ZILDJIAN PROMOTES PAUL FRANCIS TO R&D/QUALITY MANAGER
17 Year Veteran Of Zildjian Will Continue To Focus On Product Innovation
Norwell, MA - April 2006 - The Avedis Zildjian Company, the world's leading manufacturer of cymbals and drumsticks, proudly announces the promotion of Paul Francis to R&D/Quality Manager. In his new position, Paul will be responsible for ensuring the quality of all cymbals from raw materials to finished products, and managing the research and development process for new cymbals.
Paul will also oversee training on all new products and manage Zildjian's Apprentice Program, which is a rigorous two-year training program that develops specially selected personnel to train in all aspects of the art of cymbal making. The Apprentice Program is built on the concept of not only understanding, but experiencing first-hand all the steps that go into making a cymbal and then applying that knowledge to sound and music.
Debbie Zildjian, Vice President, human resources said, "My father Armand learned how to make cymbals from his father, Avedis, in much the same way our Apprentice Program works now. Similarly, Paul worked with Armand and absorbed not only Armand's incredible wealth of cymbal knowledge, but also his ability to relate to the musicians of today and develop the sounds they're looking for. In fact, Paul is now mentoring my daughter, Emily, in the program."
Paul first joined Zildjian in 1989 as a lathe operator and quickly rose through the ranks as Cymbal Tester, R&D Technician, and most recently R&D Specialist. Throughout this time Armand Zildjian personally mentored Paul in the craft of cymbal making and the importance of shape, weight, hammering and lathing. Armand also encouraged Paul to experiment with new technologies to not only re-create sought after cymbals of old, but to expand on them and develop new sound nuances and versatility.
As R&D Specialist, Paul oversaw the introduction of the expanded K Constantinople line, the ZXT Titanium Series, the redesign of the ZBT Series and most recently the launch of the ZHT Series, which included 23 distinct models.
Paul has also had the fortune of working with Head Cymbal Tester, Leon Chiappini, who has been with Zildjian for over 40 years. Leon has helped train Paul's ear and passed on the history and cymbal tastes of great drummers such as Buddy Rich and Tony Williams. Paul, an accomplished drummer himself, has personally worked with some of the great drummers of today to create new cymbal sounds such as the K Custom Session series with Steve Gadd, the K Custom Dry Complex Rides with Bill Stewart, and most recently the K Custom Hybrid line with Akira Jimbo. Showing his knowledge and experience across all musical genres, Paul has also worked with Tom Freer of the Cleveland Orchestra on the K Constantinople Vintage Orchestral Series.
Brad Baker, CMO, commented, "Product innovation has been one of the growth drivers of our business and one of the reasons that Zildjian is the leader in cymbals worldwide. Since the days of Avedis and Armand, the Zildjian Family has long recognized the importance of developing new products for the music and drummers of today. This new position recognizes not only Paul's accomplishments, but also demonstrates how committed Zildjian is to R&D and quality."
While working on his Engineering degree at Northeastern University, Paul has utilized this discipline to take the art of cymbal making to new possibilities. Baker continued, "As a cymbal maker, engineer and drummer, Paul has a unique set of skills to position him as the most innovative cymbal artisan in the business."
For more information, please contact:
Zildjian
22 Norwell
Norwell, MA 02061
Tel: 781.871.2200
Web: www.zildjian.com
