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Savant Partners with AVAD in Push for Market Expansion

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New Tools & Partners Open the Door to Entry-Level Buyers

Savant logoSavant Systems LLC, one of the leading control and home automation brands in custom integration, has made two significant announcements recently, both sent within just a matter of three weeks between them. First was the announcement of new software tools: Savant Central Management, a new cloud-based management software, and Studio, an iPad-based field configuration tool. This announcement was followed with a second one – Savant is partnering with AVAD, a national custom integration-focused distributor with 20 locations across the U.S.

It turns out that the two Savant announcements are related. Read on to see how… [Read more…] about Savant Partners with AVAD in Push for Market Expansion

Gibson Investment Gone, Onkyo Sells Off European Operations

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In Restructuring, Company Scales Back to ‘Core Competencies’

onkyologoAll the way back in 2012, Onkyo Corp. and Gibson Guitar Corp. came together to partner in what both hoped would become an entity where the whole was greater than the sum of the parts. Just months after their announcement, Onkyo forged ties to another Japanese audio brand, Teac/Tascam – just as Gibson stepped in to buy a majority share of them…and the combined entity began to grow.

Little did they know that just six short years later, Gibson, the investor in Onkyo, would implode into bankruptcy – forced to extricate itself from its Onkyo aspirations. Onkyo was hit as well, losing its Gibson investment – forcing them to reassess their direction. We now learn that Onkyo has sold off its entire European operations to an accessory distributor known as Aqipa GmbH.

See more on this surprising announcement by Onkyo… [Read more…] about Gibson Investment Gone, Onkyo Sells Off European Operations

Distributor Rutherford Audio and Thorens Cut Ties

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Rutherford Audio logoHigh-end audio distributor Rutherford Audio announced this week that its relationship with Thorens, a prominent European turntable manufacturer, has come to an end. As a result of this news, Rutherford is telling dealers they can no longer accept orders on Thorens’ products.

See more on this cutting of ties between Rutherford Audio and Thorens… [Read more…] about Distributor Rutherford Audio and Thorens Cut Ties

A 2-Time Win-a, Wally Whinna Sells Allnet to SnapAV

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A Dramatic Shift in SnapAV’s Strategy

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Wally Whinna

SnapAV announced today that it has acquired Allnet Distributing, the Chicago-based distribution company owned by Wally Whinna, who years ago sold a distribution company to Ingram Micro as part of their acquisition of AVAD. This makes Whinna a two-time winner, having created two distribution companies and selling them off, likely for a handsome profit – this time to industry powerhouse SnapAV.

See more about this latest acquisition by SnapAV… [Read more…] about A 2-Time Win-a, Wally Whinna Sells Allnet to SnapAV

Allnet Distributing Moves into Minnesota

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Allnet logoChicago, IL-based Allnet Distributing announced recently that it is opening an all-new location in Minneapolis, MN in September. It is the fourth warehouse location, as the custom integration-focused distributor continues to expand its reach throughout the Midwest geographic region.

See more on this latest expansion by Allnet Distributing… [Read more…] about Allnet Distributing Moves into Minnesota

VANA, Ltd. Appoints Nancy Weiner as Managing Director

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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

PE Firm General Atlantic Sells Its Stake in SnapAV

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BREAKING NEWS

SnapAV logoSnapAV 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

Strata-gee Talks to New AVAD President Fred Farrar

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AVAD logo 2017AVAD, 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

AVAD Expands Locations and Vendors

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AVAD logo 2017AVAD 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

In International Expansion, James Loudspeaker Appoints UK Dist.

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James Loudspeaker logoJames Loudspeaker announced today that it has appointed Pulse Cinemas as its distributor for both the U.K. and Ireland. A custom installation and home cinema specialist, Pulse’s team of twelve professionals spread out to service the region’s A/V dealers and custom integrators.

See more on this international expansion by James Loudspeaker… [Read more…] about In International Expansion, James Loudspeaker Appoints UK Dist.