COMPANY PROFILE
2013
Wild and Marr
loud and proud
company report
Wild and Marr: loud and proud Editorial – Lauren Grey Production – John Cliff
The South African general election of 1994 was a catalyst for huge transformation in the country; not only did it mark the end of the apartheid but it allowed for exponential growth within the country’s trade and commerce. Gustav Teitge, Systems Engineer at Wild and Marr explains how the election opened up new opportunities for the audio distributor and contributed towards its success.
As Southern Africa’s renowned fore-runner in the distribution and installation of professional audio and video equipment, Wild and Marr has gone through many changes since its inception, and on the eve of its 70th anniversary, Systems Engineer, Gustav Teitge explains where the company first began. “Originally the company was founded with a view to marketing army surplus electronic components. “In the early days we used to sell a lot of electronic components, and then we ventured into valves and loud speakers,” says Teitge, “Joe Copans, the current Managing Director, eventually decided to transform the whole company and moved it towards the professional audio industry. The very first brands he secured were Shure and JBL Professional.” JBL manufactured loudspeakers for a number of years
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and was arguably the most respected loudspeaker producer in world markets. Originally founded by James Bullough Lansing (JBL), the company was acquired by the Harman group with Sidney Harman being the CEO of this group. Harman’s wife was a US Senator and Harman himself was a staunch anti-apartheid lobbyist. Notwithstanding the fact that JBL had become an iconic product globally, it was unavailable to the South African market as Harman personally imposed a sanction on the distribution of JBL in South Africa. Copans was able to secure the sole distribution of JBL in South Africa with the onset of a democratic South Africa. The distribution of Shure too, became available shortly after South Africa became democratic in 1994 and Wild and Marr was able to secure the distribution of this product range as well.
Wild and Marr
Shure obviously proved to be a highly complementary product to JBL and together these two products enabled Wild and Marr to attain a meaningful market share in the Pro Audio market in South Africa. Simultaneously with Wild and Marr’s entrance into the pro audio market, Harman acquired a number of highly respected brands in the Pro Audio industry. “The brands in the Harman Professional Group were individual brands at the time, before the group bought them all and put them under one umbrella. Luckily, we already stocked the majority of the brands they acquired and so Harman decided on Wild and Marr to be a fitting partner” says Teitge. “The range includes JBL, Soundcraft, BSS, DBX, Lexicon, Crown and Shure as well as a number of peripheral products such as Tascam, Neutrik Connectors and Klotz Cable.
“Shure also acquired DIS Delegate Systems and Wild and Marr is proud to announce the fact that is today the distributor of the DIS as well.” In addition to the above Wild and Marr also distributes Clearone, a high quality echo cancellation product for the video conferencing (VC). Clearone has also entered the VC market and Wild and Marr is able to offer VC market solutions as well. International brands that cover all areas of the audio/ video spectrum complete the product range with the likes of Konig and Meyer, Datasat and Inter-M providing world class technology, systems and equipment, bolstering the impressive Wild and Marr portfolio. The company’s diverse product range, and its ability to service a wide range of market segments, has enabled Wild and Marr to negate the effects of the global recession extremely successfully.
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company report
PRODUCT RANGE
AFTERSALES SERVICE
With its extensive product range, Wild and Marr are renowned specialists in custom audio engineering, audio/video integration, computer aided design and acoustic analysis, boasting some of the industry’s biggest named brands. “We have such a huge product portfolio that last year we hosted our own mini expo and rented out a conference facility,” says Teitge. “We kitted out the entire expo with our products, which gives you an idea of how extensive our product range is!” Wild and Marr’s products have received industry recognition for their superior quality since the company’s early beginning. JBL and Shure have received awards for their design and outstanding performance over the years. Shure’s ULX-D Digital Wireless won the Best Wireless System of the Year Award 2013 and its SM9HS, the Best Cabled Microphone of the Year at the Music and Sound Retailer 27th Annual Music and Sound Awards 2013. ULX-D was also a winner in the Wireless Microphone Systems Category at the Pro Audio Review Excellence Awards 2013. Shure’s other brands which won awards were the X2, KSM 9HS and PSM 1000. JBL Professional also announced during the month of February 2013 that its VTX Series line array loudspeakers won the 2012 Good Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
Not only does Wild and Marr pride itself on the actual range and performance of its products, but also on the industry expertise of its staff and unrivalled aftersales service. “We have in excess of 90 employees in South Africa; our main branch is in Johannesburg which is our main distribution outlet. We have two more branches; one in Cape Town and one in Durban” explains Teitge. “Not only do we distribute some of the industry’s leading brands, but we ensure we offer unrivalled engineering skills and aftersales support. The aftersales service and support is indeed a major catalyst to our future success,” he says. Away from the ability to supply a diverse range of world class products, Wild and Marr believes that it will on continue to succeed if it is committed to customer relationships, coupled with professional aftersales service and support. To this end the company invests substantially in training and boasts an efficient and very effective service department.
