Introducing Edgar Berkhout - Our Enka?Solutions Expert

With over 16 years of experience in international textiles sales, Edgar Berkhout has established himself as an expert in nonwoven technologies, offering tailored solutions across a wide range of markets. In his career, he has built expertise for Building & Industrial segments with a main focus on developing new partnerships and businesses in new geographical areas as well as new application markets. One key to his success is, that he understands the specific needs of the market's concern and knows our technology capabilities and can therefore suggest different innovative solutions for each market.

In his current role as Global Business Development Manager within the Building & Construction team, he is in charge of these markets in the APAC region as well as supporting global business development projects within our business unit.

About Edgar

Could you elaborate on why having an expert specifically dedicated to your field is essential for Freudenberg Performance Materials?

Opportunities with Enka?Solutions are endless, offering growth potential for both existing and new markets. Having a dedicated Enka?Solutions expert is essential for Freudenberg Performance Materials to effectively support customers throughout all phases of a project, from design to installation. These experts work closely with our partners to ensure their needs are met and their projects are successful. Moreover, they are essential for training and supporting our sales team members and representative partners, enabling them to deliver the best possible service.

What are unique insights or skills you have, that make you an expert in this field?

I am open-minded and enjoy learning by asking numerous internal and external questions. I'm highly motivated to solve any customer challenge and am a strong team player with excellent communication skills.? My strength lies in my deep understanding of Enka?Solutions' capabilities and my ability to effectively grasp the technical requirements of the market and translate them into opportunities that align with our technological capabilities. I understand customer production processes and can translate, communicate, and provide feedback to the team, including our technical and R&D departments. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge with colleagues and partners, helping them grow and succeed together.

How has your expertise evolved and grown over the years?

Over the years, I've had the privilege of working in a wide range of markets, gaining invaluable experiences and building an extensive network of contacts. Through in-depth customer meetings, involving their Sales, Product Management, and R&D teams, as well as attending seminars, exhibitions, and association events, I've gained significant insights into market trends, developments, challenges, and customer needs. This continuous learning has been instrumental in the evolution of my expertise within the company.

Did you notice any big changes in this market in the past years and what were they?

In the past few years, we’ve seen significant shifts in both the building and industrial markets, driven by the push for sustainability, rapid urbanization, and technological advancements. One positive change in the recent years has been Enka Solutions becoming part of Freudenberg. With the size and professionalism of our company along with its extensive partner network, we can now reach a broader market and offer the right, high-end solutions more effectively.

What trends do you see in the coming years?

Sustainability is undoubtedly one of the biggest trends in the market for Enka?Solutions. It's a core component of Freudenberg's values and principles. Beyond our social and economic responsibility, we are particularly focused on environmental sustainability. Freudenberg is dedicated to minimizing the carbon footprint for our company, partners, and end customers. We are actively developing innovative 'green' products and enhancing the environmental friendliness of our solutions across various markets. Our commitment to sustainability spans from using recycled and bio-based raw materials, reducing energy consumption with energy-efficient solutions, and minimizing waste with products designed for extended lifecycles, to supporting sustainable applications like Green Roofs.

How do you stay updated with the latest developments, research, and trends?

To stay updated, it’s crucial to maintain close connections and open communication with partners, who are closest to the market and experts in their industries. Additionally, valuable insights come from branch associations, research and testing institutes, architects, contractors, installers, and end users. Attending exhibitions and seminars also plays a significant role in staying informed about the latest developments, research, and trends.

How does Enka?Solutions address the different market requirements and conditions in various regions?

The great advantage of Enka?Solutions lies in its versatility and multi-functionality, allowing for optimal designs tailored to an unlimited range of specific applications, regions, and customer requirements. This includes the use of various raw materials, structures, weights, and composites. With over 50 years of experience across diverse industries and a strong presence in key markets, the highly skilled Enka?Solutions team is always eager to transform customer challenges into opportunities by providing our partners with timely, innovative solutions.

How to connect with Edgar?

Connect with Edgar Berkhout on LinkedIn and feel free to ask any questions in the comments!

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