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Sweetwater's Overview

Total employees1792
HeadquartersFort Wayne
Founded1979

Sweetwater is one of the largest and most respected online retailers of musical instruments and pro audio equipment in the United States. Founded in 1979 by Chuck Surack, the company has built a reputation for its exceptional customer service, knowledgeable Sales Engineers, extensive product selection, and fast, free shipping. Sweetwater is known for 'The Sweetwater Difference,' a commitment to providing an unparalleled customer experience, including tech support and a dedicated sales professional for each customer. They offer a wide range of products from guitars and drums to keyboards, recording software, and live sound systems.

Where is Sweetwater's Headquarters?

Sweetwater officeSweetwater officeSweetwater officeSweetwater office
*Images sourced via web search. Rights belong to original owners

HQ Function

Serves as the central hub for all company operations, including sales, marketing, customer service, technical support, warehousing, distribution, and administrative functions. It also houses extensive music and recording facilities.

Notable Features:

State-of-the-art campus featuring a massive warehouse, a music store, a 400-seat performance theater, recording studios (including the Russ Berger-designed Studio A, B, and C), a service center, dining facilities, a fitness center, a salon, and a medical clinic for employees. The campus is known for its modern design and employee-centric amenities.

Work Culture:

Emphasizes a passion for music, customer obsession, and a supportive, collaborative environment. Employees, many of whom are musicians themselves, are encouraged to share their expertise. The company fosters a culture of continuous learning and growth, with extensive training programs. Amenities aim to create a positive and convenient work-life balance.

HQ Significance:

The Fort Wayne campus is not just an office but a destination for musicians and audio professionals. It embodies the company's commitment to both its customers and employees, centralizing its core operations for efficiency and quality control, and showcasing its dedication to the music industry.

Values Reflected in HQ: Customer focus ('The Sweetwater Difference'), passion for music, innovation, employee well-being, and community engagement. The scale and quality of the facilities reflect a commitment to excellence and a long-term vision.

Location:

While Sweetwater's primary market and physical operations are concentrated in the United States (Fort Wayne, IN, and Glendale, AZ), they serve a global customer base through their comprehensive e-commerce platform. International orders are typically fulfilled from their U.S. facilities, with dedicated support to assist international customers, though their main focus remains on domestic U.S. operations and sales.

Street Address:

5501 US Hwy 30 W

City:

Fort Wayne

State/Province:

IN

Country:

USA

Sweetwater's Global Presence

Glendale, Arizona, USA

Address: 7811 N Glen Harbor Blvd, Glendale, AZ 85307

To reduce shipping times, improve logistics, and better serve the growing customer base in the western region of the U.S., complementing the primary distribution capabilities of the Fort Wayne headquarters.

Buying Intent Signals for Sweetwater

Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.

Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Executive Team of Sweetwater

As of April 2025, Sweetwater' leadership includes:

Chuck Surack - Founder & Chairman
John Hopkins - President and CEO
Mike Clem - Chief Growth Officer
Sal Gebbia - Chief Operating Officer
Brendan Murphy - Chief Financial Officer
Marc Leveridge - Chief Digital Officer
David Stewart - Chief Marketing Officer
Jeff Ostermann - Chief People Officer

Investors of Sweetwater

Sweetwater has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

Providence Equity Partners

Executive New Hires/Exits in the Last 12 Months

Hire3
Exits0

Key executive changes in the last 12 months include the appointment of John Hopkins as CEO, Mike Clem's transition to Chief Growth Officer, and the hiring of Brendan Murphy as Chief Financial Officer. These moves signal strategic leadership enhancements aimed at continued growth and market leadership.

New Appointments:

John Hopkins, John Hopkins appointed as new President and CEO.
Mike Clem, Mike Clem transitioned from CEO to the new role of Chief Growth Officer.
Brendan Murphy, Brendan Murphy appointed as new Chief Financial Officer.

Technology (Tech Stack) used by Sweetwater

Discover the tools Sweetwater uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

Sweetwater Email Formats and Examples

Sweetwater commonly uses email formats such as first_name_initial + last_name (e.g., jsmith@sweetwater.com) or first_name.last_name (e.g., john.smith@sweetwater.com). These are typical corporate email patterns.

firstname_lastnameinitial@sweetwater.com or firstname.lastname@sweetwater.com

Format

johns@sweetwater.com or john.smith@sweetwater.com

Example

85%

Success rate

News and media

Sweetwater News / PR NewswireJanuary 24, 2024

Sweetwater Appoints Brendan Murphy as Chief Financial Officer

Sweetwater announced the appointment of Brendan Murphy as its new Chief Financial Officer. Murphy brings extensive financial leadership experience to the role, aiming to support Sweetwater's continued growth and strategic initiatives....more

Music Inc MagazineAugust 2, 2023

Sweetwater Names John Hopkins CEO

Sweetwater announced that John Hopkins has been named CEO, effective immediately. Hopkins, who previously served as President, succeeds Mike Clem. Clem transitions to the new role of Chief Growth Officer, while Chuck Surack remains Chairman....more

ProSoundWebFebruary 21, 2024

Sweetwater Studios Records With The Score For Upcoming Track In All-New Studio A

Sweetwater Studios recently hosted alt-pop duo The Score for a recording session in its newly upgraded Studio A, showcasing the facility's world-class capabilities and ongoing commitment to supporting artists and music creation....more

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