Daryl Meppem - Northern Region, Account Service Manager
Name: Daryl Meppem
Position in HAN: Account Service Manager, Northern Region
How long have you been with Heidelberg? 19 years
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Gardening, fishing, Soccer referee and spending quality time with my wife and eight year old son Andrew.
The most challenging thing you've experienced?
The introduction of SAP to the business. It was a difficult transition although we have leant that it's a powerful system that keeps a business our size accountable and accurate. 5 years on, we still find ways of getting more information from it to improve the operation.
The best place you've been to?
Thailand, great place and friendly helpful people.
The worst place you've been to?
In the bush in a Falcon hire car, on the Dorrigo Mountain Road. I took a corner a little too fast and rolled a car onto its roof. It's quite an experience to see the world from an upside down vehicle.
The best thing about Heidelberg: The people are what make the company. We have a strong group of professionals with the attitude of getting a great product to the customer and keeping the machines running to expectations.
The funniest experience with your customer: I demonstrated a press in Papua New Guinea and the accompanying Heidelberg engineer organised for the local press operator to arrive on the first day of work in his traditional costume - including accessories such as a spear and a bone through his nose. I was last seen heading for the office yelling 'we're under attack from natives'. It took two days for the group to stop laughing. Fifteen years later the Heidelberg engineer who set it all up still likes to remind me of the look of absolute shock and fear on my face. Certainly the most interesting demonstration I ever took part in!
The most memorable moment working with Heidelberg: Doing company facilitation work in Asia for several weeks. It was a great experience working with the other Sales and Service Units. I made a lot of friends and became part of a valuable business network. I still keep in contact with these colleagues. It's great to have a group with which to exchange ideas and learn about how other Heidelberg branches do business. You can never 'sit still' in the ever-changing environment that is Customer Support.
What do you see yourself in five years?
I get a lot of satisfaction from my current role in the Customer Support team and I would like to stay in this part of the business. Getting out and seeing customers is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the role. No one ever rings an Account Service Manager with "G'day my press is running well." Most of my calls are "can you help me out…it's stopped." Exceeding the expectations of Heidelberg customers is the 'buzz' and challenge that keeps me going.
