G Ramakrishnan, who served as the regional sales manager for Heidelberg India, retired from service on 31 January, 2014, after an eventful 30-year stint at the firm.
Ramakrishnan, a respected and trusted name among the printing fraternity of South India joined Heidelberg as an employee in the finance section in July 1983. But soon the company realised that he had a knack for sales and asked him to nurture and groom the Kerala territory to start with. “Initially I was asked to nurture and groom Kerala market for seven years, which helped us to have a sizeable number of Heidelberg installations in that region,” he said.
Klaus Nielsen, managing director of Heidelberg India, during the farewell ceremony on 29 January 2014, stated, “Ramakrishnan’s sales profile reflects his high values and ethics. His great rapport with the customers brought us repeat orders. We appreciate his dedication and loyalty to Heidelberg.”
Nagarajan, managing director of Chennai-based Nagaraj and Company (Amra Press), commended Ramakrishnan, as a “reliable salesman with integrity”. “He will never recommend a machine that will not serve or suit the purpose of the end-user. No vanishing act with him, after selling a machine. At any point of time after the sales, he is available for support. He is the bridge between Heidelberg and customers like us.”
Post his retirement, Ramakrishnan has joined Menaka Cards, a leading manufacturer and supplier of invitation cards in India. Speaking on his new association with Menaka Cards, Ramakrishnan said, “I have decided not to opt for equipment sales after having served Heidelberg. Instead I will be a part of Menaka Cards with Sankaralingam, CMD, who has been my role model entrepreneur. He has built his own successful empire as a wedding card manufacturer since 1980s.”