“I was hoping to reclaim my name”: Dennis Fano is back in charge of Fano Guitars as merger with Novo announced
Fano Guitars and Novo Guitars are merging together under a new company called Psonic Design Lab. Based in Britain, Dennis Fano will take on the role of Chairman and Head Of Product Design.
Fano launched Fano Guitars in 2001, which grew into one of the biggest boutique electric guitar brands on the market. He sold the company in 2009 to the Premier Builders Guild, but stayed on at the brand until he left to found Novo in 2014.
READ MORE: “The beautiful thing about a Novo is it’s got the weight of a Gibson and, yet, it feels like you’re playing a Fender”: Corey Taylor on his love of boutique guitars
A statement on the merger shared to social media reads, “Iconic American guitar brands, Fano Guitars and Novo Guitars, have announced a merger under a new British-based parent company, Psonic Design Lab. Since their respective launches in 1996 and 2015, the brands have become globally recognised for their high-quality musical instruments.
“As part of the merger, Dennis Fano will take on a new role as Chairman of Psonic Design Lab and Head of Product Design, he said, ‘Over the past nine years since leaving Fano Guitars, I have felt that there was unfinished business. While l’ve been focused on Novo Guitars, I was hoping to have the opportunity to reclaim my name someday. I’m excited to announce that the day is here!
“‘Psonic Design Lab is bringing together the brands of Fano and Novo in a really exciting way! Fano has been in the very capable hands of Graham Dowling in my absence, and he has done an incredible job of maintaining my high standards. I have an amazing team of people around me. Everyone is committed to making the highest quality instruments and continuing to raise the bar.’”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Novo Guitars (@novoguitars)
Graham Dowling, who has owned Fano Guitars for the last eight years will continue as the Director of the Fano brand. Manufacturing will now move to Nashville from its current home in Arizona in an expanded production facility alongside Novo.
Psonic Design Lab’s management will be led by Neil Reed, British media executive (and former co-owner of Fano), as Chief Executive Officer, and Novo’s Travis Tingley will take on the role of Chief Operating Officer, overseeing operations for both brands. A joint sales force will be led by Fano’s Chad Hines for the US, and Novo’s Steve Gray for international sales. The management team will be supported by Lamar McKay, ex-Deputy CEO of BP Plc, as a Non-Executive Director.
Find out more over on the Psonic Design Lab website. Both brands will also be at The NAMM Show this January – you can find them at booth 4327.
The post “I was hoping to reclaim my name”: Dennis Fano is back in charge of Fano Guitars as merger with Novo announced appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.
Source: www.guitar-bass.net
