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Ann Hofmans

CEO

Overview



Name: Ann Hofmans
Position: CEO
Company: Forkliftaction Media Pty Ltd
Location: Greater Brisbane Area, Australia

Professional Background



Ann Hofmans began her professional journey in social work before transitioning to a career in communications and advertising. She became involved with internet technologies in 1996 and has been a pivotal figure at Forkliftaction Media Pty Ltd since its inception in 2000. As the CEO, Ann has led the company through significant growth phases and has played an instrumental role in establishing Forkliftaction as the global benchmark in materials handling media.

Achievements and Highlights



  • Longevity of Forkliftaction: Under Ann's leadership, Forkliftaction has sustained its operations and growth despite the early 2000s dot-com bubble burst that affected many online platforms. The company was built on a strong understanding of the materials handling industry, which contributed to its resilience.

  • Strategic Adaptation and Redesign: In 2023, Forkliftaction redesigned its web pages to make local content more accessible and relevant to its audience, enhancing user experience and engagement.

  • Growth and Expansion: 2023 was a remarkable year for Forkliftaction, boasting a 58% increase in web traffic compared to 2022, with more than 1,000,000 visits per month and 3,419 new subscriptions. The platform also saw significant engagement in its forums, with 821 new users joining discussion forums in the same year.

  • Industry Influence and Recognition: Ann has successfully positioned Forkliftaction as the niche medium in the materials handling sector, focusing on creating an independent and reliable news source that differentiates itself from larger social media platforms.

  • Community Building: Ann emphasizes the importance of strong industry relationships, referring to the company’s connections within the materials handling community as "mates", which reflects in the high level of trust and respect from subscribers and industry professionals.


Industry Insights



  • Sector Resilience: Ann notes the steadiness of the materials handling industry, highlighting how it remains robust despite technological advancements and economic shifts. This industry’s professionals are notably persistent and passionate.

  • Globalization Impact: One of the most significant changes observed by Ann is the globalisation of the industry, particularly the entry and impact of Chinese manufacturers, which has commoditised forklifts and shifted the focus to component quality and ergonomic design.


Strategic Vision



Ann's future vision for Forkliftaction includes continuous enhancement of the platform with new features and opportunities for industry stakeholders to connect and grow. Maintaining the independent and trustworthy nature of the news, while expanding content and functionality, remains a core principle under her leadership.

Personal Tidbits



  • Community Presence: Known in her neighborhood for walking both her dog and cat together, reflecting a unique personal touch amongst her professional accolades.


Publications and News Links







By reviewing Ann Hofmans’ strategic insights and leadership milestones, it becomes evident that her commitment to industry excellence and community engagement serves as a cornerstone to Forkliftaction's sustained success and influence.