Strategy in TECH...
AVPro Edge, part of the AVPro Global group of companies, announced this week that it has expanded its commercial channel distribution in the GCC region, part of the Middle East, by partnering with Keyston Distribution Fzco. This move, which the company calls a “strategic step,” will help further extend its presence in this major world region.
The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) announced on Tuesday that it is launching its first-ever consumer advertising campaign – something members have been asking it to do for years. The campaign is a professionally conceived, created, produced, and now distributed advertisement that includes, amongst other things, a 60-second video that educates consumers on the “magic” of a well-designed smart home and the need for a professional installer.
One of the remarkable stories to emerge from the demise of high-end loudspeaker brand THIEL Audio, which went out of business in 2018, was the phoenix-like rising of THIEL Service from the ashes of the bankrupt company. Long-time head of service Rob Gillum, sensing the continuing needs of a significant installed base of THIEL owners, purchased service-connected assets out of the bankrupt company and launched the independent Coherent Source Service (CSS), a full-fledged repair center dedicated to servicing the ongoing needs of THIEL legacy model owners everywhere.
Now, in the wake of Rob Gillum’s recent retirement, CSS has been acquired by Gary Dayton, another long-time THIEL service executive (trained by Gillum), who seeks to carry on the mantle of offering THIEL owners ongoing exceptional service of THIEL legacy products.
In a new Form-8K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Thursday, Masimo Corporation (Nasdaq: MASI) revealed several new executive changes, with both new additions and at least one prominent departure. The new additions, include a new Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, and a new head of the company’s Japan & Asia Pacific business.
Notably, departing the company is Bilal Muhsin, the company’s Chief Operating Officer and once trusted confidante of former CEO Joe Kiani, who has informed the company that he is resigning his position “to pursue other opportunities,” effective July 1, 2025.
We got a blockbuster announcement late this afternoon as AVPro Global announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Remote Technologies Incorporated (RTI), a well-known control and automation solutions provider for residential and commercial markets. AVPro Global is the parent company of AVPro Edge, AudioControl Pro, Bullet Train, Murideo, and ThenAudio and is an industry-leading provider of AV signal distribution solutions in the residential and commercial integration spaces.
With the addition of RTI, the company makes a bold move into the control and automation space and ties together its expanding universe of sector-specific brands.
Sonance, a leading innovator of custom integration solutions founded more than four decades ago when it was instrumental in creating and growing the overall custom integration industry – continues to fuel its own forward momentum, announcing this week the acquisition of Blaze Audio, a significant innovator of premium high-performance amplifiers and sound reinforcement speakers out of Copenhagen, Denmark.
This move represents a significant expansion of Sonance’s Pro Audio division.
Last week, Masimo Corporation (Nasdaq: MASI) finally announced the long-anticipated sale of its Masimo Consumer division – the audio division created after its acquisition of Sound United back in February 2022 – to Harman International Industries Incorporated. Harman is a division of Samsung Electronics with a large automotive electronics business, along with professional audio and high-end audio businesses as well.
But is this truly a good home for Sound United?
On Tuesday, a Schedule 13G/A Form was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on behalf of former Masimo Corporation CEO Joe Kiani. The form is a “Statement of Ownership” and it is used to disclose the amount of ownership of top holders of public company stock. In this filing, Kiani reports to the SEC that he holds 13.2% of Masimo stock.
There’s just one problem…he doesn’t…
**7/11/25 – New program adjustments. See below** The reality is beginning to set in. Most industry manufacturers have updated their pricing with tariff-driven price increases…some as high as 50+%. Two weeks ago, on a day I call T-Day (for tariff day), the Trump Administration announced a new “reciprocal” tariff program on America’s top 100 trading partners that is bigger and more impactful than anything he ever toyed with during his first term. Even though most of that plan has been put on a 90-day hold (except for China), anywhere from 10%…to 10%+20% is now implemented. The impact of that is starting to hit economies around the world.
And the reality and impact of that is also beginning to hit individual businesses and consumers.
Well-known Denver, CO-based custom integration dealer ListenUp announced that it has acquired Timberline Audio Video based in Loveland, Colorado. This is now the fifth location for the company as it continues to grow its regional footprint, expanding its ability to serve even more clients throughout Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming.
