Steven will focus on continued regional growth supported by expanded end-to-end solutions and an emphasis on sustainability.
WIESBADEN, GERMANY. 4th July 2023 – Panasonic Connect Europe today announced Steven Vindevogel as its new Head of Mobile Solutions Business Division Europe, stepping up from his role as Deputy. He aims to build on Panasonic TOUGHBOOK’s record as Europe’s leading rugged mobile computing manufacturer by continuing to expand its range of lifecycle solutions around its products and increasing the focus on sustainability.
“Digitalisation of the mobile workforce brings a new world of opportunity for our customers, whether that is competitive advantage in Transport and Logistics, Manufacturing and the supply chain, or improved response times and connectivity for Emergency Services and Defence users on the ground. But rugged hardware alone is not enough, customers need a mobile computing partner that can work alongside them - through the lifecycle of their devices – helping to keep them competitive. That’s where we are focused,” Steven said.
During his tenure as Deputy, Steven headed the development of TOUGHBOOK end-to-end solutions, a portfolio of managed services that offer tailored, lifelong support for businesses’ rugged mobile computing investments, from bespoke application development to predictive maintenance and servicing. This focus will accelerate as the organisation continues to develop wrap-around services that enable customers to take advantage of new technologies, such as private 5G networks.
This year, Steven also oversaw the launch of TOUGHBOOK Revive, a not-for-profit circular initiative encouraging customers to donate retired devices to be recycled or reused in a second life within smaller organisations and charities. “With IT budgets tightening and sustainability becoming an important factor in business decisions, mobile users want to feel comfortable that they are making future-facing, reliable investments,” he explained. “Our devices are designed to last many years and with the latest built-in modularity can be easily adapted in the field to different tasks throughout their lifetime. Launching TOUGHBOOK Revive was the next logical step in that journey to help create a circular economy.”
Before joining Panasonic as a Business Manager in Belgium, Steven worked across other tech giants Sony Ericsson and Packard Bell. He holds a master’s degree in Business Economics from Ghent University.
Steven succeeds Daichi Kato, who helped grow TOUGHBOOK during his two-year tenure and has been promoted to Managing Director of the Panasonic Avionics Business Unit in Japan.
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About the Panasonic Group
Founded in 1918, and today a global leader in developing innovative technologies and solutions for wide-ranging applications in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, industry, communications, and energy sectors worldwide, the Panasonic Group switched to an operating company system on April 1, 2022 with Panasonic Holdings Corporation serving as a holding company and eight companies positioned under its umbrella. The Group reported consolidated net sales of 8,378.9 billion yen (ca. 59.4 billion Euro) for the year ended March 31, 2023. To learn more about the Panasonic Group, please visit: https://holdings.panasonic/global/
About Panasonic Connect Europe GmbH
Panasonic Connect Europe began operations on October 1st, 2021, creating a new Business-to-Business focused and agile organisation. With more than 400 employees and led by CEO Hiroyuki Nishiuma, the business aims to contribute to the success of its customers with innovative products and integrated systems and services – all designed to deliver its vision to Change Work, Advance Society and Connect to Tomorrow.
Panasonic Connect Europe is headquartered in Wiesbaden and consists of the following business divisions:
- The Mobile Solutions Business Division helps mobile workers improve productivity with its range of Toughbook rugged notebooks, business tablets and handhelds.
- The Media Entertainment Business Division incorporating Visual System Solutions offers a range of high brightness and reliable projectors as well as high quality displays; and Broadcast & ProAV offers Smart Live Production solutions from an end-to-end portfolio consisting of PTZ and system cameras, camcorders, the Kairos IT/IP platform, switchers and robotic solutions that are widely used for live event capture, sports production, television, and xR studios.
- Business and Industry Solutions delivers tailored technology solutions focused on Retail, Logistics and Manufacturing, using its unique Gemba Process Innovation approach. Its purpose is to increase operational efficiency and enhance customer experience, helping businesses to perform at their best, every day.
- Panasonic Factory Solutions Europe is helping to make smart factories a reality with its wide range of automated solutions including electronics manufacturing solutions, robot and welding systems and software solutions engineering.
For more information about the Mobile Solutions Business Division, please visit: https://eu.connect.panasonic.com/gb/en/product-groups/toughbook-homepage
Please visit Panasonic Connect Europe’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/panasonic-connect-europe/
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