Alex Gazzaniga, Technical Sales Representative

Alex joined Orbital at the end of May this year and we recently checked in with him to find out how his journey is going.

Q: What was your background prior to joining Orbital?
A: I was previously with Photofab, also based in Cambridgeshire, where I progressed from Account Manager to Sales Manager. Photofab specialises in chemical etching of metals to create precise and intricate components and prototypes for industry, so I can certainly draw on that experience in my new role.

Q: What appealed to you about the Technical Sales Representative role at Orbital?
A: I’m a firm believer in the maxim ‘every day‘s a school day’: if you’re not learning, you’re standing still. I’d been with my previous company for 12 years, so it felt like a good time to move on and learn about a multitude of new application requirements. My prior experience in an allied branch of metal working gives me a head start and I was excited by the opportunity to be so customer-facing.

Q: How would you sum up your approach to customers?
A: First and foremost, customer service. Customers can expect me to spend time with them to learn as much as I can about their business and requirements to ensure the package we propose exceeds every benchmark of quality and service.

Q: Two months in, are things living up to expectations?
A: Definitely. It’s exciting to be involved in the development of hi-tech manufacturing and delivering a best-in-class product to companies pushing the boundaries of technology. Each of the sectors we serve—hydrogen and clean energy production, semiconductor manufacture, graphene, life sciences—has different but equally challenging requirements, so I’m definitely learning, and fast!

Q: And how do you perceive Orbital’s position in the market?
A: To a man (and woman!), team members have a great understanding of their product and they look after their customer. The importance of communication is never overlooked. We are clear about what we deliver and we keep the customer informed.
Orbital’s vast experience in high-purity gas and fluid delivery systems is perhaps most evident in the handling of information: from site survey, through design, manufacture, testing and installation to ongoing maintenance, it’s truly impressive—a genuine full service.

Q: So, is it fair to say you’re feeling at home?
A: I’m settling in really well. After 12 years with my previous company, of course everything feels different but the team couldn’t be more welcoming and generous in sharing their knowledge and time. I have a great training programme in place and I’ve been given the opportunity to spend time with all departments and learn what makes them tick.

Q: And finally, tell us a little bit about your life outside work.
A: I’m married with a 17-year-old daughter. We all enjoy walking, this year’s ‘summit of achievement’ has been Snowdon (easy way up, hard way down). I have been a keen cyclist, boasting trips from London to Paris and London to Amsterdam with friends, although since COVID and the discovery of sourdough, my cycling has tailed off but my bread is amazing.
My wife and I have an allotment, where we’re always trying to grow something different to feed our passion for cooking and stretch our tastes. I don’t feel old enough to be an allotmenteer but it’s quite fashionable now, with loads of younger people picking up a spade.