SnapAV announced today that it has launched a new line of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) under its WattBox brand that offers OvrC-capability. Combining the UPS with a WattBox IP power conditioner, you gain cloud based remote management capability with both the OvrC and WattBox interfaces.
Distributors
AVAD Makes Market & Personnel Moves
AVAD LLC, a distributor that focuses on the custom integration channel, announced this week it is opening three new locations, as well as making key personnel moves. Part of an overall plan to change the business model of the organization, the company has, in essence, redrawn the map of its service area.
Read more about the changes being made by AVAD… [Read more…] about AVAD Makes Market & Personnel Moves
Startup TRXio Joins HTSA to Drive Growth
Startup software provider TRXio announced this week that it has joined Home Technology Specialists of America (HTSA) and fully participated in the organization’s Fall Conference last month in Chicago. The move is seen as another step on the road to greater awareness and acceptance of the company’s prime offering – inventory tracking software.
See more on TRXio and this new association with HTSA… [Read more…] about Startup TRXio Joins HTSA to Drive Growth
Leviton & Samsung SmartThings Partner on Automation Package
Leviton announced today that it has formed a strategic partnership with Samsung’s SmartThings division to offer a simple home automation starter package that will be made broadly available through distributors and the “professional dealer” market. Designed to be an affordable, whole-house, home automation solution – the package pairs products from SmartThings with Leviton Z-Wave enabled devices at discounted pricing.
See more on this new Leviton-SmartThings smart home market partnership… [Read more…] about Leviton & Samsung SmartThings Partner on Automation Package
B&K is Back…Well, Sort Of
One-time darling of many independent audio dealers and integrators, B&K Components, Ltd. had disappeared from view back in 2010. In fact, Strata-gee (then the Alert) broke the news about its impending demise just after the CEDIA Expo in Atlanta in October 2010. The bank was in the process of taking over the company and amplifier manufacturer Amplifier Technologies, Inc. (ATI) swooped in to purchase the remaining assets of the defunct company.
Now, the brand is back under new ownership – an ownership with all-new ideas to building a new company under the B&K banner. And who are these guys? Well, for starters, they’re Canadian, eh?
See more on the radical transformation of this brand… [Read more…] about B&K is Back…Well, Sort Of
Horns Now Available from Chane Music and Cinema
A dramatic new high-end line of loudspeakers, Horns by Auto-Tech, is now available from Chane Music and Cinema, the newly appointed North American distributor/retailer for the brand. The brand offers five different systems, each of which features the use of “well-tried” horn technology. Paul Klipsch would be proud!
See more on Horns by Auto-Tech… [Read more…] about Horns Now Available from Chane Music and Cinema
Conflicts Force Aim High Audio to Split Rep & Distribution Businesses
Aim High Audio Sales & Marketing and AHA Distributing are separating, the company announced on Tuesday of this week. A prepared announcement from president and founder Chris Gilray, noted that the separation will allow each company to focus on its dramatic growth. Gilray will solely control the distribution business, while his partner Jon Perry will take over Aim High Audio’s representation business under the Precision Sales Group name.
We spoke with Gilray and learned about the competitive issues that drove this decision… [Read more…] about Conflicts Force Aim High Audio to Split Rep & Distribution Businesses
Allnet Distributing Opens Outlet in Indianapolis
Allnet Distributing, the large Chicago-based custom integration-focused distribution company founded by former AVAD principal Wally Whinna, announced that it has opened an outlet in Carmel, IN, an area just outside of Indianapolis. The new location will take over responsibility for servicing the Indiana market which was previously handled out of the firm’s Chicago-area headquarters facility in Elk Grove Village, IL.
See more on this regional expansion by a major Midwest distributor… [Read more…] about Allnet Distributing Opens Outlet in Indianapolis
Sales Down, Losing Money, Ingram Micro CEO Says ‘Doing a Great Job’
AVAD Parent Ingram Micro Reports Fiscal 2nd Quarter Results
Ingram Micro, Inc. reported results for the second quarter and first half of their current fiscal year and it would be easy to be confused by these results. Why? Well, sales were down 3.2%, operating earnings dropped an astonishing 98%, and last year’s net income plunged into a net loss this year. Yet CEO Alain Monié said in accompanying materials, “Our teams are doing a great job…”
Really?!?! See why Monié feels Ingram Micro’s doing a great job… [Read more…] about Sales Down, Losing Money, Ingram Micro CEO Says ‘Doing a Great Job’
DOW to Distribute Sony ES Line
Tampa, Fl-based DOW Electronics announced on Tuesday that it will distribute the entire Sony ES line of products, effective immediately. The latest addition to their line-up, DOW says Sony offers a line to dealers that is “protected from online shopping” and has “controlled distribution.”
