SolarMax strengthens management team; to increase local headcount

In a move to strengthen its footprint in Australia, SolarMax has appointed Derek Durham as Region Manager East as part of the company’s global executive leadership team.

In his new capacity, Durham will be responsible for setting the company’s strategic direction and charting its growth and expansion. In addition to Durham’s appointment, SolarMax Australia will be increasing its local headcount to further support growth in the market, with a technical support specialist and additional sales staff to be announced later this year.

Christoph von Bergen, CEO, Sputnik Engineering AG, said, “SolarMax has seen tremendous potential for growth in Australia since we’ve established our presence in October 2012. We have made significant inroads in growing our distribution partnerships and received positive feedback from our partners and customers for our products.”

Based in Biel, Switzerland, Durham will oversee the management of SolarMax’s Australian operations and in Eastern Europe. Durham has been with SolarMax for 18 months and was previously the area sales manager for Sputnik Engineering International (SolarMax). He has over 15 years of experience in PV systems design, engineering and sales management.

With changes in Australian government policies that had previously driven the demand for residential solar systems, SolarMax anticipates growth opportunities in large-scale commercial projects. Von Bergen added, “The Australian solar PV market is going through an exciting time and while we continue to be focused on the residential market, Derek and Gavin will be instrumental in delivering on our plans to expand our market share in large-scale commercial projects together with our partners.”

To meet the demand for high-efficiency solar inverters, SolarMax will introduce its SolarMax P-series inverters in Australia towards the middle of 2014.