In a move that has been highly anticipated or, depending on your point of view, highly dreaded, Moody’s Investors Service cut its credit rating on Sony Corp. by one notch, dropping it below investment grade – taking it to “junk” status, in industry parlance. The downgrade was made on Monday and it is significant in that it symbolizes the continuing struggles of the company as it to tries to improve its fortunes – so far with mixed results.
Manufacturers
After a Short Pause, Another D+M Group Executive Leaves the Company
BREAKING NEWS
Petro Shimonishi, once Senior Global Business Team Leader of Headphones & Accessories for D+M Group, announced on Facebook today that she has left the company for a new role with a new company. The announcement clearly surprised many of her friends and colleagues, as was evidenced by their almost universal shocked reaction.
See more on this key executive departure from D&M… [Read more…] about After a Short Pause, Another D+M Group Executive Leaves the Company
Sharp Ends Production of Solar Panels at Tennessee Factory – 300 to Lose Their Jobs
Sharp Corporation announced that it has decided to end production of solar panels at its factory in Memphis, Tennessee, the Nikkei reported today. As a result, 300 jobs will be eliminated at the facility.
See more on this unexpected announcement from Sharp… [Read more…] about Sharp Ends Production of Solar Panels at Tennessee Factory – 300 to Lose Their Jobs
JVC Kenwood Launches 1st Initiative in New, More Commercial Business Strategy
Just one day after we reported that JVC Kenwood was turning away from the Consumer Electronics business and choosing to instead pursue more commercial enterprises – the company announces its first major partnership in this new operating model. The company has partnered with Europe’s Airbus Defence and Space in a major new initiative to develop a public safety wireless broadband technology for the North American and European markets.
Learn more about the major new partnership for the company… [Read more…] about JVC Kenwood Launches 1st Initiative in New, More Commercial Business Strategy
This is Big: JVC Kenwood Turns Away from Consumer Electronics; Picks Commercial Biz Instead
In a big announcement in Tokyo today, JVC Kenwood CEO Haruo Kawahara said the company will drastically overhaul its business – more so that previously announced – turning away from consumer electronics and towards more commercial businesses, according to the Nikkei. The CEO, in his most specific comments since the company revised its forecast from a profit to a loss for the current fiscal year, is signaling a significant sea change for the company…
See more on this surprising announcement from the struggling company… [Read more…] about This is Big: JVC Kenwood Turns Away from Consumer Electronics; Picks Commercial Biz Instead
The DaVinci Group Adds New Sales & Distribution Partners
The DaVinci Group (TDG) announced that it has added new partners to its sales representative and distribution network, expanding its sales force backbone to help better serve dealers and integrators as the company continues to grow. The Ontario, CA-based company launched at the end of last year and says it has experienced rapid growth through the end of 2013. This growth continues to accelerate as the company brings more regions on board,
See which reps and distributors have joined TDG as well as what regions they serve… [Read more…] about The DaVinci Group Adds New Sales & Distribution Partners
Seeing Through to the Essence of ClearView
Sometimes making no impression is the way to make the biggest impression of all! Massachusetts-based ClearView® Audio (www.clearviewaudio.com/) launched an innovative transparent music system at CES 2014 and is enjoying a great response from dealers, domestic and international. Called Clio, this first product stands just over 9 inches tall, streams over Bluetooth, and has an MSRP of $349. [Read more…] about Seeing Through to the Essence of ClearView
CES 2014 – The Year of the…? (Insert Your Favorite Gadget Here)
When I was little, I came home from school one day, excited to tell my mother about all my new friends. One-by-one, I named each of them, calling each one “my best friend.” When I finished, I’ll never forget what she said. “If they’re ALL your best friend, then you don’t have a BEST friend.”
The Consumer Electronics industry over the last few years and continuing into this year – has fallen into a troubling state of highly fragmented technology trends. It is in this environment – the absence of any clearly defined, overall technology trend – Gary Shapiro and the CEA try to field their annual technology exposition known as the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
So what was the big tech innovation at CES?…Well, it’s complicated… [Read more…] about CES 2014 – The Year of the…? (Insert Your Favorite Gadget Here)
JVC Kenwood Invests $300 Million in Venture Capital Fund
JVC Kenwood announced in Japan that it has made a substantial investment valued at $300 million in the WiL Fund I, L.P., a company that it describes as a “venture investment consultation organization.” The company says it is partnering with WiL (World Innovation Lab) as part of a plan to find new potential acquisitions “to enhance growth in next generation development business.”
See more on this new report out of Japan… [Read more…] about JVC Kenwood Invests $300 Million in Venture Capital Fund
Gibson Brands Goes ‘Back to the Future’ to Celebrate 120 Years
Gibson Brands took advantage of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to make a bit of a show of their own to celebrate 120 years in business. The company, which serves up 23 different brands of musical instruments, professional audio products and, more recently, consumer electronics products, chose a unique way to mark the occasion by going “Back to the Future.”