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EXPANSION PLANS With an award winning portfolio of products and industry expertise, it is no surprise that Wild and Marr are looking to expand further into niche markets as Teitge explains, “One of the current expansion projects is in the broadcast market. “As broadcast is essentially a niche market, and Wild and Marr’s product offering in this market were limited, the company had previously chosen not to enter this market.”
Recently, Wild and Marr has been able to gain access to a number of specific broadcast products, and in so doing, is now aggressively attacking this previously untapped territory. “One of the aspects which makes our company strong is that we’re not just involved in one aspect of the audio market; I am very proud to say we are involved in all sectors of the audio industry starting from the lowest public address or music industry market and working our way through the different markets such as professional audio, corporate audio and broadcast to name a few,” concludes Teitge.
For Performance, Perfection and People.
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High-end accessories Innovative products First class materials Excellent workmanship Made in Germany
“One of the current expansion projects is in the broadcast market”
www.k-m.de Distributor: Wild & Marr (Pty) Ltd
Isando Business Park · Unit E3, Gewel Street Isando, 1609 Johannesburg - South Africa
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Supplier Profile
König & Meyer Established – 1949 Origin – Wertheim, Germany Employees – 270+
Core Business - One of the world’s leading providers of music stands, microphone and instrument stands, speaker stands, seats and accessories for lighting, sound and studio technology.
About Established over 60 years ago in the music branch, König & Meyer stands for sophisticated equipment with excellent quality. The products are distinguished by innovative design, functionality and durability. As one of the world’s leading providers of music stands, microphone and instrument stands, speaker stands, seats and accessories for lighting, sound and studio technology, the company constantly are challenged to develop innovative solutions for our customers’ needs and wishes. About 270 employees in Wertheim, Germany work together to fulfill this promise constantly. In accordance with the quality standards, almost all metal and plastic items are manufactured in in-house production. Over 1,500 stands and brackets are produced in our two plants in Germany and sold in 80 countries worldwide. Many of our products have already become classics as well as standards in the music industry. Numerous patents and international trademark rights substantiate König & Meyer’s innovative spirit. The proverbial durability of our products also supports environmental considerations. The following principles are the basis of their work:
Customer satisfaction and quality König & Meyer aims to offer our customers the highest
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quality products, services and solutions at attractive prices, thereby achieving long-term partnerships. The company orientate itself around customer requirements, shape our business processes effectively and efficiently and continuously improve our quality.
Environment Responsible handling of our planet’s resources is the basis for successful and sustainable operations and maintaining a livable environment. Environmental aspects are considered in the planning of new products, activities and procedures. Environmental impacts are minimized or avoided at all levels in the plant by continuously improving processes and procedures. Besides cooperation with competent authorities, König & Meyer informs the public about our environmental activities. They commit themselves on the one hand to complying with all relevant environmental legislation and on the other hand to reviewing the environmental management system.
Employee satisfaction and work safety The enterprise wants their employees to find satisfaction and fulfilment in their work. A performance-based employment and a creative work environment, in which both the diversity and individuality of each person is esteemed, are just as important as safety. The safety
König & Meyer
and health of employees as well as third parties must be ensured in all working conditions and production processes. Preventing accident and injury, as well as improving health in the work place, is actively promoted.
Market leadership Markets where König & Meyer is already represented with meaningful and innovative products and designs are a top priority. The company also wants to venture into new areas and markets, building on our technologies and expertise. The high reputation of the König & Meyer brand shall be preserved and expanded.
Profit There´s the aim to generate sufficient profit to finance further growth of the operation and to allocate resources needed to achieve other corporate objectives. Prerequisites for success are always modern technical equipment and the rigorous training of their staff.
Contact König & Meyer GmbH & Co. KG Kiesweg 2 97877 Wertheim Tel: 09342/ 806-0 Fax: 09342/ 806-150 E-Mail: contact@k-m.de
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+27 11 974 0633 www.wildandmarr.co.za
(0)1603 618 000 info@industrysa.com East Coast Promotions Ltd, Ferndale Business Centre, 1 Exeter Street. Norwich, Norfolk NR2 4QB