Thursday, December 14th 2017
CORSAIR Opens Port to ex-EKWB Top Management
It was a month ago that TechPowerUp broke the news about EK Water Blocks parting ways with then CEO, CTO and Head of Marketing, among others. Speculations arose from readers concerning what could have happened behind the scenes to result in such a dramatic change to what was otherwise a successful time period for the company. Since then, EKWB did just what they promised and delivered new products in time including additions to their Fluid Gaming lineup as well as introducing a new modular AIO MLC series. It appears that in the short term at least, they have continued on unaffected.
Today we can let everyone know what happened to those who left the company, and this news has deeper potential implications to the PC DIY market. Both Mark Tanko, ex-CEO, and Niko Tivadar, ex-CTO, confirmed to us that they have officially joined CORSAIR. Mark is now "Vice President & BU General Manager at CORSAIR", whereas Niko is "Director Of Engineering at CORSAIR". We contacted them for a statement, and it can be seen following the break.
We have contacted CORSAIR, EKWB and Aqua Computer to provide further context to this, and will update the post accordingly if we hear back. In the meantime, please feel free to share your thoughts and comments.
Today we can let everyone know what happened to those who left the company, and this news has deeper potential implications to the PC DIY market. Both Mark Tanko, ex-CEO, and Niko Tivadar, ex-CTO, confirmed to us that they have officially joined CORSAIR. Mark is now "Vice President & BU General Manager at CORSAIR", whereas Niko is "Director Of Engineering at CORSAIR". We contacted them for a statement, and it can be seen following the break.
I can confirm that Niko and I joined CORSAIR team and look forward to the upcoming challenges. I cannot comment on our future activities at this moment but will gladly disclose them to TechPowerUp! readers next year. Happy Holidays, stay cool everyone! -Mark TankoCORSAIR showed off some custom DIY water cooling components at Computex this year, with those being born out of a cooperation deal with Aqua Computer. With the acquisition of the new talent, and the job title hinting towards a new business unit being created inside CORSAIR, we speculate this is the beginning to CORSAIR getting into the PC DIY water cooling market as well. It makes all the more sense considering their competitors have already done so, including Phanteks with their Glacier series, and Thermaltake with their Pacific lineup. Assuming this is the case, it will be interesting to see how the larger retail channels and liquid assets of CORSAIR help offset the loss of manufacturing connections and assets that the two had access to while at EKWB. Similarly, brand recognition will be a challenge no matter what, since CORSAIR have been otherwise associated with CLC AIOs when liquid cooling is being discussed.
We have contacted CORSAIR, EKWB and Aqua Computer to provide further context to this, and will update the post accordingly if we hear back. In the meantime, please feel free to share your thoughts and comments.
22 Comments on CORSAIR Opens Port to ex-EKWB Top Management
I'm sorry that's bullshit the MLC finally was released after delays of upwards of a year, and all other products weren't previously announced or announced shortly, within a couple weeks, of a the launch. They never delivered in that is an illusion.
H60
H80
H80i
H100
H100i
H100i GT
In any case, I've never owned anything from EKWB, but I keep hearing good things.
A strategic link is needed for EKWB and we will see what will bring us in the field of liquid cooling.
Marko želim vam veliko uspeha.
Good luck to Corsair with that.
There is a reason you won't find watercooling DIY parts at larger retail channels. Several have tried just to find out they need dedicated people at sales and support plus they need to stock 1000+ different SKUs for a market that is very small and has slim margins.
I never believed in those quick disconnect kits as it doesn't make much sense to try to bridge the AIO and DIY markets.
Slovenia has a progressive (and steep) income tax: 16-50%. Other than that their taxes are pretty ordinary for Europe.
Edit:
Check their tax burden. Nothing special.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_Freedom_Day#Around_the_world