After more than 20 years leading integration firm ZTransform, Erik Utter has made a significant transition.
In March, he sold his interest in the company (which was originally called Utter Associates Inc.) to his business partner Ben Wolk. Now he has launched a new venture, an integration firm called Utter Systems Inc.
I caught up with him to ask about it.
Radio World: Erik congrats on this development. What is Utter Systems?
Erik Utter: It is a senior-level integration firm built around our clients working directly with me and other experts to solve complex challenges.
We specialize in designing smart, efficient media workflows and delivering high-performance systems tailored to each organization’s unique needs. With a lean, highly skilled team, every project is led by hands-on experience, technical precision and an uncompromising attention to detail. We offer consulting and system design to integration, launch services, ongoing support and technology procurement. It’s full-service integration, grounded in real-world know-how and a deep commitment to doing things right.
RW: Where does radio fit within the company’s business goals?
Utter: Radio has always been a meaningful and rewarding part of my work. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as consultant and lead design engineer for some of the Northwest’s most respected stations, including KEXP, KING-FM, KNKX and most recently All Classical Radio.
At Utter Systems, radio continues to align perfectly with our mission, helping organizations create purposeful media through smart, tailored system design. Radio facilities often come with unique workflow needs, which makes them ideal for highly custom, engineering-led solutions. These projects are deeply satisfying to me personally, and I look forward to continuing our work in this space.
RW: Why have you sold your interest in ZTransform?
Utter: After more than 20 years building it into a respected leader in broadcast and media systems integration, I reached a point where the business had grown to a size that required my focus to shift more toward finance and management than I wanted.
While I’m proud of that growth, I realized I was moving further away from the hands-on engineering and system design work that I’ve always found most fulfilling. I made the decision to sell my interest in the company to my business partner in order to create space for a new venture, one that allows me to reconnect with the craft, work directly with clients, and stay close to the technology.
RW: Does this new venture set you up in competition with the old one?
Utter: Following the sale, I stayed on with ZTransform in a transitional role to help ensure a smooth handoff. As part of that transition, I won’t be pursuing any existing customers until November. In the meantime, I’m using this period to develop new customers and lay the groundwork for Utter Systems, building infrastructure, refining our service model, and positioning the company for a strong start.
RW: Are you sole owner?
Utter: Yes.
RW: Who is on your new team?
Utter: At my previous company, we often worked with a trusted network of contractors, some of the most experienced and capable professionals in the industry. That model allowed us to stay flexible while consistently delivering top-tier results. With Utter Systems, I’m continuing those relationships and look forward to bringing some familiar, well-respected names on board as projects ramp up. It’s a lean and expert-driven approach that lets us stay agile while maintaining a high standard of technical excellence.
RW: What kind of projects are you seeking?
Utter: We thrive on developing sophisticated workflow solutions, particularly for mid-sized projects where there’s often the right balance of complexity, creativity and direct client engagement.
While we’re certainly open to projects of all sizes, mid-scale work tends to offer the flexibility to craft highly tailored systems while staying closely connected with both the client and end-user teams. TV and radio broadcast remain core verticals for us, especially in the non-commercial radio space, which continues to show strong momentum.
At the same time, we’re seeing exciting growth opportunities in corporate communications, education and sports — sectors that increasingly demand high-performance, reliable media infrastructure.
RW: What’s your view of the health of the radio broadcast integration business, given the many technology changes and business challenges that U.S. radio organizations have been going through?
Utter: Despite the well-known business pressures facing U.S. radio, particularly in the commercial sector, I see strong signs of evolution and opportunity, especially among non-commercial broadcasters.
Many are expanding beyond traditional music and news formats to include high-quality recording studios, public performance venues, video production and streaming capabilities. These investments are driven by a desire to deepen community engagement and diversify content delivery, and they open the door for creative, forward-thinking integration work.
On the commercial side, consolidation has introduced real challenges, but it also creates demand for integrators who can help streamline operations, modernize infrastructure and drive efficiency.
Overall, while the industry is changing, I believe there’s a meaningful and exciting role for system integrators who can meet broadcasters where they are, with solutions that are technically smart and strategically aligned.
