A Federal jury in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York delivered a verdict against Lutron Electronics Co., finding that it had infringed on a window shade patent held by GeigTech East Bay, a South Carolina company. The jury awarded GeigTech $34.6 million in damages for Lutron’s infringement, a figure that Lutron called “grossly excessive.”
News
D-Day Arrives; Control4 Integrators Begin Turning Clients over to Snap One
On Tuesday this week, a previously announced program being offered by Snap One – now Resideo – has begun. This program, called Control4 Connect, is a mandatory program that requires all integrators to connect all new client installations of Control4 products directly to Snap One’s central station for future software updates and data collection.
It is a new kind of transactional connection that establishes a direct relationship with the client for direct-to-user system updates and base-level client support supplied – not by the local integrator – but by Control4 support.
See more on this new industry scheme
[Read more…] about D-Day Arrives; Control4 Integrators Begin Turning Clients over to Snap OneAfter a Hopeful February, March Housing Starts Drop Double-Digit Percentage
Residential construction, known as housing starts, dropped in March by a surprising double-digit percentage. Most industry analysts believe that the slowdown is due to stubborn inflation readings motivating the Fed to keep interest rates high which is affecting mortgage rates and home affordability.
After solid gains in February raised hopes in the segment, the March numbers were a chilling splash of reality as home inventory is low and mortgage rates are high.
See more on housing starts in March
[Read more…] about After a Hopeful February, March Housing Starts Drop Double-Digit PercentageHighly Regarded Exec Frank Sterns to Consult on Custom Integration for Nationwide MG
Frank Sterns, a well-known and highly regarded (some would say renowned) industry executive, has been retained to consult on custom integration matters with Nationwide Marketing Group. Clearly a sign of just how serious the large diversified Nationwide organization is about targeting custom integration, Sterns brings a wealth of Grade A experience as a leader in the custom integration space.
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[Read more…] about Highly Regarded Exec Frank Sterns to Consult on Custom Integration for Nationwide MGSecurity Company Resideo Acquires Snap One in $1.4B Transaction
Will Merging Two Stagnant Businesses Reignite Growth?
This morning we learned that Snap One Holdings, Corp. (Nasdaq: SNPO) has been acquired by large security provider Resideo Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: REZI) and private equity company Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) in a $1.4 billion deal. If you aren’t familiar with the Resideo name, you may know them by ADI, their distribution wing.
The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2024.
See more on Resideo / ADI / CD&R acquiring Snap One
[Read more…] about Security Company Resideo Acquires Snap One in $1.4B TransactionAVA Cinema Remote Now Shipping After Production Glitch Resolved
When it comes to a potentially ground-breaking remote control, good things come to those who wait. But the wait is over and AVA, Inc. has announced it is now shipping its remarkable Cinema Remote, an innovative new remote control design first previewed to dealers at CEDIA Expo 2023. They may have had to wait longer than anticipated due to a manufacturing glitch, but now that is resolved and the product is flowing to the field.
See why this AVA shipping news is newsworthy…
[Read more…] about AVA Cinema Remote Now Shipping After Production Glitch ResolvedChris Kane of AudioControl is Promoted to Vice President for AV Pro Global
Chris Kane, long-time key executive at AudioControl has been promoted to Vice President of North American Residential Sales for AVPro Global. Sioux Falls, SD-based AVPro Global is a rapidly expanding manufacturer and distributor of top custom integration brands, such as AudioControl, AVPro Edge, Bullet Train, Murideo, and Then Audio.
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[Read more…] about Chris Kane of AudioControl is Promoted to Vice President for AV Pro GlobalMasimo Consumer Brand President & GM Joel Sietsema Exits Company
Change continues to come fast at Masimo Corporation as well-known and respected Brand President and General Manager Joel Sietsema announced on Tuesday that he was no longer with Masimo Consumer, the audio division of the company. This announcement, coming as it did without warning or explanation, raised a lot of eyebrows around the industry – with many reaching out to Strata-gee seeking context.
Here’s what I found out…
[Read more…] about Masimo Consumer Brand President & GM Joel Sietsema Exits CompanyAVPro Global Appoints Well-Known Industry Vet as Chief Operating Officer
AVPro Global Holdings, LLC, parent company to growing technology brands such as AVPro Edge, AudioControl Pro, Bullet Train, Murideo, and Then Audio, announced today that it has named well-known industry executive Mike “Sparky” Detmer as its Chief Operating Officer. Detmar is well known to many in custom integration for his long stint at Niles Audio, part of Nortek, and once a pillar brand for many integrators across the country.
Now Detmer joins AVPro Global to help them scale their operations in support of their fast-growing residential and commercial integrator solutions business.
See more on Mike Detmer joining AVPro Global as COO
[Read more…] about AVPro Global Appoints Well-Known Industry Vet as Chief Operating OfficerAustin AudioWorks to Launch at AXPONA
A new high-end, high-performance, direct-to-consumer audio company called Austin AudioWorks is officially launching the brand during the upcoming AXPONA show at the Schaumberg Convention Center in Chicago, IL from April 12-14. The company says its products “are very different from the mainstream” and show attendees will want to stop by and audition the new line in person at the show.