Andreas Rapp has assumed the position of CEO and Managing Director of beyerdynamic, effective April 1, 2023. In this role, Rapp is responsible for the operational business of the renowned audio brand from Heilbronn, Germany. He succeeds Edgar van Velzen, who is leaving the company.
A native of Heilbronn, Rapp has extensive experience in marketing and sales from various leading positions in consumer electronics, with a focus on innovative audio brands. Prior to joining beyerdynamic for the second time (he previously worked as global product & sales manager of the Consumer Unit at beyerdynamic), Rapp was vice president EMEA at Jabra. He also worked for four years at Libratone, the last three as vice president EMEA. Other past positions include regional director of Central Europe for Sonos and country manager of Central Europe at Navman Europe LTD. He began his career as marketing manager for Harman International.
“We are incredibly pleased that we’ve been able to recruit Andy, an experienced industry expert with a broad network, back to our company,” says Prof. Wolf Michael Nietzer, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of beyerdynamic. “We’re confident that he will make a significant contribution to the further success of beyerdynamic and seamlessly continue the company’s trajectory of positive growth.”
“I am excited to return to beyerdynamic,” says Rapp, “having previously been responsible for the sales and product area of the Consumer Unit 20 years ago. In the future, together with the entire beyerdynamic team, I will focus on strategic and sustainable growth goals, expanding the product portfolio with a view to future technologies, advancing internationalization, and increasing brand awareness.
“At the same time,” he continues, “we will work to become more agile as a company for high-quality audio products, thus being able to respond more flexibly to new customer and market requirements.”