Network systems provider Access Networks announced this week that it has hired Roy Beiser, a former Intel executive, as its first ever Director of IT. But even more than that, Beiser, who is said to be highly credentialed in network technologies and cyber security issues, will assist in helping Access Networks to establish “the highest IT and cyber security standards for the company’s base of integration professionals and their clients.”
Strategy
Radio Shack’s 2nd Bankruptcy in 2 Years; The Era of The Gadget is Over
In yet another clear sign that the era of the gadget is over, once prodigious gadget-seller Radio Shack files for bankruptcy on Wednesday…again. This is the second bankruptcy filing for the company in just two years. A strategy of partnering with Sprint didn’t produce the revenue the new owner’s anticipated and this second filing was unavoidable. So what happens now?
See what is in store for wounded giant Radio Shack… [Read more…] about Radio Shack’s 2nd Bankruptcy in 2 Years; The Era of The Gadget is Over
D+M Group Sold From One PE Company to Another
We learned Wednesday that private equity powerhouse Bain Capital has apparently found a buyer for D+M Group, selling it off to another private equity company – Boston-based Charlesbank Capital Partners. CCP is the owner of DEI Holdings, a division of which is Sound United LLC, parent company of Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, and Polk BOOM. It is Sound United that will now also take over D+M Group and its brands Denon, Marantz, HEOS by Denon and Boston Acoustics.
See more on what we know about this deal for D+M… [Read more…] about D+M Group Sold From One PE Company to Another
Control4 & Triad CEOs Explain to Strata-gee Why Their Deal Makes Sense
Control4 Corp. announced Tuesday that it has decided to get into the speaker business – doing so by acquiring Triad Speakers, Inc. – whom it describes as “a leader in advanced audio technology with best-in-class, customizable speaker-solutions.” The lofty language in the announcement in praise of Triad caught us by surprise and, unlike some of their other acquisitions, we did not find this one immediately obvious.
So when given the opportunity to interview both CEOs about this unexpected development, we jumped at the chance to learn more about the “hows” and the “whys” of this unusual partnership.
See what the two CEOs told us about Control4’s acquisition of Triad… [Read more…] about Control4 & Triad CEOs Explain to Strata-gee Why Their Deal Makes Sense
Integra Moves Into Distribution, Eliminating a Key Selling Point
This week we learned that Onkyo and Integra products would now be sold through AVAD, a distributor of custom integration products in the U.S. that is in the middle of changing its business model. Interestingly, this announcement came from AVAD, not from Onkyo/Integra, although Onkyo Vice President of Sales and Business Development Joe Petrillo is quoted in the official release.
But this simple announcement is being viewed as a game changer for many in the industry, who note that with the loss of its more “protected” status, Integra may have lost one of its key selling points.
See how some in the market are reacting to this decision by Integra… [Read more…] about Integra Moves Into Distribution, Eliminating a Key Selling Point
With Company Leader Incapacitated and Heir-Apparent Arrested: Who’s In Charge at Samsung?
After several years of non-stop success, Samsung has had a bit of a tough run lately. From exploding smartphone batteries to self-destructing washing machines to the arrest of the company’s Vice Chairman and heir-apparant…it’s been a challenging time, to say the least. But with the company Chairman Lee Kun-hee incapacitated due to failing health and his son, the Vice Chairman, now in police custody – the company’s biggest problem is a lack of leadership at the helm.
See how Samsung is addressing their leadership gap as a result of recent police action… [Read more…] about With Company Leader Incapacitated and Heir-Apparent Arrested: Who’s In Charge at Samsung?
On Drive to Grow Commercial, James Hits the Accelerator…Lightly
James Loudspeaker, the specialty speaker manufacturer with a wide range of models mostly serving the high-end market, has intrigued us for some time now. The subject of our intrigue is largely centered around their prodigious custom manufacturing capability, which they use to create a plethora of one-off products designed to order. We told you about a VERY unique pair of speakers they made for one Colorado integrator, who uses James’ customization capabilities as his “competitive advantage.”
Now James is targeting the commercial channel. See what we learned about their plans… [Read more…] about On Drive to Grow Commercial, James Hits the Accelerator…Lightly
Massive $6.3 Billion Writedown is Tanking Toshiba, Could It Collapse?
Toshiba Corp. announced yesterday that it will take a $6.3 billion writedown to account for the meltdown of its nuclear division. This amount of writedown is much higher than the markets had anticipated, forcing Toshiba into crisis mode having to secure lending commitments from their banks, reorganize their nuclear division, and sell assets to offset their losses.
Is Toshiba near the tipping point?… [Read more…] about Massive $6.3 Billion Writedown is Tanking Toshiba, Could It Collapse?
Sharp Plans Major Investment in U.S., Paying Fealty to Trump
Sharp Corp., a subsidiary of Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. which is better known as Foxconn, has said in Japan that it plans to make a major investment in the United States. This announcement precedes by just two days a summit meeting between Japanese and U.S. leaders and is seen as a political move to buy favor with both the Japanese and U.S. governments.
See more on this Sharp plan which originated with Foxconn’s CEO Terry Gou… [Read more…] about Sharp Plans Major Investment in U.S., Paying Fealty to Trump
Is CEDIA’s Show For Sale…Again?
Reuters is reporting that Emerald Expositions LLC, the major trade show exposition company that bought the CEDIA show last week, is considering putting itself up for sale. This report became public on Wednesday, January 25th…the day before CEDIA announced it has sold its trademark show to Emerald. All of which leads to the distinct possibility of the show changing hands again, in just a matter of weeks.
