At Terex, we believe in growing talent from within and celebrating the diverse journeys that bring people into our business. Ginta’s story demonstrates how adaptability, curiosity, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone can lead to meaningful career growth.
Originally from Lithuania, Ginta’s early years were spent performing acrobatics across Europe as part of a travelling circus. That experience taught her discipline, creativity, and resilience, qualities that have served her well throughout her professional journey. After earning a business degree in the UK and working in textile manufacturing, she moved to Australia, where she joined Franna in 2019 as a Sales Coordinator.
With no prior knowledge of cranes, Ginta quickly adapted, learning on the job and building strong relationships across the Franna team. As Ginta commented, “I like to joke that the circus taught me how to juggle but working at Terex really turned it into my biggest strength!”
“Ginta’s journey is a great example of how diverse experiences can strengthen our team and drive our shared success,” said Danny Black, General Manager at Franna. “Her adaptability, determination, and commitment to learning truly embody our Terex Way values. We’re proud to support Ginta’s growth and excited to see what she’ll achieve next.”
Kieran Hegarty, President, Terex MP added, “Ginta’s journey reflects the best of what we aim to develop at Terex: people who are eager to learn, grow, and build relationships with our customers. Her experience working from the ground up has given her a deep understanding of our Franna products and a strong foundation for long-term success in sales. Well done Ginta on your achievements to date and I wish continued success in your new role.”
Through the Q&A below, hear directly from Ginta about the experiences that shaped her intriguing career path.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m Ginta, born and raised in Lithuania. When I was young, I joined the circus and spent my early years traveling around Europe, performing acrobatics on the trapeze and aerial silk. It was an amazing experience that taught me discipline, creativity, and how to push my limits.
At 18, I decided to quit the circus and focus on getting a degree, that’s when I moved to the UK to study business management. After graduating, I landed my first proper job as an account manager in textile manufacturing. I worked with some well-known sportswear brands, helping develop new clothing lines and managing bulk production. It was a great learning experience, but I wasn’t quite ready to settle down. So, I moved to Australia to study website development, where I felt in love with the country and decided to stay.
Family is important to me, and no matter where I am, I try to stay close to them. When I’m not working, I’m usually out travelling or looking for my next adventure—whether that’s hiking, skydiving, or surfing. The best part of my day is just hanging out with my husband and our dog, whether we’re exploring somewhere new or just chilling at home.
What initially attracted you to the Sales Coordinator role at Franna?
It was actually a recruiter who introduced me to Terex. I didn’t know much about machinery, but with my manufacturing background, I figured I could adapt. I was told I wouldn’t need to know about cranes, but I ended up learning a lot just by being in the right environment.
How has your career evolved since joining in 2019?
It was tough at first as I had just two weeks of handover and had to figure out a lot on my own. But with support from other departments, I found my rhythm. Then 2020 hit, and like everyone else, I had to switch to working from home because of COVID. That year flew by in a blur of Team calls and new routines, but eventually things settled down again. After a while, I started feeling like the coordinator role wasn’t really challenging me anymore, so I told my manager I wanted to grow and try something different.
To be honest, I never thought I’d move into front end sales, especially selling cranes, since I didn’t know anything about them when I first started! But my manager saw potential in me, and we had lots of chats about it. Franna then set up a traineeship programme where I got to work with international customers and spend time with different teams to learn more about our products, all while still doing my coordinator job. It was a lot to handle, but the team was amazing and helped me get through it.
What motivated you to take on the Sales Manager Development role?
I’m proud of the product we make, and I wanted to grow within the company. My manager’s belief in me gave me the confidence to take on the challenge.
What were the biggest challenges during that transition?
One of the biggest challenges in my coordinator role has been managing the time-sensitive nature of the job while maintaining a high level of attention to detail. Finding time to develop my commercial and sales skills while ensuring cranes were delivered on schedule and all compliance requirements were met was definitely tough. Having the right support from colleagues made a huge difference, knowing I could rely on my team made managing these demands much easier.
