GEAR4 Sets Strong Foundations for 2009

2009 is looking bright for GEAR4, who today announced record sales, a leading UK market share position, a strengthened management team and a roadmap for this year that includes 25 significant product launches, including diversification into the wider audio market.

Sales and Market Share – Disruptive Ltd., owner of the GEAR4 brand, has revealed an impressive year on year sales growth of 63% for the Christmas quarter 2008 versus the same period for 2007. Measuring sales by retailers in the UK during peak months, GEAR4 was the number one iPod case brand by both value (23.2%) and volume (25.8%) and the market leading brand by volume (12.7%), second only to Bose by value. With the considerable seasonal weighting in the iPod accessory market, these results clearly place GEAR4 as leaders in their field.
“Recent trading results show that the GEAR4 brand and range of products are really hitting the right note. The combination of innovative designs, new technologies and great value for money is a winning formula. Considering that the brand was only launched in January 2006, it’s reassuring to see that consumers are turning to GEAR4 as a brand of choice”, said Marketing Director, Tom Old.

Management Team – To support the current and future growth, Disruptive has strengthened its senior management, bringing in some highly qualified and respected names in the industry. Joining as Group Sales Director is Steve Hollow. Previously with Creative Labs and bringing 14 years of senior experience in European Consumer Electronics and IT Retail, Steve will be developing the international business and establishing GEAR4 as a household name in the CE industry. Adrian Fowles has been appointed as Finance Director; previously at Psion and Remington, he brings with him a wealth of finance experience and also a broader track record of transforming and re-engineering VC-backed companies. Finally Carl Walastyan, former International Audio Buying Director at DSGi, joins as Commercial Director, responsible for overseeing the purchasing and development of the ongoing roadmap and bringing to market GEAR4’s new audio range.

Product Roadmap: As well as expanding and developing the core docking station and iPod accessory range, the new roadmap will see GEAR4 bringing its iPod expertise to many other audio categories, including Digital Radio, CD micro systems, clock radios and wireless audio. This move is significant, as GEAR4 expects growth in these traditional audio categories will be fueled by the integration of an iPod dock. As the leading brand in the iPod docking market, GEAR4 is therefore well positioned to establish itself as a leading brand in the audio category in general.

CEO Tom Dudderidge commented: “We have proven ourselves as a dynamic player within the highly competitive and fast-moving iPod market. With our 2009 roadmap we are taking the lead in the market and have positioned the brand perfectly for the current economic climate. There has always been a culture of drive and energy at the heart of Disruptive, which, combined with the experience of our new senior management team and our recent trading results, sets the foundations for a number of other exciting announcements in the coming year and a great future for the brand.”

Despite the disruption and challenges brought about by the credit crunch and recession, these announcements set Disruptive in excellent shape for 2009 and position the GEAR4 brand as a key player in the future of the audio market.

About GEAR4:

Disruptive Ltd. is the owner and manufacturer of the GEAR4 brand, the UK’s leading iPod and iPhone audio brand. Founded in 2004, the company is privately owned and operated, with its head office in High Wycombe, UK. Products include a comprehensive range of speakers, chargers, protective cases, cables, FM and Bluetooth solutions and are available in Europe’s leading retailers, to find out more go to:

Source: Gear4