Geometry Shapes the future of Wilson Benesch:
Last years newsletter began with the term ‘Global turmoil’, as we look back on the past 12-months and more importantly forward to the next twelve, it’s fair to say that we are all in unknown territory. Having carefully navigated the economic wreckage of the 2010/11 fallout, Wilson Benesch moves into 2012 off the back of the launch of the new Geometry Series and with it the strongest year of sales since 2008. The company Directors would like to thank all those who have invested in our designs. We have worked very hard to anticipate this demand and have transformed our production capability whilst retaining the facets that have made Wilson Benesch unique in the world. This has required considerable investment in our machine suite, as well as increased staff and training. All this against significant investment in research and development that will deliver a new flagship loudspeaker in 2012, a new Centre to complete the Geometry Series, along with a raft of other new technologies approaching fruition that will further underline our position as a leading exponent and manufacturer of science led, technology driven audio products.
A Story of Two Halves: Product Launches & Increased Efficiency
Casting back to February the Geometry Series was launched at the Bristol Sound and Vision Show. The Vertex and the Vector brought a new standmount and a new floorstanding option in the Wilson Benesch range. The designs saw the introduction of a completely reworked, flux optimised, rear motor section in the drive unit, to form the Tactic II Drive Unit. Whilst the new products also saw for the first time in our history, Wilson Benesch’s own tweeter, the Semisphere.
Following the introduction of the Geometry Series, we experienced a full production schedule for the following 5-months. Our response was immediate, employing two new full time staff, increased staff training across the work force and as a result significantly improved productivity. Most importantly, Wilson Benesch invested heavily in the machine suite with the addition of a new Hurco VM30. This has doubled our production capacity for the Geometry Series and will also allow the us to machine the huge new baffle for the Cardinal, which you can preview above.
Part of the success of the new series has been down to increased promotional activity in the UK. You may have seen in HiFi Plus the first series of adverts on the new Geometry Series. We tend to avoid convention and our advertising is no exception, those viewing HiFi Plus on an iPad will have noticed our 4-part series consisted of animated components to accompany the print edition. Thanks to the work of Luke Milnes our Media & Marketing Manager and Chris Ward our Design Engineer, who are both relatively recent additions to the team, these films extol the virtues of our technology through simple but effective three dimensional exploded views. In case you have missed this material previews are now available on our WilsonBeneschTV channel.
Manufacturing in 2012:
Over the summer of 2011, we welcomed our French distribution, JFF Diffusion, our Chinese distribution, Richcoln and Chris Amos of Kemela Audio, Atlanta USA. During these visits we were able to present a small snapshot of our manufacturing suite, which now produces 95% of every component used in any Wilson Benesch product under one roof. But these visits also allowed you to see a glimpse into the impressive facilities of some of our collaborators in Sheffield, the Advanced Manufacturing Park and the Sheffield University. It is the story of this manufacturing prowess, allied with our technological collaborations that makes our brand.
The year 2012 starts as busy as the last, with reviews on the new products in progress, along with the first airing of the ‘How It’s Made’ study of the Wilson Benesch Full Circle, due to air on the Discovery Channel, Science Channel, January 5th 2012, 21:00 EST. In February we will be in the Wilson Benesch glasshouse at the Bristol Sound and Vision Show. Before gearing up to the launch of the most important product to date, the new flagship loudspeaker in our range, the Cardinal. It is going to be the biggest year yet in our history with some very exciting events on the horizon.
Very best and Seasons Greetings from Christina, Craig and all the team at Wilson Benesch, 2011.
Wilson Benesch will be closed 21st December 2011 – 3rd January 2012.
