A conversation with Gero Meinecke, Global Market Segment Manager Energy, Georg Fischer Piping Systems
Gero finished his studies in electrical engineering at the Technical University in Braunschweig, Germany, in 1999. As a qualified Dipl.-Ing. for automation technology, he joined Siemens Power Generation in Erlangen, Germany as a project manager for global power plant instrumentation & control projects. Further, as a strategic consultant he was responsible for the long-term product and technology planning of the entire Energy division. Finally, in the role as product line manager, he was driving the product development, marketing and commercialization of gas-fired power plant solutions. During this time, he collected all relevant professional experiences and got to know the power industry in all its diversity.
In January 2017, Gero joined Georg Fischer Piping Systems headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland as Global Market Segment Manager Energy. This new position makes him responsible for tailored regional go-to-market strategies in the energy segment and customer centred development of value selling approaches for GF products and solutions in the power industry.
BRW: What do you hope the audience will learn from this webinar?
My wish is that the attendees will gain an appreciation of the benefits that advanced thermoplastic materials can bring to their industrial and especially power plant piping projects. And, that switching from metal to plastics is not a difficult or risky leap of faith when you have a solution focused partner like GF at your side, who not just sells “stuff” but guides customers all along their journey towards a successful piping project. There is added value for all the stakeholders in power generation projects, whether they are EPCs, Engineers & Consultants, Contractors or Owners & Operators and we would like to see more companies to make the change.
BRW: What discussions do you look forward to having with the audience?
I would like to hear reactions to the messages in the webinar, with focus on perceived stumbling stones that have held people back so far from substituting metal with more advanced materials. I’d also be interested in feedback, either good or bad, from audience members that have already had some exposure to thermoplastic piping materials in power generation projects.
BRW: What do you enjoy most about your role?
I like that I am in a position to bring application expertise and customer understanding to a company that is dedicated to further develop from a product to a true solution provider and which puts the customer and value generation at the center of everything.
BRW: How did you get into the industry?
I joined the power generation industry many years ago, starting to work on power plant turnkey engineering and construction projects, first as a project engineer and later in project management. That took me around the globe quite a bit and always being close to the customers helped to build an genuine understanding of their pains and needs. The journey continued with stops in strategic marketing and long-term power industry market analysis. In my previous position as product line manager for turnkey power plant solutions I came to appreciate the role as “translator” or mediator between customer requirements and our product and solution developments as well as to return added value to the customers.
BRW: Where is your favourite place in the world and why?
Underwater, above a nice coral reef, on a sunny day, with a full tank of air on my back…
Join Gero Meinecke on 7th February for a webinar entitled ‘Solving Your Piping Corrosion Problems’ at 3PM London/10AM New York