However, as a consequence of the new structure, Martin UK managing director Tony Browne, who has overseen Martin's UK subsidiary since 2007, will leave the company at the end of the year.
"The Martin UK team is extremely strong and I doubt there is a more experienced or dedicated group in the industry," Browne stated.
"As markets change adjustments become necessary and I have no doubt this new structure will provide even greater efficiencies, allowing the company to serve customers more effectively. I am confident Martin UK's high level of performance will continue and will constitute a good base for future growth.
"With the new structure in place this will allow for increased customer intimacy with key customers, as well as improving the chances for capturing the increasing business opportunities in the commercial and architectural markets."
Villads Thomsen, Martin vice-president EMEA, stated: "We look forward to the possibilities that this new structure opens up for us and we sincerely thank Tony for the excellent job he has done in positioning Martin as the top lighting and visual solutions company in the UK."
Following Browne's departure, Martin UK staff will report to the company's European sales management in Denmark.
The details of the UK restructure are as follows: Martin UK has relocated its sales office from Maidstone to London. The new office, which opened in October, is located in Bermondsey, South East London, a short distance from London Bridge Underground Station. The new address is 175 Long Lane, London, SE1 4PN. (Tel: +44 (0)203 207 2960).
Martin says this move is a further step in its ongoing European restructuring and formation of a regional sales organisation, based at the company's headquarters in Aarhus, Denmark.
Martin UK's Service and Technical Support function has moved to Louth, Lincolnshire, home of sister organisation Jem Smoke. Martin UK supports its distribution network with the same warranty and repair service that was offered previously at the Maidstone office. The Service and Technical Support team is supervised by Jonathan Hatt, who previously supervised the Service Department at Martin's Maidstone facility. (Tel: +44 (0)203 207 2960).
Martin's B2B e-commerce platform, Martin E-Shop, launched in June, has grown in popularity with orders increasing daily, the company says. Accessible at eshop.martin.com, the E-Shop gives UK distributors and dealers the possibility to order select Martin Professional products as well as spare parts online 24/7, the company says.
The company's UK Project Sales team, dedicated to providing solutions for fixed installations in the architectural market, is made up of project technical manager Peter Western and new appointment Richard Padun as project sales manager. Padun, who joins Martin UK from a background in the audio-visual industry, will be involved in developing the company's architectural projects.
Martin UK's Entertainment Sales team remains unchanged, with Clive Bailey (sales manager commercial), Mark Buss (regional sales (south) commercial), Jessica Allan (sales manager show/TV/theatre), Matthew Pitman (TV/theatre consultant), David Stewart (show consultant) and Chris Hale (technical support show/TV/theatre).
(Lee Baldock)
