Phil Thomson, Key Account Manager, South Island
Not many people can say they’ve worked at the same place for nearly 40 years, but long-time Komatsu New Zealand employee Phil Thomson can, and it’s an achievement he’s quite proud of.
Phil is a Key Account Manager for South Island and looks after numerous Komatsu customers in the region. His tenure at Komatsu started in 1985 after working for Ford for 11 years, first as an apprentice, then as workshop foreman. He had an interest in working in sales, which is what led him to start working for Komatsu.
“I’ve only ever worked at two companies, and when I started here, I didn’t know anything about Komatsu. I knew the name and that’s it, but I had worked with a lot of agri machinery in my previous role, so that made it a somewhat easier transition with the scale and size of machines I was working with,” he says.
“I thought I’d only be here for a few years. But the place, and the industry, it gets under your skin, and it became difficult to let it go,” Phil says.
Phil has worked across many divisions at Komatsu, including sales, used equipment and key account roles. The diversity throughout his time here means he’s seen a lot, allowing him to build some great relationships along the way.
“When I first started, I was dealing with a number of customers who only had 1-2 machines, and now they’ve built their businesses up with big fleets, some with 100 machines, and I’ve been there and been a part of that journey.
“It’s a real privilege to see customers and businesses grow and share that with them. I think that’s key to a successful career here – not only bringing the value but showing passion to the customer.”
One of the other things Phil values about working at Komatsu is the support from the business towards its own people.
“Komatsu is made up of great people and has always had a great culture, but it’s the growth of the people and the development of their skills that has really stood out for me. I’ve worked with many different people in my time and there has always been an openness from Komatsu to help with our development, whether that’s moving into a leadership role, learning more technical skills or just giving you the confidence to know where you want to take your career,” he says.
“When I started, I was greener than green, and I’ve learnt so many valuable lessons along the way. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the people who backed me and helped me grow.”
And Phil’s one piece of advice to those wanting a long career at Komatsu like his?
“Get to know your product really well and embrace it. You need a passion for the equipment as well as a passion for people. It will make the job a whole lot easier, as in the end it’s not just about selling a product, it’s about working together with the customer, understanding their pain points, and giving them a solution.”
If you’re interested in a career with Komatsu, visit www.komatsu.co.nz/careers to see what opportunities we have available.