Thomann has acquired the Hughes & Kettner brand and will “expand its market presence”
Music retailer Thomann has acquired the Hughes & Kettner brand, and will continue to develop it with “fresh ideas” and “expand its market presence”.
Though the acquisition occurred on 1 May, the news was later made public by Thomas Blug, the founder of BluGuitar, in a YouTube video. Blug had worked with the brand for 27 years. Thomann itself has now officially confirmed the news, and has shared its plans to sustain Hughes & Kettner’s future.
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Hughes & Kettner was founded in 1984 by brothers Hans and Lothar Stamer in Saarland, Germany. Its first amp, the AS64, marked a turning point in amp innovation, marking the world’s first fully programmable amplifier. The brand also released the first ever guitar cabinet emulation pedal in 1989 with the Red Box, which is still part of its current portfolio today.
Guitar.com reached out to Thomann directly earlier this week for more information on the acquisition, and a spokesperson confirmed that it only affects the Hughes & Kettner brand and its products, while its HK Audio division (known for its PA systems) will remain independent. They also confirmed that Thomann will ensure the “long-term preservation of the renowned amplifier maker’s tradition” within its hands. They say that both companies share a “hands-on” mentality, and a philosophy of “just doing it”.
Hans Thomann, Managing Director of Thomann GmbH, states, “The acquisition of Hughes & Kettner is not merely an expansion of our portfolio, but also a continuation of our shared roots and values. We have been offering H&K products since 1995 and deeply appreciate the brand’s innovation and quality. Through this acquisition, we aim to ensure that H&K remains a brand with a strong character and a clear identity.”
Further details on what is to come of the acquisition are yet to be shared. In the meantime, you check out more from both Hughes & Kettner and Thomann.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
