During the Sapphire Marketing NYC Road Show in Manhattan this week, we had the opportunity to spend time with Jeff Singer, Crestron’s Executive Director of Product Marketing, who shared with us the latest updates on the company’s major residential technology initiatives. He also helped us gain a better understanding of the company’s philosophy of product development and design, saying “We’re just trying to figure out how to solve real world problems for real world people.”
Manufacturers
And You Thought Samsung Bought Harman for Car Audio
Will Use Harman Audio Tech as Smartphone Differentiator
In November 2016, we learned that Samsung had acquired Harman International Industries in a deal valued at $8 billion. At that time, everyone pretty much assumed the deal was all about automotive audio – and area that inside-Samsung sources had identified as a market the company sought to penetrate. Now we learn that it wasn’t just about cars.
See a newly emerging strategy that Samsung plans to use Harman for… [Read more…] about And You Thought Samsung Bought Harman for Car Audio
LeEco Just Missed Its Payroll, Can It Still Buy Vizio?
Bloomberg is reporting that Chinese mega brand LeEco missed its normal payroll at the end of March, telling employees it would pay them a few days later. While this is a situation that is not unfamiliar to many small business owners, LeEco is anything but your typical small business owner. They are supposedly in the final stages of a $2 billion acquisition of major TV brand Vizio.
But if LeEco can’t make their own payroll…how can they still buy Vizio?
Read on to see what we know about LeEco and Vizio… [Read more…] about LeEco Just Missed Its Payroll, Can It Still Buy Vizio?
Samsung Receives Order for 70M OLED Panels from Apple
In reports out of Taiwan, sources say that Apple, Inc. has ordered 70 million bendable OLED panels from Samsung Electronics. An order of this size can only be for the upcoming iPhone 8, expected to be launched in late 2017. The order also suggests that Apple is expecting the iPhone 8 to be a big success.
See more on what sources in Asia are saying about the iPhone 8… [Read more…] about Samsung Receives Order for 70M OLED Panels from Apple
Emotiva Appoints Ex-SVS Exec as Its VP of Global Strategy
Emotiva Audio Corp. announced this week that it has appointed Walter Schofield, formerly of SVS Sound, as its first-ever VP, Global Strategy. Schofield has along career in audio but only recently joined the online world at SVS. The position was newly created at Emotiva.
See more on Schofield’s new appointment at Emotiva… [Read more…] about Emotiva Appoints Ex-SVS Exec as Its VP of Global Strategy
After 28 Years, Tribeman is Out at Atlantic Technology
BREAKING NEWS
We have confirmed that Peter Tribeman, one of the founding partners and long time President of Atlantic Technology International, will leave the company at the end of this month. It is the end of a 28-year career there and, as we’ve learned, has been in the works for about eighteen months.
See more on Tribeman’s surprising exit… [Read more…] about After 28 Years, Tribeman is Out at Atlantic Technology
Nortek Parent Melrose Reports Higher Margins & Sales
Melrose Industries PLC, an engineering turnaround company that recently acquired Nortek, Inc. (parent company of Core Brands) announced last week that it sees margins improving at Nortek already, even though it only acquired the company just last year. Not only that, but thanks to adding Nortek to its stable of investments, Melrose has seen its revenues triple – driving its stock to a record high.
See more on what Melrose had to say about Nortek… [Read more…] about Nortek Parent Melrose Reports Higher Margins & Sales
Gibson Brands Successfully Refinances Significant Debt
B. Riley & Co., a full service investment bank, announced the closing of a series of refinancing transactions that have completely restructured the outstanding significant debt of Gibson Brands, Inc. Gibson, as we have reported on regularly, entered the consumer electronics space back in 2012, investing in brands such as Onkyo/Integra, Teac, and buying Philips accessory business. Recently, the company appeared to be running into debt difficulties, perhaps from taking on debt to purchase these companies.
See more on this debt restructuring by Gibson… [Read more…] about Gibson Brands Successfully Refinances Significant Debt
Samsung Makes a Strategic Investment into an IoT Security Company
Samsung Electronics has made another major investment in the Internet of Things (IoT) space, becoming an early stage Series A investor in Bayshore Networks. The company made the investment via its Samsung NEXT Venture fund, an investment fund created by the company to find and take positions in companies that are driving businesses that will yield future profits for the company.
Who is Bayshore Networks and why did Samsung invest in them?… [Read more…] about Samsung Makes a Strategic Investment into an IoT Security Company
Atlantic Technology Names Mike Miller as National Sales Manager
Atlantic Technology, the specialty loudspeaker manufacturer home theater and architectural audio speakers based in Norwood, MA, announced this week that it has appointed Mike Miller its National Sales Manager. Miller, an experienced industry veteran, joins a company noted for its targeted, strategic products and leads the charge in driving national adoption of its solutions.