The Stamer Group sets the course for the future

The owner of the HK Audio and Hughes & Kettner brands introduces a new management team

The Stamer Group, owner of the world-renowned HK Audio and Hughes & Kettner brands, introduces a new management team. The rejuvenation of the management is an important step towards reorienting and securing the future of the company as a family business.

Hans Stamer, co-founder of the Stamer Group based in Sankt Wendel, is departing after more than 40 years as Managing Director and CEO, thus paving the way for the new management team. From November 2020, the new four-person corporate management team will be made up of executives who have been with the company for many years. Lothar Stamer, brother of Hans Stamer and second co-founder of the Stamer Group, remains with the company as Managing Director, bringing many years of experience in the audio sector to the management team. Thomas Bittel is appointed as the second Managing Director and new CEO of the Stamer Group. Over the last few years, Thomas Bittel has headed the ‘Finance & Controlling’ division as the Chief Financial Officer and has used his position and expertise to shape the future of the company.

Holger Kartes, Chief Technical Officer, who has also been an integral part of the management team for some time, is responsible for ‘Manufacturing & Development’ divisions. The ‘Sales & Marketing’ division is led by Christian Jordan as Chief Sales Officer, who has continuously expanded the sales network since joining the company.

Thomas Bittel, new CEO of the Stamer Group, says: “We are very grateful to Hans Stamer for his accomplishments and his commitment to the Stamer Group. In over 40 years, together with his brother Lothar Stamer, he has transformed the family business from the small workshop where the first speakers were produced into a globally renowned company manufacturing high-quality sound systems (under the name HK Audio) and guitar amplifiers (under the name Hughes & Kettner). He leaves behind a team of competent and highly motivated people who will lead his life’s work further into the future. We are therefore delighted to be continuing the successful development of the Stamer Group together with our customers and partners”.

Christian Jordan, Chief Sales Officer of the Stamer Group, says of the management change: “With Thomas Bittel, we have a highly competent Managing Director on board, especially when it comes to finances and securing the future of the company. This is a particularly good thing for us – especially at this time when the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are being felt in our industry. But the change of leadership will not turn everything upside down. Existing, established structures which we have built up in recent years, will of course be maintained for and with our customers and partners.  We have achieved a great deal together towards the company’s positive public image. I will continue to work towards this together with my whole team”.

Holger Kartes, Chief Technical Officer, comments on the management change: “Despite the departure of Hans Stamer as Managing Director, we are very well prepared for the next stage of the company’s history thanks to the development work in management and processes. Lothar Stamer’s enormous experience combined with the creative will of Thomas Bittel on the new management team will steer us not only through these Covid times but also into a secure and successful future. The teams led by Christian Jordan and myself are dedicated to continuing to provide customers of the Stamer Group with technically sophisticated and high-quality products at an attractive price. We are all looking forward to this challenge”.