Imagination is one of the last remaining legal means you have to gain an unfair advantage over your competition.
Pat Fallon, Fallon McElligott Rice
General Topics
Somewhere…Steve Jobs is Smiling
Today, we learned that Microsoft Corp. is acquiring Nokia Corp.’s mobile phone and services business in a deal valued at $7.2 billion. This news seemed to be a real surprise to many who have viewed Microsoft’s mobile efforts (i.e. Windows Phone) as weak at best. This news follows Google’s move in 2011 to acquire Motorola’s mobile hardware business. What’s this all about? Well at least in part, it shows that Steve Jobs was right all along…
See why – somewhere – Steve Jobs is smiling right now… [Read more…] about Somewhere…Steve Jobs is Smiling
Amazing New Pint-Sized Powerhouse from Artison’s Christie
Artison surprised dealers attending the Audio Associates dealer Expo in New Jersey earlier this week by showing a previously unannounced all-new subwoofer line that had the show floor buzzing. Proudly shown and discussed in great detail by Artison President Cary Christie, Artison’s new pint-sized powerhouse is diminutive in size, but its creator promises that it packs a powerful punch.
See more on the remarkable design achievement of this all-new subwoofer line… [Read more…] about Amazing New Pint-Sized Powerhouse from Artison’s Christie
Further Industry Consolidation as ‘Home Theater’ and ‘Sound & Vision’ Magazines Merge
Finding themselves at the crossroads of two struggling industries – consumer electronics and traditional publishing – Source Interlink Media, the owners of both Home Theater and Sound & Vision magazines, has decided to merge the two properties into one entity. The combined entity will be known as Sound & Vision – apparently leaving the Home Theater name plate to the annals of history.
This pivot point provides a sad demarcation in a once vibrant competition. See more below… [Read more…] about Further Industry Consolidation as ‘Home Theater’ and ‘Sound & Vision’ Magazines Merge
What Did He Say?!?! Strata-gee.com’s Ted Green Featured on AVWeek Netcast
For those of you familiar with AVNation’s AVWeek netcast or podcast, you are used to witty repartee as guests discuss various topical issues that are meaningful to the AV industry. And this week’s Episode 99 It’s a Fun LinkedIn, was no exception.
But one thing was different about this week’s issue – it featured an AVWeek newbie…Strata-gee.com’s very own Ted Green.
See more on the interesting topics they discussed where you can hear the podcast for yourself…
[Read more…] about What Did He Say?!?! Strata-gee.com’s Ted Green Featured on AVWeek Netcast
Sharp-Foxconn Joint Venture LCD Factory Falls into Sea of Red Ink
The giant LCD panel manufacturing plant built by Sharp Corp. and now a joint venture between Sharp and Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Foxconn’s parent company, has reported that it generated a net loss of ¥7.4 billion ($75.7 million) for the April-December fiscal period. The news is another indicator of the degree of desperation that Sharp is facing in trying to turn around its financial condition which, like many Japanese manufacturers has struggled as a result of the global slowdown and declining profitability.
See why Sharp suggests that the situation is improving… [Read more…] about Sharp-Foxconn Joint Venture LCD Factory Falls into Sea of Red Ink
Nortek’s TECH Segment’s Troubled Transformation
In a recent fiscal year 2012 fourth quarter and full-year report, Nortek, Inc. showed a mixture of hit-and-miss results with fourth quarter sales dropping 5.6% to $505.4 million as compared to Q4 2011’s $535.2 million. Worse yet, the company’s Q4 net loss increased from last year’s $800,000 to a substantial $12.5 million. These results were in spite of the fact that this year’s calendar for the quarter had two more days in it than the quarter last year.
However, Nortek’s overall annual results showed a brighter picture with 2012 sales increasing to $2.2 billion, up 2.8% from the previous year’s $2.14 billion. Net profits in 2012 came in at $9.5 million – a substantial improvement over 2011’s net loss of $55.9 million.
But one other thing came through loud and clear…Nortek’s TECH segment remains troubled… [Read more…] about Nortek’s TECH Segment’s Troubled Transformation
Happy New Year!
To all of our clients, subscribers, colleagues, friends, and family:
Thank you for your support in 2012. It was a challenging year for the industry, and it was a challenging year for Stratecon as we changed addresses on the web and launched a whole new kind of presence.
I thank you all for following us to our new www.strata-GEE.com location and for continuing to read and discuss our articles, stories, and posts. We look forward to an even bigger and better 2013!
Wishing you and your family a SAFE, HEALTHY & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Ted
The Stratecon Group & www.strata-GEE.com
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
