Midas and Klark Teknik undergo major restructuring
Published: ASIA
WORLD: A raft of organisational changes have been announced at Midas and Klark Teknik following the departure of long-term managing director John Oakley. The changes in the management structure of both brands is reportedly intended to ‘allow for better integration within the shared services of the parent Music Group’.
Both Midas and Klark Teknik – long considered Rolls Royce-level brands within the professional audio industry – were acquired by the Uli Behringer owned Music Group in late 2009, leading to widespread speculation on their future. Helping to plot the ongoing direction of both brands from hereon in will be Ian Riley, who joined Midas earlier in 2011 and has now been named vice president of operations and R&D. Additionally, Jonathan Chitty has been appointed vice president of customer support, a new division which will handle ‘day-to-day commercial and financial matters’.
Meanwhile, the Music Group has revealed an investment of US$10m in a dedicated Midas and Klark Teknik manufacturing facility, plus a further US$10m spent on SMT and optical inspection systems. Finally, new R&D talent has been promised alongside the expansion of the brands’ Manchester, UK-based research facility. Alex Cooper remains as an R&D consultant charged with overseeing ongoing and future products.
‘I am sad to see John leave the company after all he has done for Midas and Klark Teknik,’ commented Music Group CEO Uli Behringer. ‘We wish him all the best for the future. With the strong team we have in place now, Midas and Klark Teknik is already seeing a strong increase in revenue streams and the volume of products shipped such as the new Venice F which is in full mass production.’
In addition to the ongoing recruitment of R&D engineers, the Music Group is also seeking product managers and industrial designers for the Midas and KT brands, while promising product launches for later in the year.