Sweetwater Names Distribution Center Team

Fort Wayne, IN. (June 23, 2020) – Pro audio internet retailer Sweetwater has promoted Phil Rich into a newly-established role as chief supply chain officer, and additionally appointed three new managers in its Distribution Center, which opened in February.

In his new role, is an extension of his former position as the chief merchandising officer, Rich will be responsible for leading the retailer’s merchandising and distribution center teams. This includes overseeing all vendor and manufacturer relationships, pricing, promotions and supply chain processes. Rich is in his 10th year at Sweetwater and has been in the retail music industry for 23 years.

“We are thrilled to elevate Phil into this new position,” said Sweetwater founder and CEO Chuck Surack. “During the COVID pandemic, Phil has been instrumental in helping to maintain inventory levels and keep shipments moving out the door, which has allowed us to serve our valuable customers in the manner they’ve come to expect. It just made sense for him to take an even larger leadership role.”

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Sweetwater also recently appointed three new managers in the Distribution Center, which opened in February.

Robert Gerwig is the new Senior Vice President of Distribution. Just prior to joining Sweetwater, Robert spent six years managing Macy’s global supply chain in Chicago. “I was drawn to Sweetwater because of the combination of a keen focus on customer as well as employees,” said Gerwig.

Demarcus Austin is the new senior director in the Distribution Center. Before relocating to Fort Wayne, Demarcus was head of distribution operations at Newegg in Los Angeles, California. “I’m humbled to be awarded the opportunity to join the Sweetwater family, to be around so many positive individuals where the everyday message is doing the right thing,” he noted.

Jeff Harrison is the new director of Fulfillment, 2nd Shift. He grew up in northeast Indiana and most recently worked in Indianapolis, where he was a manager at Walmart’s largest eCommerce facility. “In the short time I’ve been here, I’m already impressed by the immense amount of talent on the team. I am really excited about the positive things happening at Sweetwater and am grateful to be a part of it,” Harrison said.

Sweetwater’s new 480,000 square foot facility opened in February; the facility is said to receive and ship more than 35,000 packages daily.

Sweetwater Sound • www.sweetwater.com