Meet The Team

Founders

Summary of previous work experience:

Dries began his career in 1997 as a coordinator in the Information Technology field. His role included overseeing the roll-out and implementation of one of the largest institutions in South Africa with over 2600 sites. He soon moved into the software development side of IT, where he was approached to develop software for one of the, now leading, PPE suppliers in Africa. In 2008, when an American-based company took over, he was promoted to IT Director and was involved in multi-national projects across South America, North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Dries later became involved on the sales side of the business, and moved into a Sales Manager role, followed by a Business Development role and finally into a Sales Director role.

In 2017, Dries began managing a company involved in the supply and management of PPE and other consumables for the Mining, Motor, Retail and Agriculture industries.

In 2020, he joined the CHARNAUD team as the Sales and Marketing Manager responsible for the sales team and sales processes for Africa.

How did you get into the industry?

Although Dries began his career in the IT field, his passion for the PPE industry began when he was approached to develop software for a large PPE corporation, where he naturally digressed into various sales roles.

What do you love about the industry?:

One of the things that Dries loves most about this industry is the feeling of knowing that, with proper analysis and planning, every person doing a dangerous job is protected.

Dries believes that the South African Safety Industry is still a very “small world”, and feels that there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a previous customer that he’s worked within the past and being able to provide them with the best possible solutions to keep them and their colleagues safe “again”.

He truly believes and lives by the CHARNAUD motto of being “Your last line of defence” and partnering with CHARNAUD just made sense.

How did you get into the industry? 

Robin watched his parents establish and grow CHARNAUD into the renowned global business it is today. He had never imagined he would one day join them in the family business. Their dedication and tireless work became the backdrop to his childhood. Although it was not his intended career path, it was the natural evolution for him and has allowed him to build on his core strengths and hone his skills. He has been fortunate to have travelled for most of his life; he truly enjoys interacting with different people and immersing himself in new cultures. His travels have given him a sensitivity and understanding of cultural differences and how important that is to build the foundations of trust with clients. He is genuinely invigorated by meeting people and thrives on being able to establish a rapport with others.

What do you love about the industry?

Part of Robin’s scope involves product development at a very micro scale and visiting international quality and safety testing labs where our CHARNAUD products undergo a barrage of tests. These experiences inspire him because he gets to see first-hand how our products perform to international standards and exceed expectations. To witness our electrical switching suit being put through a life-or-death situation like an arc flash and seeing the results gives him the confidence to stand by what we promise. Our clients have to trust us. Essentially, they are putting their lives in our hands, and his biggest satisfaction is knowing that what we do at CHARNAUD is save lives. The last line of defence is more than just words, it embodies our integrity and our promise to keep people safe.

Summary of previous work experience:

Devin has been in the Sales Industry for over 16 years now, where he began as a door-to-door salesman, and gained excessive knowledge in cold calling, mass presentations, product sales through leads and referrals, stands and exhibitions. As the years went on, he advanced his career when he had the opportunity of being a Branch Manager in both Durban and Cape Town. Prior to joining CHARNAUD, he was a Key Account Manager at one of South Africa’s largest timber door manufacturing companies, where he managed contracts with various international and local hardware groups, buildering merchants, joinery companies and developers.

How did you get into the industry?

Devin was offered the opportunity to join the PPE industry by Andrew and Fiona CHARNAUD.

What do you love about the industry?:

Devin enjoys the sales profession because of the freedom, flexibility and ability provide the best possible service to clients and the fact that any two days are never the same. He believes that good salespeople are focused on helping buyers solve their business problems.

More specifically, what he loves about the PPE industry and working for CHARNAUD is that everyone is involved when it comes to protecting a person’s life, and that is the priority – the sales representatives are not just trying to sell a product, but rather see themselves as sales and technical consultants helping customers find a solution to their problems.

Summary of previous work experience:

Gunter started working as a salesperson at a large mass retail outlet in 1996, where he worked his way up to being a Floor Manager. He then moved into the Mining Industry as a Manning Officer in 2003. After studying and many hours of hard work, he left the company in 2009 and became an HR Manager. Gunter moved to a PPE company as an Area Manager, where he learnt a lot about safety and PPE. He even earned the title of Area Manager of the Year in both 2013 and 2014. After 7 years of working for this company, he moved to an electrical company as a Sales Representative and gained much knowledge of the Electrical Industry. However, he could not resist moving back into a PPE company, where he continued as a Sales Representative. After the exposure to the PPE environment again, a great opportunity came his way to work for CHARNAUD from January 2020.

How did you get into the industry?

By working in the Mining Industry, it gave Gunter the background and experience for the PPE Industry, which he developed a passion for.

What do you love about the industry?:

Gunter loves the impact that he, as a salesperson, has on people’s lives. It’s the fact that the products he sells saves lives and knowing that in a situation such as where a husband who has a family to go home to, can return home from work safely.

Summary of previous work experience:

In 2003, Michael began his career as a Sales Representative for a PPE company. In 2005 he moved to another company and grew his career to being a Senior Area Manager in just 2 years. He was the first non-employee to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the mine. Then in 2008, he moved to a company that develops safety products as Area Manager Africa Development. This was his introduction into the broader African market. Michael joined the CHARNAUD team in February 2020.

How did you get into the industry?

Michael went for an interview at a safety company who were looking for a person to get business for them from the parastatals. A week after the interview, they called and offered him the job.

What do you love about the industry?:

Michael thrives on the thought of knowing that someone goes home every day because of the safety products which he provides.

