A conversation with • 28.11.2016

Andrew Carr now heading APG’s European division, Cash Bases

Andrew Carr and Stephen Bergeron about his new position at the head of Cash Bases

Andrew Carr (on the left) is now heading APG’s European division, Cash Bases...
Andrew Carr (on the left) is now heading APG’s European division, Cash Bases and Stephen Bergeron (on the right), VP of Marketing at APG.
Source: APG Cash Drawer

Andrew Carr is no stranger to nor fearful of change. He brings 25 years of experience in multiple technical and commercial leadership positions within IBM and from 2012 forward – continuing through his IBM division’s sale – in Toshiba’s retailing solutions businesses.  

He has seen first-hand what problems and opportunities leadership and ownership changes bring to an organization. “Cultural differences are not as understood or appreciated as they need to be by senior leadership. There is a massive difference between the United States and Europe and even greater difference between the West and Asia.”  This realization will be very important as Cash Bases continues its adaptation from an independent UK owned and operated cash drawer design and manufacturing company to that of a part of the Minneapolis based APG Cash Drawer.

As Andrew takes over from Phil Stone who is moving into a custodial role as shareholder and board member, he reflects on what he found so appealing about the company he now heads. “Most organizations don’t live by the stated fundamentals that only exist in HR departments or in a chart here or there. In my conversation with Mark Olson (President of APG who ultimately decided to place his faith in Andrew) it was immediately clear that the company lives by its set of principles. We talked about these fundamentals that were driving the culture. One of these which really spoke to me is that ‘there is nothing like success to drive fun.’ This perspective is something that both companies shared before the integration and this will make going forward much more fun and more successful”.

For the leadership at APG it was this compatibility but also a drive and ability to perform which impressed - as told by Stephen Bergeron, VP of Marketing at APG, “He's got a level of enthusiasm to charge the process. You walk out of a meeting with Andrew and no matter how many action items there are on the table, he reassures, 'we're going to get through this and it's going to be a lot of fun'.”

Be that as it may, Andrew’s origin and the connections he brings with him must have been attractive for APG as well.  Considering his lengthy time in the product management and commercial channels of some of the biggest players in the sector, he is well positioned to offer support and direction for product development and the sales sides of the business. “What I hope to bring to it is the ability to take the leadership of this business to the next level. I can bring a lot of connections and I want to leverage those connections to sew us together more tightly with those various routes to market. These routes themselves bring a huge amount of value, skill and expertise to retailers.”

Photo
Source: B&Q

His company can immediately improve on certain aspects to achieve the potential he sees. “Most people think internally and I have to tell you that I am thinking externally most of the time. I want to think about customers, I want to think about partners, I want to think about ISVs. I'm not sure we are engaging them and leveraging them as strongly as we might. So my focus is to make sure that those partners who work and operate in the marketplace have a really good understanding of our technology, that we are very closely aligned – and alignment is a really key word that I'll be using throughout 2017 – of customers' needs, pains, offerings and value propositions.”

When speaking about the current problems faced by and the future of retailing Andrew moves away from speaking in terms of channels, payment systems or geographic differences. “I see customer experience and the enrichment of that as being at the forefront of the key change in the next five years. Retailers are realizing and are now changing the organization structure to focus on customer experience to drive loyalty, retention and return.” Stephen Bergeron continues, “Labor is a huge issue anywhere in the world right now. Pay scales are going up, the labor pool is diminishing at certain skill levels and that whole process is challenging retailers significantly.” He knows that a well built and properly selected payment handling system assists retailers in allowing better contacts with customers. “Most of the retailers who understand where their business issues are come back to us and say: you can help me with labor, you can help me with customer facing issues”.

Photo: Andrew Carr now heading APG’s European division, Cash Bases...
Source: Costcutter

Stephen and Andrew make it clear: It is becoming ever more apparent that consumers will always want and need a physical point of contact with retailers and brands as a part of the ‘experience’ of shopping and could even become more important as some of the purely online purchasing moves to click and collect or bricks and mortar. They believe that providing retailers with the tools to offer the consumer the greatest satisfaction will be key for retailers’ success independent of the who, what, where or when of actual transaction. An efficient and confident cashier is naturally an integral part of this.

