WUXI, China and SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world’s largest crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturer, today announced that it has strengthened its European management team with the appointment of four new senior executives: David Hogg has been appointed Head Suntech Europe; Vedat Gürgeli Vice President of Sales, Europe; Frank Weber Marketing Director, Europe; and Carl von Braun Director Project Finance, Europe. Since the beginning of 2009, Suntech Europe has quadrupled its European workforce, with particular focus on senior management positions and customer related functions such as sales, marketing and after sales support. In particular, Suntech’s European headquarters in Schaffhausen, Switzerland and German office in Munich are home to a team with a full range of customer support capabilities.
Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech’s Chairman and CEO said, "The key appointments to our European management team are another major move forward in solidifying our operations in Europe and providing local support to our rapidly expanding customer base. Each of these executives brings vast industry knowledge and crucial management expertise, which will reinforce the status and reputation of the Suntech brand across Europe."
Mr. Hogg commented, "Suntech has secured an impressive position in the solar PV industry in general and in the European market in particular. I look forward to leading Suntech’s dedicated and expanding European team. Suntech is clearly committed to enhancing its leadership role through a process of expansion and continuous product and service improvement."
Dr. Shi added, "With our three regional headquarters in Europe, Asia and North America we can localize our support for customers across the globe. This commitment to providing real-time customer service will underpin Suntech’s mission to encourage greater adoption of solar technology globally."
Mr. Hogg has more than 20 years experience in the solar PV industry. He is a founder of CSG Solar AG (Germany) and led the company as chief executive officer since 2004. Previous to that, Mr. Hogg was the managing director of Pacific Solar (Australia), a company dedicated to the development of the crystalline silicon on glass (CSG) technology. He began his career in the solar PV industry at Unisearch where he was responsible for commercializing technologies developed by the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. Mr. Hogg holds a degree in mechanical engineering.
Reporting directly to Mr. Hogg, Mr. Gurgeli joins Suntech from Conergy where he spent the last three years managing the PV business as Managing Director for the Asia-Pacific region (APAC), based in Singapore and as Managing Director South Europe from Madrid, Spain. Previously, Mr. Gürgeli worked for Bosch for more than six years as General Manager APAC for Blaupunkt Aftermarket, based in Penang, Malaysia, and as head of product management at company headquarters in Germany. He also spent more than 10 years at Sharp Microelectronics in Hamburg, Germany in various OEM sales and marketing management functions. Mr. Gürgeli holds a degree in electronic engineering.
Mr. Weber will be responsible for developing Suntech’s European marketing team, promoting sales and managing Suntech’s reputation. Mr. Weber has more than 18 years international marketing experience. He has advised and supported a number of growth, technology and manufacturing companies on business critical issues. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President Corporate Communications at Deutsche Post DHL where he supported marketing professionals and CEOs in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Mr. Weber holds a Masters degree from the University of Heidelberg.
Carl von Braun joins Suntech from CSG Solar where he held the position of CFO. He began his career at Deutsche Babcock-Borsig Group as a Commercial Manager and Financial Controller in various national and international assignments. He then moved on to Hyperion Solutions Deutschland, where he worked as a Financial Manager. Later he became CFO of a satellite communication firm and Finance Director of a WLAN company. Carl von Braun holds a Diploma of Business Administration from the European Business School.
About Suntech
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP) is the world’s leading solar energy company as measured by production output of crystalline silicon solar modules. Suntech designs, develops, manufactures, and markets premium quality, high-output, cost-effective and environmentally friendly solar products for electric power applications in the residential, commercial, industrial, and public utility sectors. Suntech’s patent-pending Pluto technology for crystalline silicon solar cells improves power output by up to 12% compared to conventional production methods. Suntech also offers one of the broadest ranges of building-integrated solar products.
Suntech designs and delivers commercial and utility scale solar power systems in China and the United States. With regional headquarters in China, Switzerland and San Francisco and sales offices worldwide, Suntech is passionate about improving the environment we live in and dedicated to developing advanced solar solutions that enable sustainable development. For more information, please visit http://www.suntech-power.com .
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements, and includes the ability of the management appointments to solidify Suntech’s operations in Europe, provide local support, and reinforce the status of the Suntech brand. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Suntech’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F. Suntech does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.
For more information, please contact:
In Europe:
Silvia Leissner
OCTANE
Tel: +49-89-1730-1949
Email: SilviaL@octanepr.com
In China:
Rory Macpherson
Investor Relations Director
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86-21-6288-5574
Email: rory@suntech-power.com
In the United States:
Kristen McNally
Executive Vice President
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
Email: suntech@tpg-ir.com