Summary of previous work experience:

Qwintin worked as a Production Manager, Quality Controller and Specialised Spray Painter for 7 years from 2005 until 2011 in the tombstone manufacturing industry. Within those years, he also had experience as a Semi Boilermaker and Semi Electrician. Qwintin then left that company and began working in TeleSales for 2 years in the fitness and gym industry. Following this, he decided to venture out into the Tobacco industry. He was an FMCG and Tobacco Sales Representative, as well as a Stock Controller, for 4 years. At the same time, he was also a Merchandiser for 7 years. From 2013, Qwintin moved into the Safety Industry, where he gained experience in Personal Protective Equipment, including specialised PPE and internal and external training on products. Over the years, Qwintin has also gained experience in administration, logistics and being a Buyer across various industries.

How did you get into the industry?

Qwintin was referred by one of his clients.

What do you love about the industry?:

There are several reasons why Qwintin loves this industry. Firstly, he loves looking for opportunities to show people the bigger picture when making decisions, by helping clients purchase the correct products that are of quality and save them money in the long run. He believes that by creating better quality products and offering great service, not only will business increase for both companies, but the risk environment will be reduced, thereby saving lives.

How did you get into the industry? 

Mark entered into the PPE industry in 2009 as an area manager looking after the Sibanye mines around Driefontein and Kloof in Gauteng. His responsibilities included managing onsite PPE stores that serviced Sibanye Gold. Mark then worked for other PPE-related businesses in roles including: Sales Representative, Sales Executive and Key account manager.

How did you get into the industry? 

Mark was given the opportunity to enter the PPE industry in 2009 and has remained in the industry ever since.

What do you love about the industry?:

Mark loves working with people. The very fact that people should be adequately protected in the workplace is most important to him. He enjoys offering customers a full PPE solution that helps resolve the challenges in the workplace regarding protecting people daily. He admires technological advancements and has a passion for the quality and performance that CHARNAUD has to offer.

He believes that at the end of the day, you should make CHARNAUD your last line of defence and make it your best line of defence. A life cannot be replaced so make sure your life is properly protected.

Summary of previous work experience: 

Saskia began her career as a marketing coordinator at a training company in the early 1990’s, after which she moved to internal sales at Duraset.

From there she completed her qualifications in 1998 and worked as a sales consultant at Lafarge Cement, becoming an entrepreneur. In 2005, she moved to MSA Sales as a Sales Executive. She was then offered a position as Area Manager at Select PPE in 2010. In 2017 she took on a new role as a Branch Manager/Area Sales Manager at Air Liquide Welkom until 2021.                     

How did you get into the industry? 

Saskia took up a sales position in 2005 at MSA Welkom.

What do you love about the industry?

Saskia has a passion for people and feels that it is a privilege to take part in saving employees against hazards or physical harms. She loves the idea of assisting in protecting people and offering them solutions for their safety.

Summary of previous work experience: 

Veronica began her career in 1988 at a security company based in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. She worked as a Debtors and Creditors Clerk for 3 years. She then moved to an International based company that manufactured ladies and men’s shaving blades, gels and foam, where she was employed as an Office Administrator. Later, she joined CHARNAUD and has been an employee here for the past 20 years.

How did you get into the industry? 

Veronica was looking for a job close to home and that was convenient for her to drop and pick her kids up from school. She came across the position at CHARNAUD in the local newspaper and applied for it. After she went in for an interview, she got offered the job.

What do you love about the industry?

CHARNAUD supplies an exclusive product and is a leading manufacturer and supplier to the Mining Industry. Veronica is proud to work for a company that supplies excellent products and that is committed to the safety of our customers. Her favourite part of working for CHARNAUD is the knowledge and experience that she has gained over the years. She loves the culture of the business, as well as the simplicity and uniqueness of working with each individual staff member.

Summary of previous work experience:

Directly after completing her school career in 1998, Maritza started working for electrical contractors at a power station. From 2005 until 2009 she worked directly for the power station as a Secretary to the Training Department and Group Secretary for the Talent and Skills Development Department. In October 2009 she relocated to Phalaborwa and joined another electrical company. She was responsible for Sales and Contract Management to two mines. In 2017 she relocated to Johannesburg where she joined the CHARNAUD team as an Internal Sales Coordinator.

How did you get into the industry?

When Maritza was working for the last electrical company, she was responsible for managing the CHARNAUD contract with one of the mines. Knowing that she would be relocating to Johannesburg in 2017, she applied for the Internal Sales Coordinator position and joined the CHARNAUD team in September 2017.

What do you love about the industry?

Since Maritza started at her first job, the electrical field was always part of it. Unfortunately, she also had to experience the bad side of it, where people got seriously injured and others paid the ultimate price, losing their lives. She saw families’ lives changed in the blink of an eye. What she loves about working for CHARNAUD is that it makes it possible to educate people and most important of all… to save lives.

Summary of previous work experience:

Rentia started her career working as a receptionist at a timber agent in 1999. In 2003 she was promoted as Assistant to the Marketing Director. She worked there for 10 years until the company relocated in 2009. In 2010 she started as an Administrator for a tree felling company for 2 years. It was a family business and she was the right hand to the owner. In 2012 she moved to an automotive consultancy business as a Support Consultant in a call centre offering software solutions to the Automotive Industry. She started working for CHARNAUD in September 2013 as an Internal Sales Coordinator.

How did you get into the industry?

Rentia responded to an online advert and was invited for an interview at CHARNAUD. One week later she was offered the position.

What do you love about the industry?

Rentia enjoys working with people and giving them solutions to their needs. She is proud to work for a company that saves lives on a daily basis and puts safety first. She loves that the team shares their knowledge and that she continues to learn more about the Safety Industry daily. She feels that the PPE industry is where she belongs.