Mr. Val Kaplan

MBA, PMP, SSGB

Asia Business Development Expert

Open and save PDF

val@kaplanspace.com

China: +86-137-7195-4232

Canada: +1-416-560-0959

 

Profile

Developing sales and service support structures for overseas business by building local roots in China

Establishing and expanding operations throughout Asia Pacific region

Transforming Asian operations to become more profitable and more efficient

Skills

Technical

  • Expert in multiple engineering disciplines
  • Broad experience in several industries
  • B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering
  • Skilled product designer

Business

  • Bottom line driven
  • True international business experience
  • Graduated MBA with distinction
  • Asia business development specialist

Project Management

  • Experienced with multidisciplinary projects
  • Skilled in managing highly diverse int'l teams
  • Certified PMP
  • Six Sigma Green Belt

Experience

Camtek Imaging Technology, Suzhou, China

Technical Director, Global Sales Support Manager

2008-present

  • Successfully navigated sales, tech. support and marketing activities through the period of economic downturn ensuring strong post-crisis rebound and emergence of a more efficient and diversified company
  • Has setup and currently manage support center that provides worldwide tech. support for PCB products
  • Directed tech. and sales support network of over 90 professionals for Camtek's PCB, IC and ME products
  • Designed and implemented new methodology, incentives system and cost control measures which led to dramatic improvement in division’s efficiency and profitability
  • Initiated and led a number of company’s strategic projects in market research, product design, sourcing and outsourcing
  • Spearheaded introduction of new products and innovative solutions for various market segments
  • Consistently achieved projects deliverables resulted in improved bottom line and increased customer satisfaction

    • Camtek Korea, Seoul, South Korea

    Technical Director

    2006-2008

  • Directed sales and service support of Camtek's inspection products for PCB, IC Substrates and Semiconductors divisions in the company's Korean branch
  • Managed successful penetration to a number of strategic accounts (Samsung, LG)
  • Guided the return to profitability of Camtek's Korean branch for the first time since 2000
  • Overhauled service management and pricing policy resulted in doubling service revenues within one year
  • Identified key technological trends (embedded IC, laser drill inspection) and coordinated strategic repositioning of existing product lines to meet new market segments requirements

    • Kaplan-Cortex Inc., Toronto, Canada

    Business Development Manager, Owner

    2002-2006

  • Founded and managed a trading company engaged in active representation of several major PCB equipment manufacturers in Canada and US focusing primarily on inspection systems
  • Oversaw multimillion installation projects involving Camtek's AOI equipment in PCB and Microelectronics facilities
  • Negotiated a number of major PCB equipment sales in Canada and US East Coast
  • Oversaw and directed all aspects of post-sale technical support for clients with strong customer oriented focus

    • Camtek USA Inc., NJ, USA

    Product Consultant

    2002-2006

  • Planned and organized wide range of sales, service and marketing activities resulted in strengthening and solidifying Camtek's presence in Canada with established position as the leading AOI supplier
  • Engineered and executed a number of equipment evaluations which led to multimillion dollar purchases
  • Established and nurtured cooperative relationships with major Canadian PCB manufacturers that continue dealing exclusively with Camtek to this day

    • Camtek South East Asia Ltd., Singapore

    Regional Manager

    2000-2002

  • Oversaw and directed establishing of the new regional branch from scratch
  • Successfully managed branch operations in diverse and multicultural South East Asian region
  • Assembled and coached technical teams across the region ensuring dramatic increase of Camtek's market share in ASEAN countries from virtual zero in 2000 to 60% of the market by 2002
  • Developed and implemented highly efficient strategies to penetrate strategic accounts in Singapore and Thailand

    • Camtek Hong Kong Ltd., Hong Kong

    Regional Customer Support Manager

    1998-2000

  • Built, integrated and directed tech. and sales support network enabling Camtek’s continued and solid presence in the new market that today accounts for three quarters of the revenues -- up from the initial 5% at the start of my tenure
  • Identified and communicated key market information on specific needs of Chinese PCB manufacturers that enabled Camtek to capture commanding market share
  • Designed and built the most successful, profitable and efficient Camtek's service organization worldwide
  • Supplied critical marketing and technical input to Marketing and R&D divisions resulted in highly profitable product line extensions

    • Camtek Pacific Ltd., Taoyuan, Taiwan

    Product Specialist, Customer and Sales Support

    1996-1998

  • Led and coordinated Camtek's efforts to penetrate Asian market being the first technical representative of the company in the Far East
  • Achieved series of early successes in critical evaluations enabling for Camtek to set foot in the Asian market for the first time
  • Managed all technical aspects of establishing, growing and maintaining new Camtek's installation base in Asia with primary focus on Taiwan market
  • Oversaw technical and sales support activities in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and China until they grew large enough to become separately managed territories
  • Setup, coached and motivated technical teams in Taiwan and across wider APAC region

    • Camtek Ltd., Migdal Haemek, Israel

    Application Engineer, R&D and Service Dept.

    1996-1996

  • Acquired and developed extensive knowledge of AOI systems enabling my promotion to subsequent overseas assignments in strategic positions
  • Achieved high degree of familiarity with the structure and specific needs of emerging Asian PCB market
  • Excelled in providing high standard engineering and service support to overseas clients

    • Litor Printed Circuits Ltd., Haifa, Israel

    R&D Engineer

    1995-1996

  • Designed, built and tested various mechanical parts of advanced direct imaging system for producing PCB based on laser printing technology
  • Developed technical solutions for cutting edge multidisciplinary project in the field of image transfer and additive PCB manufacturing process
  • Acquired in-depth technical knowledge of multidisciplinary system design
  • Developed special expertise in the PCB production processes and advanced laser imaging technology

    • Education

    Heriot - Watt University (Edinburgh, UK) — 2009

    MBA, emphasis on Marketing — Graduated with distinction

    Technion - Israel Institute of Technology (Haifa, Israel) — 1996

    B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering

    Val Kaplan — val@kaplanspace.com