The U.S.Commerce Department released new data today detailing an unexpected uptick in housing “starts” or the number of homes that had begun construction during the month of October. According to the report, starts in October increased to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 894,000 units or 3.6 percent higher than the revised September level of 863,000.
News
Nortek Consolidation Continues; Creates New ‘ProAV Group’
BREAKING NEWS
Nortek Inc. announced this morning that it has consolidated several of its brands into a new organization that they call the “ProAV Group.” Consisting of several Nortek brands that were conspicuously missing from their recently formed “Core Brands” group, the ProAV Group combines Gefen, TVOne, and Magenta Research into one consolidated group.
See more on this latest round of Nortek consolidation… [Read more…] about Nortek Consolidation Continues; Creates New ‘ProAV Group’
France’s Legrand Buys NuVo Technologies
The French conglomerate Legrand’s North American subsidiary announced today that it has purchased Hebron, Kentucky-based NuVo Technologies, LLC. NuVo, a whole house audio solutions provider will continue to run as a freestanding, independent company focusing on the home audio market according to the Legrade announcement. While the products will continue to feature the NuVo brand, the company will now operate under the auspices of Legrand’s Home Systems division.
See more about this unexpected announcement… [Read more…] about France’s Legrand Buys NuVo Technologies
Sharp in Talks with Intel and Qualcomm to Receive Capital Investment
BREAKING NEWS
According to multiple reports from Reuters, Nikkei and others, Sharp Corp., the troubled Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer, is in negotiations with Intel Corp. and Qualcomm Inc. about a much-needed capital investment. Sources are telling the media that Sharp may receive as much as $378 million from the companies. The news was enough to send shares of Sharp stock soaring in Japan.
See more on this surprising twist in the Sharp saga… [Read more…] about Sharp in Talks with Intel and Qualcomm to Receive Capital Investment
Onkyo Forges Global ‘Strategic Collaboration’ with Imagination Technologies Group
Out of Tokyo, Japan this past Monday came word of a new global strategic collaboration between Onkyo Corporation, U.K.-based Imagination Technologies Group, and Imagination’s consumer division known as Pure. A global technology creator, Imagination Technologies Group largely focuses on multimedia, cloud, mobile, and connected audio technologies – often licensed to major consumer brands as part of their product offerings.
See more on this technology agreement…and what it portends for future Onkyo products… [Read more…] about Onkyo Forges Global ‘Strategic Collaboration’ with Imagination Technologies Group
OK, 3D HDTV Flopped – Industry Turns to Next Trick in Bag: Ultra HDTV
It’s a tough time to be an executive at one of the major television manufacturer’s these days. After a record run – with help from the U.S. government mandating a switch to digital broadcasting virtually forcing American consumers to upgrade their sets – the industry appears to have lost its mojo. So, with great fanfare, manufacturers went back to the well, trying to convince consumers to “upgrade” their sets to new 3D capable sets. But 3D was a dismal flop.
Now manufacturers have dug deep into their bag of tricks to offer 4K HDTV, also known as Ultra HDTV… [Read more…] about OK, 3D HDTV Flopped – Industry Turns to Next Trick in Bag: Ultra HDTV
Moody’s Cuts Sony’s Credit Rating Again; Now Just One Notch Above ‘Junk’
The investment community remains unconvinced that new Sony Corp. CEO Kaz Harai is making meaningful headway in turning around the financial performance at the struggling tech manufacturer. And now Reuters is reporting out of Tokyo that credit rating agency Moody’s Investor Services has piled on with another downgrade of the company’s credit, placing it perilously close to “junk” status.
Why did Moody’s downgrade Sony again just one month after a previous downgrade? [Read more…] about Moody’s Cuts Sony’s Credit Rating Again; Now Just One Notch Above ‘Junk’
Was Your Business Damaged by Hurricane Sandy? Here’s Help…
Much has been written about the impact of Hurricane Sandy on the entire East Coast of the United States – particularly in the coastal areas of the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut metropolitan areas. Homes were damaged and destroyed with press reports indicating that thousands of families were displaced. FEMA is sending in temporary homes to house these displaced families.
But other than gas stations dealing with fuel and power shortages, much less has been written on the impact on businesses throughout the area. Certainly, the Jersey Shore had a huge impact – especially on businesses centered on or near the boardwalk at the shore. But as we recently wrote about, other businesses throughout the area – including some CE-related businesses – were also impacted.
Here are some key facts about Federal disaster assistance… [Read more…] about Was Your Business Damaged by Hurricane Sandy? Here’s Help…
Savant Picks SESales for Southeastern States Reps
Savant Systems, LLC has selected Southeastern Sales Associates, Inc. (SESales) as their sales representatives for the southeastern region. Focusing on the custom integration business, SESales will represent the home automation brand to those installers and dealers in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Learn more about this new appointment here… [Read more…] about Savant Picks SESales for Southeastern States Reps
Sandy Thrashes Thunderball Marketing
Thunderball Marketing, Inc., an Avenel, NJ-based distributor of consumer electronics and pro-DJ equipment was hit hard by hurricane Sandy last week, with facilities losing power and two co-located warehouses subjected to a shocking level of water damage. Thunderball’s Alan Henslovitz told strata-GEE.com that his rough estimate is that the company has been hit with somewhere between $10-$15 million in losses based on destroyed & damaged inventory and lost business.