KEVIN ROGERS Managing Director, Elanders UK and President of sales and marketing, Elanders Group.
Tell us about your role at Elanders.
I have two main responsibilities, first of all I am Managing Director for all UK activities and, secondly, I am a member of the Elanders Group management team with the title of President of sales and marketing, Elanders Group.
My Managing Director responsibilities consist of profit and loss responsibility for four UK entities, company strategy and direction ensuring alignment with Elanders Group, leading and developing the UK team, cross-group collaboration and other important aspects related to people, operations, customers and sales & marketing.
The UK business is currently dominated by print and packaging services and this will always be an important part of our business. We have developed a new vision and strategy to grow our supply chain services through organic growth and acquisitions. We will transform the business to deliver an ‘integrated’ offer where both supply chain and print and packaging services combine to provide our clients with a value-added complete solution.
My group management responsibility is primarily focused on two areas. To introduce new global customers to the group and to support my colleagues around the world to expand into new regions and deliver effective solutions for existing customers. I do this by working together with my group senior management colleagues who are located in Asia, Europe and the Americas.
What services does the organisation provide?
Elanders provides print and packaging and supply chain services, the group profile is 20% print and packaging and 80% supply chain.
We print mostly onto paper and card for books, magazines, manuals, posters, leaflets and many personalised printed products.
In supply chain we provide an end-to-end service for freight and logistics, customs clearance, warehousing, value-added services, fulfilment, distribution and returns. Where value added services are concerned, this is delivered in many ways such as custom configuration, light manufacturing, assembly, staging, customisation, kitting, labelling and even embroidery, in some cases.
What’s your proudest business achievement?
There are actually two achievements which stand out for me. Firstly, leading the UK team between 2011-2015 to increase sales and profit which secured the future of the UK business and continued investment. The second business and personal achievement was joining the group management team in 2015, which also meant I spent four years in Beijing, China, to take responsibility of the business there and, ultimately, resulted in divesting this part of the business, which was a positive outcome for Elanders Group.
What challenges have you encountered?
There have been many challenges during my 34 years at the company but three things really stand out: Technology, developing the leadership team and managing change. Technology reducing headcount and leading to redundancies, in some cases has been a key issue. Change is a constant challenge because if you don’t change you die and change doesn’t sit comfortably with everyone.
How has the industry changed since you began your career?
The industry has changed completely from a very transactional type of business to solutions-based. In the past, print was produced in bulk and delivered once, this has changed hugely to much more of an on-demand, JIT, in-sequence and variable content type of solution. This has changed the demand for print and packaging to more mass customisation and more of a supply chain-led service, clients no longer want storage rooms full of out-of-date or obsolete material.
Who are your heroes in and out of work?
My heroes in the workplace are all of my colleagues who give their best everyday for our customers and the company. My personal hero is Muhammad Ali, who was funny, charismatic, hardworking, dedicated to his profession and never compromised on his values, even when challenging the US government by refusing to fight in the Vietnam war – what a legend and someone who I always take inspiration from.
Is there a mantra you always aspire to do business by?
I have a two-part mantra; “do the right thing and never stand still”.
How do you like to unwind?
I like to unwind by spending time with my wife and our two miniature Schnauzers – they go everywhere with us, exercising, reading and, especially, playing golf.