these changes will allow the brand to capitalise on a growing Australian market for light and medium duty trucks over the next five years.” 

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