Introducing Samsara’s Philip van der Wilt
With a vast experience of over 25 years, Philip van der Wilt, Senior Vice President & General Manager of EMEA, is instrumental in driving Samsara's mission to enhance safety, efficiency and sustainability across global operations. His leadership skills and deep market understanding are pivotal in advancing Samsara's initiatives in the EMEA region.
A key part of the company’s offering is the Connected Operations Cloud, which is a platform that leverages IoT data to optimise physical operations. The solution serves tens of thousands of customers worldwide, encompassing industries such as construction, transportation, manufacturing, and retail, with the goal of making a significant impact on their operations.
He describes the company as a ‘trailblazer’, that is making a contribution to the electrification of fleets.
“Our Connected Operations platform is indispensable for fleet decarbonisation,” explains Philip.
“It provides real-time insights for EV fleets, optimising routes, managing rest periods, and mitigating disruptions. With this data-driven approach, EV fleets would be able to operate efficiently.”
Samsara’s Global Expansion
Philip became part of Samsara in 2021, a company established in 2015 that swiftly ascended to market leadership in the technology sector in under a decade. Initially concentrating on real-time fleet operations with the Vehicle Gateway, tracking temperature, GPS location and diagnostics, Samsara responded to customer demands by integrating dashcams. These evolved to include inward-facing cameras leveraging AI for automatic alerts and detection.
Expanding its footprint, Samsara ventured into Europe, inaugurating an office in London and catering to customers across Canada, Mexico, France, and Germany. While expanding into new territories, including its inaugural east coast office in Atlanta in 2019, it remained dedicated to adaptability, ensuring uninterrupted service amidst evolving economic conditions. Prioritising customer safety and community well-being, Samsara introduced innovative solutions such as sanitation checks in Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs).
The apex of Samsara's growth came with its listing on the New York Stock Exchange, propelled by an annual growth rate exceeding 80%. Introducing the Connected Operations Cloud and App Marketplace, Samsara streamlined customer needs, offering solutions in telematics, equipment monitoring and worksite visibility. This milestone marked a significant stride in Samsara's journey, cementing its position as a prominent player in the digital operations landscape.
As a publicly traded entity, Samsara continued its expansion, establishing offices in strategic hubs such as Mexico City, Paris, Amsterdam, Munich and Poland. Embracing its role as a change catalyst, Samsara launched the inaugural Beyond Customer Conference and Connected Operations Awards, recognising customers spearheading operational innovation. These endeavours underscored Samsara's deep-rooted commitment to empowering organisations to operate more efficiently, sustainably, and safely, thereby contributing to the well-being of the communities they serve.
EV Partnerships
As the company expands an already impressive global footprint, it has cultivated strong partnerships in the EV sector to aid a mission to enhance safety, efficiency and sustainability in physical operations.
“It is exemplified by our EV partnerships, such as JJX Logistics in the UK,” adds Philip.
“These collaborations enable businesses to seamlessly transition to decarbonised fleets, a significant step towards our mission. By integrating our data platform with EV operations, we empower businesses to make informed decisions, furthering our goal of sustainability.”
A Trusted Global Partner
At its essence, Samsara is not just a technology provider, but a trusted partner to organisations propelling the global economy forward. Samsara's solutions empower those leading the charge in operational excellence from construction to transportation, warehousing to field services, manufacturing to retail and logistics to the public sector. With an unwavering focus on innovation and customer-centricity, Samsara continues redefining digital operations benchmarks, paving the way for a safer, more efficient and sustainable future.
“Our platform is not just a tool, but a catalyst in Samsara's overarching mission to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability across the global economy,” says Philip.
“Samsara empowers those at the forefront of physical operations, from logistics to construction, with actionable insights. Specifically regarding electric vehicles (EVs), our platform facilitates the transition from traditional fuel sources to decarbonised fleets.”
He also believes this particular evolution demonstrates a significant step forward in the make-up of modern fleets and how they are powered.
“This shift underscores a fundamental change,” says Philip. “Today's fleets are fueled not just by petrol, diesel, or electricity but increasingly by data-driven decision-making, paving the way for a more sustainable future.”
A Passion for Progress
Philip is evidently passionate about how his experience can contribute to enhancing safety, efficiency and sustainability in global operations, and feels he can make a tangible difference.
“With over 25 years of experience, I've scaled companies across diverse markets and product categories, driven by a genuine love for what I do,” he adds.
“I've honed my leadership skills, emphasising the importance of vision, trust-building, and decision-making. Effective listening, deep empathy and making tough decisions for the greater good are the core tenets of my leadership philosophy.”
A Vision for Samsara’s Future
Across its whole range of services and operations, Philip discusses how the company has a total focus on empowering businesses to optimise physical operations, and EV mobility plays a critical role in the wider picture.
“We are optimistic about the future, aiming to prioritise customer-centricity, support the journey to net zero emissions and drive efficiency across industries,” he adds.
“The transition to EVs is a pivotal component of our sustainability initiatives, and we are confident in our ability to lead this change.”
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