sparks
ELECTRICAL NEWS
august
2013
contractors’ corner
3
Sven Rotgers.
Personality of the Month
Addicted to the 'rush' of the LED revolution
DUTCH-born Sven Rotgers, general manager sales
at GE Lighting, has beenwith the company for
almost five years. He is passionate about LED light-
ing solutions and believes, aside from the fact that
LEDs are a clean and green, that they also represent
an investment in the future.
There are no half-measures for Sven – either at
work or at play.Whatever the challenge, he gives it
his best shot the first time –whether it ismaking a
life-changingmove to a new country or inspiring
his teamat GE Lighting tomake a difference.
Sparks:
Wherewere you educated?
SR:
I was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands
where I grewup andwent to school. I then studied
International Business and Languages in
Amsterdam. During 1998 I spent some time in the
USwhen I participated in an exchange programme
focused onmarketingmanagement.
Sparks:
How long have you been involved in the
electrical industry?
SR:
After graduating in 2000, I beganmy career in
the lighting industry, thinking it would be a solid,
professional basis for whatever would follownext.
I’ve found this industry to be quite addictive and, 13
years later, I still love it.
Sparks:
When andwhere did you start your career?
SR:
I startedmy career in themillenniumyear at
Philips Lighting HQ in Eindhoven in amarketing
role. After eight years – including a successful four-
year stint in a commercial role in the UK – I needed
a greater challenge and to broadenmy professional
experience.
The perfect opportunity camewith a commercial
role at GE, building and leading GE’s specification
approach in the UK, and later expanding the scope
to Europe, Middle East and Africa.
This also gaveme experience in a business led by
a US-driven culture. Eventually, I was asked tomake
my involvement in South Africamore permanent,
and this led tomy current role.
Sparks:
What are the greatest changes you have
seen over the years?
SR:
I amvery fortunate to be part of the revolution
in the lighting industry where demand ismoving
away from traditional light sources towards LED
systems. In away, this is a paradigmshift fromsell-
ing a product to using an 'asset approach'.
I amproud to be part of the transition from
functional products to a solution that benefits us-
ers and has a positive impact on our environment.
Sparks:
What major projects have youworked on
andwhat is your greatest accomplishment?
SR:
I would say that themost visible has been
the total LED conversion of all the UK outlets of
theworld’s largest coffee company, which later
became part of a global roll-out of LED solutions.
GEwas considered as the trusted advisor and
this – being during the early stages of the LED
revolution – catapulted this company into the
spotlight as a forward-thinking, trendsetting retail
giant. I amalso proud to be playing a part in pro-
moting a technology, which I believewill have a
positive impact on the lives of future generations.
Sparks:
Who has been your inspiration or have
you had amentor who has influenced your career?
SR:
Early on inmy career, my first boss, Ronald
Dalderupwas, inmany ways, my complete
opposite, whichwas a perfect counterbalance.
Hewas an impressive personality and he taught
me how to channel my energy and ambition in
more productiveways tomotivate a group to
achieve a common goal.
Sparks:
What, to your mind, are the biggest chal-
lenges facing the industry at this time?
SR:
With technologymoving forward at such
a rapid pace, it’s hard at the best of times for
lighting users to keep upwith developments, to
understandwhat it is that makes a trusted partner,
andwhat constitutes a reliable solution for their
application.
The lack of adequate standards for LEDs globally
makes this evenmore difficult and this potentially
can put companies off from investing in capitalis-
ing energy solutions.
Sparks:
What do you enjoymost about your job?
SR:
GE allows a level of personal entrepreneurship
that I’ve not seen anywhere else. It makes every-
day activities evenmore exciting, adding variety
and a level of freedomwith professional support
services to fall back on.
Sparks:
Howdo youmotivate your staff?
SR:
GE’s team is expanding rapidly andwe are
growing and investing in our brand in southern
Africa. Making the teammembers realise that their
contribution impacts directly on the reputation
and results of GE, gives thema level of pride and
stimulation – and, to some degree, everyone
wants to be recognised for making a difference.
Sparks:
If you could‘do it all again’, would you
change anything? If so, what would that be?
SR:
If youwatch the film
‘The Butterfly Effect’
, you realise that
a decisionmade differently in the
past could have huge conse-
quences onwhere you are today
– and that there’s no such thing as
‘a perfect decision’.Therefore, I’m
onewho looks forward rather than
looking back, wondering‘what if’…
Sparks:
Would you advise a person
leaving school to enter the electri-
cal industry? Andwhy?
SR:
Definitely. Froma lighting
perspective, the incandescent
lamp has been around for over
120 years and the technology
hardly changed. Now, with the LED
revolution in full swing, I couldn’t
imagine amore exciting time to be
in the lighting industry.
Sparks:
What is your advice to
electrical contractors and/or elec-
trical engineers?
SR:
The industry is changing rap-
idly and everyone is looking for a
place to fit in.With the advent of so
many exciting lighting technolo-
gies, never be afraid to experiment.
Having a profound technical
knowledge is crucial, but it works
perfectly when coupledwith
a sharp commercial attitude; it
differentiates you. It’s a combina-
tion that's hard to find and it will
increase your‘market value’.
Sparks:
What is your favourite
quote?
SR:
“There’s no such thing as work-
life balance.There arework-life
choices, and youmake them, and
they have consequences.”– Jack
Welch.
Sparks:
Name three things on your
‘bucket list’– things youwant to do
before you‘kick the bucket’.
SR:
In terms of an adrenaline rush,
I have already ticked off skydiving. That leaves
diving with GreatWhite sharks; seeing the‘Big
Five’at one of South Africa’s national parks; and
visiting Australia.
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