personal background
Being born and raised in the southern Netherlands, I learned the down-to-earth values that were to form the basis of my character and accompany me throughout my endeavors: Pragmatism, perseverance, passion and integrity.
After completion of my Business Economics studies, during which I earned my livelihood as a professional musician , I embarked on my professional career as Account Manager for the German electronics manufacturer AEG in Amsterdam. In early 1991 I was promoted to National Account Manager Benelux, serving clients at major recording studios, broadcasters and institutions. This position provided much of the groundwork for the subsequent steps in my career.
In 1993, as the young Silicon Valley-based software company Digidesign was setting up European operations, they invited me to join them as their first overseas employee. From meager beginnings in a home office, I was promoted to Regional Manager in 1994, supervising the German and Dutch offices. Over the ensuing years, Digidesign evolved into the global industry standard for digital audio and CD mastering. Following the NASDAQ IPO in 1995, Digidesign was acquired by digital video leader AVID.
In mid 1996 I was appointed as International Sales Director of the German pro audio manufacturer BEHRINGER. There I took on two major challenges, the first being the rapid expansion of a global distribution channel to facilitate the company's aggressive growth projections. The second major task was to establish a pan-European direct distribution system with consolidated service and logistics operations at the German headquarters, which became the model for BEHRINGER's worldwide operations. In the course of the next few years, BEHRINGER grew steadily to become one of the leading global players in the industry.
Particularly after 1997, my work with BEHRINGER increasingly included the operations in Asia and China. Having developed a great respect for the wide variety of Asian cultures and mentalities, it was a logical step for me to accept the position as Managing Director of the newly founded BEHRINGER Holdings in Singapore in 1999. Overseeing processes such as worldwide sourcing and purchasing with a focus on China and Asia, multiple manufacturing sites in China, logistics centers on all continents and sales and distribution channels in more than 50 countries was an exciting and demanding challenge, culminating in my promotion to CEO of the BEHRINGER Group of Companies in 2000.
In 2002 I decided that the time had come to fulfill an old dream. I had always been intrigued by the Harvard Business School, and with the support of Uli Behringer I was able to join the Advanced Management Program. Thanks to the faculty and my fantastic fellow students of AMP 163 it proved to be a rewarding and much treasured experience.
Since early 2003 and after graduating from Harvard Business School, I have been involved in a variety of projects & Interim asignments in various parts of the world.
But a lready as early as 2005 I was introduced to the people and technologies of Immersion Technologies International Plc. And already at these early stages I was dazzled by the possibilities and opportunities of Immersions's technologies. The new and innovative approach of people like Craig Evans, Charles van Dongen and Zel Velican to commonly known weaknesses in both Electrostatic and Cone technologies where as promising as they where exciting.
Therefore joining Immersion as their Chief Operating Officer in 2007 was a natural move. Following the changes in Board and Management early 2008 I was honoured to continue the steps of Craig Evans. In this role as CEO of Immersion Technologies I feel both confident and excited about the great opportunities and future that lay ahead of Immersion and its great team of people in Melbourne, Singapore, London and mainland Europe.
© Arie van den Broek 2009