SAN DIEGO, CA – October 7, 2009 – Graphite Design, maker of some of the most widely played premium shafts on the PGA TOUR, today announced that Mr. Tak Yamada, a member of Graphite Design International’s Board of Directors, has been appointed to serve as VP of Sales & Marketing. In his new position, Mr. Yamada will oversee all sales and marketing operations at Graphite Design International.
“We’re moving aggressively to deliver the most possible value to our customers and seize new opportunities in the shaft market,” said Mr. Kenzo Imamura, Graphite Design president and COO. “We’re reshaping Graphite Design to be a leader in the United States, just as it has been in Japan for almost 20 years and we feel that Mr. Yamada has the experience and the knowledge to help reach our goals.”
According to Mr. Yamada, “We have the right people in the right places to execute our focused growth strategy. Graphite Design has a very skilled and experienced management team which gives us the opportunity to ensure that the company is aggressively moving its strategy forward, driving long-term growth and fulfilling our core mission to become the leading shaft played on all Tours worldwide.”
Graphite Design was founded in 1989 in Chichibu Japan where it quickly became known for designing quality and performance shafts. Using the highest quality composite materials solidifies the company’s reputation for manufacturing superior golf shafts. Demand for the product increased globally and Graphite Design International was founded In San Diego, CA in 1997. The San Diego facility has a state of the art production prototype cell for R & D. Mr. Imamura, has been with Graphite Design since its inception and brings 30+ years of composite experience to the USA from Graphite Design and Toray Company.
Graphite Design has been a force with professional golfers worldwide and continues to be a popular choice among the best golfers in the world. This popularity has allowed the company to support golf through the re-shaft aftermarket and golf club manufacturers.
“We attribute our level of success and our dominance on the Japan Tour to the revolutionary technology, design and sourcing of the most advanced materials which are trademarks in all Graphite Design shafts, whether they are new shaft designs or those that have been on the market for several years,” added Mr. Yamada. “We pride ourselves in being the leader in breakthrough shaft technologies in the golf industry and we will continue to offer premium shafts with exceptional levels of performance.”
Graphite Design is moving aggressively to secure leading positions where it sees the largest opportunities for growth in the shaft market. Over the past month, Graphite Design has begun testing a new premium shaft for introduction in 2010. Look for more information about this shaft in the coming months.
Graphite Design Tour AD shafts have consistently been one of the top three wood shafts played on the Champions Tour. Tour AD stands for Accuracy and Distance, and is a moniker that has long been known for high quality and superior performance. This is represented by the company’s success which has been documented by professionals and amateurs alike. Graphite Design is the most dominant shaft on the JPGA tour and has been for the past six years.
Graphite Design International manufactures the highest quality shafts in the world for Pure Distance and Perfect Accuracy. Graphite Design shafts can be seen in play by the best professional players on the PGA, Nationwide, Champions, Japan, European and LPGA tours. Graphite Design shafts reinforced its dominance on the Japan Tour, where it has claimed 163 consecutive graphite wood shaft brand counts — an unprecedented streak which dates to 2003. On the PGA Tour, Graphite Design shafts have helped professionals earn 65 victories since 2004 and millions of dollars in prize money. Graphite Design International has distributors in the U.S., Europe and Asian supplying Graphite Design shafts to over 1000 custom fitters around the world.
About Graphite Design
Graphite Design, established in Japan in 1989 and in the U.S. in 1997, is the industry leader in shaft technology and the preferred brand for golf professionals worldwide. One of the world’s three largest golf-club shaft manufacturers, the company made its mark manufacturing premium shafts for all of golf’s major OEMs. Graphite Design shafts continue to be preferred by top club makers the world over while the company’s mainstay YSQ and YSQst, Stabilized Tip shafts, Aura shafts and other models are extremely popular among avid and occasional golfers. For more information about Graphite Design, call 888.707.6132, e-mail info@gdintl.com, or visit www.gdintl.com.
For media inquiries about Graphite Design please contact Tracy Nackel at 760-420-1602 / tnackel@cox.net or Vanessa Price at 714-544-6515 / readthegreens@aol.com.
Contact:
Tracy Nackel, TEN Marketing & Public Relations, tnackel@cox.net, 760-420-1602
Vanessa Price, TEN Marketing & Public Relations, readthegreens@aol.com, 714-544-6515
