Audio-Technica Canada has announced the appointment of Kenji Yamabe as its new General Manager.
Yamabe comes to Audio-Technica in Canada from Audio-Technica Europe. He will be taking over for Susanne Seidel, a business consultant who has been acting general manager since June 2019.
For the past 20 months, the Audio-Technica Canada team has been championed by Seidel who was tasked with establishing the brand in Canada. “She has successfully laid the foundation of a strong business in the face of a global pandemic,” says the company, “readying ATCA for the next stage of its development.”
“It has been my absolute pleasure to serve as ATCA’s interim GM overseeing the development of a proficient organization that is ready for the next step of business growth,” says Seidel. “Although the circumstances created by COVID have not been ideal for anyone, I am proud of what we have accomplished as a team and delighted to be able to leave the company in such a robust position.
“Audio-Technica Canada has remained resolute while staying true to its fiercely independent roots amid a sea of competitors,” she continues, “and despite everything, we’ve had a strong business year. In conjunction with the gradual lifting of COVID restrictions, I am certain that the future is bright for the company, and I know that Kenji will do a great job in the next phase.”
Yamabe has over 15 years of experience within businesses that operate on a global scale, including eight spent working across various positions at AT. He also has a track record of building strong working relationships between AT’s Japanese headquarters and their subsidiaries, evidenced by his work as business development liaison manager at Audio-Technica Europe.
“I am excited to take on the mantle of GM at ATCA,” says Yamabe. “Susanne Seidel has done a stellar job thus far, and the company is primed for an even more successful upcoming fiscal year with the opening of ATCA’s new office, and the easing of restrictions. I’m looking forward to being able to apply my accumulated years of experience to the role and combined with a thorough understanding of AT’s extensive range of products – as well as the company’s ethos – I believe I can add significant value to our position within the industry.”
In addition to Yamabe’s appointment, Audio-Technica Canada’s has also announced that it will be moving to new office facilities. The news follows the company’s recent decision to streamline processes for its professional audio distribution operation.