2001-present
The interim management assignment in 2000 at Vialle Beheer BV, an authority in the field of LPG systems for automotive applications, was initiated by shareholders, troubled by the management performances at Vialle. The company made a structural loss and venture capital had tob e found. Despite the restructuring of activities, concentration on core and profitable business and a staff reduction from 170 to 110, a bankruptcy could not be prevented.
After the restart, through Vialle Alternative Fuel Systems BV, by a consortium of venture capitalists the activities were further reduced to the core with a remaining 47 people. In short term the company moved to a new facility and implemented a new ERP system.
A management buy out took place in 2003, during which Crane Industries bought a 80% share in the company. Since then Crane Consult leads the general management.
Vialle concentrated on the implementation of a thorough quality assurance system that reached a level of OEM acceptance. Then the program was adapted to the market demand that strongly developed internationally. Together with BK-gas (Shell) a revolutionary marketing concept,called "gasFX",was developed, that was initially introduced in the Dutch market. The core of the concept was a franchise formula, that guarantees a quality assurance of the total distribution chain and that is designed for internationalization in the European retrofit market. In the last years Vialle grew rapidly, through a solid expansion of the co operation with car manufacturers.
The turnover of Vialle grew the recent years with 10 Million euro annually. The profit is very satisfactory and the cash generation positive, despite dividends and large investments in products, manufacturing and markets. The company targets to achieve a turnover level of 100 million euro.
Vialle has a 100% participation in Suzhou (China) and at the moment introduces a 100% participation in Germany to manage the distribution in this growth market.
In other countries Vialle distributes via importers, or 1st tier-suppliers who directly supply car manufacturers. Vialle supplies systems for practically all cars and supplies for on-line production to brands like Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen and Maruti.
P.Rutten is board member of the Dutch Society of Liquid gas (VVG) and chairman of the Dutch automotive commission of the VVG. P.Rutten furthermore represents the Netherlands in the European automotive commission of the AEGPL.
