Jordan O'BrienASC has been able to expand its maritime projects business area thanks to the arrival of key account manager Dirk Schmerschneider.
Reporting directly to ASC’s management, Dirk is responsible for liaising with wealthy clients who own luxury mega-yachts and are in need of key features to make theirs truly stand out.
With his experience as a project manager for entertainment systems on luxury mega-yachts, he has added to the Hamburg-based system integrator’s expertise in the field of Maritime Projects and has extended it strategically to encompass a target group made up on exclusive private clients.
Dirk Schmerschneider studied radio and television operating technology in Kiel and began his career by gathering experience as a production manager in television, including for the political talk-show Sabine Christiansen.
He then began to focus on his passion of shipbuilding and worked in quality management and with the Sea Trial Team at Thyssen-Krupp Marine Systems GmbH, formerly Howaldstwerke-Deutsche Werft.
Before moving to ASC he was contracted to the Hamburg shipbuilder Blohm + Voss as a part-project manager for AV/IT security, where he applied his experience in home and entertainment technology to exclusive projects such as the construction of the Eclipse mega-yacht for Russian billionaire Roman Abramowitsch.
One of his strengths is combining professional AV technology with individually oriented consumer technology.
Leif Witte, member of ASC management, welcomes the new arrival: “Dirk Schmerschneider represents the next logical step in the expansion of our maritime projects business area.
“We have had repeated enquiries from private ship owners during our activities as a system integrator on cruise liners.
“There are a large number of ship fitters worldwide but only a small market for system specialists who can satisfy the quality demands of such clients.
“The market is developing in our favour. Around 700 new yachts were built in 2014 alone.
“The maintenance and refitting of custom-designed ships is another major theme alongside new vessels.
“Now that we have Dirk on board we have the right man who understands the language of clients, designers, architects, and shipbuilders, and can coordinate between them and the company.”
Dirk brings to his new position a lot of ambition with which to build up the private shipping segment of the business. Speaking of his appointment he says:
“German engineering is considered the hallmark of quality in this growing market and among exclusive clients, many of whom are rich Americans, Russians, Indians, and Arab Sheikhs.
“Every vessel is a one-off. We’re talking here about yachts that are 70m long and more – and they keep getting longer, taller, and more luxurious.
“Boats like that are usually only designed and built once: they are individually tailored to the needs of the owner and are custom built to their specifications.
“There’s no such thing as can’t – that’s the attitude you have to have with this exclusive target group.
“A swimming pool, a sauna, a fitness room – these are standard design features on board. And nowadays a helipad, a movie theatre, and a small submarine of your own are the latest must-haves on a luxury yacht.
“Dance-floors that slide out over the pool, fold-out sun terraces with background sound systems – those are among the more unusual items on customers’ wish-lists.
“ASC has the perfect foundation from which to undertake such demanding projects. The Amptown Manufactory can produce special fittings without too much research.
“Then there’s all our experience in maritime projects, engineering, media technology, professional project management, installation, and service. Planning, procurement, and fitting are performed by a highly practiced team to precision instructions.
“I consider myself a communication interface and I will be able to build up my sales performance and develop ASC’s Yachting/Residential business together with my colleagues there.
“Success always happens when two people combine with a passion and the same aim.”
More Yachts
Super Yacht Chooses Invisibility With Amina
Installing the AV systems on Palmer Johnson super yachts is this installer’s proudest career moment