I had barely lit up the pixels with my post on Nortek’s holiday termination of their remaining independent sales representative groups, when I began hearing from a number of other sources about high-end specialty brand Bryston terminating their rep force as well. It’s like a New Year’s assault on sales representative groups…and they aren’t happy about it…
Manufacturers
Nortek to Reps: Happy New Year, You’re Fired
BREAKING NEWS
Our phones and email lit up over the last few days as word spread that Nortek Security and Control has fired all of the remaining Core Brands reps in the U.S., according to multiple sources. The timing of the terminations over the holidays only seems to add a sense of heartlessness to the action….a real-life ‘bah humbug’ that leaves the reps feeling cold.
See more on the New Year firing of all Nortek field sales reps… [Read more…] about Nortek to Reps: Happy New Year, You’re Fired
Gibson’s Speedy Bankruptcy Exit Hits a Big Roadblock
I have to admit, Strata-gee was considering moving on from its Gibson Brands (Gibson Guitar) coverage, first started in 2012 when the company made several acquisitions as part of an ill-advised foray into the consumer electronics business. As delineated in our copious coverage, Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz turned to OPM (other people’s money) loading the company up with over half a billion dollars in debt to pursue a business in which the company had no expertise…ultimately resulting in Gibson’s bankruptcy filing in May of this year.
Gibson’s major creditors banded together, put together what some would call a pre-packaged bankruptcy plan and looked as though they would exit bankruptcy late November/early December. They were wrong. As they tried to power out of bankruptcy, they hit a brick wall – the United States Trustee who has filed a serious objection to their motion to exit bankruptcy.
Now what? See what the U.S. Trustee objects to in Gibson’s plans… [Read more…] about Gibson’s Speedy Bankruptcy Exit Hits a Big Roadblock
International Sales Manager Appointed at MSE Audio
Overland Park, KS-based MSE Audio, parent company of Phase Tech, Rockustics, Induction Dynamics, dArts Theater, and more, announced the appointment of James McManus as its new International Sales Director. This new appointment takes effect immediately.
See more on this role at MSE Audio… [Read more…] about International Sales Manager Appointed at MSE Audio
Gibson Says, Sorry Memphis, We’re Outta Here
Just a matter of months ago, Gibson Brands management assured the town elders of Memphis, TN that the company remained committed to the vibrant music community in Memphis and that they were looking for new digs somewhere within that community. But that was then and this is now – the company was basically taken over by KKR and now the company has decided to vacate Memphis, moving their group there to Nashville.
See more on the incredible shrinking Gibson… [Read more…] about Gibson Says, Sorry Memphis, We’re Outta Here
James 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
Japanese Startup to Disrupt U.S. Residential Construction Market
As you head home from work today, take a look around you at the other commuters on the road. All around you are Toyotas, Hondas, Nissans, Suburus and the like. These are all signs of the incredible success Japan has has penetrating the U.S. automobile market – taking significant market share away from the once dominant Big Three American auto makers, GM, Ford, and Dodge/Chrysler many years ago.
Can Japan do it again? Are builders D.R. Horton, Lennar, PulteGroup, K.B. Homes at risk of the same loss of market share? If Takeshi Homma (pictured here) is successful, he hopes to help Japanese companies take a big bite of the American homebuilding market.
See this bold plan to bring Japanese companies into American homebuilding… [Read more…] about Japanese Startup to Disrupt U.S. Residential Construction Market
Klipsch Black Friday Proceeds to Aid Cancer Patients
Klipsch is doing something good with a portion of their anticipated increased holiday website revenues during the upcoming Black Friday to Giving Tuesday time period. The company will donate a portion of their proceeds to The Autumn Leaves Project – a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to aiding those who are battling one of the deadliest illnesses known, pancreatic cancer.
Read more about Klipsch using Black Friday for this charitable purpose… [Read more…] about Klipsch Black Friday Proceeds to Aid Cancer Patients
Bowers & Wilkins Restructures in Support of R&D
Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) announced today it has restructured its company in order to further its research and development initiatives. In a brief announcement, only four paragraphs long, new CEO Gregory Lee (former CEO of Samsung North America) said a new, larger research facility will open in 2019.
See more on this announcement from Bowers & Wilkins… [Read more…] about Bowers & Wilkins Restructures in Support of R&D
Foxconn’s Double Dose of Bad News
A Negative Financial Report & a New Wisconsin Governor Add to Headaches
No doubt about it, Apple Inc. supplier Foxconn has had a really bad week. First, last Tuesday Wisconsin voters kicked Republican Governor Scott Walker out of office, replacing him with Democrat Tony Evers. Then early this week, the company released financial results with disappointing earnings that missed analysts estimates. Both of these unrelated events have combined to cause market analysts to question the company’s strategy going forward.
