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Big Changes at Core Brands: Pollock Retires & Keller is Out

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BREAKING NEWS

Nortek's Core Brands LogoWe received word late today of big changes taking place at Core Brands as the company announced that President Bill Pollock will retire “after 27-years leading Panamax-Furman” and Core Brands. Pollock’s retirement becomes effective at the end of the year and he will be replaced by Joe Roberts, currently Core Brands Vice President of Products and Marketing.

The company also announced that Senior Vice President of Sales Dave Keller will be also leaving the company “before the end of the year.” Interestingly, there was no reason given for Keller’s departure.

See more on these dramatic developments… [Read more…] about Big Changes at Core Brands: Pollock Retires & Keller is Out

CEDIA Expo Shorts

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CEDIA Expo logoAs we perused the hallowed halls of last month’s CEDIA Expo, we ran across of lot of stories – great and small. Below you will find a selection of some of the stories and photos we haven’t yet posted about, but felt you should know… (All photos can be clicked to be enlarged)

See our CEDIA Expo shorts, below… [Read more…] about CEDIA Expo Shorts

Sharp to Close European Operations; Licenses Brand to UMC of Slovakia

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3,000 Sharp European Employees to be Cut

Photo of Sharp Logo Outside Store in JapanSharp Corp. said late last week that it has reached an agreement with Universal Media Corp. of Slovakia to license its brand and market Sharp branded products in Europe. As part of this strategy, Sharp will either sell or close its factory in Poland, cutting approximately 3,000 employees in total between their company-owned factory and European operations.

See more on this development, as Sharp pursues a new business strategy…. [Read more…] about Sharp to Close European Operations; Licenses Brand to UMC of Slovakia

Autonomic Tells Us Not All Streaming Providers are the Same; Launches New Mirage Model

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Autonomic logoIt seems like there is a new gold rush – the rush to provide streaming services to satisfy the seemingly insatiable level of demand from consumers. Almost every day, some new hardware company announces they will provide streaming services through their device. But in a meeting with Autonomic at CEDIA Expo last month, we learned that some things may not be what they seem…

See how Autonomic’s streaming services are different & learn about the Mirage MMS-2A… [Read more…] about Autonomic Tells Us Not All Streaming Providers are the Same; Launches New Mirage Model

On Controls is On Fire

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Photo of On Controls ConnectOn Controls launched their new On Controls Connect at last month’s CEDIA Expo and we received an impressive demo of this little remote access device. On Controls – a cloud-based home automation system – makes it easy for installers to add remote connectivity to their On Controls-based system – a capability that is sure to delight clients.

See more on this new On Controls Connect solution… [Read more…] about On Controls is On Fire

OmniMount Continues to Expand Its Role as the Strong, Silent Type

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Photo of OmniMount booth at CEDIA Expo 2014In the days leading up to last month’s CEDIA Expo, we were persistently cajoled by certain OmniMount folks to visit the display mount manufacturer’s booth…and we’re glad we did. While integrators have an almost dizzying array of mount brands to choose from – only a handful are truly prime designers and manufacturers of high quality mounting solutions.

And one new OmniMount model at Expo, clearly positions them as the strong, silent type… [Read more…] about OmniMount Continues to Expand Its Role as the Strong, Silent Type

With New Funding & New CEO…TiO is Finally Ready for Takeoff

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Photo of TiO's Vinu Patel

“I have a very high regard and respect for the product,” Vinu Patel, CEO of Anuva Automation told us he said to Mike Anderson earlier this year as they discussed a possible buyout. Patel was sharing the story of how he came to know – and ultimately buy – Anderson’s home automation and control company Turn It On (TiO). As we reported earlier this year, TiO had run into trouble and out of money when financial backing fell through. The situation quickly became dire.

Then, Anuva entered the scene… [Read more…] about With New Funding & New CEO…TiO is Finally Ready for Takeoff

CEDIA on Latest Market Data, ‘Installers are Having a Good Year’

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Photo of Erica Shonkwiler of CEDIA
Erica Shonkwiler, CEDIA

The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) released new preliminary  market data at their Expo held earlier this month – in a decidedly more optimistic presentation than in past years. Erica Shonkwiler, CEDIA’s Market Research Manager, was obviously pleased with the data she was to share with the media – and she conveyed an optimism that appears to be due to the new data showing an upturn in CEDIA members’ business results.

Not only was there a business upturn, it was the second year of positive results… [Read more…] about CEDIA on Latest Market Data, ‘Installers are Having a Good Year’

With Pyng, Crestron Zings the Integration Community

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PyngLogoAt the CEDIA Expo earlier this month, Crestron surprised many in the integration community by offering a new, friendly, easy-to-program and easy-to-use, app-driven home automation system they call Pyng. In fact, at a presentation to the press during CEDIA Expo earlier this month, Crestron staff referred to Pyng as “the app for your home.”

But does Pyng’s ease of programming & use cut the integrator out of the picture? See more… [Read more…] about With Pyng, Crestron Zings the Integration Community