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
G¨¹rgeli 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. G¨¹rgeli
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. G¨¹rgeli 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
SOURCE Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.
In Europe: Silvia Leissner, OCTANE, +49-89-1730-1949, or SilviaL@octanepr.com; or In China: Rory Macpherson, Investor Relations Director of Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd., +86-21-6288-5574, or rory@suntech-power.com; or In the United States: Kristen McNally, Executive Vice President of The Piacente Group, Inc., +1-212-481-2050, or suntech@tpg- ir.com
