Pioneer surprised everyone back in June of this year when word came that it had decided to sell its AV business to Onkyo Corp. and a private equity company. But actually, the gears for this and other deals were set in motion last year when the company launched a new strategic plan to focus on their core business – car electronics, their largest and most profitable division.
Strategy
CEDIA Expo Opens with Many Stories – But Few Big Ones
As we made our way to the Colorado Convention Center Wednesday morning, it was a gray, rainy, then drizzly morning. It’s a weird experience walking into a huge hall with very few people around – most there to either set up booths or to take educational classes. It was as quiet as a library and depending on where you were in the hall…it could be eerily lonely.
But it’s CEDIA’s 2014 Expo…so it’s time for Press Day, the day before the show officially opens. On this day, the press tries to pick up on the major stories of the show…and get a feel for the atmosphere of the event.
But pre-show buzz was pretty light…see what we discovered… [Read more…] about CEDIA Expo Opens with Many Stories – But Few Big Ones
SpeakerCraft…Just Got SpeakerCrafty
EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW!
The hushed buzz of whispers of trouble at Nortek’s Core Brands had grown over the summer – culminating in almost a roar in the wake of Nortek’s last quarterly report identifying its AV division as troubled. One of the premier flagships of the Core Brands stable is SpeakerCraft. As if the SpeakerCraft crew didn’t already have enough on its plate countering these issues, the company faced a new challenge as its former founders launch a new competitor (Origin Acoustics) to a lot of noise.
But don’t count them out just yet! SpeakerCraft just got SpeakerCrafty…
Burkhardt Builds Big Buzz…But is It Bull?
For months now, the industry’s poorest kept secret has been the reentry back into the intensely dense atmosphere of the custom integration industry by the colorful and spark-spewing starship Jeremy Burkhardt – one of the original founders of SpeakerCraft, which he left (forced-out our sources tell us – Burkhardt says he “retired”) in 2012 in one of the many Nortek reorganizations. At first just a rumor, Burkhardt a few months back began a series of “leaks” about his decision to launch a new company. Speaking mostly one-on-one, off-the-record with various journalists, dealers and reps…the buzz began to build – finally reaching its crescendo on the eve of the 2014 CEDIA Expo.
Just days before Expo, Residential Systems unveiled Burkhardt’s new venture , Origin Acoustics, to the world – followed a few days later by press releases to the rest of the media.
As Origin is revealed, does it exceed the pre-launch hype…or is it just bull?… [Read more…] about Burkhardt Builds Big Buzz…But is It Bull?
Onkyo Promised and Now Delivers True Atmos Performance on Select Existing AVR Models
This past June at CE Week in New York City, Onkyo was one of two manufacturers (the other being Pioneer…now part of Onkyo) who were the first in the industry to announce new Atmos-enabled AV receivers. Atmos, Dolby Labs’ latest surround sound technology that adds innovations such as “height” speakers and sound “objects,” promises to deliver to consumers an all-new, in-home entertainment experience.
But not only did Onkyo succeed in being one of the first manufacturers to introduce the technology to the market in yet-to-be-delivered new products – it went one step further and announced that it would offer owners of certain existing Onkyo A/V receiver models the ability to upgrade to Atmos (Atmos-upgradable models) through a firmware upgrade by the end of the third quarter.
Today, Onkyo announced that they will deliver on their Atmos upgrade promise… [Read more…] about Onkyo Promised and Now Delivers True Atmos Performance on Select Existing AVR Models
Bain Capital Fails in Its Bid to Restructure D&M Holdings Buyout Financing
In February, we told you about a report from Reuters that Bain Capital was seeking to restructure their financing package originally constructed when they purchased D&M Holdings (now known as the D+M Group) back in 2008. The original package was said to total ¥74.1 billion ($725.2 million), the senior debt portion of which is maturing this month. Reuters suggested at the time that Bain may experience difficulties getting a new deal, despite their financial prowess.
Now we learn that Reuters was right – Bain Capital has failed in its attempt to restructure the D&M Holdings debt.
See more on just what happened when Bain went back to the well on D&M… [Read more…] about Bain Capital Fails in Its Bid to Restructure D&M Holdings Buyout Financing
Panasonic Gives a New Meaning to ‘Wearable’
DEVICE COULD HAVE APPLICATIONS FOR INSTALLERS
Panasonic Corp. announced last week that it is launching a new product that it believes will capture major market share in the market for what they call a “wearable assist robot.” Starting in 2015, the company will field this “wearable” that – for lack of a better description – is like a lightweight, backpack-style partial exoskeleton.
See this new product with potential applications for any job requiring heavy lifting… [Read more…] about Panasonic Gives a New Meaning to ‘Wearable’
Private Equity Kingpin KKR Invests into Savant; Sets $215 Million Valuation
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Tuesday that private equity powerhouse Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (KKR) has invested $90 million for a 35% stake in Savant Systems, LLC (Savant). While this is a minority stake, KKR is obviously bullish on the home automation supplier making what the WSJ says is an “eight-figure bet” that places a $215 million valuation on the home automation supplier.
See more on this news on a rapidly rising home automation supplier… [Read more…] about Private Equity Kingpin KKR Invests into Savant; Sets $215 Million Valuation
Atmos Atmosphere Expands with New Speakers from Triad Speakers & Atlantic Technology
One of the bigger stories in our industry is Dolby Labs introduction of a new surround sound system they call Dolby Atmos. Launched at CE Week in New York City this past June, Atmos has already attracted a number of predominantly electronics manufacturers supporting the system in their latest models. Now the selection of Atmos products expands with new product introductions by both Triad Speakers and Atlantic Technology.
See the new Atmos speakers from Triad and Atlantic Technology, two specialty companies… [Read more…] about Atmos Atmosphere Expands with New Speakers from Triad Speakers & Atlantic Technology
Another OLED Breakthrough? Japanese Consortium Forms to Test New OLED Production Method
A Who’s Who collection of significant panel and display manufacturers in Japan says they will collectively invest ¥20 billion ($193 million) into a test production line for OLED panels using a new manufacturing process that promises to move the industry closer to mass production of what many feel is the next-generation video technology. If all goes well, the consortium will be mass-producing large quantities of relatively inexpensive OLED panels by 2018.
