Meet…Mark Hermolle
Managing Director of KYMCO UK (now KYMCO Healthcare and KYMCO Motorcycles)
Managing Director of KYMCO UK (now KYMCO Healthcare and KYMCO Motorcycles)What does your position involve?
It involves managing just about all aspects of our business from design, sales and marketing, the people, stocks, pricing… really it’s everything that is involved in managing our business.
What do you enjoy most about your job and working in the industry?
I’m very passionate about the products because I design them. I like dealing with all the people in the supply chain, from customers to suppliers. Our team is pretty close knit and they are great people to work with too.
Really, I’m lucky enough to be able to say I enjoy all aspects of the business.
What is one of your proudest moments working in the industry?
There are so many but a real standout moment for me was becoming number one on the Motability Scheme by such a large margin for our mobility scooters. It proved that our products are good value and something that customers really do enjoy using.
What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in the industry over the years?
There seems to be a number of changes in the selling channels/routes to the market available and being used by some companies. We’ve always traditionally been a dealer business, meaning we sell everything through our dealer network and do whatever we can to support them and help to promote our business through them. Ultimately, they are the face of KYMCO to our customers.
Now I see a lot of activity on the internet, which can lead to some controversy between what our dealers think and how other manufacturers act.
The online side of the business isn’t something we have ever explored to any degree because we like to promote our product through assessment-based selling, which is a fundamental element of the BHTA Code of Practice, which many companies, including KYMCO, signed up to some time ago.
I have been involved with the BHTA for a number of years and this need for assessment is something I still feel very strongly about today.
So, route to market is probably one of the biggest changes. There are some improper ways that enable people to purchase mobility products at the moment, as seen on some TV shows, exposing rogue retailers.
What one innovation would you like to see appear in the market?
I think it would have to be an innovative power source. Products are becoming more lightweight and batteries are constantly increasing in range but a power source that could really give a major boost to life and travel distance would be wonderful for helping people become mobile without any limitations.
What are your interests outside of work?
My wife and my daughter ride horses so the equestrian side of things is something I get involved in and enjoy. I love photography and I have a motor cross, off-road motorbike which I like to ride. Plus, I’m into my fitness, so working out and going to the gym is important to me as well.
If you had to do any other job in the world, what would it be?
This answer is pretty cheesy but, honestly, I wouldn’t change it and couldn’t see myself doing anything else.
Quick-fire questions
Describe yourself in three words
Passionate, motivated and driven
What’s your favourite song?
Don’t look back in anger – Oasis
What is the last film you watched?
Inception
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
To heal
Favourite place in the world
Wales!
