Control4 announced today the launch of the Neeo Remote for Control4, the first product from their acquisition of the Swiss company Neeo back in February 2019. This new Neeo remote control is optimized to work seamlessly with Control4’s OS 3 operating system, offering another elegant system control interface.
Integrators
CEDIA 2019 – SnapAV to Distribute Sonos Wireless Music Systems Nationally
SnapAV announced today that it will begin distributing Sonos wireless music systems beginning next month in October. The company says it will offer the entire line – including the Sonos Port, Sonos Move, and Sonos One SL – as part of its extensive assortment of gear targeted to the professional custom integrator.
See more on this announcement from SnapAV & Sonos…
[Read more…] about CEDIA 2019 – SnapAV to Distribute Sonos Wireless Music Systems NationallyCEDIA 2019: Soundbars Here…Soundbars There…Soundbars Everywhere
The assimilation of the custom integration industry by the once-reviled, now embraced soundbar is almost complete. And on the advent of another CEDIA Expo, yet another round of announcements of new soundbar products came rolling out. While this fact is now an accepted reality, what is remarkable is that some of these new soundbars are from companies that no reasonable person would have predicted would enter the category just a few short years ago.
See some new soundbars being launched at CEDIA Expo 2019…
[Read more…] about CEDIA 2019: Soundbars Here…Soundbars There…Soundbars EverywhereBravas Group Sold to Private Equity Firm in $75 Million Deal
Group Says Deal is Just the Beginning
Bravas Group, a cooperative of integrators aggregated by Paul Starkey and Steve Firszt of VITAL MGMT, was first put together as part of VITAL MGMT’s consulting practice helping member companies better organize their operations, improve their financial performance, and drive greater profitability. Ultimately, the group’s fifteen members coalesced into one widely-spread unified organization, with over-arching centralized management and plans for the group to be packaged and sold.
Now, in a deal said to be valued at $75 million, Bravas Group has been sold to Presidio Investors, a private equity investment company with offices in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX.
See more on the Bravas – Presidio deal…
[Read more…] about Bravas Group Sold to Private Equity Firm in $75 Million DealSnapAV Continues to Grow Their Physical Footprint, Buys Custom Plus
SnapAV announced this afternoon that they have acquired Custom Plus Distributing, a regional distributor that started in the Pacific Northwest and expanded into California. This is the fourth acquisition by the company who seeks to grow their physical distribution footprint to better serve their customers in local markets.
See more on this new acquisition by SnapAV…
[Read more…] about SnapAV Continues to Grow Their Physical Footprint, Buys Custom PlusSnapAV Slammed with Credit Downgrade by Moody’s
Credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded the credit rating of Wirepath LLC (corporate name of SnapAV) from B2 to B3 in the wake of their announced acquisition of Control4. The primary reason for the downgrade is due to the fact that SnapAV will be forced to increase their debt by an additional $390 million to a new high of $683 million in order to close on this acquisition.
See more on SnapAV’s credit downgrade…
[Read more…] about SnapAV Slammed with Credit Downgrade by Moody’sCEDIA Celebrates, Hoping You Don’t Notice That Little Spark Catching in the Corner
On March 28th CEDIA held a grand opening gala to celebrate their brand new $14 million glass and stone castle in Fishers, IN with about 250 of their closest friends. Depending on your viewpoint, this new facility is either a shining shrine to the strength of the custom integration tech association – or it is a monument to the monumental arrogance and ego of an association that is drifting further away from the very community it purports to serve.
But what many of these guests to the opening celebrations didn’t know was that, as they sipped champagne and oohed an ahhhd over the new gorgeous digs, there was yet another small member flare-up taking place in the background…with significant members expressing strong dissent on yet another Association initiative.
See more on this two worlds of CEDIA…
[Read more…] about CEDIA Celebrates, Hoping You Don’t Notice That Little Spark Catching in the CornerControl4 Designates New Class of Pinnacle Dealers
Control4 has recognized a new class of 67 dealers whose level of business with the brand has earned them the designation as a Pinnacle status partner. Pinnacle status, Control4 says, is a lifetime achievement that indicates their importance as a highly supportive partner.
See who made the grade as a Control4 Pinnacle dealer…
[Read more…] about Control4 Designates New Class of Pinnacle DealersJames Loudspeaker: Go Big AND Go Home
Creating & Stocking New Soundbars for Larger 75-Inch TVs
James Loudspeaker, the innovative specialty manufacturer of custom-created loudspeakers targeted at the residential and commercial custom integration channel, announced that they will create, build, and stock a new soundbar product designed to be perfectly sized for increasingly popular larger TVs up to 75-inches. By keeping this new product in stock, integrators will have quick access to a more affordable pre-built solution…a win-win for the integrator and for their client.
See more on James Loudspeaker’s new soundbar solution for larger TVs… [Read more…] about James Loudspeaker: Go Big AND Go Home
CEDIA Tells Members Everything’s Fine; But Is It?
The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA), held their annual member’s webinar where association staff and board representatives review the “State of the Association” for those members tuning in to the webcast. The polished, prepared presentation offered an upbeat assessment on the organization’s accomplishments in 2018. But, as you might suspect, I uncovered a couple of interesting issues in which I’m seeking some follow-up clarification.