Fuso New Zealand has appointed Kathy Schluter as general manager of sales.
Schluter joins the team having previously been channel sales manager for telematics company ERoad which saw her work closely with both Fuso NZ and Keith Andrews Trucks in that role.
Fuso NZ managing director Kurtis Andrews says the team is “delighted to have Kathy on board”.
“She brings a different perspective to our business, which will challenge how we currently do things and ultimately improve or refine our customer experiences and how we go to market.”
Schluter says her passion for the transport industry stems from the people within it. She also has a particular focus on safety.
“It’s my view that people are what makes up our industry and my passion lies in helping them achieve their business goals efficiently and safely.
“One of the things that attracted me to Fuso NZ is the fact that it is a people-centric company. It is a goal of mine to develop processes that will sharpen customer focus from the top down and help us become a market leader in this area, for the benefit of the people we do business with.
“When it comes to safety, our industry often shoulders a lot of blame for its contribution to the road toll. I genuinely believe the blame is disproportionate; however, we need to figure out how to remove the target from our back. That must come from training and technology, both of which are focuses for Fuso NZ and I’m thankful to be in a position to help make a measurable difference in this space.
“I have a passion to make this industry a safer one than when I entered it and I hope a result of that can be to enhance the reputation of a career as a professional truck driver. New Zealand is short well over 1000 drivers, so let’s make it an industry that people choose to be a part of,” Schluter says.
