Manley Laboratories, Inc. has appointed Albert Schippits as its hi-fi division's national sales manager. While Manley Labs has maintained a presence in the consumer high-end market since its 1988 launch, the company's energies have often seemed more focused on its successful line of professional studio equipment, such as its tube preamps, compressor/limiters, and equalizers.Appointing Schippits to his new position sends a strong signal that Manley intends to grow its presence in the consumer market as well. Schippits has 28 years experience in retail sales, having begun in the custom installation sector, before assuming sales and management positions at Custom Stereo, United Audio Centers, Columbia Audio-Video, Holm Audio, and Symphony Sound. He has also worked for Dual, Ortofon, Denon, and Infinity.EveAnna Manley told Stereophile, "When I heard that Albert was available, I sat down and analyzed our USA hi-fi sales figures. While respectable and steady with a good core of traditional hi-fi dealers, I realized that we have no excuse for not growing this sector of our business—except that I haven't been working it very hard. I realized that I needed to bring in some help, 'cause I can't do everything myself. Albert's extensive retail experience and contagious enthusiasm made him the perfect choice, since we share the same visions of what constitutes a solid, more complete dealer network. That is what we're going for, and he's got the patience and tenacity to make it happen."
Schippits was similarly effusive. "It has long been my desire to find an honest, clean hi-fi company with an under-developed dealer network that would allow me to use my retail experience to solidify and build its distribution chain. In fact, I've been accused of being an idealist for having this dream. There are lots of hi-fi companies building fine products out there, but the ones that uphold high moral standards regarding honest sales practices are rarer. Having worked with EveAnna since 1999, I know she's trustworthy, her company is strong, and her products are solid. Now that I've spent the last week at the Manley Labs factory, saying that I am excited about embarking on this project would be a major understatement. I am totally stoked to be able to dedicate myself to this—it's a totally perfect fit!"Schippits' first order of business will be to stabilize and strengthen the existing network of dedicated Manley dealers and to expand the Manley presence into new territories. He stresses that a "devoted Manley national sales manager will give dealers the personal attention they deserve." Existing dealers and potential dealers will get to meet at Albert Schippits in January at Manley's 2006 CES exhibit in room 1502 of the Alexis Park Hotel.Contact Albert Schippits at: sales@manleylabs.com or by cell phone: (847) 400-7564.
