Strategy in TECH...
New data released by the Commerce Department showed an unexpectedly large drop in retail sales for the month of December. In fact, U.S. retail sales had their largest across-the-board drop in the past eleven months – plunging economists into vigorous debate over just what this means for the economy.
On the eve of the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show we received the announcement of the launch of a new kind of connectivity supplier called Future Ready Solutions (FRS). Launched by Bodley & Associates founder Eric Bodley, we have learned that FRS is a distinctly different kind of company – sort of a hybrid really – seeking to set the standard as your preferred provider of mission-critical connectivity solutions.
About a week ago, we told you that DOW Electronics announced it was expanding its custom integration-oriented (CI) offerings by adding Logitech’s Harmony remote control line. Now, just one week later, the Southeast-region distributor announces new a partnership with CI cornerstone line Lutron on its wireless Caséta line.
Specialty cable manufacturer ICE Cable Systems announced this week that it has selected veteran Michigan sales representative company Electrical Materials, Inc. (EMI) to represent its line in Michigan, the Great Lakes State. EMI, a unique mixture of electrical component distribution and custom integration AV sales representative company, is well known throughout the region.
SVS, a brand that markets its line of speakers and subwoofers both direct-to-consumers and through retailers, announced today that it has hired Walter R. Schofield as its new Director of Global Sales. The company says the appointment is effective immediately.
We have learned that DOW Electronics, a Florida-based satellite and electronics distributor, is adding Logitech’s Harmony remote control line to its expanding custom integration (CI) assortment. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, we are told that the company will be distributing the line on a national basis.
Multiple media outlets – including Strata-gee.com – last week published several stories about the passing of Crestron founder George Feldstein, someone who impacted the industry nationally. But we have learned about the passing of another iconic figure in electronics – if on a more regional basis. Mel Gross, one of the industry’s more colorful characters, and a leading sales representative in the Pacific Northwest territory, passed away at the end of last month.
When Belden bought PPC at the end of 2012, Eric Bodley thought this was going to be great news for both PPC and its Perfect Path line, where since 2009 he had led the charge in establishing the cable and satellite connector company’s locking HDMI connectors into the custom integration channel. And while he would argue that this acquisition by Belden was, in fact, a good thing for PPC, he soon came to realize that there was a challenge for him that was difficult to address.
Major New York Metro & Mid-Atlantic sales representative company Audio Associates has been selected by both Bay Audio and Wilson Electronics to represent their brands. In addition to this, Audio Associates separately announced that it has promoted long-time salesman George Christianis to the position of Sales Manager for the company.
*SEE UPDATE BELOW
We learned Wednesday that long time industry veteran and for the last 28-years New York Metropolitan market sales representative Steve Glatzl has passed away. According to his company, the New York Marketing Team, Glatzl passed away suddenly last week on July 3rd.
