By Thomas X. Floyd/Margrethe Petersen
He takes pride in delivering systems that optimizes production in panel and furniture manufacturing.
“To me it is important to not make promises I can’t keep. The product I sell must meet our customer’s expectations, and preferably exceed them. When that happens, the customer trusts me. And hopefully, it’s the start of a good and lasting relationship.” says Torsten.
From the office in the northern German municipality of Risum-Lindholm, Torsten is responsible for Argos Solutions’ operations worldwide, except for North and South America.
“It’s easy to sell Argos Solutions. We’re almost unrivaled globally with our products. Argos has a strong reputation, and our reference list is impressive. And even though we’re a global company, we’re relatively small. That means short decision-making processes. Since we also handle all production in-house, we can deliver flexibility and customization.”
Experience and expertise
Torsten Kahl is an engineer who has spent his entire career in the industry. He worked 18 years for the German company Anthon, who specializes in complete production lines for the panel processing industry, and prior to joining Argos, he supported IKEA in Russia, building a new factory.
“I was asked to join Argos in 2007, back when the company was called Argos Control. After that, I worked at IKEA again before returning to Argos Solutions in 2015, starting out at the Kongsberg office. When the pandemic hit, I moved back to Germany, and that marked the beginning of the German sales division.”
From Germany in a Land Rover
Now, Torsten commutes. Between Risum-Lindholm and Kongsberg. Several times a year. Preferably by car—a Land Rover Defender, to be precise.
When he isn’t driving his off-road vehicle or traveling on sales assignments to distant countries, Torsten enjoys spending time with his family on their farm. He is often found on the field with his two daughters and their ponies, or in the barn with his two sons, repairing one or more of the 14 old motorcycles he has collected.
Torsten Kahl’s German Argos division is practically a one-man operation, an office at home on the farm.
“Working from home gets boring. As a sales representative, I thrive best out in the market among existing and potential customers. That adds up to almost 200 travel days a year, including office days in Kongsberg. If my family, my colleagues and my customers are happy, so am I”, concludes Torsten.