From Milano to global AT&S – Alessandro Palmeri

Alessandro Palmeri, 29, has only been with AT&S since 2022 and his journey through the Sales Talent Program was exciting and adventurous. This could also be the course for his future career as Account Manager at AT&S.

“I am 100 percent Italian,” laughs Alessandro Palmeri. And as such, he could have made it very easy for himself. After all, the course for a great career was quickly set: After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing Business Communication and Global Markets at the University of Milan and a Master’s degree in Business Management, Alessandro started out in an Italian start-up that set up a pharmacy chain. Very successful, the business went through the roof and Alessandro was offered the job of Marketing Manager at the age of 26 – a dream job by Italian standards. Finito?

At the same time, AT&S became aware of him and he received an offer to join the Sales Talent Program. But an Italian always has to ask Mama and Papa first, and they were a little perplexed. “Back on a talent program instead of marketing manager? My parents didn’t understand that,” smiles Alessandro. However, the impression of AT&S during recruitment was exceptionally promising and it was clear to him: “I want to have an international career.” That meant getting out of his beloved Italy – rather atypical for a 100 percent Italian with a soft spot for soccer and red wine.

“What are printed circuit boards? I had no idea at the beginning.”

That quickly changed when he started at AT&S in Hinterberg in August 2022 and Alessandro ended up on a top training program to become an account manager with other global sales talents: one month in PCB production in Hinterberg, one month in the US office, trips to Shanghai, Chongqing and Malaysia. Instead of 12 months, the training period was over after just 8 months. He was sent to Kota Toyoda, Director Regional Sales Asia Pacific, in the Taipei office in Taiwan with a focus on South East Asia (SEA), Australia and New Zealand. As a “fresh guy” in a “green market”, Alessandro was to gain sales experience quickly.

The Italian in him had reservations: “Friends? Family? All in Italy. To Taiwan for a year? To a completely foreign culture?” But the AT&S sales talent in him plunged headlong into the adventure, he really loved working for SEA, Australia and New Zealand and after a full year in Taipei he now says with conviction: “The year in Taiwan was the best year of my life.”

Well supported by Kota Toyoda and helped by nice colleagues like Andy Huang, Application Engineer, there were new customers, first sales successes, but also working days from 6 am to 11 pm due to the different time zones.

“The effort has paid off, that’s a good feeling.”

Alessandro has been back in Europe since August 2024 and, as EU Account Manager, is now responsible for the European markets in Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Portugal and Israel. How will his journey continue? “The new opportunity is very exciting. I will put all my efforts to repay the trust that the company has placed in me by giving me more and more responsibility. I want to grow at AT&S. I’m never satisfied, I don’t like stagnation, I always want more. This is only a starting point.”

Andreas Wippel, Vice President BU Sales at AT&S, is happy with this success story.  “From AT&S’s point of view, Alessandro Palmeri is a very good example of our efforts. In the Sales Talent Program, we are looking for young and highly motivated employees who, after an intensive training phase, are ready to work successfully for AT&S abroad. This is very important to us, which is why we invest a lot of time and meticulousness in training and education.”

Wordrap with Alessandro

Profile
Alessandro Palmeri
Account Manager Europe

With AT&S since:
2022

Favorite wine: All red wines, especially Valpolicella, my favorite is “Amarone”.

Favorite soccer club: FC Juventus. And I say that as a Milanese.

Biggest surprise in Asia: That Italy is not the center of the world – which an Italian is firmly convinced of. Some people don’t even know Italy and you have to be happy if people in Asia have any idea what “Europe” is.

Life in Taipei: It’s so modern, so safe and full of wonderful people.

Experiences with earthquakes: In Taiwan, I tore my cruciate ligament playing soccer. Two hours before the surgery in hospital, there was a 7.5 magnitude earthquake. My bed wasn’t fixed and I was moving all over the room. WTF!? After an hour, a nurse came and admirably calm pushed me into the surgery room. In Italy, life would come to a standstill for two years after an earthquake like that! (laughs)

Passion for sales: I love sales! I love interacting with people on different levels. I love to see how they react to our support and to our offers. The key is understanding needs and provide solutions that make a real difference. Seeing that the efforts you make result in new orders or new customers makes me ecstatic.

What’s special about AT&S: The way the company treats you is really special. I have been given so many instruments and tools to learn and do my job. The level of attention is amazing. I had good teachers and managers and always felt like I was special. This commitment has pushed me to always give my maximum effort to contribute to the achievement of the company’s targets.

Published On: October 8, 2024

Share post: