Meet Our Team: Harpreet Mooker

17-10-2024

Meet Our Team: Harpreet Mooker

Harpreet Mooker is our Business Development Manager (BDM) for Scotland, Northern Ireland and now also the Republic of Ireland. With 17 years’ experience in the lighting industry, Harpreet’s expertise, passion and people skills have made him a real asset to the company. Here we catch up with him; to talk about his career, what goes into successful customer relationships and where he thinks the lighting industry is headed.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and experience?

 My first foray into the world of lighting was for an independent electrical wholesaler in Glasgow in 2005. In 2013, I took a Sales Representative role at Endon Lighting, initially covering Scotland and later Cumbria as well. I eventually progressed to Regional Manager looking after all the company’s Area Sales Managers in Scotland, Ireland and the North of England.

I then spent some time covering Scotland for Forum Lighting, before I was approached by Megaman UK to take on the role of BDM.

What does your role entail?

 As a BDM, I am tasked with introducing our products to the electrical wholesalers in my area. Fortunately, Megaman UK is a well-known and respected name within our industry, which does make life a little bit easier. My role also involves nurturing relationships with customers that I have built up over my time in the lighting industry and keeping them up to date with Megaman’s growing product range.

What do you like most about this role?

 I think the best part of my job is meeting with the customers - some of whom I am happy to call friends. Having a great rapport and a bit of banter goes a long way. I have been very fortunate to have worked with some of these customers for many years. I really believe that people buy from people, but at the same time – you have to have the quality and range of products to deliver on your promises.  

Crucially, Megaman UK also gives me the autonomy to run my area as if it was my own business, allowing me to focus on developing the area in a way that works for me and my customers. Of course, knowing I have a strong management team behind me for support when I need it is also valuable.

What is the main challenge you face on a day-to-day basis?

At Megaman UK, we never compromise on quality and strive to provide products that are perceived worth investing in for their added value features and leading warranties. Unfortunately, due to the current climate, some people still feel the need to buy the cheapest option as opposed to the most cost-effective long-term; but more customers are realising that the old saying “buy cheap, buy twice” is true. As a long established and trusted manufacturer, we have been able to recognise quickly the concerns and challenges being experienced in the UK around energy cost and ROI. That’s why we launched the Essentials range that delivers in terms of cost and results for both retrofit and new-build installations, backed by an excellent 3-year warrantee.

You are now also BDM for the Republic of Ireland – tell us more about that.

 Megaman UK has had a presence in the ROI through a distributor for many years. However, it was decided that the best way to evolve the business and offer better support for our customers was to have an in-house BDM focusing on the area. I am looking forward to the opportunity of meeting all of our customers and the enjoyable task of travelling to their unique and very different business locations.

What sets Megaman apart from other lighting manufacturers?

 I think it comes down to the quality of the products. Megaman UK has a reputation for introducing products with innovative features, such as our Dual Beam Technology. However, before introducing a new product, we do our market research to make sure the simple basics are right, for example quality and ease of installation. Myself and the other BDMs are also consulted at this stage, which is refreshing - it’s far easier to sell a product you believe in.

What changes do you expect to see within the lighting sector over the next 10 to 15 years?

The main focus from lighting manufacturers has to continue to be the energy efficiency of our products and working closely with customers to ensure that the products they select are fit for purpose. I also think that the recent changes to Part L of the Building Regulations, which placed more emphasis on the lumen output of a product, were progressive and helpful. I expect we will see further development in terms of lumen output versus efficiency moving forward as a result.

Could you tell us a fun fact about yourself?

 I was once invited to have lunch with the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh… along with about 150 other people!