Christi Pedra, President and Chief Executive OfficerSiemens Hearing Instruments
Piscataway, New Jersey, January 4, 2007 - Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc., engineer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art custom and behind-the-ear hearing instruments, today announced Christi Pedra as the Company's new President and Chief Executive Officer. With the announcement of her new position, Pedra affirmed Siemens industry leader role in global sales of hearing instruments in spite of recent consolidation by several large competing manufacturers. "Siemens has subsidiaries and distribution partners all over the world," stated Pedra. "This global positioning allows the Company to serve customers worldwide while effectively providing them with the latest hearing instrument technology and services."
With Pedra at the helm, Siemens Hearing Instruments also announced plans to further invest in its customers by providing them with the critical support programs they need to build their businesses and reach more of those with hearing challenges. "In order to grow our business, we depend on a strategy of strengthening relations with our small and large customers," said Pedra. "One of the keys to our continued success this year will be our aggressive investments to support audiology practices and hearing care professionals with initiatives that are designed to help our customers grow their businesses and secure their future."
Examples of such new initiatives being implemented this year include enhancements to the Siemens Business Partners (SBP) program for the independent dispenser. SBP will now offer a special business financing program, and customized marketing initiatives that will help them to connect with more hearing impaired individuals.
And with an eye towards educating the public about the need for increased hearing healthcare and the services and support provided by hearing instrument retailers, Siemens is initiating consumer marketing and public relations programs focused toward the end-user. Siemens is also poised to expand the reach of its pediatric program via a branding partnership and increased specialized pediatric staff.
To help facilitate all of these growth initiatives, Siemens is expanding its sales force to increase customer support. Pedra states, "Siemens has always been astute to our customers needs. This sales staff increase will boost our presence throughout the U.S., so we can more positively impact our customers with better access to the company's support resources."
Pedra began her Siemens career in 1986 via the acquisition of ROLM by Siemens Information and Communications (I&C). While with I&C, Pedra grew her career in various senior management roles in both sales and marketing. In 2001, Pedra helped launch Siemens One as Vice President of Executive Relations and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2004.
About Siemens Hearing Instruments
Siemens Hearing Instruments, part of Siemens Medical Solutions, is one of the leading manufacturers of hearing instruments in the United States. Headquartered in Piscataway, New Jersey, the Company offers a range of innovative products, solutions and services to Hearing Care Professionals across the United States. Among its innovative products, the Company designs and manufactures a variety of digital hearing instruments in all styles to improve the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss. Visit www.usa.siemens.com/hearing for more information.
Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers in the world to the healthcare industry. The Company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. Employing approximately 36,000 people worldwide and operating in more than 130 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 8.23 billion EUR, orders of 9.33 billion EUR and group profit of 1.06 billion EUR for fiscal 2006 (preliminary figures).
More information can be found at www.usa.siemens.com/medical-pressroom.
Taken from www.siemens-hearing.com/_common/contentManagement/absolutenm/templates/shiNews.asp?articleid=105&zoneid=4