While excited about the future, he admits to being somewhat daunted by the “realization of what it will take to begin to execute on this potential” but adds that “If my days weren't full and I was looking for extra work to do, then I would question that potential.” For the time being, it sounds like that potential is solid  as Cash Bases continues to fuse with APG as a global POS cash handling leader.

The interview was conducted by Ben Giese, iXtenso

related articles:

popular articles:

Thumbnail-Photo: Zebra: Using transparency to combat losses and shrinkage...
24.05.2024   #Tech in Retail #personnel management

Zebra: Using transparency to combat losses and shrinkage

Companies in the retail sector like Lowes Food, Belk’s and Vera Bradley are gearing themselves up for the future with cost optimisation strategies.

Loss prevention is playing an increasingly important role in reducing inventory discrepancies.Inventory is a major challenge for companies in the retail sector: 82% of retailers in Zebra's latest 16th Annual Global Shopper Study say that ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Transform Customer Interactions with apg® Customizable Kiosk Floor Stand...
06.08.2024   #customer experience #kiosk applications

Transform Customer Interactions with apg® Customizable Kiosk Floor Stand

The leading provider of point-of-sale cash management and retail solutions, proudly announces the launch of its new Kiosk Floor Stand.

This innovative stand is designed to revolutionize customer service in various business environments through its high adaptability and user-focused design.The apg® Kiosk Floor Stand is unique in its ability to meet the diverse needs of different ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Introducing the Design XS Keypad Wall Reader Series...
23.07.2024   #access control #authentication

Introducing the Design XS Keypad Wall Reader Series

A New Level of Security and Convenience for Access Control

Leading global access solutions provider Salto Systems, part of SALTO WECOSYSTEM, is thrilled ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Successful customer loyalty in times of change: how to win with...
31.07.2024   #brick and mortar retail #sustainability

Successful customer loyalty in times of change: how to win with omnichannel

Challenges and trends in a cross-channel strategy

How has customer loyalty changed? Why is a well thought-out omnichannel strategy crucial ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Intelligent shopping assistant: how can it help in the store?...
26.06.2024   #brick and mortar retail #app

Intelligent shopping assistant: how can it help in the store?

Practical examples of use in DIY stores and fashion stores

Product search, navigation, shopping basket management and checkout: intelligent shopping assistants can now be integrated into ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Fashion retail: mobile discovery, more convenient shopping...
04.07.2024   #online trading #brick and mortar retail

Fashion retail: mobile discovery, more convenient shopping

How Breuninger is breaking boundaries with omnichannel

Breuninger, with twelve stores in Germany and another in Luxembourg, provides a traditional shopping experience ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Cash Management with the apg® Note Acceptor...
06.08.2024   #security #cashpoints

Cash Management with the apg® Note Acceptor

Stand-alone or as addition to the smarttill® Suite

Theft and counterfeit fraud are significant threats to retailers, underscoring the need for secure cash management solutions.For reliable bill validation and secure storage of high-volume bills, the apg® Note Acceptor is an essential tool. It ...

Thumbnail-Photo: How efficient is your workforce management?
24.04.2024   #workforce deployment #workforce management

How efficient is your workforce management?

Workforce management software in retail is successful when it optimizes processes, increases employee satisfaction, and improves ...

Thumbnail-Photo: POCOs experience: efficiency and customer proximity through digital...
30.04.2024   #customer satisfaction #digitization

POCO's experience: efficiency and customer proximity through digital price tags?

How ESL and other digital elements are used in furniture stores

POCO Einrichtungsmärkte GmbH relies on Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL). So far, 93 of the 127 stores have been equipped with this technology ...

Thumbnail-Photo: New digital customer experience on the sales floor...
29.04.2024   #digital signage #data warehouse management

New digital customer experience on the sales floor

Connecting stationary retail through omnichannel digital signage

The dynamics of digital change and the fast pace of customer expectations are increasing ...

Supplier

apg Solutions EMEA Ltd.
apg Solutions EMEA Ltd.
4 The Drove
BN9 0LA Newhaven
REMIRA Group GmbH
REMIRA Group GmbH
Phoenixplatz 2
44263 Dortmund
SALTO Systems GmbH
SALTO Systems GmbH
Schwelmer Str. 245
42389 Wuppertal
Zebra Technologies Germany GmbH
Zebra Technologies Germany GmbH
Ernst-Dietrich-Platz 2
40882 Ratingen