Confluence Adds Three to Design and Engineering Teams

May 23, 2011 - PRLog -- EASLEY, S.C. (May 23, 2011) – Hans Nutz joins industry veterans Bob McDonough and Mark “Snowy” Robertson as a fellow lead designer for Confluence boat brands. Also joining the design and engineering teams are two new engineers: Andy Robinson and Geoffrey Bergmark.  With the iconic brands of Wave Sport, Dagger, Perception, Wilderness Systems and Mad River Canoe, Confluence Watersports has created dedicated design and engineering teams to see the introduction of each new boat from concept to manufacture.

Working in concert with athletes from the Wave Sport and Dagger pro teams, as well as the experts on the Wilderness Systems Pro Staff, each designer is joined on a team by an engineer and a product manager. The team concept focuses on collaboration to ensure that every boat that reaches the market will display the strongest blend of inspiration, performance, quality, materials innovation, and consumer appeal to maximize retail opportunity.

“The depth of knowledge in our design and engineering teams is a major point of difference for us,” said Sue Rechner, CEO of Confluence Watersports. “They’re incredibly talented individuals whose skills and vision complement those of their colleagues. Since their backgrounds vary, they each draw from different professional and life experiences to solve design dilemmas and challenge existing constraints of boat design. We’re very proud to have each of them on our team and look forward to what we can all accomplish together.”

Hans Nutz holds a master’s of industrial design. He’s been part of award-winning design teams in several industries and wrote a thesis on consumer needs in recreational markets.  Engineers Andy Robinson and Geoffrey Bergmark bring further “design for manufacture” expertise to the Confluence brand teams. Andy is a South Carolina local with vast experience in mold design, tool and mechanical design, and plastic design engineering. Geoffrey’s engineering focus is mechanical design. His background as an elite cyclist and trainer influences his work in the outdoor industry.

About Confluence Watersports:
Confluence Watersports is a family of brands that covers the full spectrum of paddlesports. Wilderness Systems, Perception, Dagger, Wave Sport, Mad River Canoe, Adventure Technology, Harmony accessories and Bomber Gear speak to different sectors, but share the same enthusiasm for the water. Based in Easley, S.C., but employing over 500 people across the U.S. and Canada, the company is a dynamic blend of passionate paddlers, adept businesspeople and paddling industry icons, jointly committed to ensuring the future success of paddling, in all its forms. To learn more about the company and its brands, visit www.confluencewatersports.com.