Smeg managing director steps down from his role after 14 years

Replacement has been appointed.

Smeg Australia managing director, Andrew Cronin (pictured below) will leave the company after 28 years with the brand, and 14 years at the helm. Announced at the company’s annual sales conference, Smeg Australia general manager for sales and marketing, Jim Kalotheos, who has been with the company for two decades, will step into the role, effective mid-April 2017.

During his time at the helm, Cronin spearheaded a period of growth with a more than doubling of turnover in the past six years, steering the company through its transition from a licensing agreement with Smeg Italy to an owned Smeg subsidiary. He has now made a decision to step away from the travel-intensive role to be more closely involved in the lives of his three children.

Cronin expressed his appreciation of the support and understanding he has received from both the Italian-based Bertazzoni family and Smeg senior management since making his decision.

He paid tribute to the unique Australian whitegoods industry and the many great individuals within it, stating that while many are very tough over the business table, “after five they are truly great people to have a beer with”.

“And to the Australia-wide Smeg team I want to thank you; thank you sincerely for your dedication and your loyalty which has been second to none. It has been a great privilege to share this journey with you and I am sure the success will continue under Jim Kalotheos,” he said.

Commenting on his appointment, Kalotheos (pictured below) said, “I am truly delighted at the opportunity to lead the Australian Smeg team – we have had a stellar performance over the past six years and we intend to continue this trend. Andrew Cronin and I always worked closely together, we shared a vision for both the company and the brand, so I don’t expect any major changes – more a continuation of the current culture with even higher targets and more goals.”

“As the new managing director of Smeg Australia, I thank Andrew for the personal guidance he has provided myself and the team. We look forward to building on the great relationships we have with our customers throughout Australia and providing new stylish and elegant Italian home appliances,” he added.

Smeg SpA Global CEO, Vittorio Bertazzoni, said, “I would like to thank Andrew for his friendship and the contribution he has made to Smeg in Australia. My family wish him every success for the future”.