BAJ issue 50 6.indd - Malcolm Steward

NEWS
10
Optimum
Expansion
OPTIMUM INTERNATIONAL HAS
STRENGTHENED ITS FOOTHOLD
IN THE AV FURNITURE MARKET
WITH A NEW APPOINTMENT TO
ITS SALES TEAM. THE YORKSHIRE
FIRM IS ONE OF THE UK’S LEADING
SUPPLIERS OF STYLISH, PURPOSE
DESIGNED AV FURNITURE, AND IS
DEDICATED TO DELIVERING TOP
QUALITY PRODUCTS AND THE
BEST IN SERVICE TO ELECTRICAL
RETAILERS NATIONWIDE.
Andrew Middleton recently
joined the company as
an Area Sales Manager,
covering the Midlands, Wales
and South East of England. The,
34-year-old has worked in the
electrical retail industry for eleven
years. His previous experience
includes roles for JVC, Marantz and
Philips, as well as AV sales for the
John Lewis Partnership.
In his new role, Middleton
is supporting Optimum’s core
customer base of over 800 electrical
retailers. He is also driving sales
and developing new business
opportunities, as the company
targets further growth in the UK
market.
Optimum’s Managing Director
John Ogden said: “We welcome
Andrew on board at an exciting
time for Optimum. We’re continuing
to invest in new products and new
people to increase our foothold
in the AV furniture market. Our
main aim is to boost profit margins
for electrical retailers and give
consumers wider, more varied
choice.”
New Marketing Director at Armour Home
ARMOUR HOME HAS ANNOUNCED THAT ADRIAN WARREN HAS BEEN
APPOINTED TO THE POST OF MARKETING DIRECTOR (DESIGNATE). ALTHOUGH
NEW TO CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, WARREN BRINGS WITH HIM A PROVEN
RECORD OF SUCCESS, WITH MORE THAN 10 YEARS PROFESSIONAL SALES
AND MARKETING EXPERIENCE, HAVING WORKED AT SENIOR LEVEL IN THE
AUTOMOTIVE, TRAVEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRIES.
Asked to comment Warren stated, “Naturally, I’m extremely pleased to be
joining Armour’s industry-leading team. The company’s positive, ‘cando’
reputation is clearly well deserved. I’ve been told I’ll have to ‘hit the
ground running’ and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”
Glenn McClelland, Armour Home’s Managing Director added, “We’re
delighted to welcome Adrian to the firm. Our expanding product portfolio means
the Marketing Director’s role is key to Armour’s future success. The whole board is
confident that, with his impressive record and fresh new ideas, Adrian will lead the
marketing team to scale new heights.”
Fred Clayton is Back with Electrocompaniet
AFTER THE UNFORTUNATE DEMISE OF CASTLE LOUDSPEAKERS, THE MUCH LIKED
AND WIDELY RESPECTED INDUSTRY STALWART, FRED CLAYTON IS BACK ON THE
RADAR LOOKING AFTER SALES FOR HANWELL-BASED EC DISTRIBUTION LTD.,
WHICH HAS ASSUMED THE DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS FOR ELECTROCOMPANIET IN
BOTH THE UK AND IRELAND.
The new company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of its Norwegian parent,
which has been producing high end audio for more than 30years.
Mikal Dreggevik, the UK company’s Managing Director said: “The last
year has seen Electrocompaniet grow by more than 130 per cent. It now has quality
distribution in more than 40 countries world-wide, so now is the right time for us to
make this major move into Europe’s largest consumer market.”
An innovative sales promotion programme is being launched to encourage
more dealers to support the brand. A major advertising campaign to support the
re-launch will appear in the specialist hi-fi titles. In addition, a full programme of
reviews is planned for 2008 covering all the products. This sales drive will be fully
supported by the company from Norway but with the UK subsidiary carrying all
stock requirements and with a fully staffed service and repair department in the
UK through Simond Matharu at NSS Ltd.
Electrocompaniet also looks forward to building a larger and stronger
network for its customers in the UK and Ireland with a newly dedicated service
department, more retail locations, more outstanding products at various price
points, and sensible delivery times for the products.
The BAJ ISSUE 50 | 2008