How did it feel to officially step into the Sales Manager role?
It felt like a huge achievement, especially as a woman in this field. I was really honoured when management offered me the full-time position. During the traineeship, there were days when I wondered if it would ever happen or if it was taking too long, so when the offer finally came, I was absolutely over the moon. Being promoted felt like a personal milestone, and I hope it encourages other women to be courageous and know that there are no limits—except the ones you set for yourself.
What was it like selling and delivering your first crane?
Nothing beats the feeling of a first-time experience. Selling my first crane was a rollercoaster—lots of back and forth, and then finally getting the call to confirm the order while driving to work. I was so excited I did a little dance in the car! The delivery went smoothly thanks to a great trainer and a welcoming customer. The experienced trainer accompanied me on the trip and helped guide me through the process, which made a big difference. The customer was very easy to work with. It was actually his first brand-new Franna crane, so it was a milestone for his business as well.
What does a typical day look like now?
These days, there’s really no such thing as a “typical” day for me! My routine is always changing, which keeps things interesting. Most of my time is spent connecting with customers—reaching out, introducing myself, quoting, and getting to know their needs. I’m also constantly learning about our products and exploring new regions, which means I get to travel a lot more now.
What skills have you developed the most?
I like to joke that the circus taught me how to juggle, but working at Terex really turned it into my biggest strength! Being able to handle multiple tasks at once and quickly figure out what needs attention first is probably the skill I’ve developed the most.
I’ve also become much more adaptable. Working with so many different people and personalities has shown me how important it is to be flexible and open-minded. Every workplace is diverse, and being able to understand and connect with all kinds of people has been really powerful for me—both professionally and personally.
Who has supported your development?
From day one, I’ve been lucky to have a very supportive team around me. In the early days, when I was still figuring out the coordinator role, Tho James (who’s no longer with the business) and David Ingham— or the Finance team—were a huge help. They were always there to look at my problems and suggest what would be the right way of handling the challenges when I would hit a roadblock.
When things got hectic and it felt like there just weren’t enough hours in the day, my colleague Paige Greenhouse was an absolute lifesaver. She always stepped up without hesitation, offering help whenever I needed it. Beyond just being supportive, she was a constant source of encouragement and genuinely celebrated every milestone with me, which made all the difference during those busy times.
My manager, Andrew Pritchard, played a big part in my development too. He really planted the seed that I could succeed in this field and always motivated me, sharing his own experience and tips along the way.
I’ve also learned and still learning a lot from sales managers Craig Hain and Robin Ghosh. They’ve both been extremely supportive, always willing to share their own approaches, ask the right questions, and suggest new ways to handle different situations.
Warren Ross has been constant source of technical support, guiding me patiently and generously sharing his expertise about the cranes, ensuring I understood both the fundamentals & the finer details. Warren also accompanied me on my first crane deliveries offering hands-on guidance that boosted my confidence and helped me navigate new challenges.
Right now, I’m working closely with Kevin Fix, who’s been mentoring me on this journey. I appreciate that he takes the time to check in, ask questions, and share his deep knowledge and experience on the commercial side of the business. Having all these people in my corner has made a huge difference in my growth and confidence.
What advice would you give to other women in manufacturing or sales?
My advice to other women in the crane industry is simple: don’t let the idea that it’s a male-dominated field hold you back or make you feel like you don’t belong. There’s plenty of room for everyone, and the industry is becoming more diverse every day. Often, we’re the ones setting limits for ourselves—don’t let the thought that you’re not good enough stop you from giving it a go. Believe in yourself and take that chance.
Looking back, what are you most proud of in your career so far?
I’m most proud of being bold enough to take on the coordinator job, even though I had my doubts at the start. If I hadn’t taken that chance back then, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now. It showed me that sometimes you just have to trust yourself and go for it, even if you’re not 100% sure.
What’s next for you?
