FIRST Cut, a South African provider of cutting, welding and grinding consumables and equipment recently hosted a visit from the President and CEO Global of German company Messer Cutting Systems John Emholz to consolidate their existing relationship, and discuss new possibilities.
In 2019 First Cut concluded an agreement with Messer Cutting Systems, which is a global supplier of cutting solutions for the metalworking industry, to take over the existing South African distribution agency.
Emholz was joined by Martin Zeller, Division Manager Sales and Axel Vogelsang, Area Sales Manager Oxyfuel Business Unit, who is also the main point of contact for First Cut and their customers regarding Oxyfuel sales and service.
“The focus of this visit was largely at a strategic level: to understand how to bring in our cutting systems expertise, and look at opportunities that we believed could be leveraged, including discussing market leads with First Cut for both the oxyfuel as well as the equipment side of our business,” Emholz said.
“We believe that we have a viable opportunity to leverage some of the South African market developments on a global basis. We have a strong commitment to this market, and certainly this visit has clarified and strengthened our understanding of the significant long-term market potential in the South African market.”
Andrew Poole, Managing Director of First Cut said the visit underlined Messer Cutting System’s participation in their local distribution and sales strategy development.
“This shows an invaluable and highly appreciated long-term commitment on their part. Messer Cutting Systems is a large, global organisation which has given us great flexibility in the local distribution of their products. They have also been willing to share their expert technology and knowledge.
“Having held joint discussions on how to position ourselves in the South African market, we have some very exciting new directions unfolding. In this regard, our safety offering has been very important.” Poole said.
