Studer's Executive VP of sales, Bruno Hochstrasser, will retire at the end of 2009, making way for Adrian Curtis, previously VP Sales for Soundcraft, to take on the mantle for both Soundcraft and Studer. Curtis will assume this position immediately whilst Hochstrasser will remain within the sales team for the remainder of this year to ensure an effective hand-over.
Andy Trott praised Hochstrasser for his 37 years' service to Studer "Bruno epitomises Studer's resilience and drive for innovation; he managed the business during the days when every top studio in the world had a Studer reel to reel tape machine, then, when the recording market changed dramatically during the 90's he transitioned the business into the world's leading digital console company we know today. Bruno is respected by customers and staff alike and although we will miss him, we respect his decision to retire although we have asked Bruno to remain with us in a consultative role for a further two years after the end of 2009.
"That said, I'm also very excited that we have such a worthy successor in Adrian Curtis, I know Adrian will add his own considerable experience to that of the Studer sales force and we expect great things from the combined team."
Adrian Curtis has over 25 years' experience in Soundcraft plus MBI Broadcast Systems, Amek and BSS along the way, and he relishes the prospect of managing both sales teams: "These changes reflect a definite recent shift in the markets' behaviour. Three years ago we were developing Soundcraft or Studer products for specific and separate markets - for instance Broadcast versus Touring - and that was reflected in the skills base and focus of our two separate sales teams. Now that we have a significant range of very flexible digital consoles the distinguishing lines between applications are less defined and our products have become adaptable to all our markets."
Adrian Curtis will remain headquartered in Potters Bar near London with an office at Studer's factory in Regensdorf, near Zurich, Switzerland.
(Lee Baldock)
