Peter Hawkins

Developing a new potential acquisition, for Caparo Middle East.

• Responsible for developing, Rexton Brand, from 2 x manufacturing plants and OEM products based in U.A.E. Electrical PVC Cable Management plus Metal Factory, producing GI Boxes, ONU Data Cabinets, Distribution Board Enclosures.
• Objective to turnaround Rexton to a profitable business to attract Caparo to 100% acquisition.
• Supplying into, mainly UAE Commercial Sector, developing Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Iraq and Africa
• Developing, products through sales channels via Approved Distributors - MEP Contractors - Qualifying Vendor Approvals via MEP Consultants, PMCs and Building Developers
• Managing Sales Team of 8 with 4 x internal/support staff, reporting to the CEO
• By Splitting the business into 3 x verticals, Projects – Export - Trade + Retail. We covered the market via 2 x Sales Channels
• Channel 1: Pre - Sales. Business development / Marketing (project approval responsibility). Priority one was to make sure, Rexton Brand was approved on every Project Vendor List. Marketing Rexton with property developers, increasing the volume of project approvals with consultants.
• Channel 2: · Sales Development. Following project approval improvement. By leading the sales team to work closely with our appointed distributors to firstly place regular stock orders, by demonstrating our Sales Growth strategies to service the market. Secondly also working closely with MEP Contractors and Distributor sales teams to commercially close orders.
• By Interacting well with our distributor management and sales teams, we managed to improve stocking levels and grew the sales by 175 % within four months. By Dec 2023 Sales had grown by 300% and back to pre-Covid levels.

Rexel , a Global , head office in Paris, Operating in 3 Zones, Europe, North America & Asia Pacific.

A Multi-Channel Distributor for the Energy World.

• Promoted to Managing Director in 2019 to incorporate control of Rexel Arabia (Saudi Arabia).
• Managing a team of up to 100, with offices Riyadh, Al Khobar, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi
• Warehouse distribution centres in Sharjah for the UAE and Al Dammam for KSA
• Leading the team with a General Manager (Local Saudi) in KSA and Branch Managers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Sales Managers and reps across the Middle East, supported by internal sales teams and a logistics and operations team, based in KSA and UAE
• Spearheading a sales drive in KSA & UAE across 2 sectors, Oil & Gas, and the Commercial sector within multiple verticals, in parallel managing the commercial risk, cashflow and profitability, to achieve budget expectation through a difficult period, Sales in KSA grew in H2 in 2020 to exceed budget.
• Oversaw complex negotiations with suppliers/vendors for favorable contract terms that led to cost savings.

• Objective to set up a new Rexel Entity in Dubai to service the Middle East. Initially to supply into the Oil & Gas sector.
• Employing a new team of staff in 2013, setting up a warehouse and successfully creating brand new Customer base and Supplier base to support our Business Development.
• Successfully developed sales to $15m in year 2, with an EBITA of 11%
• 2015 – 2018 Completed a Joint Venture in Abu Dhabi, to support our Oil and Gas Business Growth.
• In 2018 was our most successful year, secured an electrical & instrumentation order, secured a large order in Oman $51m (O&G LIWA PROJECT). In parallel we grew the commercial sector, specifically with Rexton Cable Management ($16m in 2018).
• Exited 2018 with our strongest year since inception.

2018 $61m at 9% EIBTA.

• Expanded our product range, by adding Building Automation, Lighting Retrofit, Switchgear & Industrial Automation into our product portfolio.
• Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue.

• Responsible for own Branch (business) based in East Yorkshire region with full P+L responsibility and four other branches within the region.
• Total sales turnover 12 million GBP
• EBITA 6.5%
• Supplying a full electrical product range from, Cables, Lighting, Cable Management, fire & security products, PPE and Safety, Power – Switch gear, low energy solutions, PV Solar Panels, wiring devices, HVAC and motor control, providing innovative electrical solutions and equipment into industrial – commercial – residential sectors.
• Conducted regular business reviews with team members, identifying areas for improvement and growth opportunities.
• Motivating a sales team to maximize productivity and growth.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless product delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Implementing sales target and budgets for internal and external sales teams, in my own Branch and other Branches
• Leveraged CRM systems effectively to manage customer interactions efficiently track progress towards goals more easily evaluate overall performance.
• Training and support to other Managers within the region.

• Managing Hull Branch in East Yorkshire
• 2002 Budget was 2.2 million GBP 4% EBITA with six staff.
• My first full year in charge, with a few changes to the team, we increased sales by 55% in my first full year. EBITA 4.8%
• In 2006, business had grown to six million GBP with a team of 15 staff and moved to larger premises.
• Success was achieved by managing the customer base and the suppler base in two separate streams within Pareto Principle (80-20 rule)
• 2012 was our Strongest year, prior to moving to Dubai, Hull Branch within my area had grown to 9 million GBP @ 24.5% GM and 6.25% EBITA
• I personally had spent a lot of time ring fencing my top 20 key accounts and in turn built up excellent relationships with these customers, by getting closely involved in their decision-making progress.
• Successfully managed organizational change initiatives, minimizing disruptions to daily operations while achieving desired outcomes.

• A Branch Manager responsible for the running of a large electrical wholesale business in Hull, UK
  • Sales turnover 5 million GBP., managing a team of 3 sales reps, 7 internal sales staff and 3 trade counter staff and 11 warehouse staff and delivery drivers.
  • Full P+L responsibility