Isuzu Australia has signalled a management shake up that has seen long time sales boss Les Spaltman resign from his position as National Sales Manager, and the announcement that it has appointed a new chief of sales and after sales.
T&B News was assured by an Isuzu PR spokesperson that the two occurrences were not linked and that Les Spaltman made the move to resign to allow him to move back into a dealer sales role, an area where he cut his teeth in the truck industry.
Spaltman departs Isuzu having taken the brss as d to a new all time sales record this year, bettering its previous records set in 2021 and 2018, also under Spaltman’s stewardship.
Meanwhile Isuzu has announced that it had independent of the Spaltman resignation, made a move to strengthen support for its sales and after sales business units by combining the key divisions into a new Sales and Aftersales department.
The newly established business unit will be led by Ben Lasry who has been promoted from the role of network development manager ,to head up the operation as chief of sales and aftersales.
Isuzu director and chief operating officer, Andrew Harbison said Ben Lasry’s appointment was a key step in a broader strategy to build efficiencies into the expanding IAL business model.
There was no mention of Spaltman’s departure in the press release issued to announce the management change.
“Since joining IAL in late 2020 Ben has played an important role in the ongoing management and development of our integral partner in the sale and service of Isuzu products in Australia – the Isuzu Dealer Network.
“Ben’s breadth of experience and proven performance across the industry is widely known, and we’re keen to see him take this next crucial step in continuing to build upon the strengths of the number one truck brand in the country,” Harbsion said.
“This appointment is a part of a broader organisational restructure that we are undertaking to ensure that we have the people, processes and practices in place to cater to the continued sales growth and demand for our products and the subsequent critical aftersales support.
“Road transport is a crucial link in the Australian economy and the whole country saw the reliance on our industry during the recent challenges brought about by the pandemic.
“It’s no secret the whole industry has seen ever-increasing demand and for Isuzu, it has been record-breaking demand,” Harbison continued.
“For IAL, we have always been focussed on our capabilities and resourcing as both a keen sector participant, and the supplier of the long-term market leading product – Isuzu trucks.
“These changes represent another foundational step in our journey to continue to grow and prosper as an organisation as we seek to continue to provide the products and services that our many customers rely on,” he said.
Ben Lasry said he was honoured and humbled by the appointment and to be given the responsibility to lead the sales, aftersales and training departments in addition to network development.
“We now have all the dealer-facing departments reporting to one executive position, which allows for better coordination and deployment of our sales and growth strategies,” Lasry added.
Ben Lasry was appointed as head of Isuzu’s network development department in 2020, after more than 20 years in senior positions across Australia’s automotive industry.
“During my first few months in the role I’ll be focusing on visiting dealers and customers and listening to my team,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to working even more closely with our senior team, our dealer network and building an even higher profile with our customers as IAL continues to grow and prepares for an exciting future.”
Lasry’s experience includes logistics and supply chain operations, aftersales and commercial strategies, forecasting and demand planning, as well as sales and contract management for some of the biggest names in automotive.
He is also versed in marketing communications, customer experience, business sales and new process improvement.
“Ben has done a remarkable job for us so far and I’m sure he’ll continue to deliver as we move into our ‘new normal,’ which includes continued strong demand for our products, services and the all-important customer support!” Andrew Harbison concluded.
