Alan Freimuth has announced his retirement as CEO at LAI Games, effective May 1, 2011.
Freimuth plans to return to live in Australia after 12 years in Asia and the US and will continue as a non-executive director to give the company the benefit of his 36 years of industry experience.
Having joined the LAI Group in 1979 to establish the first Timezone outlet in Perth, Freimuth spent 20 years within Timezone and was instrumental in developing a significant chain in Australia, including the largest Timezone outlet on the Australian Gold Coast.
In 1999, he moved to Singapore to develop Timezone and establish the LAI Games brand internationally. In 2006, he established the LAI Games office in the US and in 2008 was appointed CEO of the LAI Games Group and was responsible for manufacturing, R&D and international sales in 34 countries.
"My retirement has been planned for some time but I am optimistic about the future so I am pleased to remain as a non-executive director so I can contribute to the future development of LAI Games," said Freimuth.
Marshall Ashdown, who has held the position of international sales manager for LAI Games for almost two years and has 15 years’ experience in the coin-op industry, will succeed Freimuth. He commented: "I am very excited at the challenge of taking on the baton from Alan and building on his successful leadership. We have a tremendous brand, a great team, fantastic products and loyal customers who appreciate our diverse portfolio of high earning games. LAI Games has an enviable reputation for design-led innovative product and this will continue to be our main focus going forward - our customers expect the best and we intend not to disappoint."
Ashdown will spend most of his time in Asia over the next 18 months familiarising himself with product development and manufacturing.
Malcolm Steinberg, chairman of the LAI Group, commented that Alan had made a significant contribution to the LAI Group over the last 32 years in all facets of the business. "He has been an important factor in helping LAI to become an industry leader and it is pleasing that Alan will continue to contribute as a non-executive director," he said. "Marshall will take the LAI Games business to the next level. Alan and I are passionate about the future of the industry. Technology will open up new opportunities for products and services and LAI Games is highly integrated in the supply chain."
