Airstar, the world leader in lighting balloon technology, announced today the appointment of Thierry Beynet as the new CEO of Airstar European Network. This strategic hire is a major step in Airstar’s plan to strengthen its presence in the European market, as part of the overall business strategy instigated by the company in 2016.
Airstar European Network (AEN), a commercial subsidiary of Airstar, represents 30% of the company’s turnover in lighting balloon solutions. Thierry Beynet recently took on the role, managing and extending the nine subsidiaries which form the European network. Indeed, AEN is responsible for marketing the entire range of Airstar lighting balloons in this region.
Beynet’s relationship with Airstar is a genuine success story which goes back many years. He worked his way up through the company, starting in 1998 as a technician, before taking on a commercial role. He then worked as AEN’s accountant, became manager of the Rhône-Alpes agency and now CEO of the European network.
His career at Airstar was punctuated by other professional experiences: “These allowed me to gain valuable knowledge from other industries and companies. Today, my vision for the company is an informed one, and these experiences will be an invaluable asset to the development of Airstar European Network.”
Based in Airstar’s world headquarters near Grenoble (France), Thierry Beynet is convinced that his place is in the field, assisting his colleagues to promote the many lighting balloon solutions from Airstar: “My mission is first and foremost to be present within the network, to work closely with the subsidiary directors and sales force.”
Thierry Beynet’s vision for the brand is an ambitious one: building on the success of last year’s strategic rebrand, his ambition is to take AEN to the next level: “The reputation of our brand and the quality of our lighting solutions means that we receive a lot of enquiries. My responsibility is to further grow these opportunities and convert them into business with the help of a strong sales strategy, an acute knowledge of our expertise and the markets we cater for. We can’t let the markets decide our future, and my goal is to instil a conquering spirit.”
When asked where he sees AEN in five years’ time, Beynet believes it will have exceeded the €10M milestone and will be actively developing new and existing territories, including regions in Germany, Spain and Portugal. “The brand’s potential is huge, and the demand for reliable, efficient and high quality lighting solutions is ever increasing”.
The relationship between Airstar and Thierry Beynet is an enduring one, which Beynet describes as a love story: “I met Airstar in 1998 and was lucky enough to be there from the early days. Today we are involved in some of the biggest events on the planet, and we have an innovative, audacious and unconventional image.
“It is simply a passion story; we design products that create emotions. The people who make Airstar are passionate about what they do. I feel very lucky to work in such an environment.”
www.airstar-light.com/en/
