AFRICA. Gebr. Heinemann has named experienced executive Bernard Schlafstein as Director Middle East Africa, effective from today.
Sales Director Near East & Turkey for the past three years, Schlafstein – a 20-year veteran of the company – takes on responsibility for Africa with this region merged into a new MEA sales division.
Previously, he was Sales Director for the EECA region, with its main markets being Russia, the Baltic States and Ukraine. In that time he established a series of joint ventures and built long-term partnerships with distribution clients, said the company in a statement.
Schlafstein takes over the Africa region from Stephan van Groningen, who is taking early retirement after 38 years with the company.
Schlafstein said: “I am very happy to take over the Africa business. We serve more than 32 countries in this region. Besides our joint ventures in South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt we also supply border shops and airports. It’s an exciting and diverse business.
“Africa is the future for the travel retail business. With its 54 countries and having the youngest population of all continents, we believe that the region will develop tremendously. Therefore, it will play a big role for Gebr. Heinemann.”
Van Groningen played a key role in building the business in Africa. Starting as a trainee in wholesale and retail in 1984, he held several managerial positions in the family-owned company. In 2010, he took over the then newly founded sales area Benelux/Africa. Gebr. Heinemann said that he “built up reliable relationships with partners and clients and managed the challenges of the African market during the pandemic”.
“We thank Stephan van Groningen for his many years of excellent work for our company and wish him all the best for the next stage of his life,” said Vice President Sales Richard Hoyer.
“We are certain that the well-established cooperation between our African partners and Gebr. Heinemann will be continued with Bernard and his team.”
