With Jan Crone on board since early February, Leidel & Kracht has placed a clear focus on the Dutch market. Jan combines extensive sales experience with a strategic approach to sustainable growth, aiming to expand existing customer relationships while systematically tapping into new market opportunities in the Benelux region.
Experience Meets New Markets: “From Hard Steel to Soft Foam”
Jan Crone brings many years of sales experience to the table and has first-hand knowledge of industrial structures. As a trained mechanic with several years in sales, he made a conscious decision to change direction—moving toward an environment that offers him more creative freedom.
“The shift from hard steel to soft foam is a perfect fit—especially because it involves a broad portfolio that serves many industries.”
This combination opens up new opportunities for the sales expert: serving different markets, developing solutions, and actively contributing to growth.
Open. Growing. Scalable. The Netherlands.
Innovative, on an upward trend, and traditionally open to new solutions—the Dutch market offers ideal conditions for expansion. At the same time, the customer base here is comparable to that in the DACH region.
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Similar requirements to those in the German market
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High openness to new partnerships
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Growing demand, including in the defense sector
“The mindset is open—doors are literally wide open,” Jan describes his first impressions. A decisive strategic move: Instead of relying on external sales representatives, Leidel & Kracht now relies on its own local staff. This fosters proximity, strengthens the brand, and ensures clear points of contact—already confirmed by positive customer feedback.
Strategic sales: Data-driven and close to the customer.
In developing the Dutch market, Jan relies on a combination of analysis and personal connection: target groups are identified based on data, tailored solutions are developed from the portfolio, and all activities are systematically documented in a dedicated CRM system. At the same time, direct customer contact remains central—from actively reaching out to customers to long-term relationship management. “I see myself as an enabler—close to the customer and with a clear eye for solutions.”
The focus is not only on acquiring new customers but also on expanding existing partnerships. In the coming months, the goal is to systematically tap into the market, identify new industry potential, and establish a clear positioning—with deliberately open-ended goals that take shape based on market developments.
People-centered strategy: Short decision-making paths, genuine creative freedom
Close coordination is crucial when developing new markets. At Leidel & Kracht, Jan finds flat hierarchies, fast decision-making processes, and direct collaboration between sales, development, and production. This allows market requirements to be quickly addressed and translated into concrete solutions. At the same time, a culture of trust and personal responsibility shapes the daily work environment: ideas are expressly encouraged, feedback is actively promoted, and employees help shape the business together. “Here, you can really make a difference—that was a decisive factor for me.”
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