Philipp Gude

When Philipp Gude joined his father’s company, Gude Systems, the future was far from certain. The Cologne-based manufacturer had strong engineering roots but lacked a clear commercial direction. Five years later, Gude has quadrupled sales and transformed the business into an international player supplying smart PDUs to the AV industry worldwide.

He spotted early that managed AV services and sustainability would define the sector’s future, refocusing the company on energy-efficient, networked power management. That foresight not only gave Gude a strategic edge but also helped clients make tangible progress toward greener operations, long before “Green AV” became a buzzword.

During the component shortage, Gude’s decisiveness again proved crucial. Anticipating the crisis, he led an early investment to secure a two-year processor supply, maintaining two-month lead times while competitors faced delays of up to a year.

Now chief sales officer, Gude continues to grow the business into new regions, including North America, while developing the next generation of sales talent. An advocate for real sustainability over symbolic gestures, he calls for measurable environmental change across AV, from supply chains and energy use to the longevity and reliability of every product installed.