Minkels appoints Christiaan van Terheijden as new CEO

Minkels specialises in data centres, a manufacturer that has accumulated many years of knowledge within the international data centre sector, offering modular and integrated total solutions for the development of corporate and commercial data centres. The Legrand parent organisation is a worldwide specialist in electrical intelligence and digital infrastructures for buildings.

Mr van Terheijden’s previous roles include a variety of international functions at the parent company Legrand. His most recent function was as the Commercial Director for Legrand Group in Austria and Germany, where he managed four branches and the Vienna head office. Before that he was Export Manager for many years, both for the Legrand Group and for the cable management specialist Van Geel, which like Minkels was also acquired by Legrand a few years ago.

“Minkels is one of the leading players in the data centre market,” said Mr. van Terheijden. “It is a strong and sturdy brand with innovative solutions, a brand that we would very much like to expand further internationally. The infrastructure solutions that Legrand installs in buildings are very interesting for Minkels customers. This offers a significant extension to how well we can meet their data centre requirements, with innovative and proven technologies from a worldwide specialist in electrical intelligence. On top of that, both Minkels and Legrand offer solutions that are extremely energy-efficient.”

At the same time, expanding the Minkels portfolio with solutions from Legrand that are targeted at data centres will allow Minkels to get involved in new data centre projects at an earlier stage. “Legrand carries out lots of electrical and technical installation projects,” explained Mr van Terheijden. “This means that Minkels can have access to the tendering process earlier than it currently does, from the moment that the basic construction of a data centre starts. I anticipate this giving a significant boost to further turnover growth at Minkels.”

Mr van Terheijden’s knowledge and expertise in exporting and global marketing approaches within the Legrand Group will also contribute to further international expansion of Minkels’ global key accounts. He adds, “Minkels is the centre of excellence for data centres within Legrand and has a strategic leading position for rolling out data centre concepts in the market.”

Mr van Terheijden also expects that intensifying the cooperation between Minkels and the branches and production units of Legrand throughout the world will make a positive contribution to the currently adopted strategy of a global presence with local excellence. “I know the Legrand organisation pretty well now, having visited all the Legrand countries myself in my former role as Export Manager. So it’s not just a question of knowing the German and Austrian markets very well – the links and contacts with other Legrand companies are present too. Intensifying the interactions in terms of sales and knowledge transfer between Minkels and Legrand will make sure that we are able to break open new markets for Minkels.”