Strategy in TECH...
Tributes on social media began flowing over the weekend as news emerged late last week that Rondi D’Agostino, co-founder of premium audio brand Krell, had died. While details on the passing remain sparse, the high-end community is mourning the loss of the leader of an iconic audio brand.
Several Krell-related sources, such as dealers and others, reached out to me on Monday to share the surprising news they had just received in that morning’s email – top Krell executive Walter Schofield has left the company. Other than that basic fact, dealers didn’t know much more as the terse communication from Krell contained very little information. Speculation is running rampant…
Gordon Shackelford, Vice President of Sales for Krell over the last few troubled years, has left the company at the end of September. The public face of the company during what might be its most troubled times, Shackelford told me he needed a break after a period of great stress in his career, but he wishes Krell all the best and believes it is in the midst of a significant turnaround.
At CEDIA Expo 2018, I had the opportunity to meet with Krell Industries executives Walter Schofield and Gordon Shackelford to learn more about the steps the company is taking to address market concerns in the wake of a lot of nasty rumors about Krell’s viability. Step one of the new direction for Krell involved the hiring of Walter Scofield as its new Chief Operating Officer as Strata-gee recently reported just a few weeks ago. In this meeting, I was to learn of more steps coming.
Krell Industries LLC formally announced today it has hired Walter Schofield as its new Chief Operating Officer. Schofield is fairly well known in the audio community, in fact, Krell refers to him as an “industry veteran.”
We reported last week that Krell Industries owner Rondi D’Agostino vehemently denied reports we had received from various sources that the company was in bankruptcy or considering bankruptcy. D’Agostino said that things may not be perfect, but it’s business as usual at Krell. Even better, she told us, the company is close to finally launching a new model. Sounds good…right?
Since our report was published, the trickle of sources approaching us about Krell…became a torrent. In messages public (in the Comments section below our original article) and private, we heard from more sources, many directly connected with Krell, who told a much different story.
Recently, we have spoken with multiple sources who have said that Krell Industries, a maker of high-end, high-performance electronics, has fallen on hard financial times. Some suggested the company closed at the end of last week for good. Others told us the company may be already in bankruptcy or in the process of filing for bankruptcy. Is this another Classé situation?
Within hours of our BREAKING NEWS report on Bill McKiegan leaving Krell Industries this morning, we received a press release from Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems announcing his arrival there. McKiegan rejoins the D’Agostino’s – who are the original founders of Krell – taking the position of President in their post-Krell company, effective immediately.
Krell dealers received an unexpected and, to many of them, shocking email from Krell Industries President Bill McKiegan, who announced that Wednesday was his last day at the high-end audio manufacturer. The email (reproduced below), was short on details and gave little more than a list of contacts at the company with whom dealers should consult on any future issues.
Krell announced today that John Milton has joined the company as its Western Regional Sales Manager. Krell said it was “excited” to make this announcement and that Milton’s appointment is effective immediately.
