Audio-Technica marks half a century with Singapore celebration
Published: ASIA
SINGAPORE: World-renowned microphone and headphone manufacturer Audio-Technica celebrated its 50th anniversary in December, hosting a gala evening in Singapore alongside 220 specially invited guests. Among the attendees were both local and regional customers as well as members of the international media.
Taking place on December 2nd at the five-star Capella luxury hotel on Singapore’s Sentosa island, the event was hosted by Audio-Technica (South East Asia) and marked the fourth leg of a chain of anniversary celebrations taking place around the world.
Earlier events were staged in Tokyo, Seoul, and Taiwan, while the tour continued to Guangzhou in China after its stop in the Lion City. A major celebration is also planned for the US at the Namm show, taking place in Anaheim in January, before a second event occurs in Tokyo.
In attendance was Audio-Technica Corporation president Kazuo Matsushita, who described some of the challenges that A-T had faced over its five decades.
‘We have grown in step with the growth of the audio industry, and we have been greatly affected by downsizing due to digitalisation,’ he explained candidly. ‘To date, we have been through many crises and we can expect to be affected by a variety of factors in the future.’
He added, however, that the company’s success was thanks to a family philosophy. ‘My policy is that a company is its people,’ he explained. ‘I would like our company to be a place where each and every employee feels cheerful and enthusiastic and can demonstrate their abilities.’
Later, Vincent Chan, managing director of Audio-Technica (SEA) Pte Ltd, called the event ‘a way for us to thank everyone that has contributed to Audio-Technica’s global success’.
Following the speeches, attention turned towards the fleet of new products that are being released in celebration of the 50th anniversary, plus new products announced in 2011. Taking the form of a fashion show, the 33 product introductions saw models weaving through the audience whilst wearing the headphones and earphones, and presenting microphones to the seated guests.
Among the new products were two special editions designed specifically to capture the spirit of the occasion, the handcrafted AT4050URUSHI microphone and ATH-W3000ANV wooden headphones.
Designed by Japanese artisans, the AT4050URUSHI was created by applying Maki-e painting and Urushi lacquer techniques to the AT4050 studio microphone, producing a combination of ‘cutting-edge technology with Japanese traditions’. The ATH-W3000ANV headphones, meanwhile, represent the latest in the line of the famed W (Wood) Series models. Only 2,000 pieces of the handcrafted Hokkaido Asada Cherry wood headphones are being produced, including a traditional Echizen lacquer-finished design.
Other highlights of the evening included an eight course dinner and a performance by leading Singaporean comedian Kumar, while the event was completed with a performance by local a-cappella boy band Juz-B, using AE6100 microphones. The sextuplet recently appeared on Singaporean television, participating in Channel U’s Superband Competition.