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Pioneer Pulls Out of AV

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BREAKING NEWS

Pioneer LogoIn yet another sign of dramatic changes afoot that will literally change the face of the TECH industry for years to come – news comes out of Japan that Pioneer Corp. is planning to exit the AV business by selling off its entire AV division. This news follows a similar decision made by JVC Kenwood earlier this year to pull out of consumer electronics to focus on more commercial business.

Pioneer is said to be in active negotiations with Funai Electric, a large OEM manufacturer who recently took over Philips video business, as well as other potential suitors.

Does this deal make sense? Or has the AV world gone crazy?… [Read more…] about Pioneer Pulls Out of AV

Sony Puts OLED on the Back Burner; Ramps Up Deeper 4K Commitment

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Photo of early Sony OLED
An early Sony OLED TV.

Just days after a similar announcement from South Korean rival Samsung Electronics, Sony Corp. has said it will put OLED technology on the back burner – scaling back development efforts for the forseeable future. Instead, the company says it sees a greater immediate opportunity with 4K Ultra HD LCD TVs and will work to expand its assortment in this product segment.

While Sony puts OLED on the back burner, it is ramping up its 4K commitment now… [Read more…] about Sony Puts OLED on the Back Burner; Ramps Up Deeper 4K Commitment

JVC Kenwood Takes Bold New Steps to Reconstruct Its Core DNA – Shaking Up Structure & Management

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JVC Kenwood logoIn a regulatory filing this month, JVC Kenwood Corp. said it will take dramatic and bold steps to literally change its very core – the operating structure of the company – such that it fundamentally changes the way the company is run. This changing-our-DNA move marks a deep expansion of its previously announced business-spectrum initiatives to move away from its weakening consumer electronics businesses into more commercial enterprises by ensuring that the way it manages itself is completely changed as well.

See more on this surprising move in which JVC Kenwood doubles down on “change”… [Read more…] about JVC Kenwood Takes Bold New Steps to Reconstruct Its Core DNA – Shaking Up Structure & Management

Nortek Q1 Sales Grow in All Major Segments, But AV Sales Continue to Decline

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Nortek LogoNortek, Inc. released financial results for their fiscal first quarter this week. As a widely diversified provider of largely building-related products, the company noted marked improvement in several key areas over the same quarter last year. With an overall quarterly sales increase from $519.1 million last year to $550.1 million this year, sales increased 6%. But the company still lost money in the quarter – though the loss was less than last year.

Results for Norteck’s TECH segment continue a shift to security and AV continues to decline… [Read more…] about Nortek Q1 Sales Grow in All Major Segments, But AV Sales Continue to Decline

Commercial & Residential Integrators Converge in Manhattan for Sapphire Marketing NYC RoadShow

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Poster about NYC RoadShowSapphire Marketing, a well-known manufacturer’s sales representative company focusing on the commercial and residential integration channels in the Northeast, held their sixth dealer “RoadShow” in mid-town Manhattan on Thursday and Friday of last week. We had the good fortune of being invited to attend the event courtesy of our friend Dawn Allcot of Crestron’s PR department…and we’re glad we went.

See more on this event, including some impressive presentations by major integration brands… [Read more…] about Commercial & Residential Integrators Converge in Manhattan for Sapphire Marketing NYC RoadShow

A Recent Report Says TiO Has ‘Fallen on Some Hard Times’ But Their CEO Disputes It; What’s Going On?

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Photo from TiO website
This image, from TiO’s website, raises the question: Just what are we “turning on”?

This past Saturday, CEPro published a strongly worded report based on anonymous email sources saying Automated Control Technology Partners, Inc., the parent company of Turn it On (TiO), has “fallen on some hard times” and its “office doors were locked” and “employees haven’t been paid for months.” The article also said that the company is “filing for Chapter 11” [bankruptcy] and “that a huge number of employees have been laid off.” CEO Mike Anderson was quoted as disputing many of the points in the article.

We spoke with Anderson who told us – emphatically – that CEPro got it wrong. So what is really going on at TiO?… [Read more…] about A Recent Report Says TiO Has ‘Fallen on Some Hard Times’ But Their CEO Disputes It; What’s Going On?

Aggressive Business Restructure Fails to Prevent JVC Kenwood’s Net Loss

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JVC Kenwood logoJVC Kenwood Corporation released a snapshot of the financial results for its fiscal year that ended March 31, 2014 and – while overall group revenues were slightly better than expected – the profit picture is still quite troubled. Fiscal year total revenues came in at ¥316.343 billion ($3.1 billion)…but the company booked a net loss of ¥6.571 billion ($64.3 million).

See more of the company’s results which suggest benefits from their reorganization are still ahead… [Read more…] about Aggressive Business Restructure Fails to Prevent JVC Kenwood’s Net Loss

Oops! I Did It Again – Gibson Brands Buys Accessory-Maker WOOX from Philips

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WOOX logoOops, they did it again (to quote pop icon Brittney Spears) – Gibson Brands has acquired WOOX Innovations, a Singapore-based brand of accessory products, from owner Royal Philips, N.V., according to an announcement from Philips earlier this week. Another in a line of acquisitions in the consumer electronics space by Gibson, WOOX brings in a complementary line of products and international distribution into its portfolio. This is the second attempt to sell the division by Philips, who had a deal with Funai fall through late last year, resulting in legal action.

See more on this deal, including what it means for both companies… [Read more…] about Oops! I Did It Again – Gibson Brands Buys Accessory-Maker WOOX from Philips

Thiel Audio Communicates with Dealers about Move to Nashville…Finally

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Photo of Thiel 3.7
Thiel CS 3.7

Last week, we told you about the many changes we learned that were taking place at Thiel Audio – some of which we characterized as “troubling.” Thiel, a storied brand whose products were originally based on technology and research from co-founder Jim Thiel, was purchased by a group of investors in 2012. Last week, we learned that these investors were closing up the Thiel factory in Lexington, KY – the company’s base of operations for 38-years – and moving it to their home base of Nashville, TN.

When we first heard this news, we reached out to the company, but they declined to speak with us.

Now, in the wake of our story last week, the company reached out to their dealers… [Read more…] about Thiel Audio Communicates with Dealers about Move to Nashville…Finally

Thiel Audio Story Takes a New and Troubling Turn

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*Strata-gee EXCLUSIVE*

Company Leaving Lexington after 38 Years, Moving to Nashville

Photo of Thiel FactoryThiel Audio Products Company (Thiel), the iconic high-end speaker manufacturer founded in 1976 in Lexington, KY by engineer Jim Thiel and two friends – and purchased by investors in 2012 – is in the throes of major change as we mentioned in our post last month. Now new details are slowly emerging…some of which are troubling.

See what we’ve learned about what’s transpiring…and what the company told Strata-gee… [Read more…] about Thiel Audio Story Takes a New and Troubling Turn