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Hunter Douglas Adds Innovative Power Options to PowerView Gen 3 Automation

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Hunter Douglas is a leader in custom window treatments

Hunter Douglas, one of the leading makers of custom window treatments, announced this week a couple of really interesting new additions to their PowerView Gen 3 Automation line – a cool internal Rechargeable Battery, ideal for retrofit installations, and the PowerView+ Gen 3 Automation wired solution, perfect for new construction projects. The company says that these new options are both consistent with PowerView Gen 3’s principles of installation simplicity, performance reliability, and system scalability.

See more on these additions to the Hunter Douglas PowerView Gen 3 line

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First PrepTECH Grads Hit Dallas Market; Company Seeks More Sponsors

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PrepTECH, a for-profit workforce service company that finds, vets, trains, and places new entry-level techs into the custom integration space, has had its first graduating class enter the industry in the Dallas market. A “pilot” or proof-of-concept initiative, the company says it was quite successful and a great learning experience for them – as well as for their participating students and the industry.

Now the company is looking to scale the concept.

Learn more about PrepTECH…

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Is Sonos a Patent Infringer? U.S. Int’l Trade Comm Launches Investigation

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Is Sonos a patent infringer? the U.S. International Trade Commission will find out

The tables have apparently been turned on Sonos, Inc. which now finds itself the subject of an investigation into alleged patent infringement by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC). The agency decided to launch an investigation of Sonos after receiving a complaint from Alphabet, Inc.’s Google division. There is one simple question: is Sonos a patent infringer?

Learn more about the USITC investigation of Sonos

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Consumers Say Health & Wellness is a Priority; Market to Hit $1 Trillion by 2025

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Consumers have a new passion for Health & Wellness

Even though consumers report rising financial insecurity as inflation rages on, the Fed keeps raising interest rates, and the economy begins to slow, they say they intend to continue to prioritize spending on health and wellness – a new priority since the onslaught of COVID-19 – according to new research from Accenture. This is potentially good news as more in the custom integration industry look to offer various residential health and wellness solutions as part of a whole-home residential or commercial installation.

See why consumers say health & wellness is a priority

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Acoustic Energy Loudspeakers Names Fidelity Imports as U.S. Business Partner

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Acoustic Energy website with Fidelity Imports logo

London-based Acoustic Energy Loudspeakers Ltd., announced today it has appointed growing high-end specialty distributor Fidelity Imports as its “exclusive new business partner for the US market.” Fidelity will take over full responsibility for sales and support of its line throughout the U.S.

See more on Acoustic Energy’s appointment of Fidelity Imports

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How You Can Thrive in the High-Performance Stereo Music System Segment

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a high-performance stereo music system

A Guest Post by Keith Dowd, Vivid Audio

Is it possible for a speaker company that doesn’t sell architectural speakers, or home cinema speakers, or soundbars, or outdoor landscape speakers – to grow and thrive in today’s market? I would argue that YES, it is very possible. And it is equally possible for dealers to thrive in the segment as well, if they are willing to take just a few simple steps. I make that argument based on my direct experience in the high-performance stereo music system segment in my role as U.S. Brand Director for Vivid Audio.

You might ask…how is this possible? Read on to find out…

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Supply Chain Recovery Threatened by New COVID Lockdowns in China

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The supply chain recovery threatened w/new China COVID lockdowns
Some of the 21 million residents of Chengdu, China submitting to daily COVID testing [EPA/Shutterstock, NY Times]

Like being forced to watch a rerun of a movie you never liked in the first place, China is back to closing major cities around the country as a new round of COVID infections has emerged. China continues to maintain a “zero-COVID” policy of government-ordered aggressive measures designed to stamp out any new outbursts of coronavirus infections. But the impact of this policy is disastrous to the local and global economies – threatening to snuff out the recent signs of a recovery in the supply chain.

See how China’s shutdowns leave the supply chain recovery threatened

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Draper Creates New Role of Director of Residential Markets; Appoints Childress

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Clint Childress is the man Draper Creates New Role for

Draper, Inc., an Indiana-based maker of commercial shades, announced this week that they have created a new role at the company targeted specifically at the residential custom integration channel. The new role is called Director of Residential Markets and the man filling this new role is Clint Childress.

Learn more as Draper creates new role in residential

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Crestron Supply Chain Town Hall Updates Frustrated Dealers; Did It Help?

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Key executives address the Crestron Supply Chain Town Hall
Brad Hintze, Dan Feldstein, Dan Brady

This week, Crestron Electronics held a special Supply Chain Town Hall meeting with their dealers to conduct a deep dive into the root causes of their delivery delays, suggest what actions dealers can take, and offer a preview of what to expect in the future. The action was taken, the company says, in the name of transparency – a noble goal. But some dealers are asking what took so long – we are now 2½ years into supply chain issues and things don’t seem to be getting any better at Crestron. Or are they?

See more on the Crestron Supply Chain Town Hall meeting

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Frederick J. Ampel, Five-Decade AV Industry Vet, Dies at 75

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Photo of Fred Ampel
[Photo: CEDIA]

Frederick Jared Ampel, a long-time AV industry vet participating in the pro, commercial, and residential segments, died August 28, 2022 from diabetes and kidney complications. He was 75 years old and enjoyed a 50-year career in AV – a career in which he was still active until his death. While well-known in certain industry circles, Ampel was not a household name and he’d likely not have wanted it any other way.

But Fred Ampel’s influence had a direct impact on the industry…

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