AudioControl, the Seattle,WA-based scrappy manufacturer of specialty audio electronics for both the automotive and residential markets announced that 2017 is their 40th Anniversary, marking a somewhat remarkable journey from outsider accessory maker to a brand of growing significance to many in the mobile AV and residential custom integration communities. And to what does the company attribute their success? It’s all about reliability, performance and value…
Archives for 2017
VANA, Ltd. Appoints Nancy Weiner as Managing Director
High-end specialty audio distributor VANA, Ltd. has appointed Nancy Weiner as its new Managing Director, replacing Stephen DeFuria, who passed away in April. Weiner had been VANA’s Marketing and Operations Manager and knows the company and its stable of unique high-end products very well.
See more on this new appointment by VANA. Ltd…. [Read more…] about VANA, Ltd. Appoints Nancy Weiner as Managing Director
Legrand Acquires Milestone in Largely a Commercial Play
France’s Legrand announced today it has signed an agreement to acquire Milestone AV Technologies in a deal valued at $950 million. The deal is another example of continued industry consolidation, although in this case, it was largely a play by Legrand for Milestone’s predominantly commercial business rather than the residential portfolio.
See more on this deal which is twice as big as any previous Legrand acquisition… [Read more…] about Legrand Acquires Milestone in Largely a Commercial Play
PE Firm General Atlantic Sells Its Stake in SnapAV
BREAKING NEWS
SnapAV announced today that General Atlantic, its private equity partner, has sold its ownership interest in the company to San Francisco-based Hellman and Friedman, another private equity group. The move, while unexpected, is not unusual in the world of private equity – especially in the case where a portfolio company transitions stages of growth that move it beyond the the investment strategy of the PE partner as compared to when the investment was initially made.
See more on this big change at SnapAV… [Read more…] about PE Firm General Atlantic Sells Its Stake in SnapAV
CEDIA to Pay 6-Figure Annual Tax Penalty to Build HQ in Fishers
Indianapolis, IN-based CEDIA announced this week that it will build a new headquarters building in the neighboring town of Fishers, IN, after “more than 18 months of research, financial analyses, and due diligence.” This new “global headquarters” is the “best solution” as determined by the “CEDIA Board.” The announcement projected the project will cost $13.7 million.
But, the announcement did not reveal one significant additional cost… [Read more…] about CEDIA to Pay 6-Figure Annual Tax Penalty to Build HQ in Fishers
CEDIA Refuses All Strata-gee Interviews; New Process Invoked
Another Troubling Hit to Transparency
In a disturbing sign of a further retreat from transparency, CEDIA has notified Strata-gee that it will no longer accept any interviews. This policy appears to apply only to Strata-gee, and no reason was given…at least initially.
Will this new policy inhibit Strata-gee’s ability to cover CEDIA? Read on… [Read more…] about CEDIA Refuses All Strata-gee Interviews; New Process Invoked
Strata-gee Talks to New AVAD President Fred Farrar
AVAD, one of the custom integration industry’s leading distributors, is in the process of going through a major transformation, out from under the – some would say – clueless shadows of its previous owner, monster I.T. distributor Ingram Micro…to a more focused posture under new owner Kingswood Capital Management. Now being managed by CEO Tom Jacoby and President Fred Farrar, the company has begun a series of initiatives to transform their geographic footprint, business model, and push to higher revenues.
We spoke with new President Fred Farrar to find out what’s going on at AVAD… [Read more…] about Strata-gee Talks to New AVAD President Fred Farrar
Builder Offers World’s First Wi-Fi Certified Smart Home w/Alexa
Lennar Corporation, one of the nation’s largest builders of homes, announced today the world’s first Wi-Fi Certified home designs featuring home automation built-in and voice control by Amazon Alexa. The company says this new program is part of its Everything’s Included approach to home building.
See more about Lennar’s plan to build homes with voice-controlled automation included… [Read more…] about Builder Offers World’s First Wi-Fi Certified Smart Home w/Alexa
AVAD Expands Locations and Vendors
AVAD LLC, a leading distributor of custom integration brands, announced this week a dramatic expansion of their business – including no fewer than 11 new facility locations and the addition of Séura, a popular brand of outdoor televisions to their brand assortment. The news suggests an acceleration of their rollout of a new business model that they described in the middle of last year after the company was purchased from Tianjin by Kingswood Capital Management.
See more on this continued expansion by AVAD… [Read more…] about AVAD Expands Locations and Vendors
Savant Launches New Line of Touch Screens
Savant Systems, LLC, a leading controls systems manufacturer for the custom integration industry, announced this week it is launching a all-new line of touch screens it calls “Wally.” This new Wally lineup offers consumers easy access to their climate, lighting, and entertainment systems with a simple touch of the finger.
